Screening, Panel and Q&A with Filmmaker and Undocumented Youth Leaders
November 4, 2-4 p.m. in the SU Grand Hall

In partnership with the Social Justice Film Series

The documentary film “Papers: Stories of Undocumented Youth” was produced by Portland-based Graham Street Productions and has screened in all 50 states, at the US Capitol and was broadcast on public television stations nationwide. Papers is the story of undocumented youth and the challenges they face as they turn 18 without legal status. Approximately 65,000 undocumented students graduate every year from high school without “papers.” Currently, there is no path to citizenship for most of these young people. The film premiered in 2009 when very few undocumented young people were public about their immigration status. The five young people featured in this film (Monica, Jorge, Juan Carlos, Simone and Yo Sub) risked arrest, detention and deportation simply for telling the truth about their lives.

The accompanying book, “Papers: Stories by Undocumented Youth” is a collection of 30 stories by undocumented youth who range in age from 10 to 32. The writers sent these stories to Graham Street Productions during the production of the film.

The film’s director, Anne Galisky, will facilitate a conversation after the film screening on November 4 with undocumented youth leaders from the Pacific Northwest.

October 17
“Do Developed Nations Have An Obligation to Developing Nations?”
Rebeka Ferreira, Philosophy

According to Lifeboat Ethics--a metaphor for overpopulation and overconsumption--wealthy nations [in the lifeboat] have no moral obligations to help those in poverty [who are drowning]. The steady increase in migrant and refugee traffic over the past few years, especially as it relates to climate change and political conflict, sheds new light on this ethical dilemma. If the poverty of poorer nations is at least partly a consequence of the actions of wealthy nations, do wealthy nations carry responsibility? In this talk, we will explore the arguments on either side of resource distribution.

Recommended Resources:

• Garrett Hardin's "Lifeboat Ethics" and
• William Murdoch & Allan Oaten's "Population and Food: A Critique of Lifeboat Ethics"

November 14
“Francophone Heritage, African Voices and U.S. immigration”
Lisa Luengo, French & Spanish - with guests:

• Issa Ndiaye is an accredited Department of Justice Representative who works with individuals and families to provide legal consults, investigate eligibility for immigration relief, help petition their family members, and apply for green cards.
• Aïsha Kone is a student born in Congo, who grew up in the Ivory Coast, and immigrated to the U.S with her parents. She studied economics at Washington State University and Global Trade and Logistics at Highline College.

Presenters will speak on the hopes, expectations and dreams for West African immigrants, and the impact of losing one’s language and country.

December 5
“Intersecting Borders and Bridges: Mobility as Home in Twenty-first Century Literature”
Michael Moreno and Lina Pittser, English

This presentation explores how works of literature both dislocate and redefine twenty-first century constructions of borders and geographical crossroads in determining the meaning of home and the sense of place. As a global phenomenon, how does migration impact the ways in which communities are (re)formed and transnational perspectives of power and agency shifted? What is the role of literature in articulating this process? Our discussion will include Papers: Stories by Undocumented Youth and Mbue’s Behold the Dreamers among other narratives, both domestic and international.

One Book Contact: Jody Segal at Holman Library jsegal@greenriver.edu
Students may pick up free copies of Behold the Dreamers and Papers: Stories of Undocumented Youth at Holman Library

Wednesday, February 19
6 - 8 p.m.
Student Union Grand Hall (SU-100)

Cosponsored by the Artist and Speaker Series

Followed by moderated Q&A then reception and book signing.