Perspectives 2008: The Raymond B. Witt Lecture Series presents: Whose America is it? All events are free and open to the public, and will be held January 29-31 in the UTC University Center, located at 642 A East Fifth Street.
Tuesday, January 29, 12:15 p.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.
There will be free showings of the documentary film The Guestworker, which explores the story of Don Candelario Gonzalez Moreno, a Mexican farmer who has come to the U.S. as a farm laborer since the 1960s. The film was produced by Cynthia Hill and Charles Thompson. Location: UC Auditorium, University Center.
Wednesday, January 30, 3 p.m.
Dr. David Engstrom, Associate Professor, Social Work, San Diego State University and the Director of the San Diego State University/ Thammasat University, Bangkok Exchange Program will present “The Dilemma of American Immigration.” Location: University Center.
Engstrom is author of Presidential Decision Making Adrift: The Carter Administration and the Mariel Boatlift and coauthor of Hispanics in the United States and Our Diverse Society: Race and Ethnicity – Implications for 21st Century American Society.
His research interests focus on immigration policy and services to immigrants and refugees. Engstrom has written extensively on the plight of vulnerable immigrant populations, such as torture survivors, trafficked persons, and persons who have suffered from political violence. In addition, Engstrom has explored the role of bilingual social workers in service delivery.
He received his MA in 1983 and his PhD in 1992 from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago.
Thursday, January 31, 12:15 p.m.
David Lubell, founder and director of Tennessee Immigrant Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), will present “Immigration, Now a 50 State Phenomenon – The Rapid Growth of Immigration to Tennessee and Other Non-Traditional Gateways,” University Center.
Established in Nashville in 2002, TIRRC is a nationally recognized model for immigrants’ rights organizing, advocacy and coalition building. Lubell has worked to train and assist local grassroots immigrant groups, helps lead issue campaigns and serves as an advocate for policy change on the local, state and federal levels. He has also worked as an advocacy and organizing director for Latino-Memphis and as an intake counselor/Hispanic outreach specialist for Memphis Fair Housing Center, a division of Memphis Area Legal Services.
In 2007, Lubell was honored with the Cornerstone Social Justice Award, one of four activists selected nationally by Jewish Funds for Social Justice, New York, NY and the Community Changemaker Award, one of three activists selected nationally by the Center for Community Change, Nashville.
Lubell was a history major and he earned the Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University. He received the Non-Profit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University, Center for Public and Non-Profit Leadership.
The Perspectives lectures series is presented by the Perspectives Planning Committee through the UTC Division of Student Development, and funded by the Witt-Bagley Endowment Fund.
Visit the Whose America is it? blog to discuss the issues.
For further information please contact (423) 425-4455.
