Renowned Violence Prevention Scholar, Activist Dr. Jackson Katz To Headline SISU Speaker Series
At a time when issues of gender, race and violence are part of a national discussion in news and media, Texas A&M University will host one of the most trusted voices on those topics to lead the first “Step In. Stand Up. Speaker Series” Oct. 4-5.
Dr. Jackson Katz, an educator, author, filmmaker and cultural theorist who has spoken in the U.S. and around the world on violence against women, media influences, and societal responses will lead a series of presentations and discussions that will underscore the importance of creating what he calls “a climate wherein abusive behavior of all kinds is seen as completely unacceptable and contrary to community values.”
“One of the things I say over and over again [about sexual assault prevention education] is it’s not just about keeping students safe while they’re in college,” Katz said. “It’s about developing skills people will take with them for the rest of their lives. Not just for women, but for men and how they navigate the challenge of speaking up and having their voices heard in calling out sexism, racism and all forms of interpersonal abuse and violence.”
Katz has a long history in the field of violence prevention, beginning with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a doctorate in cultural studies and education from UCLA. In 1993, he co-founded Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP), which introduced the “bystander” approach to the sexual assault and relationship abuse fields.
MVP was the first large-scale gender violence prevention program in the college and professional sports culture and the U.S. military.
Katz also has been active in film through his award-winning “Tough Guise” educational videos, a riveting TED talk titled “Violence Against Women-it’s a Men’s Issue,” and his current project of examining violent masculinities in media and exploring the ways media culture shapes underlying norms that contribute to the perpetration and legitimation of violence.
After presenting at more than 2,700 schools and institutions around the country, Katz understands the importance of college students as influencers.
“Institutions of higher education are incredibly important places for sharing ideas, thinking outside of the box, sparking awareness and spurring activism for nonviolent social change,” Katz said. “Gender violence is a gigantic problem in our society and around the world – a first order problem – and unfortunately, it’s a big problem on college campuses. Students are right in the highest age group for victimization and perpetration.”
Students, faculty and staff who attend will be able to hear one of Katz’s many sessions that include:
- “Tough Guise: Violence, Manhood & American Culture”
- “Blurred Lines: Sex and Violence in Media & Real Life”
- “The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help”
- “Violence Against Women Is a Men’s Issue”
- “Violence & Silence”
- “Gender on the Agenda: The Socialization of Children in a Culture of Violence”
Katz also will be available for meet-and-greet and book signing sessions for attendees.
Those interested in attending the speaker series can RSVP through Qualtrics.
About Step In Stand Up
Texas A&M University launched the Step In Stand Up campaign in 2015 with the mission of stepping in to prevent incidents of sexual violence and standing up for survivors. A web-based portal with information and resources is available to students, faculty and staff at stepinstandup.tamu.edu.
The Step In Stand Up campaign was selected as the NASPA Excellence Awards’ 2016-2017 Bronze Award Winner for the Violence Education and Prevention, Crisis Management, Campus Security, and related category.
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Media contact: Sam Peshek, Texas A&M University Marketing and Communications, sam.peshek@tamu.edu, 979-845-4680.
