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Contemporary Issues Forums

Hot Topics for 2009-2010

Tuesday, September 1 Is this a Post-Racial America?
Many suggest that the election of President Barack Obama signals that we are living in a post-racial America. Assuming that a post-racial society would be one in which people are viewed, evaluated, respected, promoted, etc for their humanity and not a function of their race, has America indeed become post-racial? What evidence supports or negates this notion? Join us to discuss how a post-racial America would be/is manifested in our everyday lives.

Tuesday, October 6 Health Disparities in Communities of Color
Racial/ethnic background is associated with health status, health insurance coverage, and health care access and quality, with people of color consistently faring poorer on many health outcomes. Eliminating these disparities has become a national priority, promoting greater focus on racial/ethnic disparities in the nation’s health and thus, health care system. To date, there is little consensus on what can or should be done to reduce these disparities. Join us to discuss the root of these disparities, President Obama's universal health care plan and other methods of closing the health care gap.

Tuesday, November 3 TBD

Tuesday, February 2 Conservative Blacks and Black Conservatives: There are differences
There are Blacks who are conservative in that they hold to more traditional middle-class values and morality (but statistically, few Black conservatives have actually voted Republican). And then there are Black Conservatives who operate on the premise that racism is an ingrained and potentially permanent part of White-dominated institutions. Black Conservativism holds that Blacks can only rely on themselves to get ahead in America. Politically, this means building tight-knit communities that emphasize the patronizing of identifiably Black institutions, with the end result being social independence from White America. The view of conservative Blacks and Black Conservativism as one in the same is often confusing and misleading. Join us in this discussion about both camps, their views and orientation toward life in America, and their views on how to achieve stronger, healthier Black communities.

Tuesday, March 2 Post-Feminist America?
Whether debating with scholars or theorists or talking to "everyday women," it is evident that Americans disagree on issues of feminism, gender equity and equality. Many hold that American structures and systems still favor and reward men over women. Others believe that feminist goals have been achieved and that feminists are now free to focus their energies on other issues of social injustice. Join us and share your opinions on feminism in America, and whether models, boxing-ring beauties and video vixens are empowered role models for other women or merely objects of desire.

Wednesday, April 6 Archetypes of the Asian-American Man
Research has shown that American media outlets present Asian-American men as nothing more than the Perpetual Foreigner and the Geek. Asian-American men are often positioned as intellectual power players but bystanders in the world of romance. This serves to diminish young boys' self-esteem and introduces an internalized racial self-hatred where one associates one’s racial identity with limited personal and social success. This internalized relationship is problematic, even when Asian American men advocate changing these stereotypes rather than advocating for an elimination of race-based sexual stereotypes altogether. Join us in a conversation about Hollywood's representations of Asian-American men in stereotyped roles, and what this means for our perceptions of Asian-American men off-screen.