Along the length of Chicago’s Halsted Street one can view a dozen nationalities and a thousand lifestyles. This riveting, kaleidoscopic “road movie” traces this unique thoroughfare nearly 400 miles, from its origin in the cornfields of southern Illinois up to Chicago’s far south side, then through several neighborhoods to its terminus in the heart of Lakeview. Narrated by Studs Terkel, Halsted Street, U.S.A. is a thought-provoking crash-course in American cultural geography.
Taped at the first-ever women’s street fair held in Pilsen, a predominantly Latinx, working-class neighborhood in Chicago. The event was organized by Mujeres Latinas in Accion to showcase Latinx women’s culture and to provide information about social services, health services and recreational opportunities available for women. The video captures the activity and color of the fair and features readings by poets Salima Rivera and Marta Callazo. Comments by organizers, participants and local residents give insight into the role of Latinx women in society at that time. Produced, videotaped, and edited by Eleanor Boyer and Karen Peugh with a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
Maria Almonte immigrated from Mexico to Chicago’s Pilsen–Little Village neighborhood in 1950. An
artist/teacher, she supported her family from her flower shop business and became a leader in the
educational and cultural life of the community. She taught traditional arts, crafts, and practical skills
like dress-making in settlement houses, in community workshops and in her own studio. At the age of
70 she continued to teach and act on her belief that artistic expression is a powerful tool for
developing cultural identity and individual self-esteem. The video shows Ms. Almonte in community-
sponsored workshops teaching neighborhood residents how to make traditional cut-paper ornaments
and how to design clothing. In the hall of a local church her students model their creations and receive
recognition. Produced, directed and edited by Eleanor Boyer and Karen Peugh. Partially funded by
the Illinois Arts Council and the Center for New Television with a Joyce Foundation grant.
Gold Can Award, Chicago Access Corporation, 1986; Certificate of Merit, Chicago International
Film Festival, 1984
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Footage for In Plain English. University of Oregon’s students of color discuss what race means in terms of their experiences on and off campus. The video is a procession of talking heads, positioning the students as points of authority while also encouraging the viewer to consider their own expectations and ideas of race.
![[In Plain English #4]](https://development-q5nzhaa-ou7jifsrmm4uk.us.platform.sh/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1205111319-4a975398c077b9524912fa2a62960767b9ce6f04117c31afb03bf16dad3af2aa-d_295x166-228x160.png)
Footage for In Plain English. University of Oregon’s students of color discuss what race means in terms of their experiences on and off campus. The video is a procession of talking heads, positioning the students as points of authority while also encouraging the viewer to consider their own expectations and ideas of race.
![[In Plain English #2]](https://development-q5nzhaa-ou7jifsrmm4uk.us.platform.sh/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1201161015-c1faec7d4d2e9ae5345959a78839fd116f105fc6c0484703b3f219f13056fdd2-d_295x166-228x160.png)
Footage for In Plain English. University of Oregon’s students of color discuss what race means in terms of their experiences on and off campus. The video is a procession of talking heads, positioning the students as points of authority while also encouraging the viewer to consider their own expectations and ideas of race.
![[In Plain English #1]](https://development-q5nzhaa-ou7jifsrmm4uk.us.platform.sh/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1201089759-64e46739c05d47bc0f4df0bf6752a2ab625b1afc179a59fc60d90c484c567f10-d_295x166-228x160.png)
Footage for In Plain English. University of Oregon’s students of color discuss what race means in terms of their experiences on and off campus. The video is a procession of talking heads, positioning the students as points of authority while also encouraging the viewer to consider their own expectations and ideas of race.
This video presents a variety of interviews and musical performances on the subject of gangs and gang violence. The primary topic is the truce between Black and Latinx gangs in the Oakwood area of the neighborhood of Venice in Los Angeles, California in the summer of 1994.
The people in the video include gang members, former gang members, and members of Los Angeles communities most affected by gangs. Speakers discuss the root causes of gangs, including disinvestment and lack of economic opportunity in Black and Latinx neighborhoods.
Produced through the Imperial Courts Cap Video Workshop, 1994.