CSUMB’s Social Justice Colloquium sparks intelligent action.

What do we, as a society, agree is fair in various facets of life in the 21st century? That’s an important conversation, one that can easily devolve if not done with civility. That’s what CSUMB’s annual Social Justice Colloquium sets out to do. The forum has held those conversations in realms such as feminism within Islam, and rights in the LGBT community.

The 20th annual colloquium’s five events span February through April, unified by a focus on the Philippines. Up next, March 15, is a presentation by Vicente Rafael, a professor of History and Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Washington. He’ll talk about the legacy of Spanish, U.S. and Japanese colonialism on the Philippines.

As he puts it: “Westernized names; Catholicism and capitalism seeping out of every pore; mind-numbing inequality between the rich and the poor; English-hating, English-loving readers and writers and students and intellectuals; the tragic love for fast food, with a twist of ketchup and chunks of Vienna sausage; remittance economy; shopping malls that cover entire cities; a crazy electoral system mimicking the U.S.; so much more.”

Two days later they bring Lila Ramos Shahani, a journalist and Philippines cabinet member from a Filipino political dynasty, who calls out government corruption and incompetence. Even when the target, like former President Fidel V. Ramos, is her uncle.

On April 5, three of CSUMB’s departments will collaborate on an art, music and reading program that revolves around Women Living with War (comfort women) at the Black Box Cabaret.

SOCIAL JUSTICE COLLOQUIUM takes place 6-8pm March 15 and March 17 at CSUMB University Center, Sixth Avenue and B Street; and 6-8pm April 5 at Black Box Cabaret, Fourth and Gen. Jim Moore Boulevard, Seaside. 582-3005, 582-3890