Club puts spotlight on diversity

By Umaymah Rashid
The Collegian

Fresno State students witnessed one of the most important events in Mexico’s history via film last Friday, and the CineCulture club made it all possible.

The club featured the film “Rojo amanecer,” which told the story of the massacre of hundreds of students in Mexico city in 1968, which was perpetrated by the Mexican government and is considered to be a turning pointing in Mexico’s history.

“It is regarded as the most historic, crucial, relevant, significant event which created new legislation and new ways of thinking in Mexico City and Mexican society in general.” Alfredo Cuellar, massacre survivor and chair of the Department of Education and Research, said.

The film is just one of the many cultural films the club features at its meetings held every Friday at 5:15 p.m., which also include post screening discussions facilitated by faculty, students or community members who are knowledgeable about the issues.

“I decided we needed a place for conversations and movies, and that is what it has become,” said Denise Blum, club adviser. “It’s become a memorable experience and that’s what we need, something that gives you a jolt and makes you think twice from here on out.”

According to the mission statement, the main goal of the CineCulture club is to promote diversity and cultural awareness through films and discussions. Club board member Kumar Navaneethakrishnan believes the club accomplishes this goal.

“Our club provides a distinctive opportunity for the campus community to explore and understand not only different cultures, but also the different perspectives that exist among us,” Navaneethakrishnan said.

Cecilia Ruvalacaba, a Fresno State senior majoring in social work, also believes that the club accomplishes it mission of promoting diversity and cultural awareness.

“I think it is a good idea,” Ruvalacaba said. “It brings awareness to other cultures.”

Blum sees the club as an excellent way of exploring things like racism and cultural differences.

“Until we raise more cultural understanding and recognize the history of the people that are here and who come here, nothing is ever going to change,” Blum said.

Blum created the club three years ago when she realized that Fresno State was lacking a diverse, cultural exchange forum.

“Its origin stems from my experience coming from Texas in 2003, where we had a lot of international films,” Blum said. “I realized how much the films engaged me in worthwhile conversations, when I came here, there wasn’t much.”

Post screening discussions are a major part of the dynamics of the club and create a more meaningful experience for the viewer. During the discussions, everyone is viewed equally, some who may lack the knowledge of a subject have personal experience and those who have the knowledge may not have the experience Blum said.

“You have faculty, community members and students all on a level playing field,” she said. “We all learn from each other and that’s what’s important.”

The clubs drive for diversity and cultural awareness does not come without the occasional controversy. Most recently, a movie entitled “Gaza Strip,” which aired last semester angered some in the Jewish community so much that they threatened to cut funding to the school if the movie was shown on campus. Blum remedied the situation by inviting the people in the Jewish community who were angered by the movie to submit their choice of films for screening.

“We want people to know that if you ever have a film that you or someone you know could speak well to, either because of personal experience or knowledge of a subject, please come forward,” Blum said.

The club chooses its films by having the all student board members vote on what they believe to be the most pertinent. The goal when choosing a film is to make sure all cultures and regions are represented and to not show a movie more than once, with the exception of “Rojo amanecer,” which was shown twice due to a significant demand.

Ultimately the CineCulture club is an avenue where diversity and cultural issues can be addressed in a democratic, academic manner. It is a way to give a voice to the many issues like racism, genocide, war and political strife, which affect many different cultures today.

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