Allied Media Conference

Presenters: Ryan Pinion, Stacy Milbern, Isabel Macdonald

When was the last time you heard or saw people with disabilities represented in the media? Part 1 of this session will break down the most common frames of discussion when it comes to disability in the media: sickness, medicine and charity. We will then present alternative representations of disability not commonly portrayed in the media and share current and historical information about the Disability Rights Movement in this country. During Part 2 of this session, the group FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) will share concrete tools for monitoring the media, documenting unfair and inaccurate coverage, and using this documentation as part of campaigns to achieve more accountable coverage. Participants will have the chance to practice these tools on recent media reports involving harmful representations of disability in the media, and ultimately will walk away with tools that they can apply to any campaign for social justice. You will also receive concrete tools for addressing ableism and inaccessibility issues within your own organization!

Presenters: Mona Eldahry, Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media; Steve Pierce, Hudson Mohawk Indymedia Center; Nada Elia, INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence

What does the future of "free speech," censorship and political repression look like through an Arab/Muslim lens? While mainstream media demonizes Arabs and Muslims, independent media and art made by Arabs/Muslims is deemed terrorist propaganda. Even the expression of solidarity can be criminal. This panel will draw lessons from the experience of AWAAM (Arab Women Active in Arts and Media) whose "INTIFADA NYC" t-shirts became the basis for a racist smear campaign against The Khalil Gibran International Academy and its founding principal, Debbie Almontaser. We'll hear from the Hudson-Mohawk Indymedia center, who's willingness to host Iraqi artist Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihada" exhibit caused the city to shut down their community space. We'll also hear the story of why the Ford Foundation revoked $100,000 from INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence moments before their Color of Violence III conference in 2005. From each of these stories we'll build our collective knowledge of how to prepare for and respond to a future of increased censorship and political repression in all targeted communities.

Presenters: Aiko Shirakawa, 5th Element; Mary Dee, 5th Element; B-Girl Tara, Anomolies Crew

Dance is one of the oldest forms of communication. And Breaking/Locking crews have communicated the resistance of the hip hop generation since its beginning! What's a movement without movement? Come learn the foundation elements of breaking from two of the flyest in the game, B-girl Aiko, original Pop/Locker from San Jose, CA, and B-girl Tara, instructor from NYC. These two b-girls from Anomolies and 5th Element will teach you the foundation; locking, top roks, and floorwork, where you take it is up to you...