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CU plans MLK Day celebration with presentation on bullying

Posted 1/10/12

POTSDAM -- Clarkson University will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, Jan. 16, with free presentations on bullying and King’s legacy along with a dinner. Brian C. Johnson, a faculty …

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CU plans MLK Day celebration with presentation on bullying

Posted

POTSDAM -- Clarkson University will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, Jan. 16, with free presentations on bullying and King’s legacy along with a dinner.

Brian C. Johnson, a faculty member at Bloomsburg University and director of the Frederick Douglass Institute for Academic Excellence, will speak on "Reel Big Bullies" at 4 p.m. in the Student Center Forum.

Johnson says school bullying means learning occurs in a culture of fear and intimidation. Using clips from Hollywood blockbusters like Knocked Up and Benchwarmers, Johnson explains how to create a safer school environment. The presentation is intended to help students understand the toll bulling can take on its victims, and to encourage students to stand up for their classmates who are harassed.

At 6 p.m. in the Cheel Campus Center Commons, a dinner of chicken, baked cheese ziti, lemon peppered catfish, salt potatoes, corn, collard greens, corn bread and more will be served. Tickets can be purchased at $18 each by contacting Vicki Clark at 268-3785 or vicki@clarkson.edu.

The day wraps up at 7 p.m. in the Cheel Barben Rooms, when Johnson will deliver the keynote speech, "Because I Choose To..." Associate Dean of New Student Financial Aid Kara Pitts will be honored with the third annual Institutional Diversity Initiatives Recognition Award. The event will also feature a performance by Organized Chaos, Clarkson's step team.

Johnson, an ordained minister, is a featured columnist on the Antiracistparent.com website. He also has professional experience in social and human services.

He is the author of “We've Scene It All Before: Using Film Clips in Diversity Awareness Training” (2009) and co-author of “Reel Diversity: A Teacher's Sourcebook” (2008).