By Michael OrtizSTAFF WRITER
Last Wednesday, Hofstra’s Center for Civic Engagement hosted a series of discussions surrounding the consequences of war, terror and the rise of Islamophobia worldwide for Globalization Day.
Globalization is the process of international integration arising from the exchange of world views, products, ideas and other aspects of culture. Since the 15th year of the global war on terrorism launched in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks is approaching, the events stressed the importance of understanding how it has affected the world around us.
The Center for Civic Engagement teamed up with the LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives to start the day with two sessions on “Imagining a World beyond War.” In the sessions, facilitated by history Prof. Michael D’Innocenzo and Margaret Melkonian, Executive Director of Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives, students participated in a visioning exercise responding to what they wanted the world to look like in 10 years, or in 2025.
“They contemplated what might be obstacles to achieving that goal; and how those goals could be achieved by government, citizens and others,” said Melkonian.
That was just one of many programs offered throughout the day. One that took place during common hour examined the global responses to satire and free speech in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre.
Charlie Hebdo is a French satirical magazine that is known for poking fun at religious and political figures. Earlier this year, the magazine’s headquarters was invaded by two Islamist gunmen who opened fire, killing 12 staff members of the magazine. This sparked debate over where satirical limits are, if any.
Lizz Winstead, co-creator, former correspondent and head writer of The Daily Show, and co-founder of Air America Radio, was on the panel that discussed some of these responses against the backdrop of an absolute defense of free speech.
Other programs included a of discussion of the globalization of Islamophobia, which examined the roots of Islamophobia in the U.S. and around the world, and the significance of the Obama Administration’s request from Congress for the Authorization to use Military Force policy in its fight against the ISIS.
The importance of discussions like these was shown in the interest from Hofstra students. “All sessions throughout the day were very well attended and there was extraordinary engagement of Hofstra students in [the] Q&A period,” said Melkonian.
