(I)Migra/ción Week at Haverford College

Posted by on November 11, 2013

Join the Center for Peace and Global Citizenship at Haverford College for a student organized, week-long series of events that are free and open to the public.

Questions: [email protected].

Monday, 11/11
(I)Migr/arte with Nora H. Litz
James House, 7 – 9:30 PM
Nora Litz is a Philadelphia-based artist who has worked extensively in both the United States and Mexico. In 2011 she created El viaje de los niños (The Journey of the Children), a project that tells the stories of Mexican immigrant children who have crossed the border to come to Philadelphia. Under Nora’s guidance, the children created large-scale dioramas which illustrate their journeys and emotional distress, and the effects immigration on their lives and identities. The dioramas include images of their communities in Mexico and the perils of their crossing. Their voices were recorded as each one chronicled his/her journey. These narrations can be heard in English and Spanish while one is viewing the diorama, thus making our experience of the work all the more profound. Nora’s main goal was, and continues to be, to help these children find their voice through art so that they can begin to express where it hurts and find a way to heal their wounds. During the first part of the event, you will be able to examine the artwork and listen to the stories recorded by the children. Following this, the artist Nora Litz will have an informal conversation with us.

Tuesday, 11/12
(I), Dreamer with Juntos
Ira DeA. Reid House, 7 – 9 PM
Meet the youth of JUNTOS, a Latino immigrant-led community organization in Philadelphia. Listen to their experiences as undocumented migrants in the U.S. and their struggles towards a path to citizenship and for rights. JUNTOS unites immigrants in their roles as workers, parents, and youth, and advocates for human rights.

Wednesday, 11/13
(I), Nadie (No one) Film Screening and Discussion: De Nadie
Multicultural Center (Stokes 106), 7 – 9 PM
The film, De Nadie (English: Border Crossing) paints a picture of the situation faced by Central American migrants who attempt a treacherous crossing through Mexico in hopes of making it to the United States. Through a series of interviews with migrants at varying stages along their journey and with their family members whom they leave behind, the documentary presents an intimate and emotional portrait of the hardships faced by those who attempt to make the crossing.  Come to watch a very powerful documentary about Central American migrants that will give you a glimpse of why people cross Mexico to get to the U.S. and what that journey is like. A discussion and chance for reflection will follow the film led by anthropology Professor Beth Uzwiak. Attending this event will allow you to contextualize Thursday’s talk with Amelia and Friday’s finale talk with Central American migrants Pedro and Amalia.

Thursday, 11/14
(I)Witness Fundraising Dinner and Talk with Amelia Frank-Vitale
CPGC Cafe (dinner), 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Multicultural Center (Stokes 106) (talk), 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Come to learn about the political and economic climate in Central America, one of the world’s most violent regions, from Amelia. Enjoy a nice dinner while helping raise money for Casa Tochan, a migrant shelter in Mexico City that houses aids Central American migrants.
Suggested donation for the fundraiser is $10-$30. The fundraising dinner is open to the first 25 people to reserve a spot, however the talk at 7:00 PM is open to all. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot at the dinner.

Based in Mexico, Amelia is a Fellow with The Institute of Current World Affairs, where she studies and writes about unauthorized migrants en route. She is looking at the intersections among the war on drugs, organized crime groups, party politics, and the varieties of violence faced by Central American migrants who are passing through Mexico in hopes of reaching the United States. Amelia graduated from Yale in 2005 with a degree in Anthropology. A former union organizer, she completed a master’s degree in Ethics, Peace, and Global Affairs at American University in 2011.

Friday, 11/15
(I), Pedro. (I), Amalia. Two talks by Pedro Aguilar and Amalia Melendez Padilla
Lunch and Community Conversation: CPGC Cafe (Stokes 104), 12PM
Evening Talk: Chase Auditorium, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Pedro Aguilar Benegas was born in 1990 in the town of Yoro, Honduras, one of eight children in his family Before leaving Honduras in May 2012, he studied Agriculture for two years. On his way to the U.S., he suffered an accident and was forced to change his migration plans. Today he resides in Mexico City, where he is involved in volunteer work aiding other Central American migrants.

24 year-old Amalia Melendez Padilla is from San Pedro Sula, Honduras. A single mother, she left her son with her parents and migrated to the U.S. En route she was assaulted at an immigration checkpoint in Mexico, and alongside three other women, successfully pressed charges. She received a humanitarian visa and now collaborates in a new migrant shelter outside of Mexico City. She has obtained a U.S. visa to share her advocacy for migrant women to an international audience.

Translation provided

Saturday, 11/16
(I) Reflect Everyone invited
CPGC Cafe, 2:00-3:30 PM
If you were a part of (I)Migra/ción week and feel as though what you learned and experienced was very powerful and emotional and therefore you need a place to reflect with others, please come form a part of this reflection session where together we can talk about how to move forward with our feelings and nuanced knowledge in a productive and meaningful manner.