The life of author, teacher, playwright, and political activist Howard Zinn will be commemorated at Oregon State University – Cascades during Day of Zinn.  The 2nd Annual Day of Zinn will take place on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 and includes a slate of activities devoted to the influence Zinn had, and continues to have, on society’s understanding of history, social justice and nonviolence.  The activities will take place in Cascades Hall, Room 114 and are open to students and community members:

Teach-In on Non-Violence and Communication (Students only), 12:00-1:00 p.m.  

Can talk lead to violence?  Can civil communication lead to less violence?  Students are invited to a teach-in facilitated by Natalie Dollar, Associate Professor of Speech Communication.  Once the concept and guidelines of a teach-in are understood, Natalie will facilitate a student-lead teach-in.  The goals are to provide an opportunity for students to engage one another in defining their community, to facilitate the possibility to further the ideas explored in the teach-in, and to facilitate students’ motivation to participate in campus organizations, clubs and governments.  Free lunch will be provided. 

The People Speak, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Participants will listen to segments of Zinn’s “A People’s History of the United States of America” and “Voices From a People’s History” performed by students, faculty, and community members,  and view videos of celebrities like Sandra Oh, Danny Glover and Matt Damon reading Zinn’s pieces. The performances will begin at 1:00 p.m.  Please feel free to drop by as there is no need to sign up unless you want to read.  Come and go as your schedule permits.  To sign up to read, please visit http://www.signupgenius.com/go/125

Dinner and a Movie, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Students and community members are invited to dinner and a video of Howard Zinn and Mark Nepo discussing the American dream, democracy and civic participation, followed by a discussion facilitated by members of OSU-Cascades faculty. Dinner is free for those who sign up in advance (http://www.signupgenius.com/go/69).  Sign up is not necessary for those wishing only to join the video and discussion.

All activities take place in room 114 of Cascades Hall.  Community members are asked to pick up a parking pass at the reception desk in Cascades Hall.  This year’s events will support Central Oregon Community College’s Season of Non-Violence.  “Day of Zinn” is coordinated by Natalie Dollar, OSU-Cascades’ student government, the Associated Students of Cascades Campus, and Daniel Stroud, Instructor, Counselor Education.  For information, contact Natalie Dollar at 541-322-3140 or ndollar@osucascades.edu.