Examining Our Personal Experiences of Connection and Community

In 1992, in the midst of riots sparked by the acquittal of police officers who brutally beat him, Rodney King asked, “Can we get along?” This iconic American question still resonates today. What is it that drives this question, and why can it be so difficult to answer? What holds us back from connecting with each other? How do our personal experiences contribute to—and have the potential to break down—these barriers? Join facilitator Chisao Hata as she holds space to examine our individual and collective questions on race, perspectives, and cultural values around what brings us together and what separates us. This conversation may include some hands-on activities.

Monday, March 9
COCC Redmond Campus, 6 p.m.
RSVP here

Tuesday, March 10
COCC Prineville Campus, 5:30 p.m.
RSVP here

About Chisao Hata: Chisao Hata is an artist educator, dance director, arts integration specialist, community activist, and performing artist. For over two decades through her work in education, she has been a protector of imagination and personal discovery, and a champion for individual expression. Creating engaged learning for our youth, our citizen artists, is her life’s work. She has had the honor of serving hundreds of Portland’s children, youth, and adults across many communities. Chisao believes that we are all inextricably linked and the arts are our conduit to build bridges between our communities.

Co-organized by Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program, COCC’s Diversity and Inclusion Office and COCC Redmond Campus. With support from: Oregon Community Foundation, Cascades Academy of Central Oregon, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund and Associated Students of COCC.