Descendants of Master and Slave
Talk of Struggle and Friendship

In recognition of Black History Month, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute presents "Entangled Lives: A Conversation Between Descendants of Master and Slave" on Friday, February 22 at 9:30 a.m. in the multi-purpose room of the Student Union. The free event features Osher Professor Ann Neel and her long-time colleague from Chicago, Pam Smith.

"Entangled Lives" is about two women friends - one white, one black; one twenty years older than the other; one lesbian, one straight - who learned that during the era of American slavery the ancestor of one was "owned" by an ancestor of the other. Memoir, family history, and social commentary in two voices, this presentation is about their struggles and revelations in coming to terms with that past.

"Their experiences really represent to a greater extent American history,'' said Lou Miller, Executive Director of OLLI at SSU, "what was immoral and unethical from that time period can today be a touchstone for the process of understanding, healing and transformation to not only their descendants but us as a nation."

Their painful entanglement takes both Ann and Pam on a journey of self-discovery - exploring their origins, beliefs and personal histories. "We hope that hearing our story will move people to begin to think about their own backgrounds," Neel said. "We want our work to inspire them to begin exploring the sources of conflict and actual connections they have with people in groups defined as 'different' from themselves."

Holocaust Lecture Series Celebrates 25 Years
Exploring Causes of Genocide, Memories of Survivors

Teaching future generations about the cost of intolerance and of indifference to suffering is at the core of the Sonoma State University Holocaust and Genocide Lecture Series that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Myrna Goodman, Director of the Center for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide at SSU, which produces the lecture series, notes that the Series was founded by a remarkable group of academic and activist visionaries who hoped to use this annual set of lectures to fulfill the Series motto:

"Study the nature of hate: Prevent the escalation of prejudice into genocide." The organizers believed that by studying the Holocaust--and other genocides- students could deepen their understanding of human nature, organized society, political leadership, democratic participation, and civilization itself."

The lecture series has reached close to 2,500 students at the University. Over the years, it has offered insight into past and present genocides and first-hand accounts of survivors of the Holocaust and many other 20th century genocides.

"Lost and Found: Living in a Post-Holocaust World" is the theme of this year's series which is held at 4 p.m. through May 20 on Tuesdays in Warren Auditorium. The complete schedule for the spring semester can be viewed at Lecture Series.

Semester's First Friday at Four is Next Week

Next Friday, Feb. 22, will be the first Fridays @ Four for the spring semester in the University Club at 4 p.m. The menu includes:
Fresh Tropical Fruit Display
Tea Smoked Duck Breast on Won-Tons
Fried Coconut Shrimp
Ginger Green Onion Marinated Chicken Satay
Vegetable Eggrolls
Chocolate Phyllo Cups with Tapioca
Coconut Bread Pudding
Fortune Cookies
A no-host bar will be provided. Have questions? Contact jenifer.crist@sonoma.edu

SSU information/emergency phone number
888-533-5388