The American Dream Event Series
The fall semester kicked off the yearlong 10th anniversary celebration of the Winston Center. The Center expanded its reach across campus by collaborating with various University groups and departments. In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the first labor union in the United States, we and Patricia Riggin (Theatre) conceptualized and presented the three-part听American Dream Event Series. The first event on October 11 featured Christine Chavez, granddaughter of the late civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, and coincided with Hispanic Heritage Month. It was co-sponsored by the Thea Bowman Hispanic Heritage Committee and Latinos@情色空间. Chavez, a civil rights and labor movement activist in her own right, talked about her grandfather鈥檚 work and her efforts to continue his legacy in protecting the rights of farm workers. She reaffirmed her grandfather鈥檚 belief that partnerships with other civil rights groups and leaders, such as those he had with Martin Luther King and Harvey Milk, are more effective in lending a louder voice to the plight and rights of all citizens.
The following evening, Professor John Michalczyk (Film Studies) introduced the film听Salt of the Earth听(1954), which chronicled a labor strike at a New Mexico mining company by predominantly Mexican-American workers fighting for wage equity and safe and healthy working conditions. Professor Lynn Lyerly (History) led the post-movie discussion, reflecting on the various themes that emerged in the film. Among these were gender role and identity, as the film showed that the status of women was elevated and crucial to the strike鈥檚 success, particularly given the time period and cultural norms of the Latino family.
Rounding out the week鈥檚 events was a panel discussion,听The听Labor Movement: From Yesterday to Today,听which focused on the historical, legal, economic, and political implications of unions and the working person.听Barry Bluestone of听Northeastern University,听Donna Blythe-Shaw,听formerly of the United Steelworkers of America,听State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry '97, of the听1st Suffolk District, and Professors Lynn Johnson (History) and David Twomey (Business Law) served on the panel, moderated by Ben Birnbaum from the Office of Marketing Communications.听The event was held at Robsham Theater against the backdrop of the set for the Riggin-directed听Waiting for Lefty听and听Still Waiting, which opened that evening.听Lefty, a Clifford Odetts play about an impending taxi driver labor strike, was followed by three labor union-themed short plays by playwrights Melinda Lopez,听Kate Snodgrass, and听Sheri Wilner.