Peace, Tolerance and Diversity the focus of NSU’s Unity Week 2007

January 12 , 2007

Peace, Tolerance and Diversity the focus of
Nova Southeastern University’s Unity Week 2007

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Marking what would have been the 78th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the students of Nova Southeastern University will kick off Unity Week 2007 by participating in a parade in honor of Dr. King’s lasting legacy. Designed to celebrate diversity, create peace, and foster community support, Unity Week 2007, held January 15 – 20, will commence with NSU’s Pan African Student Association paying tribute to Dr. King on Monday, January 15 at Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park, Fort Lauderdale.

The remainder of Unity Week activities will continue on NSU’s main campus. These events, which are free and open to the public, include:

Tuesday, Jan. 16

5th Annual Take Back the Night (TBTN), 7:30 p.m., behind Goodwin Residence Hall. Dedicated to the memory of Nichola Seegobin, a third year student at NSU’s College of Optometry, who was murdered off-campus by an ex-boyfriend in July 2005, TBTN pays tribute to all victims of domestic and sexual violence. A candle light vigil, open mic testimonies, and a lecture by Maria Pinkston, NSU doctoral student and president of the Soul Sanctuary, consist of the evening’s scheduled activities. Additionally, The Clothesline Project, a color-coded garment display supporting victimized women, will be present to increase awareness of the impact of violence against women and to show admiration for women’s strength to survive all forms of abuse.

Wednesday, Jan. 17

Hunger Banquet, 7:00 p.m., behind Goodwin Residence Hall. The banquet serves as a hands-on illustration of the inequitable distribution of food and increasing rate of homelessness in the United States. Each student will receive a card, identifying him or her as 1st, 2nd or 3rd World citizen, determining their personal meal demonstration for the evening. First World citizens will eat at tables with tablecloths and will be served a full course meal by waiters; 2nd World citizens will sit at a bare table and will eat rice, beans and salad, while 3rd World citizens will sit on the bare floor and will have to share two bowls of rice.

Thursday, Jan. 18

Cultural Taste of NSU, 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m., University Center Flight Deck Patio. Sponsored by the International Student Association, the event combines cultural food tastings and musical performances, including a steel band, in an effort to increase awareness and appreciation of both local and universal diversity.
Interfaith Dialogues, 7:00 p.m., Rosenthal Student Center. Attendees will hear from a panel of religious representatives regarding their beliefs and accompanying traditions, showcasing how differences in ideologies should serve as a common ground to unite various faiths. Baha’i, Judaism, Scientology, Buddhism, Muslim, and Christian representatives will be present at both the discussion and question and answer session that follows.

Friday, Jan. 19

Wall of Hate, 12:00 p.m., Alvin Sherman Library quad. Using decorated bricks signifying discrimination, oppression and inhumanity, the 4th Annual Wall of Hate was erected and will stand on NSU’s main campus until Friday at noon. The NSU community will pull down the ugly Wall of Hate signifying the power every individual has to create constructive change for the future.

Saturday, Jan. 20

2nd Annual NSU Diversity Summit, 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., Carl DeSantis Building. The theme is “Awakening Hearts, Engaging Minds, and Igniting Souls.” This event features interactive sessions designed to increase awareness of and encourage open dialogue about diversity issues. The day begins with sessions focused on personal self-awareness. After lunch, the Summit will examine societal/group diversity issues.