‘Arresting Knowledge’ Event at Diaspora Multicultural Society July 22nd

The Diaspora Multicultural Society, Inc. will host an event by the organization Artists for Literacy, “Arresting Knowledge – Thinking Clearly About Media”.

The non-profit Artists for Literacy says its purpose is to inspire critical thinking about media in the fake news era among adults from all walks of life. The organization is presenting, “the first-stop of its multi-city interactive teaching tour and docu-series focusing on the current crisis of media overload and misinformation. This free, community-based event will examine media literacy tools and skills to spark new critical ways to think about everything from fake news and misleading ads to entertainment and social media content.”

“Fake news” refers to deliberately false information packaged to look like legitimate political news. The 2016 Presidential election saw a proliferation of bluntly false information being distributed, mainly to oppose Democrat Hillary Clinton or otherwise support Republican Donald Trump. Fake news has also had a significant impact locally in New Britain.

The event, open to members of the public 16 years and up, will be Saturday, July 22, 2017, 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Diaspora Multicultural Society at 90 John Street.

The program will have three local panelists:

• Violet Jiménez Sims, who is a Democratic candidate for Board of Education, has spent her adult life committed to civil rights, multiculturalism, and community service. Most recently, Violet became the founder and President of Diaspora Multicultural Society, Inc., a social club intended to build community among our diverse population. “As an educator, I often use my position as a platform to discuss media and being a discerning consumer of information with my students. I’m really excited to be able to participate in this important discussion with a diverse group of adults.”
• Duane P. Pierre, who is the Executive Director and founder of ParaDYM, Inc. and it’s educational initiative, ParaDYM Academy. ParaDYM Inc provides an after school program offering media literacy, transmedia production, social entrepreneurship and life skill training that prepares youth for post high school educational & vocational opportunities and for successful transitions into the workforce. Since 2008, ParaDYM has worked with over 150 students throughout Central Connecticut.
• Marcus Stallworth, LMSW has been employed in the field of Child Welfare for the past 17 years. He is currently an adjunct professor at University of Bridgeport where he teaches many courses including a self-created elective entitled: Social Media: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly. He is also co-owner of Welcome 2 Reality, LLC where he is the Director of Learning and Organizational Development. His company has been credited with playing an instrumental role in getting Substitute Senate Bill No. 962, Public Act No. 15-94 passed in Connecticut which, in part, mandates education on the safe use of Social Media and computer programming instruction in the Public School System.

Deborah Pardes, founder of Artists for Literacy Arresting Knowledge will be the moderator and Yonty Friesem is the Local Ambassador for the program.