Minorities on the Move

Minorities on the Move

When: Monday, June 10 thru Friday, June 21

8:30-12:30, Weekdays only

Meet in Room 272

Weeks is hosting an exciting 2-week summer program, “Minorities on the Move: A Look into Social Roles, Interpretations and Expectations.” Malcolm X once said, “There can be no real unity until we have first proven acceptable to ourselves.”  Our history surrounds us and we are often unaware of how deeply it affects our choices, attitudes, beliefs, and circumstances.  Although the state of Iowa is 92% white, Des Moines Public Schools is brimming with diversity. Currently in the state of Iowa, minorities are 10 times more likely to be incarcerated than their white counterparts. The goal of this class is to reach out to minority students, opening their eyes to the prison epidemic, taking them on a literal ride through Iowa’s history using the viewpoints of African Americans and Latinos. Through hip-hop and popular culture, this course will examine and dissect racial stereotypes, as well as the struggles and triumphs minorities continue to face. We will travel to five locations around the Des Moines area, holding five adjoining classes at Drake University to reflect on our experiences, providing minority students with the chance to use and have their powerful voices heard in the community.

The class will begin on Monday, June 10 and end on Friday, June 21, weekdays only. The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Students will be served both breakfast and lunch.