| Chicago Freedom School E-News |
November
2007
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Greetings!
CFS sends a hearty thanks to all who were able to join us last Tuesday for the opening of the Center for Social Change. More than 50 people stopped by for a truly wonderful evening of music, food and fun. I do recognize that the taquitos almost stole our thunder. (You can get those taquitos at El Pikete, 1647 W. Irving Park:)).
Much is happening at CFS in the next few months. In addition to hosting a number events for youth and adults, CFS continues to support the 2007 Freedom Fellows as they pursue their activism campaigns. Read on for spotllights on two great Fellows. We are also pleased to announce the launch of COMMUNIVERSITY in the spring!
On behalf of the CFS Family, I wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday. As always, thank you for your continued support.
In peace and solidarity,
Mia Henry
P.S. Remember to contact us if you are a youth, parent or adult ally and you would like to subscribe to our bi-weekly youth email newsletter featuring opportunities and events for people ages 14 - 25.
(Pictured above from L to R: Freedom Fellows Genesis, Keisha, Stephanie, Ace, and Erin at the CFS opening)
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Announcing 2008 Programs
for Youth and Adults!
(Paul Robeson Ford and Freedom Fellow Dante pictured above.)
We are pleased to announce a number of programs that will take place at the CFS Center for Social Change. Here is a sample:
Saturday, January 12
Strange Fruit: The History and Legacy of Lynching
Monday, January 21
Screening of documentary "Citizen King" and post-film discussion
Saturday, January 26
WE are the Jena 6: Why this case matters in Chicago
Thursdays: January 17 - March 6
Eyes on the Prize II Film and Discussion Series
Monday, March 3
Using Hip Hop as a Tool for Activism
Saturdays: April 26, May 14, June 16
CFS COMMUNIVERSITY launches its first workshops on topics including the Prison Industrial Complex, Global Labor Movements and Justice in Schools.
For more information, please check out the events calendar on our website or contact us at info@ chicagofreedomschool.org and we will send you a detailed list or programs.
The CFS Center for Social Change is located at 719 S. State St, Suite 3N.
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Eyes on the Prize II Series begins in January 2008
Episodes 7 - 14 to be screened at the CFS Center for Social Change
 Many have seen the first six episodes of this acclaimed documentary, but since they were rarely broadcast on PBS stations, few people have seen the final eight episodes. Join CFS as we screen these episodes, three of which feature Chicago, and host scholars, activists and youth in an intergenerational discussion on topics such as justice in housing, economics and politics. The series will run on Thursdays from January 17 - March 6, 2008. We hope you can join us!
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Freedom Fellow Spotlight: Ansheera "Ace" Hilliard
 Ansheera Hilliard, better known as "Ace", is a junior at Michelle Clark Academic Prep High School. As a participant in the CFS Freedom Fellows summer media arts institutes, Ace co-produced the documentary "Homophobia Hurts" and served as writer and layout editor of the community newspaper MAD! TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Ace says that during the summer she became an activist-in-training. Since the summer ended, Ace has created an art and activism website called "Respect the Mic of Black Thought" which features commentary on her life and her neighborhood as well as some of her own poetry. Ace is also working with her social justice mentor, Bec, to plan an open mic nite at her school on March 14 to raise money for Hurricane Katrina Victims. This 16-year old dynamo serves on the Communiversity planning committee and the Youth Leadership Council for CFS, and she has been nominated to serve on the CFS Board of Directors. "CFS helped me accept who I am and not worry about what others think of me. It also helped me to open my eyes to the struggles of other ethnicities." CFS salutes Ace Hilliard, who is not just training to be an activist, but changing the world today.
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Freedom Fellow Spotlight: Larry McGhee
Larry McGhee is a junior at Julian High School. During the Freedom Fellows summer institute, Larry was an active participant in the music and media arts courses. In a quest to find out why the use of the derogatory terms for women, "b****" and "ho" is so pervasive, Larry created a film short he entitled " Female Discrimination" in which he interviewed friends and strangers about their relationship with these terms. You can view Larry's film here. Since creating his documentary, Larry has attended a CFS training on public speaking and he has joined and taken a leadership role in the Male Ally Network (M.A.N.). His involvement with the M.A.N. began with an intense 2-day male ally training sponsored by the Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team ( YWAT). When asked why he initially applied to CFS, Larry claimed that he knew he would be "bored" in the summer. Now Larry says that CFS has changed the way he thinks about how women should be addressed and what his role is in challenging harmful stereotypes.  |
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