March 2, 2012

The Pioneer Log News

Community roundtable tackles social identity

BY ALIX FINNEGAN
Staff Writer

In continuation of Black History Month at Lewis & Clark, the Office of Multicultural Affairs hosted a community round table discussion last Thursday, Feb. 23. Held in Council Chambers, it brought Associate Professor of Political Science Christopher Wendt, Associate Dean of the College Jane Hunter and Jordan Thierry, Portland filmmaker and the director of The Black Fatherhood Project, together to discuss the social and political effects of whiteness on the formation of black identity. Wendt, who specializes in identity politics, spoke first about the boundaries and borders of race and the interconnectedness of ethnic identities. Citing Norweigan social anthropologist Fredrik Barth, Wendt talked about social exclusion in the formation of identity and the not us mentality, which creates mental separations based on how alike or unlike ourselves we perceive other people and groups to be. Hunter, who was a professor of

history before assuming the role of associate dean last year, spoke largely on the evolution of white identity in America and how our perceptions of whiteness influence our current idea of black identity. Using examples of social stigma attached to Irish and Jews at different times in American history, Hunter traced how our view of whiteness has developed throughout history. I think theres been a historical revision, Hunter said, that weve only had these two distinctions of white and black. We havent always. Thierry spoke about The Black Fatherhood Project, his documentary on the history of the fatherless black home and the role of fatherhood in black America. Posing the question, Who can think of a strong black family in the media? Thierry received shrugs, silence and mumbles of, the Cosbys? He continued on to discuss actor and screenwriter Tyler Perry, whose work focuses on combating

negative racial stereotypes, political factors at work that discourage black fatherhood and the lack of role models in black communities today. After all three speakers presented, the audience broke into

three small groups to have a round table talk about their perceptions and ideas of what it means to be white or black. A wide range of topics was discussed at the whims of the participants, including the role of race in

todays society, the policy implications of ethnic diversification and colorism. Race does still matter, said Ombudsperson Valerie White during the discussion, but its how you use it that matters.

PHOTO BY DANIEL CALFO

Associate Professor of Political Science Christopher Wendt spoke about the boundaries of race and the interconnectedness of ethnic identities during the community roundtable Feb. 23, which dealt with the effects of whiteness on black identity.

Students team up for study with Portland Parks and Recreation

BY ASHLEY JOCZ
Staff Writer

Lewis & Clark students have recently teamed up with Portlands Parks & Recreation (PP&R) department to develop and restore land north of campus. The unused land was owned by Riverview Cemetery and was sold to PP&R in August of 2011. The land is 146 acres, about a quarter of the size of Tryon Creek, and has seven streams running through it. After surveying the land, workers for PP&R noticed a solid bed of English ivy growing over the native species, ecologically degrading the land. English ivy is one of the most common invasive species in the northwest and was most likely initially brought to this region for decorative gardening purposes. PP&R did a massive treatment of the land and the invasive species inhabiting it, attempting to restore it to a fully functioning forest. Paulette Bierzychudek, Senior Biology Professor of Natural Sciences, helped bridge the gap between PP&R and LC. The Biology department realized this
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was an ideal opportunity to study forest recovery. We had a meeting with the P&R department, and since they didnt have enough staff to do all the research, they were very eager to partner and share data with LC students, said Bierzychudek. City Nature West Ecologist for PP&R Kendra Petersen-Morgan met with the Biology department at LC. This is truly the dream scenario to bring the strengths of academia and natural resource management together. Lewis & Clark has a reputation for academic excellence and we are excited about the chance to build a mutually beneficial relationship with [LC], said Petersen-Morgan. This new project has set off a series of forest recovery studies that the Biology department will look at over time. The biology department will also hire an intern to research and collect data this summer. There will be opportunities for all local citizens to get involved, such as the proposed Habitat Management and Trail Plan that will commence during the summer and will need volunteers from the community. The project will be a learning experience for many LC biology and ecology students.

We havent been able to directly watch the effects of natural species removed, now we get to go in and see whats actually happening, said biology student Rachel King (12). After surveying the land, PP&R found a great deal of species living in the forestincluding deer, coyotes and bald eaglesnot to mention the areas noted wetlands, which most likely host amphibians and unusual species. Due to the unique geology present, small perched wetlands exist throughout the site, contributing unique plant species diversity not found in a typical upland forest environment, said Petersen-Morgan. PP&R has also found a great deal of human activity in the forest, most likely the work of LC students. The land has been sort of a playground for LC students in previous years, said Bierzychudek. PP&R has found tree forts, makeshift trails and mountain biking ramps that most likely were the result of students exploring the forest. However, most of these structures had to be removed because of the possibility of compromise of the land.

This restoration project has no deadline in sight. There havent been a lot of projects done on a scale this big in such an urban area, so when it will be finished is a completely open question, said Bierzychudek. Its cool because we are partnering with the P&R deptartment, it definitely feels like were helping out the city. We are answering questions to help them, not just collect data for ourselves, said biology student Corinne Innes (12). For the last couple weeks, Bierzychudeks biology classes have been working on protocol of how to collect data and a sampling scheme. This is interesting because its a completely student-generated process, they are the ones who decide what the most interesting things to look at are, said Bierzychudek. Everything from the acquisition process to the restoration that has occurred to date has been a success because of the incredible collaboration that has taken place between City Bureaus and organizations like the Trust for Public Lands. This site is a testament to the strength and value of partnerships, and we look forward to Lewis & Clark ...becoming part of the team, said Petersen-Morgan.

CRIME BEAT

Your words here

The Pioneer Log Writers, Illustrators, photographers 5:15 p.m. Mondays Thayer in Templeton Because you want to contribute to the student paper Show up, do work, get printed

The Pioneer Log reports recent crimes in the campus community recorded by Campus Safety.
1. On Jan. 29, a bike was reported stolen from the bike rack at the Watzek Library. 2. On Feb. 1, a window of the Platt-Howard Designated Smoking Area was vandalized with black marker ink. 3. On Feb. 1, a bicycle was reported stolen from a bike rack at Gantenbein. 4. On Feb. 4, a speed limit sign on CAS campus was found forcibly bent over. 5. On Feb. 8, a sign was reported stolen and three others were vandalized on the second floor of Templeton Student Center. 6. On Feb. 10, multiple items were reported stolen from a residence hall room in A Wing of Hartzfeld Hall. 7. On Feb. 12, a vending machine in Copeland Hall was found tipped over , with the front glass broken.

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