Dog Whistle Language in the Media: How Can We Hear It? with Derek Keith

Florence Community Library 778 N. Main St., Florence, AZ, United States

“Gang activity. The war on drugs. Tough on crime. They are taking our jobs. They are bad drivers. They are lazy. They are good people.” What images do these phrases and terms conjure in your mind? What does the media suggest with these coded phrases? Suggestive language, or “dog whistle” language, uses specific terms to […]

FREE

What is Patriotism? with Dr. Matthew Whitaker

Florence Community Library 778 N. Main St., Florence, AZ, United States

Patriotism has been defined as loyalty to or defense of one’s country. What do political leaders and social activists mean when they use the term “patriot”? What is the difference between patriotism and nationalism? Throughout history people have demonstrated patriotism through military service, government service, protests, marches, sit-ins and more. How is patriotism expressed now? […]

FREE

CANCELED – Borders, Walls and Immigration in Arizona

Florence Community Library 778 N. Main St., Florence, AZ, United States

The Arizona-Mexico border is a line of separation and a place of coming together. This paradox shapes the borderland region and its people in fascinating and important ways. In this talk, Dr. Warren offers a historical and geographical overview of the formation of the Arizona- Mexico border and its evolution since the 1800s. The program […]

Coded Messages and Songs of the Underground Railroad

Florence Community Library 778 N. Main St., Florence, AZ, United States

Communication and secrecy were key to the successful operation of the Underground Railroad. Safety was more important than quickness. Both fugitive slaves and members of the Underground Railroad learned to code and decode hidden messages, and to disguise signs to avoid capture. There were code names for routes and code numbers for towns. A quilt […]

The Gila: River of History

Florence Community Library 778 N. Main St., Florence, AZ, United States

Gregory McNamee is a writer, editor, photographer, and publisher. He is the author of 40 books and more than 6,000 articles and other publications. He is a contributing editor to the Encyclopædia Britannica, a research fellow at the Southwest Center of the University of Arizona, and a lecturer in the Eller School of Management, at […]

Hip Hop and American Culture

Florence Community Library 778 N. Main St., Florence, AZ, United States

Can music shape public opinions and foster social change? Does music expand our cultural knowledge or reinforce stereotypes? How does Hip Hop affect perceptions of youth, class, power and authority? This program examines how the specific musical genre, Hip Hop, has transformed the world through musical fusion, rhetorical jousting, cultural innovation, entrepreneurial-ism, and political commentary. […]

It Takes a Nation to Heal

Florence Community Library 778 N. Main St., Florence, AZ, United States

Indigenous tribes today are finding themselves in crisis. Community initiatives are mobilizing to sustain water, land, language, youth, and heritage. Megan will shine light on the root causes of these major issues in “Indian Country,” and what healing looks like in the modern day. Megan LaRose is a member of the Navajo Nation. She comes […]

Arizona: a History of Snake Oil Salesmen, Scams, and Hoaxes

Florence Community Library 778 N. Main St., Florence, AZ, United States

Since the earliest days, Arizonans have been visited by entrepreneurs offering all kinds of get rich quick schemes. Benefitting from tales of abundant resources in the territory, limited law enforcement and communication, a scoundrel could create enticing promise of riches and success without much external oversight. Newspapers often fanned the hysteria only to later denounce […]

How We Survived Prohibition (100 Years Ago)

Florence Community Library 778 N. Main St., Florence, AZ, United States

Arizonans often didn’t play well with others where they’d lived before, and that made them well-suited to survive a society that (supposedly) didn’t serve alcohol. Hear some of the stories of how places you can still drink today made it through the speakeasy era… as well as what makes some of our other historic watering […]

On the Road Since 1925: The Colorful History of Arizona Highways Magazine

Florence Community Library 778 N. Main St., Florence, AZ, United States

The first issue of Arizona Highways magazine was published in April, 1925. In this presentation, former publisher Win Holden will share the fascinating story of how a brochure produced by the Arizona Highway Department evolved into one of the most respected and revered publications in the world. With annual economic impact of over $65 million, […]

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