OUTSIDER: The Life and Art of Judith Scott

This film tells the story of Judith Scott (1943-2005), who became a fiber artist in 1987, and was recognized during her lifetime for the unique creativity of her abstract masses of found (and sometimes stolen) objects transformed by their wrappings. Scott’s sculptures have appeared around the world and are housed permanently at museums including The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago, and the Musee D Art Brut in Lausanne, Switzerland. Astonishingly, Scott blossomed as an artist just few years after she spent 35 years in a stale institution for the mentally retarded.

Born with Down syndrome, Scott was sent away when she was only seven. As if such isolation were not enough to endure, Scott also had undiagnosed deafness and little verbal ability. Yet, while many with similar disabilities are separated, oppressed and disempowered, Judith Scott’s story had a happy ending.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion. It is free and open to the public.

OUTSIDER: The Life and Art of Judith Scott
Film Duration: 26 minutes
Photo presentation: 7 minutes
Monday, December 13th, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
University Hall Amphitheater

Chasing the Dream: The Plight of Immigrant Youth

Listen to the silenced stories of undocumented youth who struggle to be legally and personally recognized and learn about how the Dream Act could affect their lives.

Presented by the University Diversity Council

Chasing the Dream: The Plight of Immigrant Youth

When: Monday, November 15, 2010
Time: 4-6:30 pm, reception following panel discussion
Where: University Hall Amphitheatre

Panelists: Leigh Patel, author of book in progress regarding her experiences in urban schools with undocumented youth Student Representatives from SIM (Student Immigrant Movement) Immigrant youth from the Boston area.

Support Native Action! Honor the Earth!

Please join us for our next very special film event, “Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action” on Monday, October 18, 2010, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the University Hall Amphitheater.

“Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action” sheds light on one of the least known American human rights stories, the environmental hazards that threaten to ruin Native American lands and their impact upon Native peoples. The film focuses on the stories of five Native American activists from the Cheyenne, Gwich’in, Navajo and Penobscot communities who have fought for protection of their lands and survival of their peoples and cultures. These leaders have battled multi-national energy companies and government entities on issues including the growing toxicity of Maine’s Penobscot River, proposed coal bed methane gas wells on Cheyenne homelands, oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and uranium mining that would contaminate the sole source of drinking water for 15,000 people on the Navajo reservation.

“Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action” reveals the state of indigenous nations as a result of relaxed environmental regulations that favor the powerful energy industry. It also shows the resolve of Native activists to save their way of life and the power of grassroots organizing.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion. It is free and open to the public.

Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action
Film Duration: 57 minutes Monday, October 18th, 4:00 - 6:00 pm, University Hall Amphitheater

Rename Columbus Day!

At Lesley we celebrate Columbus day and Martin Luther King day. If you consider Dr. King's teachings and contribution to humanity, Columbus just doesn't measure up...

In a letter Columbus wrote to the king and queen of Spain, he described, "Gold is most excellent; gold constitutes treasure; and he who has it does all he wants in the world, and can even lift souls up to Paradise." Many credible historians have documented that Columbus was a transatlantic slave trader responsible for the genocide of tens and thousands of indigenous people. He and his men's brutality against the native populations have been widely published. There have been many movements to rename Columbus day nationally and internationally. More and more colleges, cities and states in the US are joining the movement.

On May 20th at 12:30 - 2:30 pm a motion will be introduced at Lesley University to rename the Columbus Day holiday. Please indicate your support by e-mailing Jim O'Keefe, University Council Chair jokeefe@lesley.edu and/or by attending the meeting.

Location: UH 3-094

Reel Bad Arabs

Please don't miss our next very special film event, “Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People” on Monday, March 22nd at 5:00 pm.

Featuring acclaimed author Dr. Jack Shaheen, “Reel Bad Arabs” examines a long history of degrading images of Arabs portrayed in the America media—from Bedouin bandits, sinister sheikhs, to gun-wielding terrorists. The film offers devastating insights into the origin of these stereotypical and sordid images, and why they matter even more in today's geopolitical world. Shaheen argues how the persistence of these unfavorable representations over time has served to promote and normalize prejudicial attitudes toward Arabs and Arab culture, justifying support for devastating US domestic and international policies in the Arab world.

We believe that it is time to demystify the unfair and racist images that were constructed by the American media and maintained by general ignorance. The choice is up to us to demand fair representation of people of all races and nationalities. The film will be followed by a panel discussion. It is free and open to the public.

Film Duration: 50 minutes
Monday, March 22nd, 5:00 - 7:00 pm, University Hall Amphitheater

http://www.reelbadarabs.com/

Bell Hooks: Cultural Criticism and Transformation

In February of 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a son of former slaves and a Harvard-trained historian, launched Negro History Week as an initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of African Americans. He was disturbed by the large omission and inferior portrayals of the African American population throughout American history. Fifty years later, in 1976, the celebration was expanded to a month.

On Wednesday, February 17^th, in honor of Black History Month, my2cents Multicultural Film series will be featuring " Bell Hooks: Cultural Criticism and Transformation". Bell Hooks is an African American author, feminist, lecturer and social activist. Hooks has exclusively examined and written about the interconnectivity of race, class, and gender, and perpetual systematic oppression and domination. She has published over thirty books and numerous scholarly articles, and has appeared in several documentary films.

At a time when much seems polarized in politics, race, class, gender, and religion, a collective desire for unity comes to surface. This film moves beyond such polarization and invites the audience to consider the complexity involved in dealing with these important issues.

Film Duration: 66 minutes
Time and Location: Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, 12:30 - 2:30pm, University Hall Amphitheater
Panel Members: Professor Dolita Cathcart of Wheaton College and Rev. Canon Edward Rodman of the Episcopal Divinity School

Note: The film contains strong language, and scenes of graphic violence and nudity.

Donation Sites for Haiti Earthquake Victims

Currently accepting nonperishable food items, toiletries, and clothing. Donations are picked up by Big City Radio and taken to the Haitian Embassy.

Perkins Community Center
155 Talbot Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02124
617-635-5146

Mildred Community Center
1-5 Mildred Avenue
Mattapan, MA 02126
617-635-1328

For additional places to donate, visit www.charitywatch.org

Jonathan Kozol: Education Reformer and Activist for Social Equality

Jonathan Kozol, a writer, educator, and activist for social equality is coming to speak on Monday, February 22nd, at 7:00 pm in Prospect Hall at AIB (Art Institute of Boston).

The title of his remarks is “Joy & Justice: The Challenges for Teachers to Keep Their Souls Intact and Spirits High in an Age of Obsessive Testing, Government Rigidity, and Glaring Inequality”.

http://www.learntoquestion.com/seevak/groups/2002/sites/kozol/Seevak02/html/se-open.htm

If you are interested in attending, please look for an email announcement with details in the near future.

AIB
700 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02215-2598