by Lauren Hutchison

Harris-Perry to explore how post-Civil War choices affect politics today

The path to the Civil War diverged as a result of the war, creating an array of new challenges that continue to affect Americans to this day. Melissa Harris-Perry, professor of political science, author, columnist for The Nation and MSNBC contributor, will discuss the choices the U.S government made after the Civil War and explore how they continue to impact the nation’s politics in her lecture at 10:45 a.m. today in the Amphitheater.

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Abdi, Marton to discuss humanitarian work in Somalia

Somalia is in the midst of the worst famine in decades. The U.N. estimates that nearly half of the Somali population, or 3.7 million people, have been affected. Tens of thousands of Somalis have died in the last few months — most of them children. International aid efforts have been hampered by al-Shabaab, an insurgent Islamist group that dominates Somalia’s south.

In the midst of famine and more than 20 years of civil war, Hawa Abdi and her daughters, Deqo and Amina Mohamed, provide free food, water, shelter, medical care, education and justice for nearly 100,000 displaced Somalis, mostly women and children. Abdi receives no help from governments or charities.

Today, Abdi will be interviewed by journalist, author and human rights activist Kati Marton at 10:45 a.m. in the Amphitheater. Deqo Mohamed will join them on stage.

 

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Director Tom Hansell to appear at “The Electricity Fairy” screening

In his new documentary, “The Electricity Fairy,” Ohio University alumnus and filmmaker Tom Hansell wants you to wonder, “Is any energy really clean?”

The film examines energy production in the United States via the story of Wise County, Va., where a new coal-fired power plant is being constructed. Hansell documented the dialog between environmentalists and government officials, researched the surrounding issues and used archival footage to connect a local battle to the ongoing national conversation on energy policy.

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