Division of Diversity continues its work for social justice, meaningful discussion

Author Eric Schlosser discusses his book

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Division of Diversity, Access and Equity (DDAE) continues to provide initiatives supporting cultural social justice and inclusion. As part of these initiatives, DDAE brings relevant voices to UMKC by sponsoring guest lecturers who are renowned in the fields.

Eric Schlosser – an investigative journalist and author – will discuss his book, “Fast Food Nation” at the fifth annual Social Justice Book and Lecture Program at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at the UMKC Pierson Auditorium, 5100 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo., 64110. A book signing will follow the lecture. The event is free and open to the public. Parking at the University Center and Cherry Street Terrace is free during this event.

“This lecture is about more than fast food – it’s about low income-families, who have few choices and the limited, unhealthy food options available to them,” said Kristi Ryujin, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Diversity Initiatives. “It also is about the unsafe, hazardous conditions to which food workers are exposed and the issue of fast food being marketed to the underprivileged and people of color.”

“Fast Food Nation” – a two-year New York Times bestseller – tells the story of America and the world’s infatuation with fast food, from its origins in 1950s southern California to the global triumph of a handful of burger and fried chicken chains.

In 1998, Schlosser’s two-part article on the subject in Rolling Stone generated more mail than any other item the magazine had run to date. He also has contributed to The New Yorker and has been a correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly since 1996. Schlosser won a National Magazine Award for “Reefer Madness” and “Marijuana and the Law” and has received a Sidney Hillman Foundation Award for Reporting. His work has been nominated for several other National Magazine Awards and for the Loeb Award for business journalism.

This event is sponsored by BlueCross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and UMKC Division of Diversity, Access and Equity.

About the Division of Diversity, Access and Equity

As an urban institution, the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) has the opportunity to set new standards in higher education by accomplishing what very few institutions can claim – a diverse faculty, staff and student body reflecting the community that it serves. This can only be accomplished by developing and maintaining inclusive recruitment, hiring, admission and retention programs throughout the organization. The Division of Diversity, Access and Equity, reporting to Office of the Chancellor, combines the efforts of the former Diversity in Action and Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action offices. This merger brought together two major functions which are interdependent and essential to the University reaching its full potential.

About UMKC

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.


Tags: , , , .
  • Recent UMKC News

    $20 Million Scholarship Article in The Kansas City Star

    KC Scholars partnership also in U.S. News and World Report … Read more

    Geosciences Professor’s Research Cited in New York Times

    Fengpeng Sun co-authored study on California wildfire seasons The 2015 … Read more

    Bloch Faculty Interviewed on NBC Nightly News

    Brent Never teaches about Kansas City’s racial dividing line Never … Read more

    More