How to Go
Miami University Middletown’s Anti-Discrimination Events
Tuesday
What: Bullying Panel Discussion
Where: Campus and Community Center, Johnston Hall
When: 12:30 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the community
More info: Call (513) 727-3317
Wednesday
What: Middletown Attorney Matthew Dixon's lecture
Where: Campus and Community Center, Johnston Hall
When: 12:30 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the community.
More info: Call (513) 727-3317
MIDDLETOWN — In only two months, Miami Univeristy Middletown sophomore Nathan Scott spearheaded an effort to organize two campus events to address discrimination.
Now the 22-year-old is watching buzz build around this week’s events: a bullying panel discussion Tuesday and a lecture by Middletown attorney Matthew Dixon on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s event features students representing three highly targeted demographics — race, body image and sexual orientation. On Wednesday, Dixon will speak about bullying as a form of harassment and the legal issues facing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
“I originally wasn’t expecting a big turnout — I only had two months to get it ready,” said Scott, president of Miami Colors, a gay-straight alliance sponsoring the events. “But I’m surprised at how many teachers are offering extra credit so their students come out.”
Bullying and harassment are growing concerns nationwide. A 2010 study by the Josephson Institute of Ethics in Los Angeles, Calif., showed more than 50 percent of high school students have been bullied or have bullied. The study, which surveyed more than 43,000 teens between 15 to 18, indicated that around 24 percent feared school, and found it to be an unhappy place.
Viginia Wickline, a psychology professor, said students often put discrimination in a historical context.
“A lot of times when I talk about discrimination or hate crimes, a lot of students genuinely believe we’re better and that doesn’t happen anymore,” she said. “I think it helps to hear their peers say, “This is my story and this is happening to me — right here, right now.’”
On Wednesday, Dixon will discuss topics like hospital visitation rights for gay couples and a law passed last year that allows juveniles to apply for protection orders against other juveniles accused of assaulting, stalking or committing a sex crime against them.
“So far I don’t believe there have been many (to take advantage of it),” Dixon said. “My understanding from talking to (Butler County Juvenile Court Judge) Kathleen Romans is that they’ve had some interested and are expecting to have more as the schools and parents realize it’s out there.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or asedlak@coxohio.com.
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