You're invited! The Al Harris Library is sponsoring events and activities to accompany the Voices and Votes: Democracy in America exhibit. See below for information about each activity.
We welcome school and organization visits to the exhibit. Please schedule your visit using this online form.
Documentaries on Democracy
The Al Harris Library is screening three critically acclaimed documentaries on democracy in the United States. The documentaries will be shown in the News Room at 6:30pm on these dates:
Thursday, October 31 - Show Me Democracy: Student Activism Amidst the Uprising in Ferguson (1h 24m)
"Amidst the uprising in Ferguson, MO, seven St. Louis college students evolve into activists as they demand change through policy and protest. This film examines their personal lives and backgrounds as each of them copes with the fallout of Ferguson. Show Me Democracy asks us to examine how a committed group of college students can make a difference in a complex and imperfect system and what methods have the most impact."
Official selection at the SXSW Film Festival and the St. Louis International Film Festival
Thursday, November 7 - Uncivil War: U.S. Elections Under Siege (1h 05m)
"Americans are losing faith in democracy. Uncivil War explores three factors eroding democracy in the United States: gerrymandering, voter suppression, and disinformation."
Official selection at the American Documentary Film Festival
Thursday, November 14 - What is Democracy?: A Philosophical Journey Exploring Government (1h 47m)
"Coming at a moment of profound political and social crisis, What is Democracy? reflects on a word we too often take for granted."
Official selection at the Toronto International Film Festival
American Experiments
Voices and Votes offers an exciting educational component called American Experiments. This companion traveling trunk has a collection of activities designed to engage exhibition visitors and students in the classroom. The Head‐to‐Head challenge asks visitors to choose the American who changed the nation the most, or the most “American” food. Offer your opinion of “I believe good citizens should…” with the My Fellow Citizens photo opportunity. Finally, find out how you compare with others in a voting game which poses thought-provoking questions about our democracy, citizenship, and voting. American Experiments is great example of the rich programming opportunities Voices and Votes offers our community.
Panel Discussion:
Democracy's Evolving Voice: Reflections from Western Oklahoma
The panel discussion takes place on October 28th at 7:00pm in the SWOSU Stafford Building, room 104.
Click to watch this event live on YouTube.
The panel brings together four Oklahoma leaders to explore the dynamic nature of American democracy:
The discussion will be moderated by western Oklahoma entrepreneur Mr. Jeff Berrong.
Join us for this special event, free and open to the public.
Election Night Watch Party
On Tuesday, November 5th, the Al Harris Library will host an election night watch party. Join us as we view the election results rolling in from across our nation. The watch party will be in the News Room, located at the south end of the first floor.
Voices of Western Oklahoma:
An Oral History Project
Exhibit Opening Day
On October 26th, the Voices and Votes exhibit will open as part of SWOSU's Homecoming celebration.
10:00am - SWOSU Homecoming Parade
12:00pm - Exhibit Opening/Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Opening remarks by:
Dr. Sunu Kodumthara & Rayne McKinney, Oklahoma Humanities
Dr. Diane Lovell, SWOSU President
Mr. Frederic Murray, SWOSU Instructional Services Librarian
Many Voices sung by Southwestern Chamber Choir featuring Janis South on piano with Dr. Daniel Farris conducting.
Women's Voices: Potpoliš by Vítězslava Kaprálová (1915-1940)
Black Voices: Any How by Evelyn LaRue Pittman (1910-1992)
Joined Voices: I'm Goin' Up a Yonder by Walter Hawkins, arranged by Martin Sirvatka (fl late 20th century to present)
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
12:00pm to 5:00pm - Stafford Archive will be open for tours
