Diversity Month activities to highlight diverse perspectives on contemporary life, communication approaches for connection

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrate its diverse campus community each week in March with a series of insightful activities designed to deepen understanding during Diversity Month.

“A Seat At the Table” play series – 7:30 p.m. nightly March 3-5 in the Haislip Theatre

“A Seat at the Table” is a staged reading of three plays that present a diverse range of perspectives on contemporary life in the U.S.

• Tuesday, March 3 – “Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue” by Quiara Alegría Hudes. This play presents a lyrical and poignant account of three generations of military service within a Puerto Rican family.
• Wednesday, March 4 – “Hir” by Taylor Mac. “Hir” is an hysterical tragicomedy of suburban life in which a stay-at-home mom and her live-at-home transgender son upend the status quo of the nuclear family.
• Thursday, March 5 – “Bootycandy” by Robert O’Hara. “Bootycandy” is an outrageous comedy centered around the coming-of-age experiences of a gay black playwright in a dysfunctional family in a dystopic world.

Each performance will feature a panel discussion beginning at 6:45 p.m. and a talkback and reception with the cast and crew following each play. General admission tickets are $10. Tickets for UA Little Rock employees, college students, seniors, and members of the military are $5. The plays are for mature audiences only. For more information, see our previous article.

Queer Content in Children’s Cartoons – 11 a.m. Thursday, March 5, in the DSC Leadership Lounge

This talk by UA Little Rock Student Government Association President Katie Zakrzewski will highlight the importance of queer content in children’s cartoons and the impact of censoring queer content.

Safe Zone Training – 9 a.m. March 6, 13, and 20 in the Ottenheimer Library

Safe Zone training offers the campus community a way to contribute to a safe and equitable campus environment that is sensitive to issues related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals. People who participate in the Safe Zone Program believe the campus community is enriched by the diversity of LGBTQ+ individuals, are willing to engage in interactions that are genuine and non judgmental, are willing to provide assistance in accessing support and information resources, pledge to maintain confidentiality, and are comfortable using inclusive language, avoiding stereotyping, and do not assume gender binaries or heterosexuality.

Safe Zone training is divided into three sessions, each 1.5 hours long: “Why we need Safe Zones,” “LGTBQ+ experiences,” and “How to be an effective ally.” Participants must complete all three sessions in order to become a certified Safe Zoner. Register here.

Privilege Walk Workshop – 11 a.m. Monday, March 9 in DSC Ledbetter Hall

The Privilege Walk workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to understand the intricacies of privilege and explore the ways we enjoy privileges based on being members of social identity groups in the United States. The exercise seeks to highlight the fact that everyone has some privilege, even if some people have more privilege than others. By illuminating our various privileges as individuals, we can recognize ways that we can use our privileges individually and collectively to work for social justice.

“What’s Age Got to Do With It?” – Noon Wednesday, March 11 in Ross Hall Room 413

American icon Tina Turner, who asked “What’s love got to do with it?” is 80 years young and still going strong. Turner is in good company. Thirty-five percent of Americans today are over 50 years of age. The definitions of aging are broad, spanning chronological, biological, psychological, and social factors. This talk will explain these definitions of aging, the importance of older adults such as Boomers to the aging of the American population, and the positive and negative implications of an aging population on society. The talk will feature insights from the School of Social Work. Free lunch is available to the first 20 participants to arrive.

International Fashion Show – noon Thursday, March 12 in DSC Ledbetter Hall

The fashion show will feature international students dressed in the traditional clothing of their culture. Food will be provided. To sign up to participate in the fashion show, contact Leslie Parker at lgparker1@ualr.edu.

23rd Annual Renaissance Greek Show – 6 p.m. Saturday, March 14 in the University Theatre

The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Kappa Psi Chapter will host its annual Renaissance Greek Show and competition with Stack 3 and DJ Brewster. Performers will compete for a grand prize of $2,000 and a runner up prize of $1,000. Tickets are $10 in advance or $20 at the door. For $20 VIP seating, contact King at (501) 813-5271.

The Human Library – 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 in DSC Ledbetter Hall

Back by popular demand, the Human Library is designed to build a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue. The Human Library is a place where real people are on loan to readers and difficult questions are expected, appreciated, and answered.

Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe – 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 31 in the Haislip Theatre

The Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe will present a diverse program about Chickasaw traditions and culture that will include storytelling, meanings behind their regalia, and stomp dance demonstrations. The program will be followed by a short Q&A session.

The Dance Troupe is an official representative of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, headquartered in Ada, Oklahoma. The Chickasaw Nation has ties to the state of Arkansas through their removal from their original homelands in the southeastern United States as they traveled through the state on their way to their new lands in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma.