For 2020, the Tucson Humanities Festival will highlight contemporary and historic efforts at fighting racism, erasing prejudice and uplifting the marginalized.
In selecting the theme of “Toward Justice,” for its 11th annual series, the College of Humanities felt the responsibility to address systemic inequalities, both in the United States and abroad, says Dean Alain-Philippe Durand.
“We chose the theme out of a moral necessity and obligation. The College is committed to advancing the cause of justice, and the festival will demonstrate the various ways that the work of our faculty is action toward justice,” Durand says. “The humanities are critical for creating the open-mindedness, understanding and shared perspective that can eradicate racism, prejudice and intolerance in our increasingly interconnected world.”
The festival will feature virtual panel discussions from College of Humanities faculty, students, and guests, about the Black Lives Matter movement, immigration and multilingualism, disparities in healthcare, student activism and experiences on campus, and the global impact of research in the humanities.
The festival will also include digital humanities presentations about the University of Arizona Poetry Center’s ongoing Arts for Justice project, a documentary about freedom in Africa, a series of film introductions to accompany at-home viewing, and a guest DJ partnership with KXCI Community Radio.
After recent growth for the Tucson Humanities Festival that brought ballroom-sized audiences for featured guests Sandra Cisneros and Colson Whitehead, transitioning to an all-virtual festival required rethinking the best ways to connect remotely with audiences, Durand says.
“Adapting this year’s festival has been challenging, but we’re excited to bring our faculty’s digital humanities expertise to bear on creating an innovative series,” he says. “This is a year to make the most of the voices we have. The College of Humanities is committed to supporting and sustaining the multicultural, multilingual community that grounds our research, teaching, service, and outreach. We strongly advocate for equitable and anti-racist efforts in the wider world and will continue to work toward a world in which ‘justice for all’ is not just a noble ideal, but a profound fact of everyone’s lived experience.”
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Thursday, Oct. 1
Everyday Justice: How Students Can Create Equality on Campus
Moderated by Marcus Hastings and Karina Rodríguez, College of Humanities
With College of Humanities Student Panel
Webinar Panel LIVE on Zoom, 4 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 5
Film commentary by Tani Sanchez, Africana Studies
Web premiere, 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Freedom in Africa: A Documentary & Digital Humanities Archive
Introduction by Phyllis Taoua, French & Italian
Web premiere, 4 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 8
Black Lives Matter: A Global Call for Justice and Liberation
Moderated by Daisy Jenkins
Panelists: Bryan Carter (Africana Studies), Erika Gault (Africana Studies), Obenewaa Oduro-Opuni (German Studies), and Praise Zenenga (Africana Studies)
Webinar Panel LIVE on Zoom, 4 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 12
Purgatorio: A Journey into the Heart of the Border
Film commentary by Chuck Tatum, Humanities Seminars Program
Web premiere, 4 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 15
Religion, Race & Health: Solutions to Disparities in Care
Moderated by Dr. David Beyda, College of Medicine-Phoenix
Panelists: Jerome Dotson (Africana Studies), Kristy Slominski (Religious Studies & Classics), Johnathan Vaknin (Spanish & Portuguese), and Dr. Francisco Garcia (Pima County)
Webinar Panel LIVE on Zoom, 4 p.m.
Part of the UA Foundation’s Wonder at Home Series
Friday, Oct. 16
The Criminal Song: Voicing Soviet Intelligentsia’s Dissent
Guest DJ: Anastasiia Gordiienko, Russian & Slavic Studies
Live on KXCI, 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 19
Film commentary by Francesco Rabissi, French & Italian
Web premiere, 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Art for Justice: New Poems & Digital Humanities Archive
Introduction by Diana Delgado, Poetry Center
Web premiere, 4 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Justice Across Boundaries: Migration, Multilingualism & Exchange
Moderated by Liudmila Klimanova, Russian & Slavic Studies.
Panelists: Carine Bourget (French & Italian), Wenhao Diao (East Asian Studies), David Gramling (German Studies), and Anita Huizar-Hernández (Spanish & Portuguese)
Webinar Panel LIVE on Zoom, 5 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23
Race and Religion in Contemporary Hip-Hop
Guest DJ: Alex Nava, Religious Studies & Classics
Live on KXCI, 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 26
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Thursday, Oct. 28
Toward Justice for All: The Global Impact of Humanities Research
PechaKucha Presentations by College of Humanities Faculty:
Bryan Carter (Center for Digital Humanities), Sonia Colina (Spanish & Portuguese), Jonathan Jae an Crisman (Public and Applied Humanities), Brett Esaki (East Asian Studies), Colleen Lucey (Russian & Slavic Studies), Janice McGregor (German Studies), Arum Park (Religious Studies & Classics), Daisy Vargas (Religious Studies & Classics), and Jiang Wu (Center for Buddhist Studies)
Web Premieres, 4 p.m. daily
Friday, Oct. 30
Makes Me Wanna Holler: The Minefield and Hopes of Being Black in America
Guest DJ: Ntare Gault, Africana Studies
Live on KXCI, 5 p.m.
Visit humanitiesfestival.arizona.edu for more information.