Arizona protest, photo by Diane Ovalle
Listen to Part I of the podcast series
Tucson, Arizona–A delegation of more than 50 acclaimed writers, visual artists, and filmmakers gathered in Tucson and Phoenix from September 10-16 to kick off a major national arts-based campaign to challenge what they say are punitive, anti-immigrant laws and longstanding federal immigration policies. The CultureStrike delegation toured southern Arizona to learn firsthand what’s happening in the state that’s attracted so much national attention on issues of immigration and citizenship.
The CultureStrike artists presented: The Culture Shift: Words and Art for Migrant Justice and Immigrant Rights on September 14th in conjunction with the Asian American Writer’s Workshop. 10 people shared their work and insights under the stars at Mercado San Augustin.
I.
In part one of this multi part series, 30 Minutes features remarks made at Culture Shift: Words and Art for Migrant Justice and Immigrant Rights. Speakers include cohosts Ken Chen, director of the Asian American Writer’s Workshop, and Tucson Pima Arts Council Executive Director Roberto Bedoya. Founder and Executive director of Youth Speaks, James Kass reads a newly composed poem on immigration. Executive Director of the Applied Research Center, and Publisher of Colorlines.com, Rinku Sen reads from The Accidental American. Tohono O’odham Amy Juan welcomes the Culture Strike delegation.
II.
In part two of this multi part series, 30 Minutes features remarks made at Culture Shift: Words and Art for Migrant Justice and Immigrant Rights. Speakers include cohosts Ken Chen, director of the Asian American Writer’s Workshop, and Tucson Pima Arts Council Executive Director Roberto Bedoya. Dine poet Sherwin Bistui reads from his 2009 Book Flood Song. American Book Award winning author Jeff Biggers reads an open letter to Carlos Santana, and author Daniel Alarcon reads from a short story called Second Lives. More information is available at wordstrike.net.
III.
In part three of this multi-part series, 30 Minutes features remarks made at Culture Shift: Words and Art for Migrant Justice and Immigrant Rights. Speakers include co-hosts Ken Chen, director of the Asian American Writer’s Workshop, and Tucson Pima Arts Council Executive Director Roberto Bedoya. Co-founder of Presente.org and writer Roberto Lovato reads from Juan Crow in Georgia which previously appeared in The Nation. Local writer and performer Logan Phillips reads an open letter called The Sonoran Strange. Ken Chen reads a pair of pieces not about Arizona, but about his experiences.
IV.
In part four of this multi part series, 30 Minutes features remarks made at Culture Shift: Words and Art for Migrant Justice and Immigrant Rights. Speakers include co-hosts Ken Chen, director of the Asian American Writer’s Workshop, and Tucson Pima Arts Council Executive Director Roberto Bedoya. Former Arizona state senator and memoirist Alfredo Gutierrez discusses his family history as well as recent border issues. Author JessicaHagedorn reads from her most recent novel Toxicology.