Reflection on Interfaith by Mohammed Ali

The purpose of the Emerging Minds Project (EMP) is to create an intellectually open and dynamic environment for students to learn about and discuss social justice issues of today. Each month, a group of students come together at 5710 to dialogue with an experienced facilitator who works in the field.

This blog is an outlet for each of our members' voices. While this is a collection of their personal thoughts, we hope to display a glimpse of the multifaceted ways that each topic impacts the individual members of the EMP cohort.

*The views and opinions expressed in these blog entries are that of each individual author and do not necessarily reflect a collective opinion of the EMP cohort or that of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.

Reflection on Interfaith by Mohammed Ali.

Last week, our Emerging Minds Project cohort met with Mr. Hakan Berberoglu of the Niagara Foundation (which is not the same as “The Niagara Foundation”) to talk about interfaith discussions. These discussions--whereby the Niagara Foundation provides resources enabling religious communities of different callings to meet, learn, and grow mutual respect for one another--are entirely voluntary. They depend on the mutual interest of participants to organize and hold such discussions. Unfortunately, there are communities that Mr. Berberoglu has worked with that are simply opposed to the idea of holding interfaith dialogues. For me, one of the most resonant points of our discussion focused on why some people would be so opposed to reaching out to members of different faiths.

Reflection on Interfaith by Rebeca Alderete Baca

 The purpose of the Emerging Minds Project (EMP) is to create an intellectually open and dynamic environment for students to learn about and discuss social justice issues of today. Each month, a group of students come together at 5710 to dialogue with an experienced facilitator who works in the field.

This blog is an outlet for each of our members' voices. While this is a collection of their personal thoughts, we hope to display a glimpse of the multifaceted ways that each topic impacts the individual members of the EMP cohort.

*The views and opinions expressed in these blog entries are that of each individual author and do not necessarily reflect a collective opinion of the EMP cohort or that of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.

Reflection on Interfaith by Rebeca Alderete Baca

Last Friday, we were all involved in a dialogue to discuss interfaith. And next Friday, we will reunite and talk again. We will have a dialogue. And it is a healthy process because we are willing to speak, and stay silent in turn. Hakan Berberoglu made us aware of the importance of dialogue among different faiths last week. He stressed that the most important thing in dialogue, inter-faith in particular, is to select people who are open to dialogue to participate in that dialogue. Indeed, it is healthy to bring those who are willing to talk to the table. This is what EMP is—a group of people willing to explore. I firmly believe that dialogue between faiths and cultures and the subsequent understanding that this dialogue brings about can and will dissolve any problems or disagreements those two cultures may have. Most of our problems are brought about through misunderstandings, misjudgments and preconceived notions. Dialogue humanizes; it demolishes the view of the other party as “the other.” Dialogue brings groups closer to one another and promotes understanding. So much good comes from open, willing dialogue.

CMC Mentor Spotlight: Thomas Stewart

The Chicago Multicultural Connection, OMSA’s mentoring program, is still taking applications from undergraduate students interested in having a mentor. CMC, a career-focused mentoring program, matches undergraduate students of color with alumni, faculty, staff or graduate students who share similar career interests and goals. Along with one-on-one mentorship, the program provides career and academic workshops as well as social and cultural events throughout the year.  For more information or to sign-up, please contact Robin Graham via email at rgraham1@uchicago.edu or visit http://omsa.uchicago.edu/mentorship/.http://omsa.uchicago.edu/mentorship/.

Check out the posting from CMC Mentor Thomas Stewart, a PhD student in Evolutionary & Developmental Biology about why he participates in the program!

“As an undergraduate at Syracuse University, I had several mentors. It was their guidance that led me to apply for various internships and to spend a semester studying tropical ecology in Costa Rica. I found them invaluable as I explored scholarship opportunities, developed my undergraduate thesis project, and organized a plan for life after graduation. Largely, I credit my undergraduate mentors with helping me to discover my academic interests and to ultimately pursue my doctorate at the University of Chicago. 

Currently, I am pursing my PhD in evolutionary and developmental biology.  My research interests lie in understanding patterns of biological diversity, exploring how developmental systems shape evolutionary trajectories. I use catfish as a model to explore the origin of novel appendages in vertebrates, and work across a range of fields including developmental biology, paleontology, biomechanics, ecology and phylogenetics.

As a mentor I strive to provide the generosity in time and attention that my mentors provided me. I would advise my own mentees, indeed all students, to embrace breadth in their studies and balance in their professional and personal endeavors. I’m excited to work with all students and continuing to serve as a CMC mentor.”

Weekly Schedule - Jan. 20 - 26

Friday, January 20

Reading and Performance by Diane Lefer
3:00 PM-4:00 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue, Room 107 

Workshop with Hector Aristizábal: Awakening the Imagination for Social Change
4:00 PM-5:30 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

Saturday, January 21

Workshop with Diane Lefer: Teaching Writing as a Tool for Social Change
10:00 AM-12:30 PM
Room 409 Cobb Hall, 5811 S. Ellis Avenue

Chinese New Year Concert - Featuring members of the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing
2:00 PM-3:30 PM
Assembly Hall, International House, 1414 East 59th Street

International Food Festival 2012: Celebrating Culture and Cuisine
Presented by: Asian Students Union
6:00 PM-9:00 PM
Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59^th Street

Monday, January 23

A to Z of searching and applying for Full Time Jobs
4:30 PM-6:00 PM
West Lounge, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

Tuesday, January 24

Summer Teaching Internships, Fellowships, & Experiences
4:30 PM-6:00 PM
West Lounge, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

Wednesday, January 25

Caribbean Studies Workshop
4:30 PM-6:00 PM
Room 101 of Haskell Hall, 5836 S. Greenwood Aveue

LGBTQA Graduate/Professional Student Mixer
Presented by the Office of LGBTQ Student Life
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

Thursday, January 26

Reproduction of Race and Racial Ideologies Workshop
4:15 PM-5:30 PM

First Floor Conference Room 5733 , Centers for Gender/Race Studies, South University Avenue

Graduate and Professional Student of Color Mixer
Presented by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue, Room 107

Weekly Schedule - Jan 12 - 19

Thursday, January 12

Super Walk-Ins
Presented by Career Advising and Planning Services
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Second floor reception, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

What do you think?
Presented by: Health Promotion and Wellness
11:00 AM-1:30 PM
Marketplace in Reynolds Club, 5706 South University

Perspectives on Seguro Popular: Mexico's National Health Insurance Program
Presented by: Harris School of Public Policy Studies
12:00 PM-1:30 PM
Lecture Hall 142, Harris School of Public Policy Studies, 1155 East 60th Street

"Guy Benton Johnson and the Problem of Racial Triangulation," David M. Ferguson, PhD Candidate, Department of Sociology, University of Chicago
Presented by Reproduction of Race & Racial Ideologies Workshop
4:15 PM - 5:30 PM
5733 S. University Avenue

Grad Event: Alumni Chat
Presented by Career Advising and Planning Services
5:00 PM-6:00 PM
Room 203, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

CCIPSS: For 1st Years: How to Connect with Community Service RSOs and Get a Summer Opportunity in Public and Social Service
Presented by: Chicago Careers in Public and Social Service
5:00 PM-6:30 PM
Library, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S Woodlawn Ave.

Masquerade Party
Presented by:  the Smart Museum of Art
8:00 PM-10:30 PM
Smart Museum of Art, 5550 South Greenwood Avenue

Friday, January 13

Internship Interview Boot Camp: Consulting & Business
Presented by Career Advising and Planning Services
8:30 AM-1:00 PM
Career Advising & Planning Services, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

Let's Talk
Presented by: Student Counseling Services
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue, Room 301 (LGBTQ Lounge)