holidays

holidays

Black History Month

Black History Month

Every February, we get the chance to come together as a community and celebrate the achievements of African Americans throughout the history of the United States. Whether it’s hearing the biographies of often-overlooked scholars and artists and scientists, or digging deep into the life of one particularly inspirational person, this is a great time to explore the nuances of the black experience in America. Some of our databases, like Biography in Context, have sections dedicated to African American biography. Others are dedicated entirely to African American studies. Take Black Thought and Culture, a database which brings together over 100,000 pages of interviews, essays, pamphlets, letters, and speeches, and journal articles from 1700 to the present. It includes a wealth of … Continued
A Day On

A Day On

Most holidays are a great opportunity to relax and unwind; to spend time with family or recover from stress. But Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is frequently referred to as ‘a day on, not a day off’. Because King’s life was inextricably linked to equality and service, celebrating it involves these attributes, too. That’s not to say it has to be active – a time of meditating on the meaning of sacrifice and service might be how you choose to mark the holiday. IU East has plenty of opportunities – inspirational speaker and CEO Gloria J. Burgess will speak here at 7:00 on January 22, in Vivian on “Martin Luther King Jr.: Legacy for Life in the 21st Century,” and … Continued
Hanukah is a holiday of light

Hanukah is a holiday of light

“Hanukah is a holiday of light, and everyone should have light…it’s a chance to take goodness and lightness to make the world a better place.” ~ Chabad Rabbi Yossi Greenberg On December 2, 2014, Jewish culture was celebrated with a special meal served in the Den at Indiana University East, and the playing of the Hanukah dreidel game. Hanukah begins the evening of Dec. 16 and lasts for 8 nights. Rabbi Yossi Greenberg, the Chabad Rabbi at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio was present to answer any questions about the meal, Hanukah or Jewish traditions in general. The meal consisted of traditional kosher style items such as falafel, kugel, and latkes. Eighth graders in Tiauna Washington’s class from the Early … Continued
I Will Write Peace on Your Wings

I Will Write Peace on Your Wings

November 17th is World Peace Day, a time when people focus on how they can bring peace through their own grassroots actions (in contrast to holidays like September’s International Day of Peace, which focuses more on global efforts to end wars). Started in 1997 by Don Morris, World Peace Day gives agency to ordinary people who might be unable to contribute to global initiatives. Small, personal acts of personal growth and transformation are celebrated – it is a truly ‘grassroots’ holiday, independent from any specific government or religious organization. One story that inspired Morris was the tale of the Thousand Origami Cranes – a Japanese legend that anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes will be granted a single wish. In … Continued
Festival of Light

Festival of Light

Every autumn, Hindus throughout the world celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Light. Observed on the darkest new moon of the Hindu month Kartik, it is a celebration of spiritual significance. People light diyas, lamps, and candles or shoot off fireworks in celebration of the triumph of light over darkness and everything that stands for – good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. On October 29th IU East will hold a Diwali Festival, starting with a symbolic candle lighting ceremony presided over by Chancellor Kathy Cruz-Uribe, and professors Parul Khurana and Hitesh Kathuria. The food, music, and fellowship begin at 5:30 in Whitewater Hall – you can RSVP with Dr. Kathuria at 765-973-8247 or hikathur@iue.edu. If you are … Continued