Campus Climate Programs

Strengthening Community and Enhancing Belonging

Speaker Series

Becoming Latino/a/x/e and the Invisible Lines that Divide & Unite Us in America: A talk by Dr. Michael Benitez Jr.

October 3, 2024

Dr. Michael Benitez Jr. explores the complexity of the collective sociocultural and political identity that is Latino/a/x/e. Unpack, name, and heal through a process of historicization and reflection, including deeper engagement with intersections of whiteness, anti-Blackness, religious imperialism, and "machismo" within pan-Latino/a/x/e cultural spaces and practice.

DEIB Speaker Series featuring Michael Benitez Jr.

 

Undocumented Action Week Conversations in Collaboration with the Erika Glazer J. Family Dreamers Resource Center

October 16

A conversation with Agustin Raphael.

He shares his family's experience as undocumented Americans, determined to make the best of their always turbulent and sometimes dangerous American existence. An alternatingly hilarious and touching exploration of belonging and identity, Illegally Yours revolves around one very simple question: What does it mean to be American?

IndigeThank: Keynote and Film Screening+Panel

-collaboration with the American Indian and Indigenous Students Association

Keynote Speaker: Honorable Deborah Sanchez: Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court - Chumash, O’odham, and Raramúri

Join us to give thanks with a film screening of the documentary Warrior Lawyers: Defenders of Sacred Justice.

The screening will be followed by a panel featuring:

Audrey Geyer: Filmmaker (Warrior Lawyers)

Honorable Deborah Sanchez: Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court - Chumash, O’odham, and Raramúri

Mary Kathryn Nagle: Cherokee attorney and playwright

Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Golden Eagle Ballrooms (2 & 3)

A light IndigeThanksgiving meal will be served

The documentary invites viewers into the lives of contemporary Native American role models. It focuses on the underreported themes of nation-building, tribal justice, and cultural revitalization. Through the personal and professional stories of American Indian Attorneys, Tribal Judges, and their colleagues, the program provides an overview of the major historical, governmental, legal, judicial, and intertwining social issues shaping many Federally Recognized Nations today. Through the exploration of these overarching and foundational Native American issues, the documentary also reveals how traditional Indigenous values and cultural practices can be effectively utilized to face contemporary tribal challenges as well as promote healing and Sacred Justice in many facets of mainstream society at the county, state, and federal levels.

Presented by the American Indian Students Association, the University Library, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.