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- We know the culture! We are locally owned and operated.
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Creating Connection and Meaning between travelers and with indigenous artisans. Meet makers where they live and work. Join small groups of like-minded explorers. Go deep into remote villages. Gain insights. Support cultural heritage and sustainable traditions ie. hand weaving and natural dyeing. Create value and memories. Enjoy hands-on experiences. Make a difference.
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What is a Study Tour: Our programs are learning experiences, and as such we talk with makers about how and why they create, what is meaningful to them, the ancient history of patterning and design, use of color, tradition and innovation, values and cultural continuity, and the social context within which they work. First and foremost, we are educators. Norma worked in top US universities for over 35 years and Eric founded the education department at Oaxaca’s textile museum. We create connection.
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OCN Creates Student Scholarship at Oaxaca Learning Center Giving back is a core value. Read about it here!
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Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC has offered programs in Mexico since 2006. We have over 30 years of university, textile and artisan development experience. See About Us.
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Race, Ethnicity and Hate Crimes: The Gunning Down of Arizona Congresswoman Giffords
I write about Oaxaca. What does Oaxaca have to do with Arizona and the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords today? I am supposed to be writing about travel, culture, weaving and textiles, the wonderful people of Teotitlan del Valle, archeological sites, and the sublime mole prepared by Pilar Cabrera at La Olla.
Read this New York Time article about how an English course in Latino studies has been ruled illegal by the State of Arizona. It is important to read the last paragraph. The politicians of Arizona are creating an inflammatory environment that encourages the kind of violent behavior that was perpetrated on Congresswoman Giffords today. I consider this a “hate crime” and this has an impact on all of us. What is happening in Arizona should have the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice. As the Justice Department moved into Alabama in the 1960’s to support the Civil Rights Movement, there should be a call to action for the same in Arizona now.
Is this blog a place for politics?
P.S. Gabrielle Giffords is considered a centrist, an environmentalist, and was targeted by Sarah Palin in her “crosshairs map” of representatives to be defeated. The image is what you sight through a rifle scope. Her opponent in last November’s election was a Tea Party candidate; she won by a 1% margin. Giffords supported immigration reform AND stronger border protection. She voted for health care reform. Paul Krugman in the NY Times today predicts that the war of words around health care reform will turn to more violence in the months and years ahead. I believe we have lost our senses as a nation.
Politicians are culpable in this crime. Words are powerful and incite fear, hatred, anger and fury. Sarah Palin, Glen Beck, Fox News and the Tea Party speak about inciting violence, revolution and the taking-up of arms against the government they do not like. This is provocative and must stop.
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Posted in Cultural Commentary
Tagged Arizona, Civil Rights Movement, Gabrielle Giffords, Latin American studies, Oaxaca, postaweek2011, Tucson