April 18: Hear Steve Smith explain why Mexico is in crisis, and why we should care

Dr. Steve Jones of IUPUI discusses the causes and possible solutions of Mexico's crises

When: Wednesday April 18, -- talk 11-12, lunch 12:00-12:45

Where: North United Methodist Church, N. Meridian St. at 38th St.

The results of Mexico’s presidential election are nearly too close to call, how will this result effect the new Mexican administration’s policies? Can Felipe Calderon successfully reform Mexico’s policies on energy, trade and border security and strengthen relations with the United States?

Dr. Steven Jones, is Coordinator of the Office of Service Learning in the Center for Service and Learning (CSL) at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). Prior to joining CSL, he was the Associate Director of the Integrating Service with Academic Studies project at Campus Compact from 2002-2004. Steven received a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Utah in 1995 and was an associate professor of political science at the University of Charleston from 1995-2002 where he also served as the Director of the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Government Studies. He edited the second edition of Campus Compact’s Introduction to Service Learning Toolkit and is a co-author of two other Campus Compact monographs, The Community’s College: Indicators of Engagement at Two-Year Institutions and The Promise of Partnerships: Tapping into the Campus as a Community Asset. His most recent publication, with Jim Perry, Quick Hits for Education Citizens, is part of FACET's Quick Hits Series.

Steve's talk is part of the Mid-North Shepherd Center's Great decisions series. Questions? Contact 317-924-0959 or mnscenter@aol.com

April 25: Susan Erickson discusses why we need to care about migration in a global economy

IUPUI's Susan Erickson explains why we need to care about migrations other than from Mexico to Indianapolis

When: Wednesday April 25, talk from 11 to noon, lunch from noon to 12:30

Where: Where: North United Methodist Church, N. Meridian St. at 38th St.

The movement of people across international borders can be initiated by conflict, economic reasons or the chance to achieve political freedoms. Migration issues have taken center-stage in the U.S. and EU, as citizens increasingly worry about job security and terrorism. What are the advantages and disadvantages for countries that are affected by migration?

Although Susan Erickson specializes in American politics, particularly in campaign finance and the media's role in politics, she also teaches courses on international relations and Asian politics. She has carried out extensive research in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Hungary, and Poland. Ms Erickson frequently appears as a political commentator on television, and is a great favorite of the Mid-North Shepherd Center's Great decisions series. Questions? Contact 317-924-0959 or mnscenter@aol.com.

Through the end of January: Move yourself to Big Car for an exhibit of art inspired by Mexican protests

Local artist Sarah Zeta Zuckerman shows "Carteles" at Big Car Gallery (Fountain Square)

When: Through the end of January
Where: Big Car Fountain Square 1043 Virginia Ave. Suite 215 Indianapolis 46203

IndyBuzz's "First Friday" pick for January was "Carteles" [Spanish for "poster"], the Big Car opening of Sarah Zeta Zuckerman's solo exhibition, featuring works of art inspired by political and environmental brutality witnessed by the artist. "Carteles" is an assortment of small drawings, yard signs, clothing, and paintings. The art is priced low, says Zuckerman, "in an attempt to put it out on the streets and in the hands of the masses. Given its cutting-edge, socialist, and contemporary philosophies on the nature of art and its public accessibility, Big Car Gallery was natural fit for this body of work."

The catalysts for the exhibition, Zuckerman says, were public school teachers' demonstrations and police brutality that ravaged the Mexican city and state of Oaxaca. While studying indigenous art in the Oaxaca over the summer, she witnessed the government-ordered police brutality during a peaceful demonstration led by public school teachers, parents, and students protesting for higher teacher wages. As a public school teacher (teaching art at Indianapolis Public Schools' The Key Learning Community), Zuckerman had a great deal of interest and investment in the plight of the teachers. She describes how beginning June 14, 2006, police brutality rained down from helicopter and riot squads, inflaming the demonstrators, and turning a once peaceful city into a war zone. Naturally, this deeply affected millions of families throughout the entire state of Oaxaca, Mexico. 1.3 million public school children did not begin the August semester, and the majority of public school buildings stood empty, while the government headquarters in town had been seized and occupied by members of the revolting APPO party. The protest began May 22, and is still underway, gaining momentum and members from various leftist groups and agencies.

Sarah Zuckerman is an active participant of almost every field of cutting-edge art and culture in Indianapolis, from teaching to dance to the spoken word ... plus she was winner of "Masterpiece in a Day."

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out some of the others related to Mexico coming up. Craig Auchter talks about Mexico on February 7, and Steve Smith addresses the topic February 20. For a perspective about another marginalized group in Mexico, see "African Blood," the film about African-Mexicans at IMA February 22. Conflict and poverty elsewhere in Latin America are topics featured by two of Marian College's Franciscan Center for Global Studies speakers: an official from the World Bank talks about post-conflict Central America; and an influential priest talks about the Catholic Church's work in Latin America.

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January 20: Watch high school brainiacs do battle at the Academic WorldQuest Tournament

Qualifying competition for an Indianapolis high school team of geniuses to represent the city in a national tournament of international knowledge and (let's be honest) trivia

When: Saturday January 20 1:00 PM
Where: Marian College Stokely Mansion 3200 Cold Spring Road

Academic WorldQuest is widely played at the adult and high school levels around the country. It is a team game testing competitors' knowledge of international affairs, geography, history, and culture. You can find out about it here. The World Affairs Councils of America holds a national competition for high schools in DC in April. Last year the Indiana Council on World Affairs sponsored a team from Lawrence North High School ... despite it being their first exposure to the compeition, they did very well. (LNHS: More than just basketball.) This year there will be a competition at Marian College to select the representative to the DC tournament. It will be grueling, check out last year's questions. IndyBuzz has a dream of staging a WorldQuest tournament for all comers in Indianapolis next year, let's check out the competition at Marian College on January 20.

Stretch your brain with questions from last year's Academic WorldQuest. If you plan to attend, please contact Janet Jegen by email or phone (849-2691) so that there will be enough chairs and refreshments for everyone.

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February 7: Figure out what is happening in Mexico and why we should care

Craig Auchter discusses Mexico as part of the Church of the Saviour Great Decisions series

When: Wednesday, February 7 7:00 PM
Where: Church of the Saviour, 6205 Rucker Road Indianapolis

The results of Mexico's presidential election were nearly too close to call: how will this result affect the new Mexican administration's policies? Can Felipe Calderón successfully reform Mexico's policies on energy, trade and border security and strengthen relations with the United States? Prof. Craig Auchter is the chair of the department of political science at Butler University, and is one of the area's leading experts on democracy and social change in Latin America. Sponsored by the Bob Calhoun Memorial Great Decisions Series.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out the ICWA's Great Decisions discussion of Mexico on February 20. And visit the exhibit of art inspired by conflicts in Oaxaca at Big Car through the end of January.

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February 14: Join Susan Erickson for a discussion of International Migrations

Susan Erickson on International Migrations for the Church of the Saviour Great Decisions series

When: Wednesday, February 14 7:00 PM
Where: Church of the Saviour, 6205 Rucker Road Indianapolis

The movement of people across international borders can be initiated by conflict, economic reasons or the chance to achieve political freedoms. Migration issues have taken center-stage in the U.S. and EU, as citizens increasingly worry about job security and terrorism. What are the advantages and disadvantages for countries that are affected by migration?

Although Susan Erickson specializes in American politics, particularly in campaign finance and the media's role in politics, she also teaches courses on international relations and Asian politics. She has carried out extensive research in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Hungary, and Poland. Ms Erickson frequently appears as a political commentator on television, and is a great favorite of the Bob Calhoun Memorial Great Decisions Series.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out the ICWA's Great decisions discussion of global migration on February 27. The Great Decisions discussions of Mexico February 7 and February 20 will be useful, as will be a contrasting perspective of Africans in France on January 19.

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February 20: Talk about what should be done to help our troubled (and sometimes troubling) neighbor Mexico

Steve Jones of IUPUI leads a discussion of Mexico for the Indiana Council on World Affairs Great Decisions Series

When: Tuesday February 20 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Butler University, Pharmacy Building

Dr. Steven Jones, is Coordinator of the Office of Service Learning in the Center for Service and Learning (CSL) at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). Prior to joining CSL, he was the Associate Director of the Integrating Service with Academic Studies project at Campus Compact from 2002-2004. Steven received a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Utah in 1995 and was an associate professor of political science at the University of Charleston from 1995-2002 where he also served as the Director of the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Government Studies. He edited the second edition of Campus Compact’s Introduction to Service Learning Toolkit and is a co-author of two other Campus Compact monographs, The Community’s College: Indicators of Engagement at Two-Year Institutions and The Promise of Partnerships: Tapping into the Campus as a Community Asset. His most recent publication, with Jim Perry, Quick Hits for Education Citizens, is part of FACET's Quick Hits Series.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out the Great Decisions discussion of Mexico led by Craig Auchter February 7. Drive to Big Car for art inspired by social conflicts in Oaxaca. Hear about what the Catholic Church is doing in Latin America on February 13. And make sure you hear the Great Decisions discussions of global migration on February 14 and February 27.

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February 22: Learn about Africans in Mexico with the film "AFRICAN BLOOD" at IMA

As part of its "Africans in the Americas" series, IMA shows "African Blood," a documentary by Roberto Olivares featuring testimonies, reflections, and powerful cultural expressions made by contemporary Afro-Mestizos who live in the Costa Chica region, in the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero.

When: Thursday February 22 7:00 PM
Where: Indianapolis Museum of Art DeBoest Lecture Hall (Free)

Mexican identity is often assumed to be a fusion between Indigenous and European cultures. This documentary gives voice to the people of the Costa Chica region in the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero of Mexico. They carry a little-known legacy: Afro-Mestizo, or Afro-Mexican culture. Roberto Olivares's film features displays of African traditions: men in masks and costumes resembling West African bush devils to dance on All Saints' Day. An elderly woman reminisces about growing up in a redondo, a round mud house with a thatched roof similar to those found in Africa. A musician plays an instrument made from a pumpkin that mimics a tiger's roar. Women carry items on their heads. Through testimonies, reflections and powerful cultural expressions, we witness their struggle to strengthen and claim their own identity and their African roots. In Spanish with English subtitles. Free!

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out some other films shown at IMA about Africans in America: "Favela Rising" on February 8, and RIZE February 15.

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April 25- May 4: Make a priority to attend the marvelous Indianapolis International Film Festival

April 25- May 4
Indianapolis International Film Festival