I have to admit, I’m not entirely sure whether they’re going to recreate a period debate or try to use modern conflict resolution methods on reenactors. Either way, it could be interesting.

Kansas Settlers Try Again Beyond “Bloody Kansas”

Thea Nietfeld, Presenter

February 15 at 2:00 pm in the Balkans Room at the Overman Student Center In honor of Black History Month and  150th anniversary of Kansas statehood Sponsored by The Tilford Group, Student Diversity, & Campus Activities Center

Grounded in history and theory, this presentation engages participants with a situation that was formative for our regional culture in order to imagine alternatives for the future. The “Bloody Kansas” era used violence to terrorize political opponents, such as in the massacres at Pottawatamie and Marias des Cygnes Creeks.  By bringing Captain John Brown and other leaders to life, we can consider alternative approaches for their decision-making.

Thea Nietfeld is an experienced in conflict resolution and has done numerous public presentations on peaceful alternatives in conflict resolution and negotiation. Her work with labor unions and as a state volunteer mediator in Iowa and Oklahoma led her to focus on peacemaking in her work as Unitarian Universalist (UU) clergy. She teaches nonviolence at the college level and currently serves the UU Fellowship of Salina.

As always, extra credit requires attending the event and writing a 1-2 page summary/reaction paper.