Upcoming OACS Events!
World on Wednesday Event, The Impact of South Africa’s Failed Transition on the Post-Apartheid State’s 21st Birthday and Beyond, September 23rd at 12:00
The South African democratic post-apartheid state turned 21 this year. And the transition to democracy, particularly from a conflict resolution perspective, is generally hailed as a text-book case study, to be emulated if success is sought in other countries undergoing democratic transitions. But is this right, should this be the case? What are the lessons that are beginning to emerge given the passage of 2 decades of nascent democracy? What is the nature of the change that the transition set in place, how has the transition impacted on the nature of current South Africa?
Join Dr. Clive Mentzel, a South African and a political scientist by training who teaches classes on the transition to democracy in South Africa and on approaches to resolving deep rooted conflict as he explores the transition 21 years ago and its impact on constituting the social, political and economic fabric of present day South Africa.
iLens Film Screening of Cry Freedom, September 9th at 7:30pm
Wednesday, September 9th at 7:30, presented by Clive Mentzel, Director of the Office of Active Citizenship and Service, and Frank Dobson, Assistant Dean and Director of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center.
United Kingdom (1987) Dir: Richard Attenborough.
South African Journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death of his friend and anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. Denzel Washington does a remarkable job of transforming himself into the mesmerizing black
nationalist leader, whose refusal to keep silent led to his death in police custody and a subsequent coverup. English. Rated PG. 157 minutes. DVD. Partial funding provided by the Office of Active Citizenship & Service and the Black Cultural Center.
BCC/OACS Book Event, I Write What I Like: Selected Writings by Steve Biko, September 9th at 11:30
A selection of Biko’s writings from 1969, when he became the president of the South African Students’ Organization, to 1972, when he was prohibited from publishing. The collection also includes a preface by Archbishop Desmond Tutu; an introduction by Malusi and Thoko Mpumlwana, who were both involved with Biko in the Black Consciousness movement; a memoir of Biko by Father Aelred Stubbs, his longtime pastor and friend; and a new foreword by Professor Lewis Gordon.
Discussion led by Frank Dobson, Assistant Dean and Director of the BJJBCC, and Clive Mentzel, Director of the Office of Active Citizenship and Service
Constitution Day Event, Locked and Loaded: The 2nd Amendment in the 21st Century, September 17 at 7:00 pm in Kissam Multipurpose Room
Forum to address 2nd Amendment issues
Panelists: Prof. John Lachs (Philosophy), Prof. James Blumstein (Law), Prof. Laurie Woods (Sociology), Dr. Clive Mentzel (Office of Active Citizenship & Service/Poli Sci/MHS)