Sinclair Community College is commemorating its 15th annual Season for Nonviolence by offering a variety of events and presentations to educate and promote conversation about nonviolence, according to Tom Roberts, advisor for the Ohio Fellows.
The purpose of bringing the events and presentations to Sinclair is to help people understand what the Season for Nonviolence means, said Roberts.
The Season for Nonviolence is a 64-day international event celebrated from Jan. 4, which is the 30th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death, to Apr. 30, which is the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, said Roberts.
Even though Roberts doesn’t have events planned for every day of the season, he and Barbara Battin, the Interfaith Campus Minister, will be featuring a variety of events and presentations, said Roberts.
Through the events and presentations focusing on the Season for Nonviolence, Roberts is hoping to foster an ongoing discussion about issues centering on nonviolence that go beyond the conclusion of the season.
Roberts is planning a presentation that would lead to three follow-up presentations centered on Dr. King’s “World House Vision” essay.
“I’m convinced that the ‘World House Vision’ is probably his greatest contribution to the world,” said Roberts.
The first presentation is intended to introduce the “World House Vision” essay and the additional presentations will focus on three specific themes. These themes are poverty/materialism, war and racism.
The concept of the “World House Vision” essay is that different rooms within the hypothetical house represent different countries. The essay focuses on the struggle of these different rooms, or countries, to live together.
“Its relevance to today is just remarkable,” said Roberts.
The Office of Campus Ministry will also present a workshop on the ‘golden rule’. Battin’s golden rule presentation focuses on the 13 major world religions and the idea of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” focusing on the similarities and differences of perspectives that each religion has of the golden rule, said Roberts.
Battin hopes that the golden rule presentation will help reduce fear of one another and promote an appreciation for the traditions of others.
Battin is also presenting a read and reflect series about Jesus and nonviolence every Tuesday throughout the month of February from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Building 11 in Room 443, said Battin.
The discussion will focus on the book titled “Jesus and Nonviolence” written by Walter Wink, said Battin, who added that there will be limited number of books available to those who are interested in participating.
A third presentation from Battin will be held on Mar. 8, which is International Women’s Day, with a focus on women and nonviolence.
Roberts and Battin have been collaborating to bring events centered on the Season for Nonviolence to Sinclair for the past three to four years in coordination with the Ohio Fellows, Campus Ministry and the Student Leadership Association.
Those interested in learning more information about the upcoming events and presentations may contact either Roberts by phone at (937) 512-2284 or by email at thomas.roberts@sinclair.edu or Battin by phone at (937) 512-2481 or by email at barbara.battin@sinclair.edu.