"Multicultural Day" was first organized at Pierce College in spring 2019 by the Diversity Committee with assistance from the ASO. The second Multicultural Day event took place during fall 2020 in an online format due to the pandemic closure. An expanded third Multicultural Day relaunched April 2023 in a variety of classrooms, auditoriums, and outdoor settings across campus, and spring 2024 marks our fourth Multicultural Day. This event showcases the cultural, gender, and social diversity of the Pierce community in order to foster a more inclusive and equitable campus climate.
See photos from the 2024 Pierce College Multicultural Day.
Wednesday, April 17th, 2024
| 9:35 - 11 am | Session 1 of workshops related to diversity and inclusion presented by Pierce faculty; please see the 9:35am presentations below for more details. | ||
| 11:10 - 12 pm | Session 2 of workshops related to diversity and inclusion presented by Pierce faculty and guest speakers; please see the 11:10 am presentations below for more details. Some workshops will be available via dual delivery (see below). | ||
| 12 - 1:20 pm | Faciliatated Q&A with David Suh, a portrait photographer, content creator, and small business owner in Los Angeles whose passion is to show ordinary people that they can be as beautiful as any celebrity on a magazine cover. His three core values include authenticity, confidence and self-love. | Location: Building 600 (Faculty & Staff Center) | ||
| 1:20 - 2:00 pm | Session 3 of workshops related to diversity and inclusion: Working overseas and teaching in Japan with the JET Program (IRIS 902) | ||
| approx. 1:30 pm | Boxed lunches served in Building 600 (the Faculty & Staff Center) | ||
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1:30 - 2:30 pm |
ASO Club Showcase, 11:11 Art installation, and Music performance in Building 600 (the Faculty & Staff Center) | ||
| 2:30 - 4:00 pm | Aztec dance workshop in Building 600 (the Faculty & Staff Center) led by Dance Club executive member. Separately, a performance by Sisters of the One Drum, an inter-tribal women's drum circle. | ||
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Thursday April 18 |
Screening of French film Casa Susanna (2022) in the Multicultural Center, followed by Q&A with Physics professor Dale Fields. Part of the French Film Festival
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If you require accommodations to attend this event, please contact Michael Habata (hatabamh@laccd.edu) at least 72 hours before the event.
Prof. Kaycea Campbell, Economics. Location: ELM 1708 | 9:35-11am
Prepare for a paradigm-shifting exploration into the intricate realm of reparations in California. In this presentation, we unveil two groundbreaking models meticulously crafted by an expert group for the Reparations Task Force, each poised to catalyze transformative change.
Harms/Atrocity Model: Unraveling the intricacies of direct state responsibility, this model dissects historical injustices from redlining to discriminatory law enforcement, offering a path to just compensation based on residency and harm incurred.
National Reparations Model: Drawing from the stark reality of the racial wealth chasm, this model confronts systemic oppression head-on, quantifying the debt owed to Black descendants of enslaved persons through meticulous economic analysis and national data.
Delve into the heart of critical inquiries: from determining damage time frames to navigating California residency requirements, we confront the complexities head-on. Witness a bold vision where reparations are not just a moral imperative but a tangible reality, where the form of payment aligns seamlessly with the magnitude of injustice endured.
Join us as we embark on a journey toward equity reckoning, armed with insight, courage, and a steadfast commitment to justice. Together, let us pave the way for a future where reparations are a beacon of hope and healing for all.
Prof. Brian Pierson, Anthropology. Location: ELM 1705 | 9:35-11am
We have all seen them in movies and TV shows, but have you ever wondered how actual forensic facial reconstructions recreate a person's identity? What is possible and how much of what we see in the movies is real? How can we know what we are doing is correct? Is it art, science or both?
Professor Erin Hayes, Anthropology | Location: ELM 1707
Shamans are religious practitioners found in cultures around the world. Shamans are thought to receive their power directly from the spirit world, where they acquire the ability to divine the cause of illness (social or physical) and to cure it. However, the shamanic journey isn't easy - it often involves ritual death and has even been known to kill the practitioner. We will ask, who undertakes this dangerous journey, and why? We will examine the belief structures of shamanistic cultures by comparing ethnographic examples of shamanism around the world. And we will identify the key elements in the shaman's journey to discover why it can be so dangerous.
“The canon” of English literature has historically been dominated by stories of (or written by) white and/or middle class men. As calls for representation have gained traction in recent decades, many readers who do not identify as white or male have had more opportunities to “see themselves” in literature. In this session, participants will discuss their own experiences with literature and representation.
Professor Christopher Corning, English. Location: Juniper 804
Prof. Shannon Rohrer, Kinesiology
Location: Rocky Young Park, between the Library and the Science buildings
Referred to as “meditation in motion”, Tai chi ch’uan is an effective practice for the health of the mind, body, and spirit. Join us to explore breath, alignment, and the peaceful movements of the Yang style form. Comfortable clothing is recommended.
Learn more about T'ai chi ch'uan here
Learn about T'ai chi here
Applied Tai Chi Chuan(formerly "Know Your Rights: Dreamers edition")
Learn how to amplify your voice for meaningful social change in your community and campus. Connect with like-minded student leaders and be part of the student movement for positive change.
Sociology Professor, Julio Tsuha
Location: Building 600 | 9:35 - 11am
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Professor Brian Gendron, Psychology | Location: ELM 1719
Cross-cultural psychology seeks to understand how culture influences many different aspects of human thought and behavior. This presentation will highlight some evidence-based examples that help us consider the universal vs. learned/experience-driven aspects of the human experience.
Professor Sheryl Nomelli, History | Location: ELM 1708
The ERA was designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all United States citizens regardless of sex. Why hasn't it been ratified as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution when 3/4th's of states have voted for it's approval? Who would benefit from the ERA and how can we get Constitutional rights for everyone in this country?
In this session you will play an interactive game in small groups developed by National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. “The Brain Architecture Game” is meant to demonstrate to everyone to see how powerful our early experiences are and how they shape us. What happens when we have positive or negative experiences? What does this mean for us as we become adults? As we think about our own identity we will also be able to reflect on the experiences that shaped us young children. Join us for a collaborative session and discussion.
Dr. Alma Cortes, English. Location: Iris 903
Prof. Brian Walsh, History
Location: ELM 1709
As a union organizer and former Faculty Guild leader at Pierce College, labor rights have always been a focus of my work. After several decades of hibernation, we are now seeing a rebirth of organized labor. The union drives in warehouses, media outlets and the service industry have given us in labor some cause for hope. One of my favorite examples of this effort is the drive to unionize Starbucks employees. In the face of Howard Schulz’s hollow corporate benevolence, the workers are taking power into their own hands. Do you work in the service industries? Let’s take a look at what working people are up to these days.
Seeking to reclaim women’s place in the early history of Disneyland, the presentation will highlight the female Disney employees and contract workers who helped make the park one of the most popular U.S. destinations during its first ten years.
Guest speaker: Cindy Mediavilla (former librarian and lecturer, San Jose State U. and UCLA)
Location: Building 600
More information: https://seis.ucla.edu/news/cindy-mediavilla-and-kelsey-knox-publish-the-women-who-made-early-disneyland
Professor Christopher Strickland, History | Location: Multicultural Center, LLC 1st floor
Students share and celebrate their identities with the Pierce community, along with expressing the importance of experiencing and appreciating multiple identities at Pierce.
By JET Program Coordinator (Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles), Kaile Reyes & Japanese Professor, Yoshiko Takase | Location: IRIS 902
Have you ever wanted to live and work in Japan? The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program offers young professionals the opportunity to work in Japan as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) or Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs). To learn more, come and speak to a JET Program representative!
