NEW World Cinema kicks off summer series

The Fox Cities Rotary Multicultural Center, with support from UW-Fox and Wisconsin Public Radio, presents the summer NEW World Cinema series (poster here):

Kitchen Stories
Norway/ 2003/English Subtitles Director: Bent Hamer
Comedy/Drama Rated NR
June 10 & 11, 2007 - 7:00 PM
UW-Fox Valley, Menasha - Lecture Hall 1229
Ticket $5

In the fifties Swedish scientists set out to study the ‘kitchen habits' of men who live alone in the Norwegian wilderness to learn how to build a more efficient living space. The researchers were on twenty-four-hour call, and sat in special strategically placed chairs in each kitchen. The absurd premise sets up as a comedy, but what viewers come out with is the great appreciation and the bonds the characters create.

In memoriam: Tom Scullen

Going back to the early years of Toward Community (mid-1990s), Tom Scullen has been a passionate advocate for diversity issues. I remember sitting on a committee with him to try to get the Appleton Public Schools to do more to honor Martin Luther King's legacy on the King Holiday. He coordinated a plan that year (I believe it was 1996), to have each school in the district play an excerpt from one of King's speeches.

He has championed the district's position that diversity is an asset and he has worked hard to put systems in place to produce a high rate of minority student achievement in the district.

Tom Scullen was a great man and he will truly be missed.

--Scott Peeples

from the Post-Crescent, June 2 by Kathy Walsh Nufer:
Scullen's work for diversity ran deep: School leader had firm passion for social issues

(above: Post Crescent photo by Mike De Sisti)

Library to display regional anti-poverty award

CAP Services, at their annual award ceremony May 30, presented the Gaylord Nelson Anti-Poverty Award to the Project Promise collaboration. Michael Kenney, the Appleton Public Library's Marketing & Development Coordinator, and Paula Morgen of the ThedaCare Community Health Action Team, received this plaque on behalf of all the agencies who worked together on the project.

It was amazing to help make this major effort grow out of our community read. There are blog posts on the New Cybrary (the author visit, more about the author visit, the poverty simulation done by CAP Services at the library) so I won't recap it all here. It was a great collaboration also involving the Multicultural Center, Thrivent, the Emergency Shelter, FISC & others.It's encouraging that our collaboration received this recognition -- thanks to Nicole Harrison & the whole CAP Services gang for their ongoing efforts.

Post Crescent series covers unequal justice

In a two part series, Post Crescent writer Jim Collar covers the Commission on Reducing Racial Disparity in Wisconsin’s Criminal Justice System. Gov. Doyle established the commission by executive order in March. In his articles, Collar reviews Fox Valley court records showing minorities receiving harsher treatment than whites in the criminal justice system.

Articles:

• P-C review: Blacks sentenced to prison at higher rate in Fox Valley
• Group expects fixes to disparity in state criminal justice system

This would appear to be an issue TC members should follow closely, and consider possible involvement, educational programs, etc.

Valley Transit discussion

Deborah Wetter, the new General Manager of Valley Transit, will make a presentation at the Toward Community general membership meeting on June 28. The meeting, to be held at the Fox Cities Rotary Multicultural Center is open to the public. There will be a business meeting at 6:00 and the presentation will be at 6:30 PM.

Hip Hop discussion

Nineteen people gathered at the Appleton Public Library on May 31 to view and discuss the video Hip-hop: beyond beats and rhymes. This documentary by independent filmmaker Byron Hurt, formerly shown on public television, explores issues including:

• history of hip-hop
• images of masculinity
• violence
• misogyny
• homophobia
• media and industry manipulation

After the video, there was an excellent discussion of concerns, led by Ron Dunlap & Scott Peeples. The official PBS page for the video has more information.

This program was co-sponsored by Toward Community, African Heritage Inc., the Fox Cities Rotary Multicultural Center, and the Appleton Public Library.