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January 31, 2003

Purdue calls attention to human rights through Project Respect

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Project Respect Committee at Purdue University will sponsor a weeklong series of events related to diversity awareness and human rights from Monday (2/3) through Saturday (2/8).

The highlight of the week will be a lecture by acclaimed author and poet Maya Angelou at 7 p.m. Wednesday (2/5) in the Elliott Hall of Music.

Other Project Respect events include:

• "Images of Human Rights" exhibit. Stewart Center Gallery. Daily through Sunday, Feb. 23. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. The evolution of South African democracy unfolds in a portfolio of black-and-white woodcuts recently acquired for the Purdue Galleries permanent collection. In the aftermath of apartheid, the portfolio was assembled to celebrate the creation of the South African Bill of Rights. Each of the 27 clauses of the Bill of Rights is represented by an image from an individual South African artist.

• Wall of Respect mural. Shreve Hall main lobby/formal lounge. Feb. 3-7 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Display of artwork by residents expressing their views on human rights.

• Purdue Bahai Club Diversity Dialogue: African American and Asian American Women. Stone Hall, Feb. 3 at noon. A discussion will be led by African-American and Asian-American women on similarities and differences between people. Participants may bring lunch.

• "Prevent Child Abuse Indiana; Preventing Shaken Infant Syndrome." Stewart Center, Room 318. Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. The workshop will offer information on how to prevent child abuse and shaken infant syndrome.

• "AIDS: A Global Epidemic." Stewart Center, Room 314. Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. The Purdue Student Union Board will sponsor a presentation and discussion about how HIV-AIDS has affected the world and what the United States is doing about it. James Anderson, co-director of a rural center for AIDS and sexually transmitted disease prevention will speak.

• "Building Mutual Respect: Putting an End to Sexual Harassment on Campus." Stewart Center, Room 214A. Feb. 4 at 12:10 p.m. The Women's Resource Office will show a video on sexual harassment hosted by Jean Kilbourne. A discussion on how to improve the campus climate will follow.

• "From Ethiopia to Israel." Black Cultural Center, Multipurpose Room 2. Feb. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Irene Fertik will present a slide show on the culture and adjustment of the Ethiopian Jewish who emigrated to Israel. The event is sponsored by the BCC, Jewish Studies and the Israel Council at Purdue.

• Amnesty International Movie Night. Beering Hall of Liberal Arts and Education, Room 1245. Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. A film on human rights will be shown.

• "VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood – Respect Other's Choices." Purdue Memorial Union basement across from Villa Pizza. Feb. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Information will be distributed on the reproductive rights movement and reproductive health services.

• "Project Respect at Purdue – An Evening with Maya Angelou." Elliott Hall of Music. Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Renowned author and poet Maya Angelou will address the value of human rights. Tickets are available at Loeb Playhouse and Elliott Hall of Music box offices by calling (765) 494-3933. The cost is $5 for Purdue students, $10 for the general public. A discussion immediately following the event will led by Purdue Provost Sally Frost Mason.

• "Seasons of Nonviolence." Stewart Center, Room 214 B. Feb. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Latino Cultural Center will sponsor a presentation and discussion on the role of nonviolence as related to human rights in academic environments, communities and the world. Panelists include Sandor Goodhart, Pamala Morris, Angelica Duran and Ann Astell.

• Boiler Volunteer Network – Community Service Project. YWCA Woman's Shelter, Lafayette. Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. The Boiler Volunteer Network will sponsor a community service project to help women at the shelter improve their self-esteem. To participate, contact the BVN at (765) 494-8864 or visit their office in Stewart Center, Room G4.

• Amnesty International sponsored discussion. Stewart Center, Room 311. Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. Amnesty International will sponsor a discussion of current human rights issues, such as the Illinois governor's release of death row inmates and Afghan civilians' human rights.

• "Faith and Sexual Orientation: Are They Really at Odds?" Stewart Center 206. Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. The Purdue Ally Association will sponsor a moderated discussion led by local gay rights affirming religious leaders. Purdue faculty, staff and students who have struggled with their sexuality and their religion will share their experiences.

• Muslim discussion group. Beering Hall, Room 2275. Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. The video "Slavery and Freedom in Islam" will be shown, followed by a discussion of the concept of freedom in Islam.

• "Human Rights and the Iraq Crisis – a Middle Eastern Conflict." Beering Hall, Room 2290. Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Purdue political science professor Harry Targ will lead a discussion about the impending war in Iraq and related human rights issues.

• BCC Reads. Black Cultural Center Library. Feb. 6-7 at 6:30 p.m. Sam Greenlee's "The Spook Who Sat by the Door" will be discussed.

• "Just Because of Who We Are." Stewart Center, Room 214C. Feb. 7 at 12:10 p.m. The Women's Resource Office will present a documentary on violence against lesbians.

• Black Student Union Minority Organization Retreat. Stewart Center, Room 214. Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The retreat will focus on skill-building and working with diverse members of student organizations. For more information contact Kala Thomas at (765) 497-8203.

Sara Solloway, Purdue Student Union Board program director, says Project Respect Week has become a much anticipated tradition at Purdue.

"During the past two years, members of Purdue University organizations have shown their creativity through diverse events planned during Project Respect week," Solloway says. "Past events included cultural fine art demonstrations, discussions concerning diversity issues and lectures. We are confident that this year's series of events will continue to promote diversity awareness to Purdue students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community."

Project Respect is sponsored by the Purdue Student Union Board, Purdue Student Government, the African-American Studies and Resource Center, Black Cultural Center, Diversity Resource Office, Interfraternity Council, Latino Cultural Center, Office of the Dean of Students, Panhellenic Association, Purdue Convocations, University Residences, Women's Resource Office and Women's Studies.

CONTACT: Sara Solloway, (765) 494-8907, solloway@purdue.edu.

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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