Highline Community College’s Unity Through Diversity Week – April 27-May 1 – explores and celebrates the diversity of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, ability and religion.

Now in its 12th year, Unity Through Diversity Week is one of Highline’s biggest events. More than 750 people attended last year’s free educational programs and activities.

The event is free and open to the public on the main campus, located midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99).

Events include:

• Masters of the Universe: The Mis-Education of Powerful People

10-10:50 a.m. Monday, April 27; Highline Student Union (Building 8), Mt. Constance and Mt. Olympus rooms

Gary Howard, president and founder of the REACH Center for multicultural education, explores the interface of education, social dominance and the pursuit of justice. His most recent book, “We Can’t Teach What We Don’t Know: White Teachers, Multiracial Schools,” examines issues of privilege, power and the role of white leaders and educators in a multicultural society.

• Jazz Concert

12:10-1:13 p.m. Monday, April 27; Building 7

Listen to an eclectic jazz concert featuring Jovino Santos Neto, Joe Locke and Highline professor Dr. Ben Thomas.

• Cultural Competence and Courageous Practice: Creating Inclusive and Equitable Institutional Environments

1:30-3 p.m. Monday, April 27; Building 2

In this interactive session, education activist and author Gary Howard provides a framework for understanding and engaging issues of social justice and shares a three-stage model of assessing Highline’s environment.

• Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama

9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 28; Highline Student Union (Building 8), Mt. Constance and Mt. Olympus rooms

Tim Wise is among the most prominent antiracist writers and activists in the U.S. He examines what President Barack Obama’s success means and doesn’t mean to racism in the U.S.

• Immigration Law Clinic

11-11:50 a.m. Wednesday, April 29; Building 2

Attorney Gilberto Gómez, foreign law consultant for AMS Law of Seattle, gives a brief presentation on immigration issues followed by individual consultations.

• Immigration Reform

12:10-1:13 p.m. Wednesday, April 29; Building 7

Attorney Gilberto Gómez discusses the struggles behind immigration reform and the realities that undocumented people face. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Gómez faced significant barriers emigrating to the U.S.

• Thou Shalt Not Love: What Evangelicals Really Say to Gays

10 a.m.-10:50 a.m. Thursday, April 30; Highline Student Union (Building 8), Mt. Constance and Mt. Olympus rooms

Dr. Patrick Chapman critiques evangelical arguments against homosexuality from an anthropological perspective while also drawing upon science and biblical scholarship.

• Breaking Down Barriers in the Community College System

1:30-3 p.m. Thursday, April 30; Highline Student Union (Building 8), Mt. Constance and Mt. Olympus rooms

Community college faculty members Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson and Dr. Marcia Somer share the findings of their separate doctoral research titled, “Why Are So Few Hispanics Graduating from College?” and “Where are the Asian American Female Community College Leaders?” This panel discussion is facilitated by Lonnie Somer from HCC’s Anthropology department.

• Highline Drag Show

6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 30; Highline Student Union (Building 8), Mt. Townsend Room

This second annual event features performers from the drag queen and king communities.

• S.O.N. – Sun of Nun

9-9:50 a.m. Friday, May 1; Highline Student Union (Building 8), Mt. Constance and Mt. Olympus rooms

S.O.N., a political hip-hop artist, activist and former Baltimore high school teacher, performs and speaks. Inspired by the Maroons in his Jamaican heritage and countless freedom fighters past and present, S.O.N. seeks to help pass the torch to the next generation.

• For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow was Enuf

Noon to 1 p.m. Friday, May 1; Building 7

Eight Highline women perform this choreopoem and play written by Ntozake Shange. The piece explores racism, sexism and poverty through story, poetry and movement.