Vincent DeLusia Education COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS AFRICAN MEXICANS FROM THE COLONIAL PERIOD TO THE PRESENT: HISTORY, CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1999, 12 NOON FREE AUDITORIUM This panel discussion examines African-Mexican history (art and music, economics, politics, social issues, and the military) and the historical intermixing of the African, Indian, and Spanish populations. The development of change in race, ethnicity, cultural perspective, and women's roles has been ongoing since the early 1500s, when Africans outnumbered Europeans in Mexico and were involved in every aspect of the Mexican experience. How this population functions today as a cultural entity, given popular perceptions and its history, will be explored. The panel includes Sagrario Cruz, professor of anthropology and history, University of Veracruz, Jalapa, Mexico; Omar Farouk Rogue, professor of history, UCLA; Ben Vinson, professor of history, Barnard College; and Virgil Richardson, retired English teacher in Mexico, cofounder of the American Negro Theatre in New York City, and Tuskegee Airman. The discussion is moderated by Vincent DeLusia, professor of history and business, and Jay Miskowiec, professor of English and journalism, Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Organized in collaboration with community partners, Community Conversations address a range of local and global cultural topics. Click here for information on the other Community Conversation happening in September. AFRICAN MEXICANS FROM THE COLONIAL PERIOD TO THE PRESENT IS COSPONSORED BY THE MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND MADE POSSIBLE BY THE BUSH FOUNDATION AND THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING.