Discussion to focus on racism, immigration and teaching Chicano studies 
The Indiana University Northwest Department of Minority Studies is hosting a lecture in race and ethnicity on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. The discussion will take place during ‘Ethnic Studies Week’, which has been designated as the first week in October by a nationwide ad hoc coalition of academics and scholar activists.
The discussion, taking place on campus in the Library Conference Center (room 105ABC), will be led by the chair of the IU Northwest Department of Minority Studies, Dr. Raoul Contreras.
The focus of the discussion will be on two controversial Arizona state laws, specifically Senate Bill 2281 and Senate Bill 1070. Ratified on May 12, 2010, by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, SB 2281 bans the teaching of Ethnic Studies in Arizona public schools. SB 1070 focused on anti-immigration, and mandated that police investigate the citizenship of anyone they suspected might be in the country without proper documentation. Both laws have drawn strong protest from immigrant-rights groups and social-justice advocates.
A panel of immigrant-rights advocates from East Chicago’s Community Coalition for Immigrants will participate in the lively discussion.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend. The Library Conference Center is located on campus along 35th Avenue in Gary. Free parking is available in the main campus lot.