Campus and Community Dialogues 'Statues of Dead White Men: Do They Matter?'
FACEBOOK LIVE EVENT: 7 p.m.
MINOT, N.D. – On Wednesday, Nov. 18, Minot State University will host the Campus and Community Dialogues event “Statues of Dead White Men: Do They Matter?” beginning at 7 p.m. via Facebook Live @MinotStateUniversity and askMSU.com/dialogues.
Guest panelists include Bethany Andreasen, Minot State history professor; Bill Peterson, State Historical Society of North Dakota director; and Rob Port, Forum News Service columnist. The event will also be streamed through the Forum Communications Company and its affiliates in the Eastern part of North Dakota.
“Twice a year, our committee brainstorms topics of interest to both the campus and the community,” said Robert Kibler, Minot State Division of World Languages and Cultural Studies chair and English professor. “We seek hot topics, about which people have strong opinions, and all who participate agree to discuss the topic in a civil fashion. We have had great success with this approach.”
Panelists will begin the event stating their own views before opening the discussion to all participants and online viewers. Alex Deufel, Minot State biology professor, and Katy Allers, Minot State humanities administrative assistant, will serve as moderators. The dialogue is scheduled to last 70-90 minutes, and individuals are invited to come and go as it works for them.
“Our goal is not to change anyone's opinion about the topics addressed in the Campus and Community Dialogues. Rather, assaulted by information of all kinds today, we tend to surround ourselves with agreeable voices. As a result, we often hold to a limited understanding of how others feel and think about a particular topic,” Kibler said. “The dialogue forum allows all of us into the worlds of those who think differently than do we. Democracy, freedom, and truth all depend on the ability to discuss ideas, policies, and truths — the merit of which we variously contend.”
“Statues of Dead White Men: Do They Matter?” is the latest installment of Campus and Community Dialogues. The popular series addresses contemporary issues of interest in a civil fashion. Past dialogues have discussed the pertinence of religion, the value of education, the existence of ghosts, the legalization of marijuana, the necessity of gun control laws, and life in the surveillance state. Previous events are available at askMSU.com/dialogues.
For information or questions about “Statues of Dead White Men: Do They Matter?” or the Campus and Community Dialogues, contact Kibler at robert.kibler@MinotStateU.edu or 701-720-2716.
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
Published: 11/16/20
