"Cowardice asks the question: Is it safe?  Expediency asks the question: Is it politic?  Vanity asks the question: Is it popular?  But conscience asks the question: Is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular—but he must take it simply because conscience tells him it is right."  … Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, from his address "To Chart Our Course for the Future," 1968.

 

Herb and Ann

This information is provided by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH).  If you do not wish to receive it in the future, please contact hpweller@comcast.net or editann@aol.com.  Events List is also posted on the ACEH website, www.harmonyalliance.org.

Tues, Feb 24, noon: DVD presentation "Between Two Worlds: Human Rights in the 21^st Century,"  Part of Great Decisions Series with World Affairs Council of Western Michigan.  Lunch provided.  At Herrick District Library, 300 South River, Holland.

 

Tues, Feb 24, 7 pm: Opening session of eight-week Holland First program to understand our community through the eyes of diversity.  Free; registration required.  Sponsored by Holland Chamber of Commerce and Chemical Bank.  Contact Patricia Strachan, (616) 392-2389.

 

Tues, Mar 3, 7 pm: "Cultural Competence in the Workplace," panel discussion featuring people from Fifth Third Bank: Francine Gaston, Sherry Kasper, Patrick Lonergan, and Christopher Macon.  At Hope College Maas Auditorium, Columbia Ave and 11^th St, Holland.

 

Wed, Mar 4, 4 pm: Latin American Film Series: "Guantanamera" (1995), set in post-revolutionary Cuba.  2009 marks the 50^th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.  At Hope College Martha Miller Center, Fried-Hemenway Auditorium, Columbia Ave at 10^th St, Holland.

 

Wed, Mar 4, 5 pm: Women of Color Celebration Dinner.  RSVP required; tickets $7 for community members.  At  Hope College Maas Auditorium, Columbia Ave at 11^th St, Holland.

 

Wed, Mar 4, 6 pm: Exhibit: "Them: Images of Separation—The Power of Hate."  Opening reception and lecture by Dr. David Pilgrim, founding curator of the Jim Crow Museum and chief diversity officer at Ferris State University.  The 30 items in the exhibit are from the museum and reflect society's biases against women, people of color, homosexuals, and other groups.  Reception tickets $50; call (616) 459-8386. Exhibit, which is free, will run from March 5-31, 9 am-4 pm, Mon-Fri, and 9 am-1 pm, Sunday. Various free lectures on Sundays at 9:45 am.  At Fountain Street Church, Keeler Gallery, 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids.

 

Thurs, Mar 5: Opening session of Neighborhood Leadership Academy, an eight-week interactive curriculum with techniques taught by diverse leadership professionals.  Aim is to "educate, enhance, and empower neighborhood leadership"; classes are free but registration is required.  Contact Janie Briones, (616) 355-3127.  At various locations in Holland.

 

Thurs, Mar 5, 7 pm: Panel discussion on immigration, in partnership with the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH).  Participants are Annie Dandavati (India), Nereida Garcia (Cuba), and Renata Fernandez-Dominguez (Mexico).  Part of the Read Along the Lakeshore/One Book One Community programs that focus around the book, "Stealing Buddha's Dinner," a memoir of growing up in West Michigan by Bich Minh Nguyen of Grand Rapids. At Herrick District Library, 300 S. River, Holland.

 

Tues, Mar 10, 7 pm: Film, "The Hobart Shakespeareans": how one teacher's "uncommon commitment and resourcefulness opened up worlds of opportunity for his 'disadvantaged' students.".  Fundraiser for Faith in Youth Partnership, which serves more than 400 "at risk" youth. Tickets $20 at door or at various churches and agencies. (616) 392-7159; dvogel@goodsamministries.com   Hosted by Good Samaritan Ministries/AmeriCorps.  At Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 East 8^th St, Holland.