The Diversifieds A publication of the EDRC at Grays Harbor College
Volume 3, Issue 3
Spring 2011
May What does The Autism Ribbon Represent? The puzzle pattern on this ribbon reflects the mystery and complexity of autism. The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of people and families living with the disorder. The brightness of the ribbon signals hope– hope through research and in the increasing awareness of our fellow people. (Kayleigh Rucker pictured above)
Please Join the
GHC Day Of Silence Thursday April 14th
Equity & Diversity Resource Center
Every year hundreds of thousands of students across the country take a vow of silence for a day to bring attention to anti-LGBT namecalling, bullying and harassment in their schools. On Thursday April 14th, Grays Harbor College students will show their solidarity with LGBT students by honoring the National Day of Silence. Note: the official National Day of Silence is Friday April 15th, and GHC students chose to have their event a day early.
for an Open Discussion about
Monday April 18th 2:00 pm EDRC Foyer (200 bldg)
http://dayofsilence.org/. Contact Jen Gillies, jgillies@ghc.edu for more information. The Diversifieds are a publication of the EDRC of Grays Harbor College. The mission of the EDRC is to promote awareness, respect, and equitable treatment of the diverse individuals and groups that exist within our campus and surrounding communities. The EDRC is open to all! Please come visit us in the 200 building.
My Personal Experience with Autism
Autism, as defined by the Autism Society of America, Is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood . Nearly one out of every 150 children born is diagnosed with some form of autism. This disorder is four times more common in boys than girls. It has been found throughout the world in families of all racial, ethnic and social backgrounds. My family is one of many who have been affected by this disorder. I personally was not only blessed with one autistic sibling but two. Having more than one autistic child in a family is not uncommon but my situation is a little more complicated than that. After my parents divorced they both re-married and had a child born with autism. So to explain my siblings are not related to each other. I guess you could say I am their half sister but I don‟t see it that way. My baby sister Stephanie was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 4. She was a special child from the beginning but after the diagnosis she became a different kind of special. This was my first exposure to the word Autism. At the age of 11 my first thought was, “Does this mean she can draw?” At the time I had no idea this single word would direct my entire life. When my only brother, Bradney, was 16 he was diagnosed with Asperger‟s syndrome. Aspergers syndrome is a high functioning form of autism. Bradney had behavioral issues throughout his school years. We always knew something was off but it took a long time to get an accurate diagnosis. This time I was more prepared and knew what to expect. Having Stephanie and Bradney in my life has been the best thing that ever happened to me. Everything I am and everything I do is for them. Throughout my high school and college experience I have done many essays and projects on autism. I love researching this disorder and reading about new discoveries. Because of my amazing siblings I have chosen to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology. This fall I will attend Evergreen College in hopes of becoming closer to my goal. I have big plans for Autism research. There is still no accurate cause for Autism & I would like to change that. I want to help find the missing pieces in the autism puzzle. Bradney Stephanie By: Jessica Lovelady
“YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! Every significant advance that has happened for autism is the result of the efforts of others.” -Bryan Jepson, MD Page 2
Volume 3, Issue 3
LGBT Leadership Conference
GHC Students & Advisors who attended the conference
Attending the Power of One conference gave me many opportunities to learn about how to use my leadership skills to the fullest. The LGBT community is one that needs help with the different discriminatory ways that people treat them. The leadership skills I learned can now help me better support the LGBT community. I had an amazing experience at the conference and hope I am able to attend again next year. Michelle (Midge) Walther
Please join the Equity & Diversity Resource Center For an Open Discussion about
Depression in the LGBTQ community May 18th 2:00 pm In the EDRC Foyer (200 Bldg)
L G B T Q
Depression & Suicide
The LGBTQ community is like a family; it is a part of us and always will be. The unfortunate part is that we lose members almost daily. Society has decided to discriminate against our community because of reason beyond our control. Depression is a major part of most people‟s lives that identify as LGBTQ. The depression rises and they don‟t know who to turn to for help. They become scared to come out or to show who they truly are. Some become so desperate to escape the hate that they turn to suicide as the only way to make the pain stop. This is a tragic thing we as members of the LGBTQ community face. We shouldn‟t have to lose members of our family because society has chosen not to accept us for who we are. By: Michelle (Midge) Walther Page 3
It Gets Better By Jen Gillies
Last quarter the GHC GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) and other campus organizations brought Thomas Howard, a speaker to campus from the Matthew Shepard foundation. I spearheaded this project and brought the idea of the presenter to the club as a way to have community outreach in lieu of the recent bullying and suicides in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender) community brought to light by the media. I am a survivor of a hate crime. It has taken years for me to come to terms with what happened to me, and for the most part, there are things that will never heal. On March 3rd, 1994 I was brutally attacked in downtown Aberdeen for holding hands with a female. I was on my way to play soccer with a group of friends on a Sunday afternoon. We were walking along Park Street by Friendly Auto, headed to Finch Park. A truck with three males drove by and yelled obscenities at my best friend and I as we were holding hands. Not thinking too much about it I crossed the street when traffic let up. While in the middle of the street one of my friends screamed “Jen watch out.” I turned around and a man literally jumped onto me. We fell to the ground causing my left clavicle and wrist to break. He began to beat my head into the pavement and punching me in the ribs. One of my friends grabbed him off my back, and as he got up he kicked me in the ribs a few times. I crawled in between some bushes on the side of the road. Most of the details that follow the attack are hazy. I know an ambulance came and I was transported to Community Hospital. I know there were police there and someone spoke to them. I remember hearing my mom yelling for me outside the room I was in. I was released to go home with a brace for my back, a cast on my arm, and painkillers. I went home, and spent a little over a month there, never once going outside. I became very afraid, and would not allow my mom to leave me for at least a week to return to work. When she left the house all the curtains had to remain closed and I had to check the locks a few times to make sure I was secured. A huge part of me died that day. The person I was becoming suddenly was repressed and I shoved her very deep down inside. It has taken me sixteen years to be brave enough to admit to myself, my family, my children, my friends who I truly am. I was able to come out of hiding and am learning to live again. The road to recovery is not easy, especially when one is recovering from a violent crime that should have never happened. I was attacked because someone was ignorant and hateful. It has taken me years to find my voice to help advocate for those who cannot find their own.
Jen Gillies Page 4
1994
As people of an ever-changing society I encourage you to question your own biases of groups of people and ask yourself if it comes from a learned behavior you picked up from family members, or if it‟s born out of fear. Perhaps it‟s fear of not understanding a person of a different culture, a person with a disability, a person of a different religion, or a person with a different sexual orientation other than your own. For most people, it is born out of fear and ignorance of the subject. Whether you are an employee or student of the college, you are in a position to greatly influence not only the people on this campus, but the community as well. Think of the difference you can make just by taking the time to learn about people you may ordinarily feel uncomfortable with, or by acknowledging to someone that their presence is wanted and appreciated. Become an advocate. Show people that you care. You may think that such actions are trivial, but if your actions mean that one less person has to go through what I went through, then you may have saved someone‟s life.
April is National Poetry Month, which is a month-long, national celebration of poetry. The Academy of American Poets established the month in 1996 to bring more attention to poetry. The goals of Poetry Month are to “highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets, introduce more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry, bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways, make a more important part of the school curriculum, increase the attention paid to
poetry
poetry by
national and local media, encourage increased publication, distribution, and sales of poetry books, and increase public and private philanthropic support for poets and poetry.” (www.poets.org) It is an exciting month of poetry being found everywhere, Where is Trio‟s Fish?!?
readings, online, tweets, radio, television, magazines, libraries,
For those of you who haven't heard the news the Trio office has recently fell victim to a harsh crime. Their beloved salmon Clyde has been fish napped along with the geoduck. The following poem was left in the Trio office written on toilet paper in fish tears.
bookstore and anywhere you may look. Here at Grays Harbor College, we are practicing „guerilla‟ poetry. You may find a poem in the most unexpected places. When you find one, go to the poetry blog and share it. http://www.salp.ghc.edu/foundpoems
Why as a Mighty Salmon I Will Not Leave Trio" Do not cry for me, I shall not leave those who share my love my spawn I swim against the great river that is ours thereon 'neath soaring peaks and o'er frost heaves put here to remind that I am me why I am me that I am Clyde the great Nature calls me to my dream so that my scales slip off like chill water off the feathers of the migratory goose so courageously departs so shall I too defy the hooks and devious nets of socialist media who seek to fillet and hang me to dry but I shall never die Their secret motives bald but mightier than they for I am called I will not decay yet I shall spawn and swim against the flow 'til all else is gone
Reward!! Anyone with information about the missing fish should report to the Trio office immediately! (there is a reward) If any one is concerned about Clyde please follow the story at http://whereistriosfish.blogspot.com/ Page 5
Grays Harbor Clubs & Organizations Get Involved Today!! Associated Students of Grays Harbor College Advisor: Cal Erwin-Svoboda (e) csvoboda@ghc.edu (p) 538-4078 Atheist-Agnostic-Alliance Advisor: Tom Kueter (e) tkuester@ghc.edu (p) 538-4197 College Life Advisor: Keith Foster (e) kfoster@ghc.edu (p) 538-4034 Drama Club Advisor: Brad Duffy (e) bduffy@ghc.edu (p) 538-4172 Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Advisor: Jen Gillies (e) jgillies@ghc.edu (p) 538-4155 Grays Harbor Activities Board Advisor: Cal Erwin-Svoboda (e) csvoboda@ghc.edu (p) 538-4078 Hispanic/Latino Club Advisor: Zhandra Andrade (e) zandrade@ghc.edu (p) 538-4025 Human Services Club Advisor: Chandra Miller-Stark (p) 538-4097 Japanese Media Club Advisor: Brenda Dell (e) bdell@ghc.edu (p) 538-4026 Native American Student Association Advisor: Mark Ramon (e) mramon@ghc.edu (p) 538-4090 Natural Resources Club Advisor: Todd Bates, (e) tbates@ghc.edu (p) 538-2517 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Co-Advisors: Dr. James Neiworth (e) jneiworth@ghc.edu (p) 538-4141 & Diana Grigsby (e) dgrigsby@ghc.edu (p) 538-4105 Spirit Club & Dance Team Advisor: Michelle Roos (e) mroos@ghc.edu (p) 538-4032 Student Nurses Association Advisor: Jane Wilson (e) jwilson@ghc.edu (p) 538-4019 Student Veterans Club Advisor: Cindy Jasper (e) cjasper@ghc.edu (p) 538-4084 Tyee Service Club C0-Adivsors: Laurie Chesterman (e) lchester@ghc.edu (p) 538-4100 & Randy Karnath (e) rkarnath@ghc.edu Table Top Gaming Club
Campus Happenings Spring Club Fair April 13th 10am-2pm In the HUB Earth Day April 25th
“Over the Rainbow� Prom May 6th 9pm-12pm In the HUB Tickets are $5.00 USO Dance Sponsored by Veterans Club World War 2 era Dress May14th 6pm-10pm In the HUB MayHem May 23rd-27th Last day to apply for Graduation April 29th Graduation June 17th
Calling All Writers! The Diversifieds is an extension of the GHC campus and our surrounding community. We would like to welcome and encourage students and staff to submit articles for publication in The Diversifieds. This is a quarterly publication. Please contact Erin Frasier at efrasier@ghc.edu to submit articles, poems or artwork. Diversity Committee
Diversifieds Staff: Erin Frasier Lisa Jolly Jessica Lovelady Berta Gibby
Equity & Diversity Resource Center 360-538-4247 Room 219 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive Aberdeen, WA 98520 edrc@ghc.edu