From women’s voting rights to the racial and economic disparities surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Culture and Community Circle workshops at Cuyamaca College cover a variety of important political and cultural issues.

All sessions, which will be offered through Zoom, are free and open to the public. To obtain the Zoom link, call the Cuyamaca College Student Affairs office at (619) 660-4612.

Eleven workshops are being offered in September. They are:

• -Wednesday, September 2, 11 a.m-12:15 p.m. Discussion about the film 13^th. Cuyamaca College Sociology Instructor Raquel Jacob-Almeida and History Instructor Moriah Gonzalez-Meeks discuss the film 13^th, which focuses on the criminalization and mass incarceration of African-Americans.
• -Wednesday, September 9, 9:45-10:45 a.m. Racial and Economic Disparities of COVID-19: An Exploration of National and Local Trends. Cuyamaca College Psychology Instructor Marissa Salazar and Hala Madanat, Director of the School of Public Health at San Diego State University, explore the ways in which COVID-19 disproportionately impacts communities of color, with a focus on treatment and testing.
• -Monday, September 14, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Votes for Women: Why It Still Matters 100 Years Later. Cuyamaca College History Instructor Moriah Gonzalez-Meeks discusses current issues related to women, voting, politics, and how women organized and fought for the right to vote.
• -Wednesday, September 16, 11 a.m.-noon. A Hidden Heritage: African Ancestry in Latin America. Cuyamaca College World Languages Instructor Karla Gutierrez and Sociology Instructor Raquel Jacob-Almeida discuss racism and colorism in Mexico and Brazil, including the erasure of African heritage and the myth of a “racial democracy.”
• -Thursday, September 17 4-5 p.m. A Dialogue on Racial Trauma. Personal Counselor Halima Eid discusses racial trauma, what it is, and how to discuss one’s experiences with racial trauma.
• -Monday, September 21, 11 a.m.-noon. One Latinx’s Literary Journey and How You Too Can Tell Your Story. Patricia Santana, author of Motorcycle Ride on the Sea of Tranquility and Ghosts of El Grullo, will discuss her journey as a writer and how you can begin to tell your story.
• -Wednesday, September 23, 11 a.m.-noon. College Hour: Latinx Heritage Month. The college hour is part of the celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, held from September 15-October 15, which celebrates the cultures, contributions, history and resilience of Latinx, Chicanx, and Hispanic and Latino-identified communities.
• -Wednesday, September 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Intersectionality and Social Justice. John Kennon of People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) discusses intersectionality and its benefits, and the need for social justice.
• -Thursday, September 24, 1-2 p.m. Open Mic: Spoken Word and Poetry. Cuyamaca College English Instructors Lauren Halsted and Karen Marrujo will facilitate a workshop to share your voice by taking the mic or dropping in to listen or make new friends.
• -Tuesday, September 29, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. COVID:19: Chronicles Veterans Workshop Series #1: Managing Relationships. Personal Counselor Michelle Cabaltera discusses connecting and making time for friends and family and creating healthy boundaries.
• -Wednesday, September 30, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Importance of Local Politics. Laila Aziz of Pillars of the Community and Homayra Yusufi-Main, a policy consultant, discuss laws and activism related to gang suppression and surveillance technology in San Diego.

The workshop sessions are sponsored by the Cuyamaca College Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Success and Equity; Student Affairs; and Associated Student Government.