In 2011, Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning filmmaker and journalist, made a risky decision—he came out as an undocumented immigrant. He made this decision not only to liberate himself, but also use his status in media to make an impact on the immigration debate. “I am really tired of being the minority, and I would argue that there is a new majority, a new mainstream. All of these people that we think are minority are moving together into a mainstream,” Vargas said. Vargas spoke April 13 at Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library 230 about this and other immigration issues in the United States. Vargas talked about…
-
-
Rabbi Moshe Shur—activist, musician and friend
Rabbi Moshe Shur was the first one to arrive on Jan. 17 at LaGuardia Airport to wait for his students for a trip he arranged called “In the Footsteps of Dr. King.” Throughout the five-day trip, Shur’s face beamed every time a staff member in the airport or a tour guide appreciated his work as they saw the name of the program on the business cards he handed out. He then gave them a handshake or hug, and invited them to visit QC. “I wanted to do something which is what I would call an ‘experiential education,” Shur said. “Going to historical places has a different effect on…
-
Queens College alumna helps refugees in Greece
Since 2015, more than a million migrants left their countries to Europe for refuge, according to Eurostat. This caused a humanitarian crisis still developing today. Batya Septimus, a Queens College alumna, shared stories of refugees in Greece through her website and emails since she arrived March 11 to work as a volunteer. Septimus and other volunteers from all over the world helped distribute clothing and food to refugees in Chios and Idomeni, places where most refugees live. She also created a website called “Behind the Migrants” that is dedicated to reporting stories of refugees through photos and videos, especially after the agreement signed between the European Union and Turkey on…
-
Circus performed Chinese acrobatics with strength and balance
The New Shanghai Circus, a touring Chinese troupe, showcased traditional Chinese dance and performance art at Colden Auditorium on March 20. Ninell Silberberg, associate director of Marketing and Communications at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, said it was the New Shanghai Circus’ first time performing in Queens. Founded in 1991, the New Shanghai Circus tours around the United States, committed to bringing dynamic Chinese acrobatics culture to an international audience. As the circus made its debut, the audience screamed with excitement and applauded with amazement for the Chinese acrobats’ feats of strength and balance. The first performance lit up the stage. Young female acrobats wearing clothes and head accessories…
-
Students talk about their study abroad experiences
Queens College students have the opportunity to take part of the college’s study abroad program, where anyone can travel and study in different parts of the world. The Education Abroad Office offers a wide range of choices. Students can join programs that last a month, a semester or an entire academic year. The college signed agreements with universities across the world—like in Europe and the Middle East—to encourage students to experience different cultures. Three QC students shared their study abroad experiences. All expressed satisfaction, but not without times of difficulties. Carlsky Belizaire is a QC alum that graduated last year. He now teaches English in Taiwan as part of the…
