MARTIN RAMIREZ: THE LAST WORKS

MARTIN RAMIREZ: THE LAST WORKS
American Folk Art Museum
[45 West 53rd Street
New York NY 10019]
October 7, 2008 - April 12, 2009

As I mentioned at the meeting, this Museum is having an exhibition on newly discovered works by Martin Ramirez. They had an exhibition earlier in 2007 (http://www.folkartmuseum.org/default.asp?id=1805) Click this:
FAM Ramirez Exhibition if you want to find out about this exhibition. I recently read about his background. Apparently, Martinez was originally from Jalisco, from a very religious area with dominant Spanish roots. He migrated to the US to earn money to pay off debt for buying his farm and worked on building railroad tracks in the US. Shortly after coming to the US, he heard about the violence of the Cristero Rebellion. His brother sent him a letter explaining that his farm had been ruined because of the fighting and that Ramirez's wife had saved him from being executed. But Ramirez misinterpreted the letter and thought that his wife had betrayed him and helped the secular government, which would have been a deep blow to him since he was deeply religious. Anyways, he refused to go back with his friends to Mexico, even though he had four kids there. Later on, he was put into a mental institution and eventually landed up in one in Northern California. A psychologist saw the various drawings he would create and saw his natural talent. He also became intrigued by the connection of Ramirez's drawings and his pyschological problem. He started saving his works and even put on shows.
To get a better account of his background and of his work in general click here.

Some things to think about: How did being in a completely different country affect his sanity. Is it that people just thought he was crazy because they couldn't communicate with him (since all he knew was Spanish)? Did his isolation in the mental institutions only cause him to become diagnosed with schizophrenia?

So I think I've blabbered on about it but I just wanted to share with you all!
Point is, if you're really interested in art or psychology, you might want to check this out!

Politics and/or Baking

If you didn't get Julia's email, she wanted to share that there's an interesting event going on tonight, we all might be interested in attending:

“Barack Obama and the New Racial Politics”

Discussant: Farah Griffin, Manning Marable
Moderator: Robert O’Meally
Tuesday, 24 March 2009 6:15pm
Second Floor Common Room, the Heyman Center

Baking for Lucha
There will also be baking tonight at Julia's
to help Lucha fundraise for their health fair
show up at her place between 9:00-9:30 pm to start baking
If you need her info, just email her

Investigation on Arizona Sheriff

I was reading the Daily Beast today and found this:

"Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, known throughout some circles for tough enforcement of immigration laws, is currently being investigated by the Department of Justice for discrimination and unconstitutional searches and seizures."
(http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/arizona-sheriff-under-investigation/borders/)

It seems like we're finally making some progress!
Maybe this investigation will deter others from treating people unjustly
and violating basic civil liberties.
Click to check out the full details posted by the Atlantic:
"Activists Laud Justice Dept. for Investigating Sheriff"

This weekend ...

THURSDAY

Rally for Palestinians' rights
March 5, 2009
Low Steps 12:00-1:00 pm

For more information:
http://www.academicfreedomcolumbia.org

SeOUL TRAIN
March 5th, 2009
Lerner C555 7:00pm

Ride through New York City with us (on a metaphorical train) as we make stops in various neighborhoods bustling with culture! Think K-Town... Spanish Harlem... and so much more! Last Stop: 116th St. - Columbia University. FREE dinner -- a gastronomical experience only a BSO-KSA-SOL collaboration can bring to you.
PERFORMANCES by:
- Orisha
- Asadal
- Sabor
- spoken word by Sonya Shadravan
- and more!

Black Students' Organization
Korean Students Association
Student Organization of Latinos

Lucha's Community Health Fair
Volunteer & Planning Meeting
March 5, 2009
Kent 411 7:30 pm

Informational session on the health fair (4/11)
for the upper Manhattan communities of Harlem,
East Harlem and Washington Heights.
Opportunities in fundraising, community outreach, childcare, etc.
Also sponsored by CU Dems, Chicano Caucus, SHOUT, and Accion Boricua

FRIDAY

Kim's Vegetables Picket
March 6, 2009
104th & Amsterdam 5:00pm

Meet at 114th and Amsterdam at 4:45pm
Picketing against Kim's vegetables for the mistreatment of its workers.
Come out and show support. Everyone deserves a job that respects their human dignity.

Accion Boricua Multicultural Potluck
March 6, 2009
Lerner Party Space 6:30-9:00 pm
Admissions: $2

Midterms are right around the corner, who has time to cook??
Take a study break!!!! Come eat some rice and beans, chicken, brownies and more!!!! @ Accion Boricua's Multicultural Potluck!!!!!

SATURDAY

Expansion Townhall
March 7, 2009
Lerner 555 4:00pm

Chance for people to talk and learn about Columbia's relationship
with Harlem and what students can do about it.
Will be offering free pizza!

Women's History Month

It's all about women this month, ya heard?!

Rebecca and Carlos praised strong women on their show today
and entertained us with some great hits.
My request of course was a Shakira song. :)

Oh and look what Glamour Magazine put out:
America Ferrera as Dolores Huerta

I thought it was pretty cool
Look through their slideshow.
It's always good to honor women of all different races, backgrounds, and careers.

Feel free to send in articles, stories, etc.
Or just respond to this with a story about a strong woman you know
No man-hating though, please.

:)

face yoga ...

hmm .. maybe Columbia should offer this as a new gym class ..