Embracing important conversations in rural Iowa
on race and racism

FRIDAY, MAY 7

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Register here

Dr. Kesho Scott Associate Professor of American Studies and Sociology Grinnell College

Conversations on race and racism can be difficult and uncomfortable, perhaps even more so in rural Iowa. However, Dr. Kesho Scott, Associate Professor of American Studies and Sociology at Grinnell College, is embracing the conversation and encouraging others to do likewise. Dr. Scott will join us for Intersections/Crossroads to talk about how she approaches the conversation and may even share some “aha moments” she has witnessed in those conversations. Join us May 7 to hear what she has learned about Iowa and Iowans as well as what work we need to be doing in these times. And perhaps a takeaway will be how we can each use Dr. Scott’s approach in our own hard conversations with others regarding race, racism, and ultimately becoming anti-racist.

Please register in advance for Intersections/Crossroads. A confirmation email including the link to join will be sent to you once you register. All are welcome to attend.

May 2021: Honoring the AAPI Community

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) is a term sometimes used in the United States to include both Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans. Also commonly used is Asian/Pacific American (APA) or Asian/Pacific Islander (API).

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It is a time to honor people in the United States who identify as AAPI, APA, or API. Beginning in 1977, there were efforts in Congress to acknowledge and celebrate the community and their contributions to our nation. After many failed efforts, legislation finally passed and was made law in 1992.

A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, and the Federated States of Micronesia), and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Easter Island).

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first group of Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843. Additionally, the month is a tribute to the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Chinese immigrants were the primary group of workers to lay the tracks for the railroad.

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Does your community or organization host an online forum and need a speaker?

Let Interfaith Alliance of Iowa know! We would love to connect and find out what topic might interest your group. Email connie@interfaithallianceiowa.org.

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