Events By Quarter
Race Matters Series
EVENT RESCHEDULED TO OCT. 30 - Unlovable: Situationships, Sexism, and the Struggle for Real Connection
Dr. Sabrina Strings
MCC Theater and Lounge
*** Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances this event has been rescheduled to Thursday, October 30th from Oct. 16th. We look forward to seeing you on the new date October 30, 5-7 PM in the MCC Theater and Lounge ***
Join us as Dr. Sabrina Strings argues that the rise of “situationships” isn’t accidental, but a powerful entry point into understanding how racism, sexism, and modern dating culture disintegrate our capacity for connection and intimacy.
In a world of dating apps, ghosting, and the so-called situationship, many—especially women and marginalized folks—are left questioning whether real love is still possible. In her groundbreaking book, The End of Love: Racism, Sexism and the Death of Romance, Dr. Strings reveals how the withholding of love has become a tool of control shaped by history and culture.
Don’t miss this urgent conversation with Dr. Strings on love, power, and the possibility of liberation.
Guest Bio: Sabrina Strings, Ph.D., is Professor and North Hall Chair of Black Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She was a recipient of the UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship with a joint appointment in the School of Public Health and Department of Sociology. Sabrina is also an award-winning author with publications in diverse venues. Her first book, Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia (NYU Press 2019), was named one of Essence magazine’s "10 Books We're Dying To Toss Into Our Summer Totes." It also made “must read” lists in Ms. Magazine, Colorlines, and Bitchmedia, and has been featured on NPR, KPFA and WNYC. Her latest book The End of Love: Racism, Sexism, and the Death of Romance was released by Beacon Press (Jan 2024), and has been featured in Ms. Magazine, The Atlantic, NPR, and the hit show Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness.
Department of Feminist Studies, Black Studies Department, RCSGD, Queer & Trans Student Union, Black Student Union
Cup of Culture
Tangerine: Screening and Discussion
Lex Brand, Vivianna Valle Gomez
MCC Theater
Join us for a screening of Tangerine, a bold and vibrant film that follows two trans sex workers, Sin-Dee and Alexandra, over the course of one explosive Christmas Eve in Los Angeles. Just released from prison, Sin-Dee discovers her pimp boyfriend has been cheating on her. With Alexandra by her side, the two set off on a wild journey through the streets and subcultures of LA to uncover the truth.
Following the screening, join Viviana Valle Gomez of the Women’s Center and Lex Brand of RCSGD for a 30-minute discussion focused on the real-life experiences of trans sex workers, the challenges they face, and the alarming rise in transphobic violence.
This event will run for two hours (1.5-hour film + 30-minute discussion). Light refreshments and sexual health goodie bags will be provided.
Lex Brand, MS, LMFT (she/her, UCSB Alum ’13) is a licensed psychotherapist and Assistant Director of Student Support & Advocacy at UCSB’s Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity (RCSGD). Lex specializes in intersectional trauma recovery and support for women, trans, and queer communities. Her professional training includes transgender affirming care, internal family systems (IFS), mindful self-compassion, domestic violence/sexual assault recovery, mindfulness meditation, and 200-hr yoga teacher training.
As the Associate Director of Women, Gender, and Sexual Equity, Viviana Valle Gomez (all gender pronouns) is dedicated to bridging the gap between scholarship and activism, recognizing the immense potential of combining rigorous academic insights with tangible on-the-ground experience and strategy. Viviana has spent the past ten years sharpening a feminist approach to critique the historical and philosophical frameworks that our society is built on.
Co-Sponsors: Women's Center & RCGSD
Race and Literature
Survival is a Shared Story
Lexxus Coffey Edison
MCC Lounge
Join us for a writing workshop with doctoral candidate Lexxus Edison as we explore how creative writing and poetry are powerful tools for self-expression. Basing the conversation on the work of Octavia E. Butler, we highlight how works like Fledgling and Parable of the Sower have explored current moments of climate grief, racial injustice, and the ultimate hunger for collective care. The first half of this event is lecture-based and will explore how powerful literature and poetry can move collective thinking. Following, we’ll create space for participants to engage and hone their writing skills with a creative workshop guided by Lexxus. Dinner will be included!
Lexxus Edison is a PhD Candidate at UC Santa Barbara in the English PhD program pursuing an emphasis in Black Studies. Lexxus’s research areas include African American Literature and Culture, Black Performance Studies, and Creative Writing. Her research examines 20-21st century African American autobiographies exploring Black debt; she examines grief and loss within the Black autobiography as a form of debt.
Co-sponsor: The English Department's Creative Critical Writing Initiative
Spiritual Care Club
MCC Lounge
Spiritual Care Club is a recurring space where members will learn how to use and trust divine and intuitive tools for their healing and care, identity development, and dreams and goals formation. It will be an intentional space where we can experience personal and collective growth, joy, and care in a safe and encouraging environment.
Thursdays Nov 13th & 20th
12:00-1:30 pm
