A documentary film screening and discussion series on immigration in America will take place in Little Rock over the next six weeks.
The National Endowment for the Humanities has given a $1,300 grant to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Ottenheimer Library and Anderson Institute on Race and Ethnicity as well as to Philander Smith College, the Central Arkansas Library System and El Zocalo Immigrant Resource Center to put on the events.
The series is titled "Becoming American: A Documentary Film and Discussion Series on Our Immigrant Experience."
The events are free and open to the public. They will feature film screenings and discussions led by UALR scholars "designed to encourage an informed discussion of immigration issues against the backdrop of our immigration history," a UALR news release states.
Discussions will include topics such as immigration and work, the history of immigration in America, prejudice against immigrants and immigration in popular culture.
The events are:
• Thursday, 6 p.m., University of Arkansas at Little Rock Downtown. "The Century of Immigration: 1820-1934" chronicles the period when 40 million immigrants entered the United States, making immigration a major and defining aspect of American life. Film excerpts from New York: A Documentary Film and The Jewish Americans followed by a discussion led by Marta Cieslak, assistant professor of history.
• March 14, 5:30 p.m., Williams Library. "Between Two Worlds: Identity and Acculturation" looks at how immigrants react and adjust to living in a new country and culture, and how they bridge the divide between the traditions and values of their native countries. Film excerpts from The New Americans followed by a discussion led by Neveen Shafeek Amin, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology.
• March 23, 3 p.m., Dee Brown Library. "Family and Community" explores how family ties and community institutions have played an essential role in successful migration and adaptation to American life. Film excerpts from My American Girls followed by a discussion led by Adriana Lopez-Ramirez, assistant professor of sociology.
• March 26, 5:30 p.m., UALR Ottenheimer Library, Room 535. "Promise and Prejudice" explores the tension, both historic and current, between Americans' acceptance of immigrants, including the celebration of their own immigrant heritage, and the periodic backlash prompted by concern about the economic and cultural effects of newcomers. Film excerpts from Welcome to Shelbyville followed by a discussion led by Brian Mitchell, assistant professor of history.
• April 11, 6 p.m., Nixon Library. "Help Wanted? Immigration and Work" looks at the economic side of immigration, chronicling the essential part immigrant labor has played in building America, as well as the conflicted relationship American workers have had with immigrants. Film excerpt of Destination America followed by a discussion led by Mitchell.
• April 16, 7 p.m., Ron Robinson Theater. "Immigration and Popular Culture" examines the ways media and popular culture have historically taught newcomers how to "be American" and how contributions of different immigrant groups have changed American culture and art. Film excerpt of The Search for General Tso followed by a discussion led by Andrew Amstutz, assistant professor of history.
Metro on 03/05/2019