Brown-bag Discussion: "Circulation of Knowledge on Immigrant Issues: A Case from Prince George's County"
Brown-bag Discussion: "Circulation of Knowledge on Immigrant Issues: A Case from Prince George's County"
The Center for the History of the New America is pleased to host Judith Freidenberg, Professor of Anthropology, for a brown-bag discussion on her work in doing oral histories with immigrants in Prince George's County.
Knowledge about immigration tends to be compartmentalized, with conflicting information provided to the public by government documents, the media, think tanks, and community organizations. Left out of the production of knowledge is the voices of the immigrants themselves. Based on research funded by a seed grant and in collaboration with the Smithsonian and the Center for the History of the New America, two courses were taught on the topic of immigration. From these courses, 16 video life history interviews were collected with immigrants in Prince George’s County, Maryland and edited into three thematic short videos (education, identity, and connections). These videos were shown and discussed in several venues for two purposes: 1) to disseminate these silenced voices and 2) to stimulate public dialogue both on the life circumstances of immigrants as well as on the policies and politics of contemporary immigration. The three short videos described above will help us engage in dialogue on how immigrant voices add to the production and circulation of knowledge about immigration.
Light refreshments will be provided, but please feel free to bring your lunch.
Contact Email: newamerica@umd.edu