e-culture: The Value of Cultural Literacy
March 25, 2003
It has been true all along, but never has it been more true than today: Cultural literacy ranks among the most urgent needs in our modern world. After caring for children, relieving famine and ending violence, cultural experience and education is our most necessary humanitarian task. It is a universal need and worldwide crisis, from isolated Zuni Pueblo, to war-torn Iraq, to global Houston.
People are often divided by issues, such as preservation of cultural identity and forced assimilation. Understanding these issues is critical for a better world.
Here are some valuable events, which may well serve as important steps to get involved.
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Cultural Advocate Rigoberta Menchu
Guatemalan activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Rigoberta Menchu will relate her indigenous struggles to September 11 and the war with Iraq during a lecture at the University of Houston on March 26. Her lecture, "Latin America's Indigenous People and the State in the 21st Century and the Current Crisis," will be delivered in Spanish with an English translation.
In 1992, the Nobel committee recognized her advocacy of indigenous Americans and victims of violence in Guatemala's civil war. In 2002, the National Civil Rights Museum gave Menchu the Freedom Award. She is the author of the book "I, Rigoberta Menchu."
The Houston Institute for Culture named Rigoberta Menchu the Cultural Advocate of the Year in 2000, to acknowledge the struggles of all indigenous people for cultural survival.
Menchu will speak on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at 2:30pm in Auditorium 2 of Agnes Arnold Hall at the University of Houston.
http://www.houstonculture.org/temp/menchu.html
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The Value of Cultural Literacy
An Educational Presentation and Discussion:
The Value of Cultural Literacy in the Global Electronic Village
We will explore the role of diverse cultures in politics, economy, environment and media, with a discussion about racism, public attitudes and stereotypes.
Please attend on Thursday, May 8, 2003 in the Olive Branch Room, Mary Knoll House, 2360 Rice Blvd. The program will begin at 7:30pm. The Mary Knoll House is between Rice University and The Village, four doors west of Greenbriar.
Future Educational Programs:
Masking Indian: The Black Indians of New Orleans
We will explore the Mardi Gras Indians' mysterious traditions and their legacy of defiance after slavery through their history, music and photographs.
UH African American Studies Program
Date and time to be announced
Four Directions, Four Cultures, Four Corners... Four Territorial Histories of New Mexico
We will look at the unique peoples and arts of the Southwest through photographs, music and dialogue, and consider modern cultural issues in "the land of enchantment."
Community Artists' Collective
Date and time to be announced
Anasazi (the Ancient Puebloans) and the Modern Navajo
"Listen for Clues" Summer Kids Program at Koinonia Community Center. Adults are welcome, "If you think you're smart enough to compete with kids."
Koinonia Community Center
Date and time to be announced
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Asia/Pacific American Heritage Month
Namita Bodaji Performing Classical Indian Dance
To celebrate Asia/Pacific American Heritage Month, we will feature Namita Bodaji performing classical Indian dance, Bharata Natyam on Sunday, May 5 in Hamman Hall at Rice University.
From Bombay, India, Namita delivers an outstanding artistic program and a great educational experience, as she explains the narrative and complex expressions before each dance. Her performance leaves the audience asking when she will return. Namita last performed in Houston in April 2001.
The event will be sponsored by KTRU, Rice University Radio.
See a photo of Namita: http://www.houstonculture.org/imgpr/namita06.jpg
See more photos: http://www.houstonculture.org/world/namita0104photo.html
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Summer Education Tours and Workshops
A Cultural History of the Western United States and Mexico
May 24 - June 1
We will visit sites important to our cultural history, including San Javier Del Bac, Casas Grandes and the Cochise Stronghold.
http://www.houstonculture.org/terra/cochise.html
The Creoles of the Cane River
July 4 - 6
We will follow the historic King's Road to Louisiana where we will explore French and Spanish colonial history in Natchitoches, as well as the historic Melrose Plantation, part of the Cane River Creole National Historical Park.
http://www.houstonculture.org/terra/king.html
Western Canyon Explorers Adventure
Dates to be announced
We will search for the contradictions of the American hero John Wesley Powell in Glenn Canyon (Lake Powell), Grand Canyon, and the red rock slot canyons of Navajoland. Participation will be limited due to equipment logistics. Let us know soon if you are interested.
Fall educational adventures:
Traditional Indian Dances at Acoma Pueblo (Sky City)
Coming September, 2003
The Tarahumara of Copper Canyon
Coming November, 2003
http://www.houstonculture.org/terra/copper.html
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In the Works - Getting Involved
New Volunteers/General Interest
A New Volunteers/General Interest Meeting will be held at Napoli Flying Pizza on Wednesday, April 2 at 7:30pm. Call 713-521-3686, or send an email to info@houstonculture.org, for more information.
Napoli Flying Pizza is located at 4820 W. Bellfort Street in the Meyerland Plaza, about one block east of Post Oak. For directions, call (713) 726-1166.
September 11 Cultural Literacy Project
We are in the planning stages of next September's event. We tentatively plan to focus on the changing image of the United States in the world view between September 11, 2001 and the War in Iraq. Attending the General Interest Meeting on April 2 is one way to get involved in the planning. We will let you know of future opportunities.
We plan to organize several International Town Plaza social/educational programs, when the time is appropriate.
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Visible Magazine, the Second Edition
Rose Mary Salum, author of "Between the Spaces", and Monika Hallqvist, Houston Institute for Culture board member, have produced the second issue of Visible Magazine, the magazine that celebrates the excellence of Hispanic and Latin American art, culture and literature.
The Spring 2003 issue features the landscape and portrait photography of Gabriel Figueroa Flores and the sculpture of Juan Munoz. Other stories include the "Big Rambling House" (cosona) of Seminario XII and the Cuban flutist Maraca, as well as Mexican cinema and the Hispanic romance languages. The stories appear in both Spanish and English.
The magazine will be available after the first week of April at 56 Borders locations throughout the region.
http://www.visiblemagazine.com
We will soon update our calendar with great April festivals in Texas and in our neighboring states, like the Japan Festival, Basant Bahar, Houston International Festival, Fiesta San Antonio and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. There are many great events to look forward to, including Los Lobos performing on Cinco de Mayo, and the Dragon Boat Races on Buffalo Bayou. We may dust off the little boat, Jornada de Cabeza de Vaca, to help keep the course clear on what we expect will be a bright sunny day. Any volunteers?
Stay tuned:
http://www.houstonculture.org/cal/apr.html
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M a r k @houstonculture.org
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info@houstonculture.org
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janni@houstonculture.org
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mark@houstonculture.org
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