Please be advised this is a discussion about the film. The film can be viewed from February 2nd to the 11th. Links to the film and discussion will be provided in the confirmation email.

DOCUMENTARY FILM BY

VIVIAN VAZQUEZ IRIZARRY AND GRETCHEN HILDEBRAN

Throughout the 1970’s, fires consumed the South Bronx. Black and Puerto Rican residents were blamed for the devastation even as they battled daily to save their neighborhoods. Decade of Fire confronts the racially-charged stereotypes that dehumanized residents, and rationalized their abandonment by city, state and federal governments. Vázquez Irizarry, in her role as the film’s central character and co-director seeks not only healing for her community, but to redeem them from the harmful mythology spread by the media that has continued largely unchallenged to this day. Decade of Fire offers the emergence of a new narrative for the South Bronx and places like it across the nation. For more information about the documentary, go to decadneoffire.com. The documentary film will be available prior to the discussion to New School’s faculty, students and staff. Please register to get the link.

Join the discussion with film co-director Vivian Vázquez Irizarry, film co-producer Neyda Martínez and New School students. This conversation is timely and urgent as communities across the United States face an unprecedented housing crisis. Engage in this conversation and learn how people can become involved in housing justice and anti-displacement struggles.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Vivian Vázquez Irizarry
Film Co-Director

Neyda Martínez
Film Producer, Associate Professor of Media Management, School of Media Studio, and Co-Director of Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative.

MODERATOR:

Mia White
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at the Schools of Public Engagement.