Michelle Suthers
City Times
Amnesty international, Danza Mixcoatl and City College professors and students honored women in celebration of international Women’s Day, March 6 at the Saville Theater. This event opened with a deep drum dance group, Danza Mixcoatl, performing a blessing dance. The Dancers, Ana Marie Ortega- Vasquez, Maria Figueroa, an instructor at city college, Mari Lou Valencia and Carmen Kalo, a renowned Chicano artist, all wore beautiful costumes and sang in addition to their traditional dances.
Dr. Kelly Mayhew spoke on Parenting & in particular “mothering as a political act”. Most often, mothers take on the bulk of parenting. Mayhew talked about ethno-pediatrics, studying child rearing practices in other countries and compared and contrasted the structures and methods of mothering and families throughout the world. “The Way we parent, the way we mother, is one of the most political acts we engage in,” Mayhew said “This goes to the heart of the world and where that world is going”.
Dr. Donna Watsion spoke about African American women throughout history
Most of these women suffered through adverse conditions, and figure out ways to prevail.
A poem by Grace Nichols was shown and Dr. Watsion inspired the crowed saying, “I’m here to set your tongue on fire and your brain on fire.” Women should learn their history, It’s the way to find your voice.
Dr. Sara Pitcher, an instructor of sociology and globalization brought her students with her on stage. Students had made posters defining oppressions and talks about some if the most oppressed people in the world, women in Thailand, who are forced to prostitute themselves to European white males.
