Celebrate Oakton’s diversity at upcoming Coming Together events

Join Oakton Community College for the community-wide celebration of Coming Together, which this year spotlights the stories of the journeys that people have made to come to Niles Township. The program, now in its 11th year, features discussions, presentations, performances and celebrations to showcase how residents settled in Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles and Skokie. Oakton will host several Coming Together activities in the coming weeks on campuses in both Des Plaines, 1600 E. Golf Road, and Skokie, 7701 N. Lincoln Ave.

“Oakton has been active in Coming Together since its inception,” says Jane Malik, professor and co-chair of the Oakton Library. “We are happy to once again be a part of this celebration of diversity which allows our students and campus community members to gain a deeper awareness and appreciation of the unique cultures that make Oakton and the communities we serve so special.”

Coming Together events at Oakton are a collaboration between the Oakton Library and the Office of Student Life and Campus Inclusion. They include:

• Book Discussion: “They Called Us Enemy,” 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, Room C114, Skokie campus. “They Called Us Enemy” depicts how George Takei (“Star Trek”) and his family were taken to a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Takei was just 4 years old when his parents and two siblings were taken from their home and sent to live as prisoners, along with thousands of other Japanese-Americans. The graphic novel explores topics including what it means to be an American and how to respond when the world is against you. Copies of the book are available at Oakton’s libraries and many public libraries in the district.
• Human Library: 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. Monday, March 9 and Wednesday, March 11, Oakton Library, Des Plaines. Also scheduled 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 12, Oakton Library, Skokie. This is an opportunity for people to check out “human books” and engage in discussions with real people who have faced stereotypes and prejudice.
• Festival of Cultures: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, Room P103-P104, Skokie campus. Join Oakton’s student clubs for a celebration of the diverse cultures of the community with food, music and fun.

Anyone interested in sharing their journey to Niles Township by participating in the Human Library project may contact Malik at jmalik@oakton.edu.

For a full list of Coming Together activities, visit https://comingtogether.in.