All One Book, One Community events are cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The One Book, One Community of Monroe County committee has scheduled nearly 30 events during March and April for the community to join the discussion of this year’s book selection, What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha. All events are free and open to the public.
What the Eyes Don’t See is the inspiring story of how Dr. Mona, alongside a team of researchers, parents, friends, and community leaders, discovered that the children of Flint, Michigan, were being exposed to lead in their tap water-and then battled her own government and a brutal backlash to expose that truth to the world. Paced like a scientific thriller, What the Eyes Don’t See reveals how misguided austerity policies, broken democracy, and callous bureaucratic indifference placed an entire city at risk. And at the Center of the story is Dr. Mona herself - an immigrant, doctor, scientist, and mother whose family’s activist roots inspired her pursuit of justice.
The One Book, One Community of Monroe County 2020 Companion Read selected for Teen Readers is Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman. The elementary/middle school Juvenile Reader selection is Max Einstein: Rebels with a Cause by J a.m.es Patterson and Chris Grabenstein and the Picture Book selection is Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds.
The complete list of events can be found at https://www.monroeccc.edu/one-book-one-community/2020/events. Below are several highlighted activities planned:
Kick-Off Event – March 11
The One Book, One Community 2020 initiative will start with a very unique Kick-Off Event on Wednesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. in the La-Z-Boy Center at Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe. The evening’s events will include a water tasting table where participants will be able to use their palates to discern various types of water. Information tables and interactive stations, including the MCCC’s Respiratory Therapy Student Club and the MCCC Writing Fellows annual used book sale, are also planned. Copies of the book What the Eyes Don’t See will be available. Light refreshments will be served.
At 6:30 p.m. a special screening of the documentary, Nor Any Drop to Drink is scheduled. Through the intimate stories of affected citizens, the film unflinchingly explores the consequences of extreme inequality, environmental injustice, neoliberal policy, and the failure of government. Dr. Cedric Taylor, writer, director, and co-producer of the film will host a discussion immediately following. The evening will end with a drawing for an Echo Show 8.
A Conversation with Dr.Mona Hanna-Attisha – March 26
On Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. in the La-Z-Boy-Center, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, author of What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City will join guests for a conversation, Q&A, and book signing. Staff from The Agora, MCCC’s student newspaper Todd Salisbury, editor, Jordan Jewell, assistant editor, and reporters Abby Nisley and Noah Black will lead the conversation on stage with Dr. Mona. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.
Book Discussions
Wednesday, March 11, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Bedford Branch Library, 8575 Jackman Road, Temperance
Thursday, March 12, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Ida Branch Library, 3016 Lewis Avenue, Ida
Tuesday, March 17, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Dorsch Memorial Branch Library, 18 E. 1st Street, Monroe
Wednesday, March 18, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Room Z-203, Atrium, La-Z-Boy Center MCCC Main Campus, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe
Wednesday, March 18, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Summerfield-Petersburg Branch Library, 60 E. Center Street, Petersburg
Thursday, March 19, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Lunchtime Brown Bag Discussion (see description below in Discussions, Presentations and Advocacy Opportunities below) La-Z-Boy Center, MCCC Main Campus, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe
Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Newport Branch Library, 8120 N. Dixie Highway, Newport
Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Rasey Branch Library, 4349 Oak, Luna Pier
Monday, April 27, 7:000 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Carleton Branch Library, 1444 Kent Street, Carleton
Children’s Program Events
The Lorax, Friday, March 13, 6:00 p.m., Bedford Branch Library, 8575 Jackman Road, Temperance (see description above in Film Series section)
A Cool Drink of Water, Wednesday, March 18, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., L.S. Navarre Branch Library, 1135 E. 2nd Street, Monroe
MCCC’s Educators for Change Student Association has selected the book A Cool Drink of Water by Barbara Kerley and will host elementary aged children for a read aloud and book discussion focused on A Cool Drink of Water by Barbara Kerley. Children will explore the importance of water and the basic human right to clean water through discussion and activities.
Say Something! Wednesday, March 25, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., L.S. Navarre Branch Library, 1135 E. 2nd Street, Monroe
Join us to say something with words and creativity. A single voice can make a difference; the world needs yours.
Clean Water for Everyone, Monday, March 23, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Bedford Branch Library, 8575 Jackman Road, Temperance (see description below in Discussions, Presentations and Advocacy Opportunities)
The Lorax and Eco-Craft, Friday, March 27, 6:00 p.m. (movie), 7:30 p.m. (craft), Ida Branch Library, 3016 Lewis Avenue, Ida
Following the airing of The Lorax (see description below in Film Series section) there will be a DIY eco-craft terrarium workshop starting at approximately 7:30 p.m. Participants will create a garden-in-a-jar using recycled materials. All supplies are provided. Participants can attend one or both events. Please register each participant that will be attending the eco-craft activity, as supplies will be limited to those who register.
Say Something! - Saturday, April 4, 11:00 a.m. – noon, Dorsch Memorial Branch Library, 18 E. 1st Street, Monroe
Join us to say something with words and creativity. A single voice can make a difference; the world needs yours.
Discussions, Presentations and Advocacy Opportunities
Panel Discussion: Water: The Protection and Defense of a Precious Resource - Wednesday, March 18, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Atrium, La-Z-Boy Center, MCCC, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe
An expert group of panelists will discuss the Flint water crisis from their perspectives, from critical research that exposed the problem, to the journalism that kept the public informed. Four professionals will share their experiences in researching, writing about, and addressing the lead poisoning in Flint. The conversation will also touch on water issues the panel members are most concerned about, applying lessons learned from their experiences in Flint. The panelists are:
Elin Betanzo: Founder of Safe Water Engineering LLC, a small consulting firm working to improve access to safe drinking water through engineering and policy consulting. In August of 2015, Betanzo played a critical role in uncovering the Flint water crisis by encouraging pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha to conduct a study that discovered elevated lead levels in children living in Flint.
Leonard N. Fleming: A longtime newspaper journalist who has worked as a reporter at The Detroit News for nearly 12 years, covering environmental, government, and political trends. Fleming has extensively covered the Flint water crisis, including the criminal and courtroom phase of the investigation into the catastrophe.
Anurag Mantha: A Ph.D. student in Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech. Mantha’s Ph.D. research focuses on the impact of system design and water quality on opportunistic pathogen growth potential in residential water heating systems. As a master’s student, Mantha was a founding member of Flint Water Study. The group used citizen science, field s a.m.pling, lab experiments, investigative journalism, and social media to help uncover the drinking water crisis in Flint. A native of India, Mantha has a bachelor's in Civil Engineering from India and a master's in environmental engineering from Virginia Tech.
Ronald George: President of Plumb-Tech Design & Consulting Services. He has worked with some of the largest architectural and engineering firms in the nation and served as an expert witness for the last 20 years on various litigation cases associated with mechanical system failures. These cases have included water quality issues and other issues associated with building water systems and mechanical systems, such as Legionnaires’ disease, scalds, carbon monoxide poisonings, natural gas explosions and fires, and floods. He is currently serving as an expert witness in litigation associated with the Flint water crisis.
MCCC GSA Information Table: Petition to Amend Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 and One Book One Community Information - Thursday, March 19, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Warrick Student Services/Administration Building, MCCC Main, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe
MCCC’s Gender & Sexuality Alliance Club will host an advocacy information table, which will be provide information about the petition to Amend Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 to include non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Currently, state law does not protect individuals explicitly on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and the petition is a grassroots effort to change that through advocacy, a major theme of What the Eye's Don't See.
Brown Bag Discussion - Thursday, March 19, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. La-Z-Boy Center, MCCC Main Campus, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe
Join the Monroe County Community College community in roundtable discussions of What the Eyes Don’t See, led by MCCC Writing Fellows. Light refreshments will be served.
Clean Water for Everyone - Monday, March 23, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Bedford Branch Library, 8575 Jackman Road, Temperance
The River Raisin Institute (RRI), in collaboration with the River Raisin Watershed Council, Freshwater Future and Monroe County Health Department, will present a program explaining what a watershed is, talk about septic and stormwater systems and bring rain garden and native planting resources to demonstrate what a community can do to help improve local water quality. This is a family event. Two interactive apps will be introduced, so bring your devices.
Flint’s Future? The Effects of Lead on Behavior and Crime - Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Dining Room, Warrick Student Service/Administration Building, MCCC Main Campus, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe
In 2014, it was uncovered that the water supply in Flint, Michigan was contaminated by high levels of lead and the citizens were unknowingly exposed for eighteen months. Particularly affected are the very young because lead exposure has been shown to inhibit neurological development. The exposed infants will have started school last fall. What will happen to them? This presentation will look at past studies showing how lead changes behavior and how it may cause delinquency, crime, and poor academic performance.
Mock Trial: The State on Trial - Wednesday, March 25, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Dining Room, Warrick Student Service/Administration Building, MCCC Main Campus, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe
MCCC’s Criminal Justice Club has compiled evidence to put those in charge of the Flint water situation on trial. Charges will be levied, and arguments will be made and participants in the event will be the jury with the help of the Mock Trial’s legal moderator Honorable Michael A. Weipert, 38th Circuit Court Chief Judge.
A Conversation with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha - Thursday, March 26, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., La-Z-Boy Center, MCCC Main Campus, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe (see description of event above)
Pen to Palette Docent-led Tour Sunday - March 29, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Herrick Lobby, Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe Street, Toledo, OH
Using the book What the Eyes Can’t See as inspiration, the staff of the Toledo Museum of Art has created a special hour-long tour for readers of the book highlighting a variety of art works in the museum’s contemporary collection. Make reservation by calling Rachel Eagle at (734) 384-4153 by Monday, March 23. Museum parking is $8.00 per vehicle (free if a museum member).
Water Safety - Is Your Water Safe? A Discussion of Municipal Water System and Home Water System Safety Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monroe County Historical Museum, 126 S. Monroe Street, Monroe
During this presentation, plumbing expert Ron George, CPD and President of Plumb-Tech Design & Consulting Services LLC, will explain the conditions that led to the Flint water crisis. He will also provide some practical tips on scald protection for your home and how you can minimize Legionella bacteria growth and distribution. He is an expert witness in legal cases involving property damage, injuries, and deaths associated with improper design, installation, or maintenance of plumbing, mechanical, and fire protection systems
Film Series
The Lorax - Friday, March 13, 6:00 p.m. Bedford Branch Library, 8575 Jackman Road, Temperance
From the creators of Despicable Me and the imagination of Dr. Seuss comes The Lorax, an adaptation of the classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a 12-year-old as he searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. PG – 86 minutes.
A Civil Action - Monday, March 16, 6:30 p.m. Ellis Library & Reference Center, 3700 S. Custer Road, Monroe
The film is based on the true story about a 1980s court case involving environmental pollution which took place in Woburn, Massachusetts. The film and court case revolve around the issue of trichloroethylene, an industrial solvent, and its contamination of the town’s water supply. A lawsuit was filed over industrial operations that appeared to have caused fatal cases of leukemia and cancer, as well as a wide variety of other health problems, among the citizens of the city. PG-13 – 115 minutes.
Lillian Trikes, Attorney at Law, will lead a discussion following the film exploring the difficulties of bringing a lawsuit for injuries where the explanation of the cause of the injuries requires highly technical or scientific evidence. Since 1995, she has worked as an attorney representing individuals in both the state courts and the federal courts in Michigan. She has primarily represented individuals who have been injured and are seeking compensation for their injuries. Many of these cases involve individuals or survivors of deceased individuals who are seeking compensation for their injuries or losses due to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease from contaminated water.
Erin Brockovich - Wednesday, March 18, 6:00 p.m. Bedford Branch Library, 8575 Jackman Road, Temperance
A legal drama based on the true story of a woman who helped win the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit. Erin Brockovich is a single mother of three who, after losing a personal injury lawsuit, asks her lawyer, Ed Masry, if he can help her find a job. Ed gives her work as a file clerk in his office, and she runs across some information on a little-known case filed against Pacific Gas and Electric. Erin begins digging into the particulars of the case, convinced that the facts simply don't add up, and persuades Ed to allow her to do further research; in time, she discovers a systematic cover-up of the industrial poisoning of a city's water supply, which threatens the health of the entire community. R – 131 minutes.
Michael Clayton, Monday, March 23, 6:30 p.m., Ellis Library and Reference Center, 3700 S. Custer Road, Monroe
The film chronicles the attempts by attorney Michael Clayton to cope with a colleague's apparent mental breakdown and the corruption and intrigue surrounding a major client of his law firm being sued in a class action case over the effects of toxic agrochemicals. R – 119 minutes.
Flint’s Deadly Water, Tuesday, March 24, 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Little Theater (Room C-3, Lower Level) Campbell Learning Resource Center, MCCC, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe
A PBS Frontline documentary, drawing from a two-year investigation, uncovers the extent of a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak during the Flint water crisis - and how officials failed to stop it. PG-13 – 60 minutes.
The Lorax and Eco-Craft, Friday, March 27, 6:00 p.m. (movie) 7:30 p.m. (craft), Ida Branch Library, 3016 Lewis Avenue, Ida
(see film description above in Film Series section and activity description above in Children’s Program Events).
For more information visit https://www.monroeccc.edu/one-book-one-community/2020.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition.
The college’s mission is to enrich and transform lives by providing opportunities and excellence in higher education. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave.,Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.