To honor the work of nonviolent social justice advocates during the Season of Nonviolence, Central Oregon Community College is hosting “How Much Inequality is Acceptable?” at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 in Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center on the Bend Campus.

Julia Hammond, writer and educator, will explore the beliefs and values relating to income inequality. Some economists have suggested that the present income gap in America is the largest gap in the history of the world. Is it an incentive for hard work and invention and an acceptable part of a capitalist economy? Or does that story no long make sense?

The program is made possible by the generous support of Oregon Humanities, The National Endowment of the Humanities and the Oregon Cultural Trust. Additional sponsors include the Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program with support from the Associated Students of COCC, Deschutes Brewery, Oregon Humanities, COCC Cultural Activities and the OSU-Cascades Student Fee Committee.

Since 2009 COCC has been recognizing the international commemoration of the Season of Nonviolence that honors the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. COCC also honors the work of Cesar Chavez and Chief Wilma Mankiller during this time. The annual series of events highlights the work being done globally as well as locally to foster equity and justice for everyone. The aim is to inspire campus and community participants to become involved in their communities to make Central Oregon a safe and respectful place to live, work and learn.

The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to reserve a spot at www.cocc.edu/foundation/vsp.

For information, contact Karen Roth at 541-383-7412 or kroth1@cocc.edu.

In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation because of other disability such as hearing impairment, contact Anne Jenkins: 541-383-7743.