RESCHEDULED: Community Discussion on the Meaning of Freedom at St. Helens Public Library

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 28, 2019

RESCHEDULED EVENT: Due to the potential severe weather anticipated for this weekend and next week, the Conversation Project event (see below) that was scheduled for February 12 is being rescheduled for a date in the future. We will update you with specifics once a new date has been selected. We apologize for the inconvenience. Public safety is our number one priority in making this decision.

This free discussion on February 12 is part of the Oregon Humanities’ statewide Conversation Project.

St. Helens, Ore. – Ever heard the expression “America: land of the free and home of the brave” or “It’s a free country! I can do what I want!”? Maybe you think or say these things to yourself, but what does it mean to be free? How do we define, value, and experience freedom personally and in community? Does everyone have access to freedom in the same way? What choices come with freedom, and what are the responsibilities that accompany those choices? How does the concept of freedom play out in a diverse, democratic society?

This is the focus of “It’s a Free Country: Exploring the Limitations and Responsibilities of Freedom,” a free conversation with Ann Su on Tuesday, February 12 at 7 p.m. at the St. Helens Public Library, 375 S. 18th Street. This program is hosted by the Library and sponsored by Oregon Humanities.

Ann Su is passionate about connecting people to their best selves and bridging understanding and connections between people and communities. She has dedicated her life to working for social, economic, and environmental justice. Currently, she is a public interest attorney, an adjunct assistant professor at Portland State University, and a diversity and leadership consultant. When not working, she loves creating in visual and written mediums, staying active outdoors, and sharing good food and drink with family and friends.

The St. Helens Public Library strives to be a place where intelligent conversation and debate happen and potentially inspire positive change.  Through the Conversation Project, Oregon Humanities offers free programs that engage community members in thoughtful, challenging conversations about ideas critical to our daily lives and our state's future.

Oregon Humanities (921 SW Washington, Suite 150; Portland, OR 97205) connects Oregonians to ideas that change lives and transform communities. More information about Oregon Humanities’ programs and publications, which include the Conversation Project, Think & Drink, Humanity in Perspective, Bridging Oregon, Public Program Grants, Responsive Program Grants, and Oregon Humanities magazine, can be found at oregonhumanities.org. Oregon Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and a partner of the Oregon Cultural Trust.

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For further information regarding this free community discussion, please contact St. Helens Library Technician Nicole Woodruff at 503-397-4544 or nicolew@ci.st-helens.or.us.