WSCC to host virtual events on current topics

Professor Mike Nagle

WSCC to host virtual events on current topics

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — This fall, West Shore Community College is holding a series of live virtual events that will give national issues a local focus, highlighting personal experiences and giving audience members opportunities to ask questions about issues that directly affect them.

“COVID in our Community: Health Q&A” will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 9, and will feature Jordan Powell, epidemiologist from District 10 Health Department; Mellissa Hilliard-Johnson, Infection Control Manager at Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital; Rebecca Bailey, COVID-19 patient; and Derrick Stewart, COVID-19 survivor.  The panelists will discuss their expertise and personal experiences with this disease and answer questions about contact tracing and the physical and mental toll that COVID-19 takes.

“The Confederate Flag, Confederate Monuments & Free Speech” will take place on Thursday, Sept. 17, in honor of Constitution Day. WSCC Professor of History, Mike Nagle, will show how events like the 2017 conflict in Charlottesville, Va. and protests surrounding the death of George Floyd have re-ignited debate concerning the role of Confederate monuments in public places as well as free speech.

“Removal of historical monuments can lead down a ‘slippery slope’ involving the rewriting of history,” said Nagle. “However, the context of when and how statues or tributes were erected also reflects the motivations and interpretations of those who created such monuments.” Nagle will discuss these, and other related issues, as well as the importance of historical memory and free speech.

Both events will start at 7 p.m. using the Zoom platform.  Pre-registration is encouraged so attendees can submit questions for panelists ahead of time.  To register and pose questions, contact Renee Snodgrass at rsnodgrass@westshore.edu or 231-843-5869. Also look for event updates on the college’s Facebook page.