SHENSATIONAL Global Expo 2010 is only in its inaugural year, but Dr. L. Oliver Robinson hopes and plans to make it an event that lasts for years to come. The Shenendehowa superintendent said the event, Saturday, March 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the high school, came about in light of changes like GlobalFoundries lending to the area’s diversity, spurring a need to prepare students to live and lead in a global society. More specifically, he said, it’s deeper than that.
`It’s twofold. One is to recognize that the demographic of the community, both the school and beyond, is changing and will continue to change. When you think about companies like GlobalFoundries expanding into the area, you also think, ‘how do we start to really recognize those differences and how does Shen fit into that global arena,’` said Robinson. `The other side of the coin is, as we speak about preparing our students for a global marketplace, how do we start doing things that truly provide exposure and celebrate that global perspective.`
A diversity committee comprised of teachers, parents, students and community members of between 25 and 10 met at various times throughout the past year and a half. Robinson said they discussed how to propel the expo’s message beyond one weekend, potentially in the form of speaker forums, discussions and other events that will provide a venue for students and adults alike to talk and learn together.
`We’re not just talking about race and ethnicity, but also gender, disabilities, differences across the board. In many ways I think there’s always a natural attention of race relations and tensions of class and culture clashing, in terms of rich versus poor,` said Robinson. `One of the premises we had is we didn’t want people to come out and fabricate something that didn’t exist but to truly think about things and realize that whole notion of synergy; a collection of individual pieces which sends a much more powerful message than the pieces by themselves.`
Robinson said it’s great when individuals or groups try to educate about human differences on their own, but it works even better when they work together and think together, which is exactly what this expo is supposed to do. Using it as a platform for more change down the line, Robinson said the committee wants to play some type of role in helping students discover who they are outside a classroom.
`There’s always existing tensions of young people coming to terms with who they are. We have a growing population of Shen people who are having identity issues, trying to figure out how they fit into the larger scheme of things; how do they define themselves by images,` said Robinson. `Those things we see and notice as part of reality are also part of our vibrant community and school district and we want to play a positive role in that type of evolution. Helping students evolve as people and also helping us as a community to evolve with the times.`
At the SHENSATIONAL Global Expo, a series of workshops, discussions, presentations and booths are scheduled for specific time slots throughout the day. One of the highlights is a talk by John Robinson, director of corporate support at WMHT. He’s a multiple congenital amputee born without full development of his arms and legs who wrote the book `Get Off Your Knees` and was the subject of a highly acclaimed documentary produced by the network. He brings the message of overcoming obstacles and said if he touches at least one person, he has served a purpose.
`I’m an example of a person with diversity and it’s exciting to share my story in hopes that whoever is out there listening can get something out of it,` said John Robinson.
He said he talks about growing up physically disabled and the challenges that came with it. He focuses some time on what it was like going through a private high school, which gave him a small environment and allowed him to focus on what he needed to focus on, like schoolwork and himself as a person. He went on to attend a bigger college which he said was good to challenge himself and face the real world.
`High school itself was challenging at times and I think it is for everybody,` said John Robinson. `I grew up without anyone to look up to; without a hero who was also disabled and going through life challenges similar to my own. I hope other people can realize whatever stands in front of us, we can all get through it.`
Although he has become a recognizable face through his documentary, guest speeches and WMHT documentary, he only just started sharing his story in the past two years. He said he never thought this was his purpose, but once approached by more than one person who thought his story could make a mark, he set out to do just that.
`For a long time I avoided being any type of role model but I realized there was an interest and since I didn’t have a role model, I wanted to be that if I could,` said John Robinson. `What’s been a beautiful thing is after a talk I get emails or people coming up to me and saying it’s exactly what they needed to hear. This wasn’t something I sought out but it’s definitely gratifying to know someone has been touched or connected, especially with high schoolers.`
There will also be cultural performances in dance and music, public forums conducted by Shen clubs, poetry, art, storytelling and games and activities from around the world. The expo will also kick off a Pennies for Peace campaign, where people are encouraged to save pennies to benefit villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan affected by terrorist organizations.
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