Grassroots Media Conference Review

The conference was great! It was all about media advocacy and teaching students how to use independent media.
I met a lot of great people, a lot of great documentary filmmakers, but most importantly I saw Luis Mostacero, my friend from The Ethnic News Project at Hunter College!

We went to two workshops together.
"2008 Presidential Elections: Through the lens of ethnic press"
With Anthony Advincula from The New York Community Media Alliance formerly known as the Independent Press Association of New York (IPA-NY) and other reporters from ethnic publications including the Sing Tao Daily(far left) ,Polish Daily News(middle left), and Bangla Patrika(middle right) and Anthony is on the far right.


That was a great workshop because they explained their communities perspectives on the upcoming Presidential election. This was an especially important workshop to attend because the ethnic voice is one that isn't heard in mainstream media. Also it was great to reconnect with Anthony who had helped me so much during my Ethnic News Project days.

Then Luis and I went to "Getting Started on Your Documentary Film," with our former professor, Tami Gold!
She has produced several fantastic documentaries, my favorite is her series on Oaxaca Mexico because they are so touching and enlightening.

I also went to the film screening, "A call for change series: Presented by third world newsreel."

(here is a picture of the documentary film makers)

This was a series of 16 short documentaries that highlighted various communities of color in New York City.
The documentary that really affected me the most was,
Dastaar: Defending Sikh Identity
Here is a synopsis...
A restaurant owner beaten. A policeman fired. A 20 year subway conductor born in the U.S., threatened with job loss: All for wearing the signature turbans of their religion, Sikhism. Since 9/11, hate crimes and job losses have plagued the Sikh-American community, whose religion originated in India, and is not even Islamic. In response, the NYC Sikh community has organized to confront the bias and attacks, through legal suits, pressure on city officials and proactive public education. An excellent introduction to an often misunderstood religion and the success of community activism.

I know you're all very busy but please watch a short preview of this film and I promise you that you'll leave knowing something you didn't know before.
here is the link...

http://alsolikelife.blip.tv/file/17779