LSC Presents Final “Year of Social Justice” Events

Events Focus on White Privilege, Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse, and “Stories from the Front Lines of Womanhood”

April 13, 2015

Lyndon State College’s Year of Social Justice concludes with three events. The first “Mirrors of Privilege,” is a film followed by a discussion; the second event is a panel discussion about male victims of sexual trauma; the third is a reading and discussion about women’s experiences of harassment and assault in their daily life. Lyndon President Joe Bertolino designated the 2014-2015 school year as the Year of Social Justice. These events are free and open to the public.

“Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible” is a film designed to help bridge the gap between good intentions and meaningful change by featuring stories from white men and women on overcoming issues of unconscious racism and entitlement. This film advances the argument that with transformative learning, a dialogue for learning, changing, healing, and undoing race-based oppression can begin. The stories in the film reveal what is often required to move through the stages of denial, defensiveness, guilt, fear and shame into making a solid commitment to ending racial injustice.

A post-film discussion will be facilitated by Sha’an Mouliert, a community organizer, educator, and artist. Mouliert co-founded the African American Alliance of the Northeast Kingdom, a grassroots organization committed to racial justice. She facilitates “theater of the oppressed” trainings; she has led conflict resolution, human potential, creative expression, racial justice, and community organizing workshops nationally and internationally. The film and discussion will be on Wednesday, April 15, at 6 p.m. in the Burke Mountain Room. It is free and open to the public and is sponsored by Lyndon FAIR.

A panel discussion entitled “MaleSurvivor: Dare to Dream” will be on Friday, April 17, at 6 p.m. in the Rita Bole Community Room. MaleSurvivor, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to overcoming sexual victimization of boys and men, will bring its national Dare to Dream program to Lyndon. The program brings a message of hope and healing while offering support for abuse survivors. The event will provide male survivors with a safe and comfortable environment to join others in lifting the veil of secrecy and shame from their experience. The program will feature the film “Boys and Men Healing,” a panel discussion facilitated by Mikele Rauch and Peter Botteas, and an opportunity to learn about local resources and support groups.

This free and open to the public event is intended for male survivors of sexual abuse/assault and their loved ones-partners, friends, or family members-mental health professionals, and any community members who would like to learn more. It is sponsored by Lyndon FAIR, Umbrella, and the Lyndon State Psychology and Human Services department.

On Tuesday, April 21, Leah Carey will read from her book, “You Are Not Alone: Stories from the Front Lines of Womanhood” with a discussion following. In May 2014, six people were killed and fourteen injured by a killer whose motive was described as a “desire to punish women for rejecting him.” The next day, Twitter exploded with stories of women’s experiences of harassment and assault in their daily lives using the hashtag #YesAllWomen. With the Twitter conversation as inspiration, Carey got a group of ten women ranging in ages, ethnicity, location, and general life experience to come together and discuss various aspects of womanhood. The reading and discussion will be in T202-above the Alexander Twilight Theatre-and begins at 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public. The event is sponsored by Lyndon FAIR.