The SPHR Conference Explores the Challenges of Advocacy
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NEWS Part II of the quest: Engineering students discuss vocation with President Spina, pg. 4 A&E Jesse Thompson artistically challenges gender norms and hypermasculinity, pg. 6 OPINIONS Love, Posey encourages struggling students uncomfortable with classwork, pg. 11 SPORTS Women’s basketball takes home hardware in Maine, pg. 15 TUESDAY,TUESDAY, NOVEMBER OCTOBER 17,14, 2017 FLYER NEWS, VOL. 65 NO. 6 UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON The SPHR Conference explores the challenges of advocacy EMMA KAPP Staff Writer The Social Practice of Hu- man Rights Conference brought people from across the world together at the University of Dayton’s River Campus from Wednesday to Friday, examining and discussing human rights is- sues. The third biennial conference was sponsored and planned by UD’s Human Rights Center with a theme of “Chartering the Frontiers of Research and Advocacy.” The goal of the event was to explore challenges of advocacy posed by racism, xenophobia, other forms of ex- tremism and what Pope Francis has termed “the globalization of indifference,” according to the conference website. To go along with this theme, the con- ference included four keynote addresses, four plenary dia- logues and nearly 100 research presentations. The topics cov- ered ranged from forced migra- tion and peace to modern slav- ery and dictators. One theme remained constant, however: With over 100 original presentations from scholars and practitioners across the disciplinary spectrum, four plenary dialogue sessions were featured. Pictured dedication to solving the root above is the forced migration dialogue given by Dylan Corbett, Ramón Márquez Vega and Azadeh Shahshahani. Photo courtesy of Sylvia Stahl. problems of human rights vio- lations. Dylan Corbett, executive direc- Center. She spoke about the tics. Her speech on white rage sight and perspective really The conference opened with tor of the Hope Border Insti- treatment of migrants in the garnered a standing ovation at helped me contextualize and keynote speaker William Dob- tute, Azadeh Shahshahani, legal U.S. and how reform in the im- the end of the night. officially recognize that this is son Tuesday evening. Dobson, and advocacy director for Proj- migration system is desperately Friday’s concluding remarks something real we can combat.” chief international editor for ect South, and Ramón Márquez needed. left conference attendees satis- The conference was partnered National Public Radio, gave Vega, director of La 72 Home Thursday morning’s activities fied and feeling enlightened. with OpenGlobalRights, an or- a presentation entitled “The and Refuge for Migrants. Much included a plenary dialogue on “It was really valuable as a ganization dedicated to spread- Learning Curves of Dictators.” of the discussion focused on peace and another selection of student with an interest in hu- ing awareness of human rights. In it, Dobson described how the U.S.’s policy and its inatten- research presentations. Topic in man rights to be able to talk to Live tweets and online broad- the number of democracies is tion to the dignity of migrants this group included gender vi- the people who are doing cut- casts of the discussions were at its lowest point in 25 years and refugees. A call for dialogue olence and indigenous peoples’ ting edge research in the field available from the event. because of the growth in popu- and a need for action were the rights. and see the breadth of subjects Through the efforts of many lism and nationalism. “In a glo- biggest sentiments from this The afternoon keynote ad- and opportunities,” McLough- people, the conference was balized world, the best forms of plenary. dress was given by Nadiezhda lin said. able to inspire dialogue, force persuasion are subtle,” Dobson The next rounds of research Henríquez Chacín, a human Tiffany Hendricks, a sopho- thoughts from new perspectives pointed out. panels covered topics such as rights advocate who works to more human rights studies ma- and touch hearts and minds. River Campus became abuzz the analysis of social move- give closure and information to jor, would agree. Bringing together people to with activity Wednesday morn- ments and the intersection of families of disappeared people. “I really loved that they learn about the horrendous ing as the conference officially human rights, economics and Sophomore human rights and brought in people from global human rights violations that began. After some opening re- social justice. Additional proj- English major Mary McLough- perspectives to help drive dif- occur around the world every marks from Dobson, the first ects looked at the connection lin attended the address and ferent points that these are glob- day allows for advocacy and plenary dialogue began. It fo- between human rights and sus- found it “inspiring.” al issues,” Hendricks said. “It’s awareness to spread. Although cused on the issue of forced tainability. Carol Anderson spoke as part easy to look at it and take it like the conference lasted only a migration, a problem facing Wednesday evening’s keynote of the evening keynote. She is a a researchable problem from few short days, the effects and about one in every 113 people, address came from Marielena human and civil rights advocate an academic standpoint, but I learning outcomes of it will be according to the panel. The Hincapié, executive director of and expert on African American feel like having people coming felt as attendees continue their experts on this topic included the National Immigration Law history and 20th century poli- from different areas to offer in- work and research. 2 NEWS FLYER NEWS | TUESDAY, NOV. 14 UD students and Dayton nonprofits address food desert ALEXIS VASKE Contributing Writer Students who do not have a car to bring to school or cannot pay over $200 for a parking pass are left to fig- ure out how to purchase groceries. Junior Carly Perkins knows this well. “Last year my roommates and I did not have a car so getting to the gro- cery was difficult. We Ubered every week and it got to be expensive,” Per- kins recalled. “I brought my car this year, which has made it much easier.” Junior Anna Choquette, another stu- dent without transportation, stated, “All of my roommates and many of my friends have a car so finding a ride isn’t difficult. It’s finding time that’s “I was highlighting the difference between the markets, the fresh vegetables versus the processed ones, furthering the difference in food availability throughout the issue. The grocery is far so you the city,” said photographer Sylvia Stahl, explaining her photos pictured above. Her photos were showcased in an exhibition focusing on Dayton’s food desert. have to set aside time to make the trip and being highly involved in clubs and inaccessibility of the store. 23.5 mil- the issue as part of her “Let’s Move” services, MMC grows vegetables and sions made by the university in regards activities makes that a challenge.” lion people live in food deserts, nearly campaign to combat childhood obe- sells them to neighborhood residents. to the development of the Montgom- UD does offer the “saturday shop- half in low income areas, according to sity. As part of her project, Obama Places such as Mission of Mary ery Fairgrounds site may be influ- ping shuttle,” which picks students up the USDA. The USDA also found a hoped to eradicate food deserts by Cooperative are working directly with enced by this particular issue of food at multiple locations on campus and high correlation between those living 2017 by providing tax breaks to super- Dayton residents to meet their needs. deserts. takes them to Walmart and various in a food desert and increased diabetes markets that opened in food deserts. UD students have the privilege of At the interactive visioning work- restaurants located on Dorothy Lane rates. With an issue that affects seven per- calling Dayton their home and even shop hosted by planning NEXT and South Dixie Drive. UD says this Many people, particularly those who cent of Americans, the next question though it is only for four years, the and University President Eric F. Spi- shuttle is open to all students but es- face financial hardships, do not have becomes: how can food deserts be UD community can make an impact. na Oct. 27, discussions took place pecially freshman because they are access to grocery stores because of alleviated and eventually eliminated? Current UD students are also taking regarding the development of the not allowed to bring a car on campus. geographic location and lack of trans- The City of Dayton cannot solve the action. Senior students in the Dayton Montgomery Fairgrounds site UD Caldwell Apartments is the single portation. Therefore, those living in issues surrounding food deserts over- Civic Scholars program have worked and Premier Health purchased last pick-up location in the student neigh- food deserts are often forced to do night, and they certainly cannot do with Mount Olive Baptist Church to spring. At the forum, some students borhood. their shopping at local convenience it alone. The progress made thus far start a community garden, a project and faculty members suggested build- Students without a meal plan know stores. Additionally, people living in has been largely work of nonprofits, many congregation members are ex- ing a grocery store featuring produce that UD does not have a grocery store food deserts frequently resort to get- volunteers, community members and cited about. grown by local farmers in the space. in walking distance of campus, which ting their meals from fast-food restau- college area students. “We wanted to do a project that This was one suggestion amongst reflects a larger issue: a city consumed rants because of they are easier to In numerous cities, local activists addressed the issue of food deserts,” many proposed at the session.