Hate Studies conference draws global voices
"Justice and Equity: Challenging Hate and Inspiring Hope" is the theme for the sixth Gonzaga International Conference on Hate Studies co-hosted virtually by the Spokane County Human Rights Task Force and the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.
The International Conference on Hate Studies brings scholars and practitioners together with students and community members to bridge theory and practice, and to expand learning with and from each other, said Kristine Hoover of Gonzaga University's Institute for Hate Studies.
Participants hear from speakers from around the world, engage in workshops, name all forms of dehumanization and reignite passions to address the "dis-ease" of hatred, she said.
It draws academics, journalists, law enforcement personnel, educators, representatives of governmental and nongovernmental organizations, human rights experts, community organizers, activists and others to discuss hatred.
Sessions of the event are from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 5, and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 6.
Featured panels are:
• "Practitioner Perspectives: Building Coalitions and Organizations and the Research Needed to Support the Work" on Thursday with: Connie Chung Joe of Asian Americans Advancing Justice; Rachel Carroll Rivas, a human and civil rights organizer, and Eric Ward of the Western States Center.
• "Academic Perspectives: What Is the Future of Hate Studies Research?" at 9 to 10:30 a.m., Friday, features panelists Kathleen Blee of the University of Pittsburgh; Thomas Brudholm of the University of Copenhagen; Mengyao Li of the Max Planck Institute, and Robert Sapolsky of Stanford University.
• "Academic Centers for the Study of Hate: What Is the Role of University Communities?" is from 9 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, with panelists Ken Stern of Bard College; Brian Levin of California State University San Bernardino; Barbara Perry of Ontario Tech University, and Kristine.
• At the same time Saturday, "Human Rights Task Force Perspectives: Creating Inclusion and Countering Hate" will be addressed by leaders of human rights task forces in their counties or state Brenda Hammond of Bonner County; Dean Lynch of Spokane County; Tony Stewart of Kootenai County and Travis McAdam of Montana.
Those registering choose from sessions including Anti-Bias Lessons for Educators, COVID-19, Hate Incidents and Hate Crimes Against Asian Pacific Islander Americans, and "A Living Memorial to the Holocaust Inspires Youth to Confront Hatred Today."
A presentation on caucusing as a form of community building will be followed by caucusing sessions for people from the Inland Northwest.
GU's Institute of Hate Studies supports research and education on the capacity to dehumanize an "other" and processes to counter that capacity, said Kristine.
"With local and global partners, we are founders and leading contributors to the interdisciplinary field of hate studies. This work is central to Gonzaga's identity as a Jesuit university, following the ways of St. Ignatius of Loyola by naming harms of marginalization and taking action against bias and bigotry," she said.
"This is our 'magis'—that is, doing more for Christ by doing more for others—to work against hate and in solidarity for a world with greater justice."
A virtual gala event will include presenting the Eva Lassman Take Action Against Hate Awards and other awards to honor people and organizations standing up for human rights.
For information, call 313-3665 or visit Gonzaga.edu/ICOHS.
