Provocate.org

You don’t have to break the bank by going to the IMA’s summer film series - this film fest is free. View the projects that students from the first annual Campecine Youth Academy have been working on for the past six weeks. Documentaries and animations made in Indianapolis by Latino youth bear alternative names - varriomentaries and issuemations - to reflect the language blending their makers experience.

Themes include current social issues, from race relations in Indianapolis to local and national immigration policy reforms to teen pregnancy, ICE Raids, and education.

From the press release:

The Campecine Youth Academy is a six-week program [of the Latino Youth Collective and FIRME Productions] that trains youth in “on-the-job” action research using new media technology. The program employed 27 youth for 20 hours a week and engaged students in a process called Youth Participatory Action Research, a process that engages young people in
(1) identifying a community issue of concern to them, and
(2) investigating its causes and potential solutions through the use of advanced media technology and inquiry methods. Youth then use the results for education and community action.

Sounds like one way to do a lot of good in the community, and the public gets to bear witness to it all. Added bonus: the event is bilingual! So practice your rusty Spanish - o alternativamente, ensaye un poquito el inglés.

At the IMA, in DeBoest Hall
Saturday from 1-4 pm
Free and open to the public.
http://campecine.com/

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The weekly vigil protesting the US Occupation in Iraq will take place on Fri. July 11 from 4:30-5:30 pm in front of the Federal Building, North and Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center. Bring an appropriate sign or have one provided. For more info, contact Ron or Jane Haldeman at 926-4318 or ronjane@igc.org

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“The Story of Stuff,” a 20-minute video that covers environmental, psychological and social impacts of our consumption oriented society, will be shown on Wed. July 9 at 6 pm in Room 116 at Wheeler Art Center, 1035 Sanders, sponsored by Marion County Green Party, Campaign for Sustainable Economics, The Black and Latino Institute, and Simple Living Group of Indianapolis. Discussion afterwards will be lead by Greg Buck. For more info, contact Greg Buck at ecothink@yahoo.com or 917-1638.

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What do al-Husseini, Hitler, and John Rothmann have in common? They are all going to be featured at Barnes & Noble, of course!*

But the similarities pretty much stop there. Hitler and al-Husseini were perpetrators of crimes against humanity, while Rothmann is the humble co-author of Icon of Evil: Hitler’s Mufti and the Rise of Radical Islam.

The book, which Rothmann co-wrote with David G. Dalin, was released June 24th. It’s got the goods: near-unlimited linguistic resources, access to primary documents, and all the dirt on the honorary Aryan’s support of Hitler and his Final Solution. It’s a page-turner (according to the author’s in-laws) and it’s got verve (according to their publisher).

Publishers Weekly (the 7th review down) and the Middle East Times have given it stamps of approval.

Rothmann will be at the Clearwater Crossing Barnes & Noble in Indianapolis on July 9th at 7:00 p.m. to talk about his work and perhaps sell a few copies. The event promises to be an interesting and thought-provoking one, and plus there will be food.

Barnes & Noble @ Clearwater Crossing

3748 E 82nd St.

Indianapolis, IN 46240

*Thematically only! No in-person appearances by al-Husseini or Hitler

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Premise # 1: Central Indiana is receiving a grwoing number of refugees, which is a good thing but presents all of us with major challenges. Premise #2: At the same time, Hoosiers are working around the world with refugees and displaced persons. The conclusion from these two premises: We have a unique opportunity to help solve problems of poverty and social conflict globally and locally.

(more…)

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We all know that the repression of Tibetan culture, religion and aspirations for independence is bad. Who wouldn’t thrill to the sight of the plucky Dalai Lama being greeted by throngs of cheering Tibetans and Chinese some day when he returns to a democratic Republic of Tibet? If any American would be able to claim a big share of credit for that happening some day, it would be Larry Gerstein, President of the International Tibetan Independence Movement. He’ll debate John Clark of Provocate, who willl explain why China and the US won’t allow that to happen … and together they will try to come up with ideas for how to move ahead. (more…)

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We assume that immigrants coming to the US with and without proper authorization are blessings to their home countirs: after all, remittances are one of the main sources of foreign exchange for Mexico and most Central American countries. But a closer look at villages and towns that now have almost no one of working age, that have most of their kids growing up in families whose parents are working up North … the blessing is mixed. Learn how this affacts us in Indiana. (more…)

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It’s hard work, liberating a proto-country from one of the most powerful and defensive empires left in the world. Hard work, and expensive too. Just ask the International Tibet Independence Movement, which has been organizing a counter-torch relay, and other activities to draw attention to the abuse of Tibetans in China. For just a few dollars you can help out … plus eat Tibetan food, listen to Tibetan music, meet a wide range of Tibetan activists, see a short film. Did we mention Tibetan food? (more…)

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Having reached the 50th anniversary of the great experiment in European integration, it is time to take stock of the united Europe. Has the integration of new members been successful? What does the debate on Turkey’s membership say about the future of EU integration and its changing demographics? (more…)

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There could be no headache awaiting the next president that’s bigger than North Korea, with its nukes and crisis-ridden economy. That’s why James Schoff has to worry that “the six party talks” doesn’t sound like much of a party at all. (more…)

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