No Joke

Hard to know why, but some people still think of sexual harassment as a joke.

I was reminded of this sad fact last year when the subject came up in one of my classes and several students (all male) said they wished they could be hit on by a beautiful woman. They seemed surprised and a bit skeptical when I pointed out that sexual harassment was more about power--specifically, the abuse of it--than sex.  They also seemed oblivious to the fact that harassers often do serious damage to their victims' confidence, self-esteem, and overall emotional and physical health, and that victims of this disgusting behavior have often dropped out of school, quit jobs, and had their lives derailed.

So for the record: sexual harassment isn't a joke.  It's a serious violation of a person's civil rights. And it's illegal too.

I tell you this because this is Sexual Harassment Awareness Week at Nassau.  Over the next few days there'll be a number of talks and discussions devoted to educating students about this important topic.

On Tuesday, March 8, Anita Hill will speak at NCC at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. in the College Center's Multipurpose Room.  Hill is a legal scholar, author, and law professor, but she's maybe best known for having testified before the U.S. Senate in 1991 about having been sexually harassed by then Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.  Though Thomas denied the charge and was subsequently confirmed to the High Court, Hill's testimony raised the country's awareness about sexual harassment and its impact on victims.

Anita Hill

Besides Hill's talks, this week will feature other important programs. On Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the College Center, Affirmative Action officer Craig Wright will talk about what students need to know about sexual harassment--what it is, what forms it takes, and how students can respond if they feel they're being targeted.  Later that day at 2 p.m., there'll be a discussion of a PBS documentary, "Rape on the Night Shift," which focuses on the harassment, including sexual assault, of immigrant women and others who feel powerless to complain.  And at 3:30 p.m. (also in the CCB) there'll be a panel on the subject of student-faculty romantic relationships, an issue that has (on other campuses) sometimes led to harassment charges.

Why should you go to these programs?

Several reasons.

First--and maybe most importantly--sexual harassment occurs more often than most people think. Though stats vary from one study to another, some believe that more than half of all female students experience some form of harassment during their college years.  Though male students report fewer instances of harassment, they too can be victims--and sometimes are.  Since sexual harassment can affect pretty much everyone, it's in everybody's interest to know about it.

We also need to be aware of harassment for another reason.  Discussions of this topic can raise awareness about our own behavior, especially actions that we might think of as harmless but that could make others uncomfortable. The jokes we tell, the offhanded comments we make, may not be intended to offend, but they might, at least under certain circumstances.  Discussions of harassment (in all its forms) make us think about our own behavior and its impact on others--always a good thing.

Finally, knowing about harassment might make it easier for you to recognize when it occurs in school or work settings.  Even if you're not the one making someone feel creepy, it's on you--and all of us--to work toward eliminating a behavior that violates people's rights and makes everyone look shabby.  On the subject of harassment, there's no looking the other way.

So get educated! Take yourself to at least one of these programs over the next few days.  It'll raise your awareness, make you more informed, and stretch you as a human being--a win-win situation all around.        

Who Needs Money, Anyway?

Crazy question, huh?  Unless your circle of friends includes people with names like Gates, Zuckerberg, and LeBron, you absolutely need money--and probably the more the better. With the cost of just about everything (including, alas, college tuition) going up, it's a rare person who can say no to dollars.

That's why you need to check out the MANY scholarships available to NCC students each year. Given the more than 150 scholarships begging to be awarded, chances are there's one for you.

In case you're wondering: You don't need to be a straight A student to receive a scholarship at Nassau. While good grades are always a plus, students with respectable academic records (but not  necessarily a perfect GPA) can still be in the running for an award. A student with decent grades who's been active in campus life (clubs, sports, or campus service), for example, can qualify for a scholarship.  So can students who are enrolled in specific academic programs or who have specific career interests.  There are also scholarships for military veterans enrolled at NCC, part-time students, residents of Nassau County, students who are active in their communities, and students who are heading for a four-year college after Nassau. The list of possibilities is practically endless. 

Awards range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Some scholarships are based on financial need, but most are awarded just on qualifications. There are no limits on the number of scholarships you can apply for or receive.  So you could walk away with several awards--money you can use to cover next semester's textbooks, next year's tuition, or some other expense.

Winning a scholarship won't put you on easy street, but you'll definitely be better off with a scholarship than without one.  Besides, being awarded a scholarship is an honor--a recognition of your good work, in and out of the classroom. It's something to be proud of, and of course, something to put on a college application or a resume.

Most scholarship applications are due in early to mid March, which means that the deadline is rapidly approaching. But you've still time to see what's available http://www.ncc.edu/aboutncc/givetoncc/scholarships/ and still time to apply (most applications must be filed online). 

So don't delay.  Somebody's going to receive each of the awards listed on the NCC Scholarships page. Somebody's going to be a few dollars richer as a result, and somebody's going to have his or her work at NCC acknowledged.

Why shouldn't you be that somebody?

Heard any "scary" talk lately?

You know the kind I mean: conversations about racism, gun violence, abortion, immigration, sexual assault, LGBT issues, terrorism--topics likely to provoke discussion and debate and maybe make people squirm a little.

Those conversations are happening pretty much everywhere these days, in newspapers, on television, on the Internet, in college classrooms, even on the Presidential campaign trail.  And why not?  The issues are more important than ever, way too critical to ignore.

Yet many students seem to be trying their best to do just that.  In the food court the other day I overheard two students complaining about a discussion in their English class about white privilege. One student said the topic made her nervous and she didn't "want to think about it." The other said she couldn't understand why people kept "bringing it up," for talking about it wouldn't change anything.

It wasn't the first time I'd seen students resist discussions of "hot" topics, especially when hearing views and ideas that challenged their own beliefs.  Rather than jumping into the conversation and explaining their own take on the issue at hand, they too often fall silent, refusing to speak up and--worst of all--usually tuning out the other side's point of view.

College isn't supposed to be like this.  In fact, at its best, college invites you to browse the marketplace of ideas, to see what others have to say, to examine or re-examine your own beliefs, and in the end to make up your own mind.  It's an important part of your college experience and good preparation for the rest of life, where you're going to hear views that may seem pretty out there at times but that may also contain something important to think about. Being part of these conversations in college is a valuable lesson in thinking and reasoning.

A recent column in The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/opinion/sunday/judith-shulevitz-hiding-from-scary-ideas.html?_r=0 was critical of students who not only avoid conversations about topics they find upsetting but try to persuade their schools to not even talk about them. The columnist, Judith Shulevitz, wrote, "...while keeping college-level discussions 'safe' may feel good to the hypersensitive, it's bad for them and everyone else. People ought to go to college to sharpen their wits and broaden their field of vision."

I'll second that. You obviously don't have to agree with everything you read or hear in college. But listening with an open mind won't hurt.  Nor will taking part in exchanges of ideas (after all, nobody ever died from being exposed to one!).  If anything, such moments will make you more equipped for the conversations to follow, better informed about those issues practically everyone around you is talking about.

So listen, think, and speak up.  No need to be scared or silent......

Be Not Invisible

So how many of you reading this are still hanging out only with friends from high school, still eating lunch alone in your car, and still heading straight for the parking lot the minute your classes end each day?

How many of you have yet to take part in a class discussion, talk to a professor, meet with an advisor, check out a campus service, go to something fun on campus, or even chat with a classmate?

Not many, I hope.

But if by some chance you recognize yourself here, time to ask yourself why.

Time to ask why you're doing your best to be invisible at NCC, why you're not having more fun in college--and why you're shortchanging your education by failing to make connections with your campus.

I know, I know: Nassau's big and sprawling and maybe overwhelming and confusing at times. All of that traffic, people coming and going in every direction, a sea of unfamiliar faces, can make NCC seem very different from high school, where life was pretty predictable.

But new situations aren't automatically to be feared and avoided.  And life, including college after all, is often about adjusting to new circumstances. For students willing to make those adjustments--to speak up in class, to visit a professor during office hours, to see an advisor if they've questions, to go to a club meeting, to get to know people in their classes--Nassau is anything but scary or anonymous. It can be pretty warm and friendly, in fact.  Nurturing too: a network of professors, classmates, and others can make students feel right at home.

We all know that successful college students make school a priority, go to class regularly, keep up with assignments, prepare in advance for exams, and--in short--take their education seriously.  Along the way, they also make connections--academic, social, and personal--with people in their midst. They get to know professors, advisors, and classmates. They join clubs and go to campus events. They work with a tutor if they need extra help in a class. They see a counselor if they need information or advice or even just a sympathetic ear.

Invisible they're not.

Don't you be either.

Feeling Stressed these Days?

If so, you're not exactly alone.  For tons of college students (as well as almost everybody else roaming this planet), stress is an all-too-familiar part of life.

School, friends, family, jobs, money, holidays, boyfriends/girlfriends, future plans, the world--all can make you feel anxious and weighed down.  A student told me recently that he had so many things to stress about in his life that he often didn't know what to worry about first.  While his reaction was probably a little extreme, he may have been simply verbalizing what a lot of other people are feeling.

What can you do to reduce the stresses in your life--those killer tests coming up, that difficult family situation, that pain-in-the-butt boss, that relationship that may or may not work out, etc. etc.?

First, recognize the sources of stress (whatever they may be) and do your best to avoid or minimize them. While sidestepping stressful situations isn't always possible, of course, it can sometimes help. If a person or behavior or situation routinely pushes your buttons, for example, think about what you can do to keep from being agitated.  If dodging a source of stress makes you feel better, why not do so? Removing yourself may be just what's needed. 

Some other common sense behaviors can also help.  Being rested almost always makes life's challenges seem less formidable.  So does being organized, which will help you stay on top of those endless deadlines and demands (and feel less at the mercy of life's whims in the process).  And let's not forget the power of exercise and fun, whether it be working out, jogging, listening to music, making your favorite meal, or simply setting aside time for that interest or activity that brings you joy.     

On its web page, NCC's Psychological Counseling Center offers some good strategies for dealing with stress and handling life's hurdles. The list is definitely worth a look--you'll come away with useful advice for keeping the walls from closing in.  Pay attention to two pieces in particular: 1) the importance of adjusting your perception of things--viewing potentially stressful situations as opportunities to find creative solutions to challenges; and 2) the importance of reassuring yourself (through positive self-talk) that you can handle whatever school or life throws at you. 
http://www.ncc.edu/campusservices/psychological_counseling/relieve_stress.shtml. 

I'd add one more strategy: Take setbacks in stride. Remember that nobody's life is perfect and that everybody deals with disappointments now and then. At those times when things don't work out exactly as you'd like, don't stress--and don't get down on yourself. Instead, learn from what's happened and tell yourself that next time things will be different.  

Chances are they will be.  

Getting into Good Trouble

For the 600+ people who heard John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell speak at NCC last week, it was clearly an experience to remember.

Invited to talk about March: Book One, NCC's common reading, the three explained the evolution of their book, a graphic novel recalling both the the early years of the American civil rights movement and John Lewis's emergence as a human rights activist. 

Their presentation was interesting not only to those who remember the days of sit-ins and marches but to people, mostly young, who are fans of the graphic novel and who view it as a serious art form.

The day offered something for everyone.

For me--and countless others, I'm sure--the highlight was John Lewis's account of his own life. Remembering his childhood on a farm in rural Alabama, Lewis talked about his early experiences with discrimination and racism, including being forced to sit in the "Colored Only" section of a local movie theater, being turned down by a college that did not admit African Americans, and even being constantly warned by his parents to learn to live with injustice and stay out of trouble.

Lewis did anything but avoid trouble, of course.  Inspired by the words and ideas of Martin Luther King, Jr., he openly challenged segregation laws and practices through lunch counter sit-ins, freedom rides, voter registration marches and other activities. In his early twenties he helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), a group of young people intent on doing battle--through nonviolent protests--with any and all institutions that denied African Americans their rights.

Challenging segregation practices in the South was dangerous back then.  Lewis described being frequently harassed, beaten, and arrested for his actions.  Maybe his most frightening moment, he recalled, was being severely beaten by police during "Bloody Sunday," the now famous march from Selma, Alabama, to Mongomery undertaken to secure voting rights for African Americans. 

"I thought I was going to die," he told his NCC audience.

Given all that John Lewis has been through, you might think he'd be an angry, cynical man today--especially in light of recent acts of violence against African Americans and efforts by some in Congress to weaken voting rights legislation. 

But he's not at all bitter. He told his audience to stay positive, to not get discouraged, and to continue to have faith in their beliefs. He encouraged students to be courageous and to stand up for their ideals and to make their voices heard. The man who's made a career out of getting into "good trouble"--in pursuit of equal rights for all--called upon students to do the same. His message was optimistic and inspirational, right down to his closing remarks: 

"We are going to redeem the soul of America.  We are going to save this planet for generations yet unborn."

In a world whose inhabitants routinely harass, torture, and even kill each other, we could all do well to hear a voice of peace and nonviolence.  And we could also use a healthy dose of John Lewis's optimism, energy, strength, integrity--and grit. 

Thanks, Congressman.

Why John Lewis Matters

Imagine being a young Black man in the American South in 1960.  Imagine moving in a world that freely practiced racial segregation, openly celebrated White supremacy, and routinely responded to the mere presence of African Americans with beatings and lynchings.

Terrifying?  Intimidating?  Absolutely.  And hardly surprising, perhaps, that so many people--African Americans and others--felt forced to be as invisible as possible during that time.

But not John Lewis.

The son of Alabama sharecroppers, Lewis was inspired, as a teenager, by the words of another young man: Martin Luther King, Jr.  King's belief in nonviolent protest as a means of challenging injustice resonated with Lewis, who was already seeking ways to respond to the poison of prejudice.

In the years that followed, Lewis would routinely challenge the racist laws and ways of the South. Whether it was sitting in at lunch counters that served only White customers; riding buses in direct violation of laws forbidding Whites and Blacks from sitting together on public transportation; founding a student movement--the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)--dedicated to achieving racial justice; calling for equal rights in an inspired speech at the 1963 March on Washington; or taking part in a voting rights march from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery in 1965, Lewis frequently put his safety, even his life, on the line in the pursuit of racial justice.

Often he paid a heavy price for his activism.  On more than a few occasions he was insulted, ridiculed, threatened, harassed, beaten, and arrested for his actions.  As a freedom rider in the early sixties, he was attacked by a mob of White supremacists intent on silencing him and others who had challenged segregation practices.  And during his participation in the march to Montgomery--now known as "Bloody Sunday"--he was beaten so badly by Alabama police that he required hospitalization.

Still, Lewis persevered.  Committed to the philosophy of nonviolence, he and other civil rights activists refused to back down, calling America's (and the world's) attention to racial injustice and imploring the nation's leaders to take action. The civil rights legislation that followed in the sixties and beyond was the direct result of the idealism, commitment--and guts--of Lewis and others who were willing to risk everything for what was right.

In a sense, John Lewis, who'll speak at NCC this Monday (2 p.m., College Center), is fortunate. Having survived the tumultuous sixties, he's become a civil rights icon, a voice for equality for all, an author or co-author of several books (including MARCH, NCC's common reading for this year), and a respected member of the United States Congress, where he's served since the mid 1980's.  Many of his fellow activists were not so fortunate, victims of the mindless hatred and violence that were part of the American South during that chaotic time.

Not everyone can be John Lewis, of course.  Not everyone possesses the passion to devote one's life to righting wrongs and to risking everything for justice.  So when we cross paths with someone who's repeatedly taken that brave stance, we need to stop and listen.

That's why, come this Monday, we ALL need to listen to John Lewis.  It's not everyday we get the chance to meet somebody who's made history and who's changed the fabric of America.  He may be older now, but his spirit and message remain as young and vital and inspirational as they were all those years ago.