Acorn

The 1960s had depth. It was a decade when ideals, strategies and protest came together to make the voices of millions heard.

This weekend�s conference �Global Resistance and Local Knowledge� will explore the breadth of this decade and its pivotal years.

The focus of the conference will be 1968, the year when activism exploded on the domestic and international scenes. The conference will offer perspectives on the artistic, political, economic and social elements that fed the ideals and the protests they inspired.

Today and tomorrow the various panels will analyze their events and topics, with the intention of understanding this period and the possible links within global activism.

The conference will provide an open forum to discuss, question and learn about a year that is still alive and changing the perceptions of many people.

Professor of History Jeremy Varon developed the concept. Conference co-chairs Cheryl Oestreicher and Aaron Pedinotti were instrumental in helping Varon organize the event.

Oestreicher and Pedinotti shared enthusiasm about this watershed year in history and the aim of the conference. They explained that the conference would promote questioning and consideration of the year and its significance.

Along with the Modern History and Literature Program, they strived for historical accuracy and a unique range of topics. Panel discussions will include: West German terrorism, the cultural revolution in China, alternative media, feminism and globalization. According to Pedinotti, the panels will focus on their respective topics, but will remain open to incorporate broader discussions.

The conference will feature respected author Professor Jeremi Suri as the keynote speaker.

Noted activist Mark Rudd who was a leader in both the 1968 Columbia University Student Resistance, and the university chapter of Students for a Democratic Society will speak. Rudd also co-founded the Weather Underground, a radical student activist organization.

Artist Fia Backstrom will also perform to demonstrate different methods of physical expression and activism that emerged during the period.

This conference has a clear intention, and it is poised to offer new perspectives on an era that is still vital in history.

�It�s important to hear new scholarship, and remember it,� Oestreicher said. The focus area of the conference encourages fresh ideas, writings and theories.

Pedinotti expressed his hope that members of the public and the academic communities will attend the events and find meaningful insights and information at the conference.

�I want people to be able to take away a memorable experience that they can learn from,� Pedinotti said.

The conference will begin today at 12:30 p.m. with a reception to follow at 1:30 p.m.

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