Puffin West has provided grant support to Dr. Neal Lester, Director of Arizona State University’s (ASU) Project Humanities for his continuing symposiums on Cultural Awareness. The program this fall will be hosted at ASU Preparatory Academy that will invite high school students who have not typically considered critical matters about race, culture, etc. within the context of everyday mascots such as hip-hop, tribal tattoos, the Nword, ableist language and costumes. The objectives include:
Increasing awareness on issues relevant to marginalized communities by providing space for critical dialogue.
-Cultivation of positive communication through inclusive language and critical thinking.
– Facilitation of conversations on important issues thought the lens of race, gender, sexuality, class, age, ability and etc.
-Distinguishing “political correctness” from “cultural awareness”.
-Enhancing community bridge-building with surrounding communities.
