All Events
Cup of Culture
The Hand That Feeds
MCC THEATER
Behind the scenes in New York City’s eateries, undocumented immigrant workers confront sub-legal wages, dangerous machinery, and abusive managers. Previously uninterested in politics, sandwich-maker Mahoma López led a group of co-workers in a fight against these workplace conditions in January 2012. The ensuing power struggle turned a city block into a battlefield in America’s new wage wars. A Skype Q&A session with filmmakers Robin Blotnik and Rachel Lears will follow this “captivating David and Goliath story” (Indiewire). (88 min, English, 2014)
View: Trailer
Race & Religion
Beyond the Black Messiah: Black Lives & the Limits of Heroism
MCC LOUNGE
Dr. Neal explores the messianic legacies of the Civil Rights and Black Power eras and connects their historical lessons to the Black Lives Matter movement. One of the profound lessons taught by each movement is the significant reach of messianic heroism that, as a singular political morality, has also been limited in addressing the depths of race matters. This talk aims to unite contemporary political concerns with resources and insights from the not too distant past. Dr. Ronald B. Neal is Professor of Religion and Chair of the Black Cultures and the Study of Religion Committee at Wake Forest University.
Cup of Culture
By Blood
MCC THEATER
By Blood chronicles American Indians of African descent as they battle to regain tribal citizenship. Exploring the impact of this struggle which has developed into a broader conflict about race, identity, and the sovereign rights of indigenous people, the film addresses both sides of the issue, its shared emotional impact, and the rising urgency of the debate: a Native American and African American history has been overlooked, and a tribal body feels as though its sovereignty is under siege. (90 min, English, 2013)
View: Trailer
The MCC Goes Downtown
An Evening of Spoken Word: Paul S. Flores
REDS BIN 211, 211 HELENA AVE, SANTA BARBARA, CA
Poet, playwright, and spoken word artist Paul Flores explores the intersections of urban culture, hip-hop, and transnational identity. His performance projects have taken him from HBO’s “Def Poetry” to Cuba, Mexico, and El Salvador. San Francisco Weekly named him “Best Politically Active Hip-Hop Performance Artist” and KQED honored him as a “Latino Heritage Local Hero” for his work in theater and youth development. Recently named a 2015 Doris Duke Artist, Flores is a Theater professor at the University of San Francisco.
