The Office of Student Inclusion & Diversity and the JusticeCon Planning Committee at UNC Pembroke recently announced events for JusticeCon 2024, to be held in-person February 23-24, 2024, in the Chavis Student Center and the University Center Annex.
First held in 2022, JusticeCon offers students, faculty, staff, alumni, scholars and the community a two-day UNCP Comic-Con experience that incorporates opportunities to explore the intersection of fandom, popular culture, and social change. Previously held as the Social Justice Symposium, this event has transformed into JusticeCon in order to more intentionally engage our students, encourage critical thinking, and develop a sense of belonging across our campus and community.
This year's partners include: Art Club, Beyond the Lines, Chess Club, eSports Club, the Hawk's Nest, K-Revolution, and the Mary Livermore Library.
Be sure to register to receive the full schedule of events!
REGISTRATION
Registration is now open! Attendance to JusticeCon is free but registration is required. Those who register will receive the full schedule of events via email prior to the beginning of the event.
Please note that there will not be an opportunity for online attendance at this time.
BREAKOUT SESSION SCHEDULE
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Friday, February 23, 2024
Time Session Title Session Description Location 10 a.m. Keynote - Presented by Professor Kristin Godwin Examining popular culture offers a fascinating vision into its use as an instrument for people to create relationships with others, our own self-identity, and our understanding of the world around us. Media can manage and control impressions of what is deemed important and real when we give value to the creations we see, read, hear, and feel. These impressions then shape, to a certain degree, how we think and what we believe. In this way, the study of popular culture becomes so much more than just a discussion of the most well-liked television show or the trends on social media. It becomes a scientific insight into social behavior, particularly as an entity that is created, maintained, and consumed by people, who are also influenced by their society and cultural values.
It becomes something with a deeper meaning to the study of humanity, and the very realities that we experience.
University Annex Assembly Room 11 a.m. Unveiling the Allure: Exploring Korean Beauty Standards and Their Impact on Kpop Culture - Presented by Tazanna Cummings & Angelina Martinez During this session, we will explore Korea’s beauty standards and the impact these standards have on our society, how they can potentially endanger lives, and why these trends continue with little to no positive change. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208 11 a.m. Coming to America - Presented by Kacia Grant What’s it like to be a college student AND the child of an immigrant family? Join us for a discussion on the complexities and cultural adaptations that we as immigrants and immigrant children face. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 213 11 a.m. Policing Perspectives: Navigating Justice Through the Lens of Law Enforcement Officers - Presented by Rudy Locklear Drawing from my firsthand experience as a law enforcement officer, I will explore the dynamics of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social change within the context of policing. This session aims to foster a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving landscape of law enforcement in popular culture and its impact on broader societal perceptions. This session is designed to challenge preconceptions, foster understanding, and encourage a constructive dialogue between law enforcement and the community. Together, let's explore the intricate relationship between justice, law enforcement, and the realm of popular culture. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 251 1 p.m. LGBTQ+ 101: An Introduction to Concepts, Language, and Advocacy - Presented by Tracy Ferry An engaging and introductory view of the language and concepts used within and about the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, this session will address the ways that participants can shift their use of language to be more inclusive. Session will discuss the ways that participants can strategize being advocates for the LGBTQ+ community in tangible ways. The session will end with a trivia activity. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208 1 p.m. Unmasking the Influence of Pop Culture on College Connections - Presented by Jaelyn Wynn Join us on a cinematic journey into the world where social media, popular music, TV shows, and movies influence the dynamics of college relationships. This presentation delves into the intersection of pop culture and romance, investigating how media shapes our perceptions, expectations, and understanding of consent and relationships. From love ballads to on-screen relationships, we'll unravel the impact and offer insights for navigating real-life connections. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 251 2 p.m. Exploring Interpersonal Trauma and Resilience: A Transformative Journey - Presented by Jasmine McCrae & Kalia Johnson Join us for an insightful session delving into the intricate dynamics of interpersonal trauma and the remarkable capacity for resilience. This session aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the impact of trauma on interpersonal relationships and the ways individuals can cultivate resilience in the face of adversity.
James B. Chavis Student Center Room 213 2 p.m. Smile, It looks Good on You”, Diving into Pop Culture References on the “Art of Smiling” - Presented by Auley Abudayya There are many movie references, memes, comics, etc. that all have the same message about smiling, which is to smile more. So what would be the outcome if we actually began using smiles to our advantages? Would it affect us mentally or physically, and if so in what way? This presentation goes into the art of smiles in ways you’ve never heard and the goal is for the audience to learn just how far a smile can go for themselves, and the people around them as well. The presentation itself, specifically, will go into topics like “what is a smile”, “how smiles became popular in pop culture”, and the benefits of smiling. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208 2 p.m. Cowboys vs. Indians: Native in the Real World - Presented by the Beta Chapter of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc Join us in a discussion centered around the representation of Native Americans in the media and in the education system. Spoiler Alert: We're still here! James B. Chavis Student Center Room 251 3 p.m. Toys that Teach: The Making of the Toy Boom! Exhibit - Presented by Katie Edwards Post World War II brought in an era of economic prosperity and a soaring birthrate which made the country a child-focused culture. These children, however, grew up in a time of great dramatic change and parents were caught between a familiar past and a complex future. Toys would help children find their correct place in society, or so parents wanted to believe. These toys reflected the energy, ambition, and abundance of a prosperous era, but they also channeled the uncertainties of the period. Join NC Museum of History Curator Katie Edwards as she navigates the making of the popular Toy Boom! exhibit: what she learned and the challenges she faced. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208 3 p.m. Is this My Safe Space?: An Understanding of Safety through A Black Lens - Presented by Rebekah Crosson "Is this My Safe Space?: An Understanding of Safety through A Black Lens" will discuss a previous project which I have completed-- my Master's Thesis, focusing on safe spaces for Black academics entitled, "Safe Spaces Across Curriculums and Fields: A Discussion and Critique of Safe Spaces According to Black Bodies within Academic Settings". The session will hold a conversation around "safety" especially within academic settings and discuss my personal recommendations as well as those from current scholars within the fields of Education, Psychology, and Writing Center Studies on how to create and implement safe spaces within educational settings. Additionally, we will cover how to form a "Readers Club/Circle" for academics and those interested in anti-racism pedagogy, writing center pedagogy, social justice, and DEI from recommended readings. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 251 4 p.m. The Bee Movie: A Drive for Environmental Justice, but Wildly Inaccurate - Presented by Cara Martin For millennia, we have used honeybee colonies to reflect on our society. A perfect example is The Bee Movie - a childhood classic. The movie served as a stepping stone for environmental justice, but what if I told you it's wildly inaccurate? After all, it's just a cartoon, but what impact does misinformation have? What would the movie look like if it were an accurate reflection of honeybee colonies? How does the Bee Movie reflect gender inequality in society? "If you can make bees speak English, why can’t you make bee colonies look like the male-dominated American society of, say, 1967?" James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208 4 p.m. Debunking Myths: Stereotypes - Presented by Kimberly Pelagio-Luis A stereotype is defined as a widely held but fixed general image or set of characteristics that are believed to represent a particular type of person or thing. While a myth is defined as a widely held but false belief or idea, it doesn't sound much different does it? We have all been stereotyped or have stereotyped those around us, so let's sit down and have an honest conversation about stereotypes. Join us to learn more about other people as we debunk the myths around ourselves. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 213 6 p.m. Productivity Anxiety: What Friends' Monica Geller Teaches Us About Remaining Present - Presented by Auley Abudayya & Cara Martin Productivity anxiety is a phenomenon many college students face - that feeling of constantly needing to be doing something, and when you take a break, you feel guilty. Monica Geller is a prime example of needing to be productive and forgetting to live in the moment. Come learn how to stay present in a world that keeps moving and how to not feel guilty about it! James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208 7 p.m. Servant Leadership - Presented by Katie Aguilar Manueles & Kacia Grant In this session, we will be discussing leadership styles, with a particular focus on servant leadership and how we can embed the values of servant leadership in our everyday actions. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 251 -
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Time Session Title Session Description Location 10 a.m. McFarland, USA and its Activism for Farmworkers in NC - Presented by Brenda Chavez Soriano The session will cover the importance of Farmworkers in North Carolina. With the help of the Disney Film McFarland, USA there is ongoing activism to support farmworkers due to their work being essential to our economy. Many of these workers are Hispanic or Spanish-speakers which leads to many barriers they may face with living standards, transportation, education, healthcare, and etc. Towards the end of the session, there will be a simulation game in which participants can have a sense of what challenges these workers may face. In the end, I plan to provide resources within North Carolina that support farmworkers. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208 11 a.m. The Social Construction of Introversion & Extroversion - Presented by Cara Martin Where does the value we place on extroversion come from? What if I said the value we place of these character traits is socially constructed? In this session, I will discuss the history of how our society shifted from appreciating a quiet life to one built on upholding extroverted qualities. Participants will discover the power of being introverted in a world that can't stop talking. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208 1 p.m. Exposing Heteronormativity and Cisgenderism in Pop Culture and Everyday Life - Presented by Kai Anderson During this session, we will propose a research topic idea, with the hope to gain insight from the audience on the research design. Additionally, we will be discussing the audience’s thoughts on heteronormativity and cisgenderism, particularly on how it presents itself in popular culture. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208 1 p.m. Barbie and Intersectional Feminism - Presented by Cherish Williams 2023 was the year of "Barbie"! "Barbie," the movie, used a toy that was a significant part of many young girls' childhood and highlighted women's struggles in a patriarchal society. The film received an understandingly high amount of praise, but is it an honest reflection of true feminism? In this session, we will reflect on the work of "Barbie" and question whether this movie is a correct reflection of feminism. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 251 2 p.m. Train Like an Idol with K-Revolution - Presented by K-Revolution The K-Revolution members will teach the choreography to “Super Shy” by NewJeans and we will end with a performance of “Wannabe” by Itzy. 3 p.m. Build Your Own Avenger's Team - Presented by Collins Pridgen During this session, we will explore our character strengths, develop our own superheroes, and build the ultimate Avengers team! James B. Chavis Student Center Room 251 3 p.m. "It is OK not to be OK”: Tackling Tough Conversations about Toxic Positivity - Presented by Dr. Mel Escue In this interactive session, we will discuss "toxic positivity" - often a well-meaning yet harmful type of messaging that has real consequences on our health and well-being. From stickers to song lyrics to posters to social media memes and posts, we are constantly bombarded with messaging that makes us feel bad for feeling bad. This talk will bring the audience into the conversation where we explore our own experiences with toxic positivity and brainstorm ways to forge a more empathetic approach to acknowledging negative feelings and supporting ourselves and others within the university and community. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208 4 p.m. Take a Look, It's a Banned Book - Presented by Beyond the Lines The first book banning dates back to 1637 and for similar reasons, book banning still takes place today in 2024 - often to keep systems of power in place. In this session, we will go into the history of book banning, what it looks like today, and explore common patterns amongst the challenged books. Participants will be able to understand the societal impact of book banning on minority groups and what next steps to take. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208 4 p.m. Uncovering the Afro Latine Musical Representation in Reggaeton - Presented by Tony Mungo Presenting and discussing how the Afro-Latine origins of the Reggaeton musical genre have been erased following the critical acceptance of the genre in mainstream media. The themes of anti-blackness, diasporic politics, identity formation, and language will be discussed to shed light on how Reggaeton has been subjected to a cultural and social shift, that includes the erasure or lack of discussion of the early Afro-Latine reggaetoneros (pioneers). James B. Chavis Student Center Room 251 6 p.m. The Impact that Music Has on Youth and Adolescence - Presented by Danjarus Watkins James B. Chavis Student Center Room 251 6 p.m. Could Neurotype Impact Women in the Hiring Process? - Presented by Clariana Moona In this session, we will explore research and discuss controversies around neurotype and how it can potentially impact women and hiring processes. Additionally, we will discuss gaps in the research and how future research and inclusive practices can better support this population. James B. Chavis Student Center Room 208
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Join us for this year's Cosplay Parade, a vibrant showcase where everyone is invited to bring beloved characters to life through costumes and props. All ages are invited!
This year's Exhibit Hall will be taking place Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Center Annex. Check out our list of attending vendors and organizations.
UNC Pembroke's eSports Club is bringing Humans versus Zombies to campus! All students are invited to play. Check out our website for more information.
Get ready to unleash your inner fighter at the highly anticipated regional Smash Bros Tournament! This event will be taking place on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 3-5 p.m. Please register if you plan to participate.
Join our Silent Reading Party - The perfect space for those who want to read or play games quietly in the presence of others. Bring your own book or game, or borrow a book from the library. Taking place on Friday, February 23 from 4-7 p.m. in the Livermore Library.
Check out our Gaming Hall, taking place in the University Center Annex from 12-3 p.m. on Friday, February 23. The hall will feature board games, tabletop games, Dungeons and Dragons, and try your hand at chess with Chess Club!
If you need an accommodation to access the program and/or program materials, please contact Lisa Gonzalez-Bullard at 910.521.6508 no later than five business days prior to the program. However, a good faith effort will be made for any request made less than five days in advance.
JusticeCon is sponsored by the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity and the JusticeCon Planning Committee.
For more information, contact the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity at osid@uncp.edu or 910.521.6508.