MSSU to hold Whole Story cross-cultural event on Zoom

(From Southern News Service)

“The Whole Story: A Decolonial Cross-Cultural Day Institute” will be offered via Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 27, by Missouri Southern State University.

The third annual event will include a plenary address by Dr. Christopher N. Okonkwo, an associate professor of English at the University of Missouri-Columbia, as well as a variety of breakout sessions.

 

“It’s an event that acknowledges and explores colonialism and imperialism in academics, which tend to center on the experience of white Europeans,” said Dr. Megan Bever, one of the organizers for this year’s event. “It’s designed to bring indigenous voices back into the university and look at ways we can alter our teaching and reading content to make it more inclusive and less Eurocentric.”

The schedule of events will include:

Noon: Log in and welcome

12:15 p.m.: “‘This is Not a Story to Pass On’: The Attack on Toni Morrison’s ‘Beloved’ and the Power of Decolonial, Multi-Perspectival Narrative” – Dr. Christopher N. Okonkwo

1:15 p.m.: Breakout sessions

“African Art Collection” – Dr. Christine Bentley, associate professor of art at MSSU

or

“Decolonizing Anatomy in Medical Education” – Dr. Jennifer Dennis associate professor of anatomy at KCU-Joplin

2:15 p.m.: Breakout sessions

“Murder, Madness, and Feral Children” – Dr. Jody Jensen, assistant professor of English at MSSU

or

“Diversity and Medical School Admissions” – Dr. Monica Kinde, assistant professor of biochemistry and director of College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) Student Success at KCU-Joplin

3:15: Dr. Okonkwo will discuss Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif”

There is no charge to attend. To register, complete the online form here. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.