History Commons^™

Racial Considerations In The Language Used Around Mass Shootings Are Vital, Liz Theriault

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The Gun Violence Archive has logged 385 mass shootings across the U.S. as of Dec. 1, 2019. Just ��ve days later, on the morning of Dec. 6, another shooting was added to that list, when three were fatally shot and eight injured in the shooting at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida.

"I Feel Like I'Ve Had A Bag Over My Head:" New Teachers Explore Issues Of Diversity, Power And Justice, Rebecca Buchanan

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Over 80 percent of teachers in the U.S. are white, despite an increasingly diverse PK-12 student population (Barnum, 2018). This demographicimperative has prompted teacher education to respond in two diverging ways. The ��rst is to diversify the teaching workforce by increasing the number of teachers of color (Neal, Sleeter, & Kumashiro, 2015). The second is to better prepare a mostly white teaching workforce to work with aracially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse student population (Zeichner, 2009).

Umaine's Wgs Program Hosts A Lecture On Gender-Based Violence, Leela Stockley

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, the University of Maine Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGS) Program hosted Professor Ruth Lewis of Northumbria University in Newcastle, England, for a lecture and discussion on the “New Manifestations and Conceptualizations of Gender-based Violence” brought by technological advancements. The lecture, which was held in the Norman Smith Center, shared Lewis’ extensive research on the subject, which included references to media stories and scholarship, as well as her personal views on how a positive and lasting change could be achieved.

The Maine Campus Article On 'End Racism Protest' Held On Umaine Mall, Maine Campus, Charles Cramer

University of Maine Racial Justice Collection

This article from the Maine Campus, University of Maine's student newspaper, titled "'End Racism Protest' is held in the UMaine Mall" from November 4, 2019 includes a description and the purpose behind the protest.

Editorial: Black Bear Pride Means Protecting Students From Hate Speech, Liz Theriault

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, Rep. Lawrence Lockman arrived at the University of Maine campus to give a keynote presentation at the “Crisis at the Border; A Citizen’s Guide to Resisting Racist Immigration Policies in Maine” event, organized by the UMaine College Republicans. It did not take long for many UMaine students and alumni to condemn this visit, citing evidence of violent, discriminatory and hateful statements made by Lockman in the past. The controversy stirred up by Rep. Lockman’s visit is a perfect example for how UMaine, its students and its administration need to take a moment to reassess how …

End Racism Protest Is Held On The Umaine Mall, Charles Cramer

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Students, faculty and community members from across the Orono area gathered on Monday to protest online comments made three weeks earlier about Columbus Day and Indigenous American peoples by members of the University of Maine College Republicans (UMCR). The comments in question were initially uploaded to the UMCR’s Facebook page on Oct. 5 and were addressed in an email on Oct. 7 by both UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Robert Dana. The email from Ferrini-Mundy and Dana denied that the posts were representative of UMaine’s values, but chose to maintain their …

End Racism Protest Is Held On The Umaine Mall, Charles Cramer

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Students, faculty and community members from across the Orono area gathered on Monday to protest online comments made three weeks earlier about Columbus Day and Indigenous American peoples by members of the University of Maine College Republicans (UMCR). The comments in question were initially uploaded to the UMCR’s Facebook page on Oct. 5 and were addressed in an email on Oct. 7 by both UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Robert Dana. The email from Ferrini-Mundy and Dana denied that the posts were representative of UMaine’s values, but chose to maintain their …

End Racism Protest' Is Held On The Umaine Mall, Charles Cramer

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Students, faculty and community members from across the Orono area gathered on Monday to protest online comments made three weeks earlier about Columbus Day and Indigenous American peoples by members of the University of Maine College Republicans (UMCR). The comments in question were initially uploaded to the UMCR’s Facebook page on Oct. 5 and were addressed in an email on Oct. 7 by both UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Robert Dana. The email from Ferrini-Mundy and Dana denied that the posts were representative of UMaine’s values, but chose to maintain their …

A Little Controversy: Clarence Little In Our History And On Our Campus, Sierra Semmel

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Clarence Cook Little, or C.C. Little, was the sixth president of the University of Maine, serving from 1922 to 1925. Just prior to his stint as president of UMaine, he served as the president of the University of Michigan for a short period of time. He started the Jackson Lab in Bar Harbor and was a scientist, an academic and a researcher. He was also a eugenicist.

The Controversy Series: Discussing Literary Aspects Of Contemporary Black Poetics, Brielle Hardy

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Associate English Professor Carla Billitterri delivered her presentation, “Satire, Negation, and Conditional Futurity in Black Poetics” on Thursday, Oct. 24. The talk was part of the Fall 2019 Socialist and Marxist Studies Lecture Controversy Series that is taking place Thursday afternoons in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union.

Local Student Activist Participates In Portland Ice Protests, Leela Stockley

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

In mid-October, it was announced by the city of Portland, Maine that the city would be opening an office to house United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The new office will be located on the fourth floor of One City Center, and officials say that the office will be actively focusing on crimes related to human trafficking, child exploitation, transnational drug trafficking and transnational terrorism rather than illegal immigration and deportation efforts.

University President Statement On Social Media Posts By Umaine College Republicans, Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Robert Q. Dana

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

We are writing to provide the University of Maine position on recent Facebook posts by the UMaine College Republicans on their private Facebook page.

Editorial: Why Do We Still Need To Defend Indigenous Peoples Day?, Liz Theriault

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Indigenous Peoples Day is approaching, yet we are still discussing the man who committed mass genocide who is incorrectly credited for discovering America. There were already millions of people living in North America when the Europeans crossed the ocean in 1492, and common logic could argue that replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a way to recognize history. However, since Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill into law on April 26 replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. With the holiday rapidly approaching controversy surrounding it has been ignited once more.

Women's Resource Center To Undergo Name Change, Leela Stockley

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion, a subsidiary office within the Division of Student Life, expects to soon change the name and administrative structure of its Women’s Resource Center (WRC). These changes are anticipated to come through a process of organizational restructuring in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which has just this year acquired administrative control over the formerly unaffiliated WRC.

First In A Series Of Diversity And Inclusivity Workshops Held On Wednesday, Charles Cramer

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

For the second consecutive semester, the University of Maine will be hosting a series of campus-wide Diversity and Inclusivity training workshops. The first in this series was held on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. in Hancock Hall and was attended by representatives of the University’s Multicultural Student Center, Community Coordinators and interested students from across campus. Its goal, through collaboration between various students and faculty, was to educate attendees on issues commonly faced in college environments and promote an inclusive learning environment.

From Cancel Culture To Changing Culture, Liz Theriault

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

What do big-name celebrities like James Charles, Taylor Swift, James Gunn, Laura Lee, Kayne West, PewDiePie, Roseanne Barr, Shane Gillis, Logan Paul have in common? They have, at one point in their careers, been “canceled.” Hoards of their social media followers took to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to hurl insults and declare the celebrities “canceled.” Each of these celebrities has become the target of cancel culture. But what exactly does that mean? Cancel culture is defined by the holy grail of internet slang, the Urban Dictionary, as a “modern internet phenomenon where a person is ejected from influence or fame …

Wgs Program Hosts 'Pop-Up' On Political Correctness, Charles Cramer

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

For the first time this semester, the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies (WGS) program hosted one of their ‘Pop-up Panels.’ The panelist/audience discussions address topics of a divisive and polarizing variety in a format that is open to the student body. The hour-long event, which began at noon on Wednesday in the Memorial Union’s Bangor Room, discussed the concept of ‘political correctness’ and the connotations it often evokes.

Umaine News Bilingual Signage — English And Penobscot — Now At Umaine, University Of Maine Division Of Marketing & Communications

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Screenshot of the UMaine News webpage featuring a story regarding the fact that new University of Maine building and road signage on campus was now bilingual, English and Penobscot.

Celebrating Jackie Robinson Day, Robinson's 100th Birthday, Leela Stockley

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

On April 15, 2019, the baseball world marked Jackie Robinson Day with various celebrations around the country honoring Robinson who was a monumental figure in breaking the racial barrier in Major League Baseball. This year, the celebrations honored not only Robinson’s entry into the MLB in 1947 but also recognized Robinson’s 100th birthday, which would have been last Jan. 31. During his career, Robinson became an almost immediate superstar and was named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and gained notoriety both on and off the field for his athletic prowess. Robinson died from cardiac arrest at the age …

College Republicans Hold Forum On Free Speech, Emily Turner

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

On April 18, the College Republicans in partnership with the Patriot Initiative presented a forum titled “Free Speech or Safe Space.” The panelists for the event included Josh Moore, former New Hampshire state representative and founder of the Patriot Initiative, and well as Nick Isgro, the current mayor of Waterville, Maine. It was moderated by College Republicans President Charlie Honkonen.

Gillon Explores Issues Of Race In The History Of Fraternity, Sorority Life, Casey Kelly

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Historically, fraternities and sororities on college campuses have mirrored broader social and cultural patterns when it comes to issues of race and racism. That includes patterns of oppression and exclusion, as well as racial uplift and cultural validation. University of Maine assistant professor of higher education Kathleen Gillon analyzes these themes in the latest issue of New Directions for Student Services, for which she also served as lead editor.

When It Comes To Diversity, Umaine Could To Better, Anna Foster

University of Maine Racial Justice Collection

It’s Women’s History Month. The month where we all celebrate the strong women in our society who have helped paved the way to get women to where we are now.In the academic world, it wasn’t until 1840 that the first American woman, Catherine Brewer Benson, graduated with an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan Collegein Georgia. It took another 26 years for a black woman to earn a degree, and over 30 years for the first woman to earn a Ph.D.

When It Comes To Diversity, Umaine Could To Better, Anna Foster

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

It’s Women’s History Month. The month where we all celebrate the strong women in our society who have helped paved the way to get women to where we are now. In the academic world, it wasn’t until 1840 that the first American woman, Catherine Brewer Benson, graduated with an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan College in Georgia. It took another 26 years for a black woman to earn a degree, and over 30 years for the first woman to earn a Ph.D.

Hateful Rhetoric And Online Platforms Foster Environments Where Hate Can Grow In The United States, Liz Theriault

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has released a report that the number of hate groups in the United States has risen for the fourth year in a row. The United States is now home to 1,020 hate groups, including neo-Nazis, white supremacists, black nationalists, neo-confederates and the Ku Klux Klan. Proliferation of racist, xenophobic and generally violent political rhetoric from specific leaders of our country and the ability to recruit members, organize events and raise money on online platforms have contributed to the violent attitudes of the United States that fail to reject and even fosters the rise of …

"White Like Me" Film Kicks Off Series, Bria Lamonica

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

On Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, in the Bumps Room of the Memorial Union, students gathered to enjoy Chinese food and watch the film “White Like Me.” The showing was the first of the new “Dine-In Discourse” series hosted by the University of Maine Women’s Resource Center (WRC).

Muslim Women In From Bangor Share Experiences, Ali Tobey

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

On Wednesday, Feb. 6, the Maine Multicultural Center hosted an event called “Unveiling the Veil: Truths About Muslim Women in Maine.” Dina Yacoubagha and Marwa Elkelani shared their experiences as Muslim women in Maine and discussed common misconceptions surrounding women in their religion.

Our Neighborhood Club Papers, 1908-2007, Special Collections, Raymond H. Fogler Library, University Of Maine

Finding Aids

Our Neighborhood Club of Old Town, Maine, was organized in 1893 and federated in the Maine Federation of Women's Clubs in 1901. The group sought out the collective betterment of each member and the community by doing charity work. They often donated gifts, money, and time to hospitals, veterans organizations, and cancer research.

The Our Neighborhood Club papers collection consists of club program booklets, scrapbooks, photographs, as well as club meeting minutes and attendance. The collection does have papers that span between 1908 to 2007, however, the collection primarily focuses on club materials during the 1960s through the 1990s.

Brown (Ella C.) Papers, 1960-1978, Special Collections, Raymond H. Fogler Library, University Of Maine

Finding Aids

Ella Corinne Brown was a faculty member at the University of Maine in Orono from 1962 to 1979. She was responsible for writing the course program for parks and recreation and designed the specialized program leading to a degree in parks and recreation. Brown was born in 1920 in Kansas City, Missouri and died in Orono, Maine in 1987. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 1951 and received her master's degree from Montana State University in 1961. She received her Ph.D. degree from Indiana University.