Posted 1:48 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, 2020
Two virtual lectures highlight week’s events at UWL
The #Metoo movement. Political polarization and the news media. Emerging feminism. These are among the topics being discussed during the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Free Speech virtual events the week of Oct. 19.
Kenyette Tisha Barnes, a political strategist and co-founder of #MuteRKelly, will speak on “Activism, Intersectionality and Agency in the Era of Me Too” at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19.
Barnes is known for her legislative work that includes lobbying for HIV advocacy, anti-human trafficking, domestic violence, post-partum depression, special education and voter’s rights. Her topic provides a blueprint for emerging feminist activists to transform their personal trauma, gender and intersectionality oppression into effective activism.
Vanessa Otero, Founder of Ad Fontes Media, will speak on “Media Bias and Political Polarization” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22.
Ad Fontes Media’s mission is “to make news consumers smarter and news media better.” The organization rates news reliability, along with associated bias to help people make informed decisions. The Interactive Media Bias Chart, created by Otero, provides visualization of news and news-like articles ranking them on a spectrum of reliability and political bias.
Attendees can link to both virtual speeches at uwlax.edu/go/free-speech. Both are free and will include questions and answers from the audience. Participants can submit questions in advance at uwlax.edu/go/free-speech.
Each presentation will be followed by smaller virtual receptions, which will allow participants more discussion with the speakers. To attend the virtual receptions, participants must pre-register at uwlax.edu/go/free-speech.
The Free Speech events are planned by the university’s Joint Committee on Free Speech Promotion, a committee charged by the chancellor to create programming that promotes the value of free speech. The committee works to provide the UWL and local community a live experience of how to have challenging conversations about contentious issues in a respectful manner.
If you attend—
Who: Kenyette Barnes
What: “Activism, Intersectionality and Agency in the Era of Me Too”
When: 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19
Where: Find the link at: uwlax.edu/go/free-speech
Admission: Free; submit questions and register for virtual receptions at: uwlax.edu/go/free-speech
Who: Vanessa Otero
What: “Media Bias and Political Polarization”
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020
Where: Find the link at: uwlax.edu/go/free-speech
Admission: Free; submit questions and register for virtual receptions at: uwlax.edu/go/free-speech