Dr. Sarah Portnoy, Professor of Latinx Food Studies and Food Justice, producer of
"Abuelita's Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories", introduced the documentary to SMC studens
on March 30, 2023. This event was part of the celebration to recogniz the lifework
of Cesár Chávez and Dolores Huerta.
Following the documentary, plates of barbacóa, rice, beans, and agua fresca was given
to students, funded by the Associated Students, from Tirzah's Mexi-terranean restaurant.
A D.J., funded by the Global Citizenship Committee, played music on the Quad with
a playlist that captured the spirit of the celebration of Cesar Chavez and Dolores
Huerta, including music that celebrated Mexican culture, Latin American heritage and
songs with themes of social justice and equality.
Matika Wilbur Closing Ceremony
Art Department & Decolonizing the Academy Committee
Widely acclaimed photographer, writer, podcaster, and public speaker, Matika Wilbur,
wraps up her one year residency at Santa Monica College. Wilbur delivered closing
remarks about her book, the accompanying gallery exhibition, and spoke about the student-focused
workshops and activities she led over the past months.
"Attending Matika Wilbur's closing ceremony on May 15, 2023, was very inspiring to
learn how ambitious she was to showcase the known and unknown indigenous tribes in
the United States and how she was affected by each of the connections she made ...
The main point that stood out in Matika's closing remarks was how indigenous mothers
are forced to surrender their aggressiveness once they have a child. Historically,
women were not allowed to be vigorous or dominant with their counterparts, which has
dictated how women respond. Yet, throughout colonization and imperialization, indigenous
women could not afford to be weak because their communities were being massacred.
As Matika explained, indigenous women had to sacrifice being aggressive and violent
because it would affect how they raised their children. Instead, indigenous women
had to learn to become more patient and gentle to support and guide their kids. This
part of her presentation stood out to me because I had not thought about surrendering
our aggressiveness to benefit ourselves and others. I was moved to hear that because
I believe this was a sign for me to become more compassionate and kind to myself,
especially during times of urgency. I've realized not everything has to be a battle
and it's okay to make mistakes." - Brigette A.
"The Matika Wilbur exhibition was a fantastic experience and I am so glad I went to
this event. I found Matika's story so inspiring that she sold everything she had so
she can go accross the country to take pictures. She's a free spirit and dropped everything
to do something that she is proud and passionate of. I really like how she uses her
platform to share the stories to the people she photographs; [especially] the story
of the man who traveled across states by foot to get an education, and now the university
has honored him. This story really resonated with me because I am first generation
American so I can relate with having someone travel that far for a better life." -
José Ramos
Roya Hakakian's Talk about the Women's Movement in Iran
Professor Elham Gheytanchi, Philosophy & Social Sciences
Writer and founding member of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, Roya Hakakian,
spoke about the ongoing Women's Movement in Iran after the death of 22-year-old woman,
Mahsa Amini.
"My motivation to invite Roya Hakakian was to have an opportunity for SMC students,
faculty, staff and the greater public to acquire an in-depth understanding of the
struggle of young Iranian women inside Iran in the latest uprising that started about
a year ago. The speaker is a long time activist who has also presented to Congress
and in front of the Foreign Relations Committee in Washington, DC.
In her talk, Roya informed the audience about Iranian peoples' longtime struggle for
democracy that, in her view, started century ago with the Constitutional Revolution
of 1906-1911. The revolution of 1979 was hijacked by the extreme Islamists and the
people of Iran have risen up many times since then to end the theocracy. The religious
government based on a strict interpretation of Shia Islam has formed a mafia-like
chain of command that has benefited their own inner circle and other extremists in
the Middle East and North Africa region.
Roya's talk contributed to a broad sense of global citizenship as she identified the
theocratic Iranian government and its military wing called IRGG, which is--economically
as well as ideologically--heavily invested not just in Iran, but also in Yemen, Iraq,
Afghanistan and Lebanon. The young women in Iran, like their counterparts in the US
and other parts of the world, yearn for freedom from the yoke of their government
and Roya highlighted why their struggles matters most for the women of the whole MENA
(Middle East and North Africa)." - Professor Gheytanchi
"The 'women movement in Iran' talk was for the great cause of freedom in Iran and
the women role in the ongoing revolution. It was very well organized and informative
for the community on the west side. I hope to see more events like this in Santa Monica
College." - SMC student
Addressing Equity in Healthcare: Open Panel for SMC & the Community
Professor Collin Ellis, Biological Sciences & the SMC Pre-Health Professional Association
Dr. Marco Angulo and Dr. Jennifer Lucero spoke to pre-health SMC students about the
shortage of primary care clinicians in the U.S. and the necessity to practice medicine
in undeserved communities.
Matika Wilbur Keynote Address
Art Department & Decolonizing the Academy Committee
Matika Wilbur is a member of the Swinomish and Tulalip Tribes from Washington State.
She created and runs Project 562, a multi-year national photography project dedicated
to photographing over 562 federally recognized Tribes in the United States resulting
in an unprecedented repository of imagery and oral histories that accurately portrays
contemporary Native Americans.
Matika Wilbur Keynote Address
Living with Ice: Glaciers and Climate Change
Professor Christyanne Melendez, Earth Science
Geographer, glaciologist, TED Fellow, and National Geographic Society Explorer Dr.
M. Jackson has dedicated her life to examining climate change where people and melting
ice meet. In her talk, she speaks about her experience living and working directly
with communities impacted by climate change - specifically melting glaciers. Dr. M.
Jackson alse shares her insights and offers an inclusive approach to understanding
climate change.
Living with Ice: Glaciers and Climate Change
South Korea: Art of Lotus Lantern Making and Technology Today
Professor Juhyeon Cha, Modern Languages and Cultures
With the help of the Korean Spirit & Culture Promotion Program (KSCPP), participants
learned how to make beautiful Korean lotus lanterns. The lotus flower symbolizes Buddha’s
compassion and pure mind. It also represents creation, birth, and reproduction and
is one of the most important symbols in Korean culture. The KSCPP workshop also touched
on the technology advancements in South Korea.
A total of 92 people came and participated in the event, including Superintendent
and President, Dr. Kathryn Jeffery.
Participants said:
I liked “the opportunity to learn about the wonderful cultural heritage of Korea,
the uniqueness of their language and their celebration of compassion and altruism.”
“I enjoyed learning about the history and social aspects of Korea in addition to learning
about the lotus flower's roots.”
“I liked that there were people to help you when you needed it and the history of
Korea and the reason behind the event. I also loved that the teachers were willing
to wear their beautiful hanboks (Korean traditional dress).”
2021-2022 Global Grants Events and Projects
Professor Shannon Herbert, English
A community read of "Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation" by Adrienne Maree Brown throughout the course of the Fall semester with an event
on October 14, 2021 with the author.
Professor Luke Johnson, Design Technology, and Sheila Cordova, Design Technology
The University Fellows Program is a program that offers structured guidance and training
and asks that students bring this knowledge back to their home school to use this
knowledge to create innovative projects on their home campus. It aims to drive change
on the Fellow’s home campuses and increase student engagement with entrepreneurship,
innovation, creativity, and design thinking.
4 SMC students participated in the 6 week online program with other college students
from around the USA and other countries.
2020-2021 Global Grants Events and Projects
Professor Brandon Reilly, History
A series of three speakers who introduce to the campus at large various topics relating
to global Filipino culture.
October 8, 2020: Jean-Paul deGuzman - “From 1898 to 2020: Filipinxs and Black Lives” October 13, 2020: Terrie Cervas and Audine Tayag, GABRIELA, USA - "Filipina Women's Struggle for Liberation Under US Imperialism." October 27, 2020: Anthony Ocampo - "The Latinos of Asia: How Filipino Americans Break the Rules of Race."
Professor Elham Gheytanchi, Philosophy and Social Sciences
Mr. Shervin Khorranian, director of RAHA International, will lead speak on the lives
LGBTQ persons whose rights are denied in Iran. Awareness promotes cross-cultural understanding
among the SMC community about the obstacles faced by LGBTQs of Iranian descent.
Ferris Kawar, Sustainability
Student Sustainability Workshops in fall semester 2020 and spring semester 2021. The
student workshops combine hands-on real-world experiences with topic-based group workshops
to create an all-encompassing understanding about environmental issues, solutions,
and career opportunities in sustainability fields. The workshops are a way for students
to connect with faculty, student groups, and administrators interested in promoting
a culture of sustainability on campus.
Professor Alexandra Tower, LIfe Sciences
Grant for the purchase of air quality sensors to be placed around the SMC campuses.
The data collected from the sensors will provide information on the localized indoor
and outdoor air quality at SMC. The data is publicized freely and shared with local
agencies including the SCAQMD. It can be used by SMC faculty in course work and projects
and will also augment the global air quality database.
Professor Shannon Herbert, English
A community read of Professor Gina Garcia's book, Becoming Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Opportunities for Colleges and Universities
(Reforming Higher Education: Innovation and the Public Good), throughout the course of the Spring semester that will include stakeholders from across
the campus who will read and present chapters from the book. The semester will conclude
with a webinar with Professor Garcia to discuss the framework for an institution to
better serve its Latinx students.
Professor Sheila Laffey, Film Studies
This informative series of film screenings and panel discussions included films centered
on environmental and sustainability issues.
September 21, 2020: A screening of The River and the Wall followed by a discussion and audience Q & A with Professor Sheila Laffey, Film Studies
and the SMC Natural History Club.
October 12, 2020: A screening of Love Thy Nature followed by a discussion and audience Q & A with the Director Sylvie Rokab.
November 2, 2020: A screening of Hawai'i Eco Stories: We All Need the Forest and In the Middle of the Sea, followed by discussion and audience Q & A with Professor Cathi Miller, ECE, and Professor
Sheila Laffey, Film Studies.
November 23, 2020: A screening of The Condor and the Eagle followed by a discussion and audience Q & A with Professor Sheila Laffey and the
SMC Brazil Club.
April 5, 2021: A screening of Fantastic Fungi followed by a discussion and audience Q & A with Director Louie Schwartzburg.
April 26, 2021: A screening of Kiss the Ground followed by a discussion and audience Q & A with Producer Bill Benenson and Patrick
Latting from Compost Culture.
May 10, 2021: A screening of Gather followed by a discussion and audience Q and A with Director Sanjay Rawal.
Professor Gillian Grebler, Earth Science
SMC's Earth Science department has developed a number of for-credit and noncredit
courses in sustainability, providing a growing hub for academic, experiential and
applied sustainability teaching which is called EcoLearningSMC. Guest speakers are
integral to these courses. Funding for nine guest speakers was provided by SMC Global
Citizenship.
2019-2020 Global Grants Events and Projects
Professor John Quevedo, Math
September 26, 2019: Screening of documentary, "Hailing Cesar", followed by a Q and
A with Eduardo Chavez, grandson of Cesar Chavez. The film describes his experience
of learning more about his iconic grandfather. The film reflects on the lifelong efforts
by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta to unionize farmworkers to demand justice for workers'
rights, civil rights, and immigrant rights.
Professor Sheila Laffey, Film Studies
This informative series of film screenings and panel discussions included films centered
on environmental and sustainability issues.
September 23, 2019: A screening of The Earthing followed by a discussion and audience
Q & A with the film producers, Josh and Rebecca Tickell.
October 7, 2019: A screening of Bringing It Home followed by a discussion and audience
Q & A with the Professor Sheila Laffey, Film Studies.
October 28, 2019: A screening of Free Willy followed by discussion and audience Q
& A with producers, Jenny Tugend and Lauren Donner.
March 2, 2020: A screening of Into the Wild followed by a discussion and audience
Q & A with Actor Emile Hirsch.
2018-2019 Global Grant Events and Projects
Professor Poliana Raymer, Life Sciences
SMC has many reasons to be proud of its sustainability initiatives. This grant proposed
by the Environmental Affairs Committee funded signage throughout the campus to highlight
some of the sustainability projects that have been completed. The signage helps make
students aware of the existence of these following exemplary projects:
Central Plant:
Below this building is a system that chills liquid glycol which is used to chill water
used as a refrigerant in air conditioners around campus.
Cistern:
Below this grass is a cistern that traps up to 75,000 gallons of water. This trapped
water is slowly returned to the aquifer through natural filtration to replenish groundwater.
Organic Learning Garden:
The Organic Learning Garden allows students to grow their own food and understand
food systems.
Solar Water Heaters:
On the roof of the CORE Performance Center, water is heated by the sun for showers.
Solar Panels:
On top of parking lots 3 & 4 are solar panels that produce electricity saving SMC
over $100,000 per year.
Worm Composting:
Behind the cafeteria, over 400,000 worms eat through 250-300 lbs of food scraps each
week transforming the food into nutrient-rich soil for SMC campus plants.
Professor Sri Susilowati, Dance
This grant funded the design and manufacture of costumes for SMC's Global Motion Dance
Company that were used in performances on The Broad Stage and other venues. Global
Motion has always been a partner with SMC Global Citizenship and has provided free
performances at Global Citizenship events such as IEW week student activities.
Professor Sheila Laffey, Film Studies
This informative series of film screenings and panel discussions included films centered
on environmental and sustainability issues.
Tuesday, September 25th: A screening of Vanishing of the Bees was followed by a discussion
and audience Q & A with co-director/producer/cinematographer, George Langworthy. This
film examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds
about the relationship between humanity and mother earth.
Tuesday, October 16th: A screening of Erin Brockovich was followed by a discussion
and audience Q & A with the film's producers, Carla and Michael Shamberg, on the making
of the film and how Ms. Brockovich continues to be an activist in the fight against
water contamination and other environmental issues.
Tuesday, November 13th: A screening of Rock the Boat: Saving America's Wildest River,
a unique documentary on the LA River which uses river images, insightful interviews,
and humor to examine the challenges society faces providing clean water to urban populations.
A discussion and audience Q & A with Award-winning director/producer Thea Mercouffer
and kayaker George Wolfe followed the screening.
Thursday, March 7th: A screening of The Last Stand: Heroes of the Ballona Wetlands was following by a discussion with co-director, Sheila Laffey and the SMC Eco Action
Club. This film examines the preservation of the Ballona Wetlands not far from SMC.
Thursday, April 4th: A screening of Straws was followed by a discussion and audience Q & A with the SMC Plastic Free Club. This
film that examines the problems caused by plastic pollution.
Thursday, April 25th: A screening of Evolution of Organic was followed by a discussion and Q & A with the SMC Grow Club. This film is a documentary
about the rise of organic agriculture.
Thursday, May 16th: A screening of Nourish: Food + Community was followed by a discussion and audience Q & A with the SMC Grow Club. This film
traces mankind's relationship to food from a global perspective.
Professor Jihyeon Cha, Modern Languages October 16, 2018
Hangul is the Korean alphabet system of beautiful characters that is registered as
a UNESCO Memory of World Heritage. In Korea, October 9th is Korean Alphabet Day aka
Hangul Day. In an October 16th workshop, over 100 students, interested family members,
and the local community had a hands-on experience of writing Korean characters using
the traditional tools and ink as they learned about Korean culture, language, and
customs. Each participant took home a souvenir of his or her name written in Hangul
by a professional Korean Calligrapher. The Korean American Calligraphy Association
provided the instructors.
Professor Brianna Simmons, Art September 25, 2018
Artist Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan presented a workshop for students on the making of
Milagros, Mexican tin charms. Besides their unique beauty, these charms are also used
to address social issues such as migration and labor. Students considered how object
making and activism intersect and can lead to dialogues and solutions about issues
of social justice. Then each student designed and created their own Milagro.
Professor Hari Vishwanadha, English
Tuesday, September 18th: "The Luminous Heart of Jonah S." - A reading by Gina Nahai
Iranian-American author, Gina Nahai, is a bestselling author, columnist, and emeritus
professor of Creative Writing at USC whose novels have been translated into eighteen
languages and have won numerous awards.
Thursday, November 1st: "Multiculturalism and Feminist Struggles: a discussion with
Mari Naomi on her graphic memoir, "Turning Japanese" Mari Naomi is an award-winning
Japanese-American graphic novelist and artist whose comics and paintings have been
displayed in such institutions as the Smithsonian and the Japanese American Museum.
Wednesday, March 27th: A Student of History - A reading by Nina Revoyr The novels of Japanese-American author, Nina Revoyr, are centered on the people and
neighborhoods of Los Angeles that are often left out of mainstream stories.
Tuesday, April 23rd: A discussion with Maja Mataric Maja Mataric is a Serbian-American author, computer scientist and co-director of the
Robotics Research Lab at USC. She spoke about the social and ethical implications
of the use of robots in society.
Professor Elizabeth Dastin, Art February 21, 2019
A session of the art and history themed podcast Art Attack was presented by artist Justin Bua and Professor Lizy Dastin. Art Attack is a live
discussion centered on topical and historical art world happenings and the intersection
of public art and activism.
2017-2018 Global Grant Events and Projects
Lisa Moss, Senior Career Services Advisor/Internship Coordinator, Career Services
Center May 22, 2018
The theme for this year's fair was Take the Leap. Over 80+ employers including many from international organizations were given the
opportunity to visit SMC and meet our outstanding students and to recruit SMC students
as interns/volunteers for their organizations.
Professor Jennifer Hsieh, Physical Science April 21, 2018
The SMC Chemistry Club hosted a one day Family STEM Festival for community participants
ages preschool to high school to celebrate Earth Day. There were workshops, experiments,
Planetarium shows, and games.
Professor Catherine Miller, Early Childhood Education April 6, 2018
Rikke Rosengren gave a presentation on Danish forest kindergartens. In addition to
describing the philosophy behind this active, outdoor-oriented model of early childhood
education, Rosengren discussed her own experiences as owner-director of the Børneøen
Bonsai school located on the rural outskirts of Copenhagen.
Professor Carol Davis, English March 29, 2018
Catherine Sweetser, Co-Director, International Human Rights Clinic, UCI School of
Law, spoke about the fight for international human rights through the US courts and
discussed some of her cases including those pertaining to corporations engaged in
human trafficking and the CIA's torture program in the War on Terror.
Professor Hari Vishwanadha, English March 22, 2018
Chinese-American poet, Victoria Chang read from her latest book of poems which celebrates
the intersection and interaction of diverse cultural traditions across international
boundaries.
Professor Hari Vishwanadha, English November 30, 2017
Author Nushin Arbabzabah spoke at an event about her book, Afghan Rumor Bazaar: Secret
Sub-cultures, Hidden Worlds, and the Everyday Life of the Absurd. The book is a study
of new media and youth cultures of contemporary Afghanistan.
Professor Janet Harclerode, ESL November 14, 2017
Robert Williams, documentary linguist, and professor of linguistics at the American
University in Cairo spoke about his work documenting Uncunwee, an endangered language
spoken in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan and in refugee communities in North Khartoum,
Sudan, and Cairo. Egypt.
Professor Delphine Broccard, Communications November 16, 2017
Award-winning poet, writer, performer, educator, and speaker Denice Frohman performed
a variety of poetic pieces and spoke with students about the intersectionality of
race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality and the "in-betweenness" that exists in us
all.
Professor Walter Meyer, Art and Art History Oct 19, 2017
October marks the 100 year anniversary of the Russian Revolution. The avante-garde
arts associated with the revolution were initially attached to the revolutionary fervor
prior to being purged and exiled. This event included a screening of Art for a New
World, a new film about the revolution in art that happened in conjunction with the
Russian revolution.
Professor Meghan Chandler, Art Oct 12, 2017
This interdisciplinary, one-day symposium included a diverse set of artists, scholars,
and activists in conversation with the SMC community. Through short, spotlight presentations,
the speakers explored their concept-driven works. Speakers included: Chinese born
artist Tian Wei, who uses calligraphy, iconography and western art to forge alliances
between polar opposites, Michelle Maydanchik, an investigator of themes of identity
in digital media and propaganda, Nadja Millner-Larsen, lecturer on the relationship
between Black identity and the arts, and artist Maggie West, whose art explores gender
and identity while mobilizing political engagement.
2016-2017 Global Grant Events and Projects
Veronica Casillas, Counselor
SMC Counselor Veronica Casillas helped establish a weekly Farmers Market for SMC students.
Students are trained by Food Forward to become leaders and glean produce at local
farmers markets. They bring the produce back to campus and distribute it to students.
With a Global Grant Ms. Casillas was able to purchase signage for the Farmers Market
and tote bags for students to carry their fresh produce. The graphics were designed
by SMC Marketing employee, Vivian Chu.
Kaya Foster, Student Greening Program Director at Sustainable Works
The theme of the 4th Annual Ecofeminism Conference on April 22 , 2017 was "Artivism"
focusing on the unique power of aesthetics and visual culture to bridge language and
culture barriers and stimulate open-ended conversation and understanding about gender
equity and environmental issues. Pictured above: Charlotte Cressey, Isabella La Rocca,
and Kaya Foster.
Professor Keiko Tsurumi
On April 27, 2017 the film, East Side Sushi, was screened on campus. The writer and
director of this film, Anthony Lucero (pictured above on left side), spoke about the
challenges of making this film. Also present to answer questions were sushi chefs
from the Sushi Chef Institute (pictured on right side, Chef Anraku, Chef Andy Matsada,
Anthony Lucero,and Chef Rogelio Cervantes). The film follows the struggles of a Latina
single mother who attempts to become a sushi chef and the challenges she faces in
the male-dominated world of traditional Japanese gastronomy.
Professor Roman Ferede
On October 28-29 2016 Professor Roman Ferede accompanied three SMC students, L-R Edwin
Rashidi, Miguel Macias, and Simon Valenzuela to the LSMCE conference in Lisle, Illinois.
The students presented a project about carotenoid extraction. This project had previously
won first place in scientific research poster at the SMC Global Citizenship Symposium
in May 2016.
Simon Valenzuela wrote:
"Being in an environment where everyone around you is interested in the same things
you’re interested in, in this case STEM academia and research, you tend to relish
in these moments and take it all in. The whole time I was there I felt like I mattered
and that the work I did was important, but at the same time I saw that everyone else
mattered and that the work that they did was important. So, I began to feel obliged
to share my work and listen to what others had been working on, I suppose this is
what being and feeling like a scientist is like. Producing and receiving information
that propels the scientific community and henceforth the world."
Professor Marisol Moreno
Sponsored by Global Citizenship, the SMC History Department, the SMC Latino Center’s
Adelante Program, the SMC Black Collegians Program, IDEAS at SMC, the Adelante Club,
the SMC English Department, and the SMC Associates
Grammy® Award-winning Quetzal presented a two-day event in September. The East LA
Chicano rock group features renowned musical artivists Quetzal Flores (guitar), Martha
González (lead vocals, percussion), Tylana Enomoto (violin), Juan Pérez (bass), Peter
Jacobson (cello), and Alberto Lopez (percussion).
Day 1 - Workshop - September 20, 2016
A conversation and collaboration on lyrics and melodies where exchanged with students
and Quetzal’s members on a range of socially relevant issues.
Day 2 - Concert - September 22, 2016
Students and SMC community enjoyed a festive Quetzal concert featuring the premiere
performance of the work created at the workshop on Day 1.
2015-2016 Global Grant Events and Projects
Professor Melanie Klein Kaya Foster, Student Greening Program Director at Sustainable Works
On Saturday, April 23, 2016, the 3rd Annual Ecofeminism Conference took place on the
SMC Campus. With help from the SMC Global Citizenship Initiative and the SMC Associated
Students, organizers were able to provide an exciting and meaningful program that
used an ecofeminist framework to explore the SMC Global Citizenship Theme; “Gender
Equity: Is Equity Enough?”. A series of presentations examined what types of environmental
policies create true gender equity. To read in-depth biographies of presenters and
organizers visit 3rd Annual Ecofeminism Conference.
Professor Janet Harclerode
During Spring 2016 students in ESL 21A focused on themes related to the cultural life
of Los Angeles: Pet Ownership; Sabato Rodia, Noah Purifoy, the Watts Towers, and the
LA River. For an up-close view of the topics, the class embarked on 3 trips, two of
which were sponsored by the Global Citizenship Initiative. Writing assignments included
the topics of pet ownership, the influence of art on people’s lives, and the revitalization
of the Los Angeles River. During the second 8 weeks, students moved up to ESL 21B,
where they studied and wrote about the themes of global citizenship, social responsibility,
and gender equity.
"Should the US Implement Significant New Gun Control?"
Professor Nate Brown March 10, 2016
Naruhiko Nakano, Professor Nate Brown, Masaya Sasaki, Professor Luis Andrade
In March 2016 two members of the Japanese National Debate Team, Naruhiko Nakano and
Masaya Sasaki, visited Santa Monica College to debate the SMC Debate Team on the issue
of gun control. The event was organized by Professor Nate Brown, Communication Studies,
and funded in part by the SMC Global Citizenship Initiative. The Japanese debaters
visited a Com 21 Argumentation class to speak about communication, debate, and persuasion
but when the SMC students started asking questions, it quickly shifted from debate
topics to an intercultural information exchange. After that, the Japanese and the
SMC debate teams debated on the topic of whether the US should have significantly
higher gun control. The SMC team was represented by Stephanie Mendez and Alfredo Gama
and the event was well attended by over 75 SMC students and faculty.
2013-2014 Mini-Grant Events and Projects
Professor Jeff Crum
Thanks to generous support from the Global Citizenship Initiative, Santa Monica College
students and faculty have collaborated to produce a documentary film and web project
that explores attitudes towards war and the perceived inevitability of future violent
conflict.
The style of “The Question of War” is dialogue. The film includes interviews with
peace authors David Swanson and Norman Solomon, war correspondent and publisher Helena
Cobban, ex-Army Ranger Stan Goff and excerpts from a talk by the Dalai Lama. The perspectives
and concerns of children from all over the world are also featured.
Professor Salvador Carrasco
On February 27, 2014, Santa Monica College’s Dept. of Communication and Global Citizenship
presented the West Coast Premiere of rare untelevised footage lost for decades in
an obscure archive: “MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: A PERSONAL PORTRAIT,” by Emmy Award-nominated
cinematographer, George Silano. The event was moderated by Prof. Salvador Carrasco,
Head of SMC Film Production, and Associate Dean Frank Dawson, and after the screening,
there was a Q&A/discussion with the filmmaker, George Silano.
Pictured above, from left to right: SMC Professor/Ecofeminism Conference Chair Melanie
Klein with GlobalGirl Media panelists Alejandra Castillo, Rebecca Ruvalcaba, Francesca
Guerrini, and Gillian Grebler (photo courtesy of Anais Walsdorf)
Over 350 students and community members registered to attend the 1st annual SMC Global
Ecofeminism Conference, held on Saturday, April 26th, 2014. The conference examined
how a range of environmental issues such as climate change, unequal access to natural
resources, and exposure to toxins, relate to the concepts of conflict, violence, security,
etc in the lives of women around the world, and how women in a variety of professions
are working on solving these problems.
The conference consisted of 6 topic panel discussions with over 25 esteemed panelists,
and a morning and afternoon keynote presentation. During lunch, attendees visited
tables hosted by non-profit organizations and local artisans, purchased food from
a sustainable and charitable food truck, and were blessed by a ritual dance from a
local Native American organization. The conference was organized by SMC faculty Melanie
Klein and Sustainable Works Student Program Director Kaya Foster, supported by an
incredibly dedicated group of SMC student organizers, Antioch University faculty Jane
Paul, and SMC faculty Gillian Grebler.
In spring 2014, the Global Citizenship Initiative underwrote a film series on the
subject of “Peace and Security,” hosted by Film Studies professor Josh Kanin and Political
Science professor Alan Buckley. Each screening welcomed standing-room-only audiences
of students, faculty, and College community members.
Three films screened: White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Starship Troopers, and The Best Years of Our Lives. Each in its own way illustrated the tremendous human toll associated with war, insecurity,
and humankind’s quest for world peace and justice. Audience discussion followed each
screening and featured a lively debate on the issues raised in each film.
