11/19/2021
Black Panther Party co-founder, international documentarist and local activists join the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center for a panel at the Pickford followed by live music this Saturday Nov. 20
Date: Saturday, November 20, 2021
Time: 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Location: The Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St. Bellingham WA 98225)
Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeHUzFBtFi8
Registration link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/rsvfrecenanbrablacondacel/event/840845/?fbclid=IwAR3s_GjrWLTtIgF0RGHzydpnFMOsRoMBdfNgiUY1ot7GvT-fEQFrA1_X04E
In honor of Brazilian Black Consciousness Day and the 100th birthday of Paulo Freire, a Brazilian popular educator, intellectual and the beloved author of "Pedagogy of the Oppressed," The Whatcom Peace & Justice Center (WPJC) is hosting a screening of "A is for Angicos". The film was produced by Catherine Murphy with footage that miraculously survived being buried underground during the Brazilian military dictatorship. Catherine will join the event virtually for a panel discussion along with Seattle Black Panther Party co-founder Aaron Dixon, local Community to Community Development (C2C) Promotora Australia Tobon, and Brazilian capoeirista and activist Mestre Silvinho, at the Pickford Film Center on Saturday, November 20th at 2:30-3:30pm.
The 26-minute documentary tracks Freire's early literacy experiments in the town of Angicos in Northeastern Brazil, where Freire worked with college volunteers to mobilize illiterate villagers and workers to learn to read and write, then apply that knowledge to heighten their political consciousness.
According to Brazilian immigrant, popular educator and Executive Director of WPJC, Aline Prata: “This is a particularly important and inspiring opportunity to discuss the rise of fascism at home and abroad, and how to promote political literacy and education as tools to not only protect ourselves and our communities, but to transform the world.”
Tickets for the event are limited due to COVID and priority will be given to early registration online at whatcompjc.org. Proof of vaccination and masks are required. The first 35 RSVPs with donations above $15/person include a registration for a Brazilian jazz live music concert with Choroloco and Brazilian partner dance (forró) workshop after party. You can also join the waitlist at the door of Welcome Road Winery (300 W Champion St), but space is limited and priority will be given to online RSVPs.
Entering its 20th year, the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center promotes lasting peace, social justice, and a culture of nonviolence at home and worldwide. We accomplish this through partnerships, education, and direct action. Contact the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center at (360) 734-0217, [email protected], or visit www.WhatcomPJC.org for more information.
Speakers’ and Band Bios:
Catherine Murphy is an independent filmmaker who has spent much of the last 15 years working in Latin America. She is founder & director of The Literacy Project, a multi-media documentary project on adult literacy in the Americas.
Aaron Dixon was a co-founder of the Black Panther Party in Seattle, Washington. He later worked for many non-profits, founded Central House, and ran for U.S. Senator as a Green Party candidate in Washington State.
Mestre Silvio Dos Reis is a Seattle-based capoeira instructor and artist and has dedicated more than 30 years to the art. Mestre Silvinho has been leading the ICAF Seattle branch since 2004 and has taught capoeira Angola classes in colleges, public and private schools such as Seattle Amistad School, Western Washington University and Rainier Beach Community Center.
Australia Tobon is a Whatcom County Promotora at Community to Community Development (C2C) that helps organize local rural campesino and immigrant families to be in the forefront of their own stories, issues, and solutions while connecting farm workers to resources and providing 'know your rights' orientations.
Choroloco is a Seattle based acoustic trio specializing in choro, a highly melodic and rhythmic instrumental form of Brazilian popular music. They bring an infusion of heartfelt melodies, jazz harmonies, and syncopated jubilant rhythms. https://choroloco.com/