Salt of the Earth | Daniel Aguilar, Hinda Seif, & Isabel Skinner | Thursday, October 13, 6:00 PM | Brookens Auditorium

Salt of the Earth presents the true story of Mexican-American zinc miners who strike to end unsafe work conditions and unequal wages with their white counterparts. The film explores themes regarding the role of organized labor, what it means to be American, race, and feminism. The film stands out in history as a blacklisted film, swept up in the communist panic of the McCarthy era, but has stood the test of time to give a unique perspective of the Southwest in the 50s.

A panel discussion featuring Daniel Aguilar, Hinda Seif, and Isabel Skinner will follow the film screening and will explore the themes presented and the continued legacy of these topics in the modern day.

Daniel Aguilar is currently the Program Coordinator of Hispanic/LatinX Outreach at UIS. As a first-generation college student and Latino male, his passion is helping build community and creating paths to resources for underrepresented students and their allies.  He is a two-time graduate of UIS and received his Bachelors and Masters in Political Science.  He is continuing his education, pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Policy and Organizational Leadership at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Hinda Seif is an Associate Professor of Sociology/Anthropology at UIS.  Currently, Professor Seif researches and writes about the Latinization of Chicago through the lives, work, and perspectives of women artists of Mexican ancestry in the city.  With queer artivist and Festival co-organizer Diana Solís, Professor Seif will soon premier a digital exhibit on the Festival de Mujeres 1979 as a window to early Latina feminism in Chicago.  One of the first Latina street fairs in Chicago, the Festival was coordinated by Mujeres Latinas en Acción in the Pilsen neighborhood.

Isabel Skinner is an Assistant Professor in the UIS School of Politics and Public Affairs and she currently teaches SOA/PSC 442 Mexican Migration to the United States and PSC 485/486 Closing Seminar.  She received her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona and studies American Politics, political behavior, political psychology and specializes in immigration and refugee issues and minority politics. 

Co-Sponsored by the UIS Women’s Center and UIS Diversity Center