Are we all racists?  Students from the Venture Course in the Humanities Course in Salt Lake City met at Westminster College January 19th to hear Dr. George Yancy discuss this question and others in his talk "Whiteness, Racial Embodiment, and the Challenges of 'Diversity' in Higher Education." Dr. Yancy, a philosopher, argued that because racism permeates our culture so pervasively, it is nearly impossible for it not to affect our thought processes.  Venture students continued the conversation about racism in their philosophy and American History Venture classes the following week.

You may want to read the essay Loving Wisdom and the Effort to Make Philosophy 'Unsafe' upon which Dr. Yancy's talk was based.

If you or someone you know would like more information about Venture, a free college course for people living on low incomes, call Jean Cheney at 801.359.9670.  

Historical Milieu: Chinese New Year...Year of the Dragon!   

When Chinese immigrants first came to Utah to build the railroad in 1869, they brought one of their most important holidays, the Chinese Lunar New Year, a 15-day festival that celebrates the coming spring and marks a time of renewal.

Chinese in Utah, circa 1890. Image courtesy Utah State Historical Society.

Until its demise in1940s, Salt Lake's Chinatown hosted many celebrations of the Lunar New Year, which attracted hundreds of Salt Lakers from all walks of life, who came to enjoy the elaborate feasts, the smell of burning incense, and the continuous popping of firecrackers.

This colorful part ofUtah history is captured in our Beehive Archives episode #145. You can listen online or downloadfrom iTunes.

Literature Landscape: Marathon En Espanol  

The Utah Center for the Book, housed at UHC, is an affiliate of the Library of Congress (LOC).  Check out the LOC's Hispanic Reading Room, a virtual reading room that includes podcasts you can listen to and watch.  Especially exciting is the podcast Maraton de Poesia consisting of short readings of great poetry!
 
In this celebration of words, the only Spanish-language poetry marathon in the country, renowned Spanish-language poets were accompanied by audience members of all ages who recited, read or interpreted their own work or that of well-known authors. Participants included Medar Serrata (Dominican Republic), Veronica Zondek, Omar Lara (Chile), Gustavo Adolfo Garces (Colombia), Rafael Bordao (Cuba), Kary Cerda (Mexico), Vanessa Droz (Puerto Rico) and Maria Angeles Maeso (Spain). (In Spanish).

We would like to introduce you to an amazing couple who is making gifts and making a difference.

Judy and Jim Dykman have been giving to UHC since 2001 when Judy received a grant from our organization. Since then, they have given back to UHC many times over.  Starting in 2007, the Dykmans have been making an unrestricted monthly gift, increasing the amount each year to become one of our most generous donor couples. They have been members of our Voyagers giving club ($1,000+) since its inception. Our sincere appreciation goes out to Judy and Jim for their consistent and increasingly generous support.

We hope the Dykman's remarkable example might inspire you to give monthly to UHC. Donating even a small amount each month can add up to a generous annual gift. For your convenience, we are able to set up a regular charge to your credit or debit card each month. To set up a monthly donation, please call Kathleen at 801.359.9670 ext. 108, or click the button to make a donation to UHC now!

  

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