SCC to host Democracy Days Sept. 15-18

Published: 09/09/2014

Democracy Days will address topics in the news. It is free and open to the public.  

“Power is the common denominator running through the agenda,” said Michael Kuelker, professor of English and chair of Democracy Days planning. “All of these presentations have something to do with how power operates whether we’re talking about corporations or the common citizen.”

The OTHER Trail of Tears
Noon-12:50 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15
Jayme Blandford, assistant professor of English, will explore the experience of more than 10 tribes that were forcibly removed from the East Coast to the Ohio River Valley and all the way through the St. Louis region before being settled in present day Oklahoma. 

“12 Years a Slave,” Film
6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15
Based on a true story, this critically acclaimed film follows one man’s struggle for freedom and survival in the antebellum U.S. Solomon Northup, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, is a free black man who is abducted and sold into slavery, where he suffers until a chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt). The film is the subject of a panel discussion the next day. 

Pot in Missouri?
10-11:20 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16
Paul Roesler, SCC political science professor and advisor to SCC Students for Sensible Drug Policy, will discuss national trends of cannabis legalization. A majority of Americans now support legalization, including a large percentage of police officers who have formed Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). Roesler will discuss LEAP, legalization in Colorado and Washington and the prospects of it in Missouri. 

A Discussion of “12 Years a Slave”
11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16
This interdisciplinary panel will examine the film “12 Years a Slave” and the impact of slavery on America from multiple perspectives including history, political science and sociology. 

Fracking and Democracy
1-2:20 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16
Hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking) is a method of gas and oil extraction, which has raised serious concerns about damage to the environment and about the power of corporations in American life. Kuelker will look at how “fracking” is covered by American news media. 

Propaganda in American Film
2:30-3:50 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16
Propaganda is used to present a one-sided explanation of events, typically to encourage a person to adopt a certain political position. Despite the term’s negative connotation, virtually every political movement in U.S. history has used propaganda. This presentation will explore the use of propaganda in American film from “Birth of Nation” to “Atlas Shrugged.” Gabe Harper, history faculty, will also address how to identify propaganda and its positive and negative effects.

Uncovering James Madison’s Notes
10-10:50 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17
Randy Beck, history faculty, will delve into the summer of 1787, when delegates from 12 states met in Philadelphia to discuss, debate and compromise on their personal and political opinions to create the U.S. Constitution. Although the proceedings were kept secret from the American public, Virginia delegate James Madison recorded in detail the daily events of the convention. What were the Founding Father’s thoughts on government, the American people, religion, slavery and representation in the legislative branch? What was proposed, argued and voted on by the delegates that only James Madison recorded in his notes?

Dollars and Democracy: How Our Spending Choice Influence Policy in America
1-1:50 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17
Boycotts are as American as apple pie, or should we say, tea? Steve Randoll, associate history professor, will give a brief overview of boycotts and other forms of economic pressure. Throughout American history, governments, institutions and private citizens have used their money to influence both public and private policy in America and around the world. It remains one of the most effective ways ordinary American citizens participate in democratic process. After all, our spending choices express policy preference whether we are aware of it or not.

American Media and Democracy
10-11:20 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18
In the 1999 film “The Matrix,” Neo – a computer hacker – discovers that humanity has been trapped inside a computer program which projects false reality – the Matrix – and it is Neo’s job as “the One” to free humanity from their prison. In this presentation, political science faculty member Lisa Davis will investigate how the American media, like the Matrix, uses its influence to alter our sense of history and truth to push their own agenda. She will encourage a discussion about what can be done by us, “the Ones,” to force the media to report the news in a more unbiased manner.

Are We a Democracy or an Oligarchy?
11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18
Paul Roesler will discuss the impact of recent Supreme Court cases on democracy in America – money, politics, elections and law. Learn about the implications for democracy amid a power structure in our society that increasingly resembles an oligarchy.

The N-Word: Is It time to Retire This Word?
1-2:20 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18
Whether pronounced with an “er” or an “a,” is it finally time to retire this word? Some are offended by the word, while others find it an endearing display of kinship. Since we live in a society of free will, the question of retiring the N-word may pose a threat to our rights of free speech. This topic will be an open discussion led by Kimberlee Vaughn, psychology faculty.

“This is a great opportunity for students, staff, faculty and the community to learn and discuss things of mutual importance,” Kuelker said. “There will be presentations, but also, in good democratic fashion, time for questions and discussion with the audience.”

For more information, contact Michael Kuelker at mkuelker@stchas.edu.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit stchas.edu.