People riding city buses in Mankato will start seeing and hearing some changes. We continue our Pride Month coverage with a look at how a film series is connecting Minnesota’s queer communities with others across the globe. And, a summer exhibit in Duluth takes visitors back in time.
Transcript
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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.
ANCHOR: Coming up, those riding city buses in Mankato will start seeing and hearing some changes. We continue our Pride Month coverage with a look at how a film series is connecting Minnesota's queer communities with others across the globe. And, a summer exhibit in Duluth takes visitors back in time.
I'm Chantel SinGs.
Mankato Transit is rolling out changes to increase accessibility for its customers. Riders can expect to hear new voice announcements. Mankato area buses on fixed routes will start featuring digital displays and text-to-speech messaging, which will make it easier for all riders to utilize the transit system. In addition to making the buses compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city says the upgrades will enhance rider experience as well as driver and rider safety. The enhancements are part of a 350-thousand-dollar upgrade to Mankato's transit system.
Next: As Pride month is underway, St. Paul-based arts organization Mizna spotlights queer Palestinian and Arab stories with a special film series. Emily Krumberger has more.
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Michelle Baroody: we're just so inundated with images of violence, of death, of destruction, of massacre. And film and art allow us to see humanity.
In this particular moment, and in all moments, but right now, we need that. We need to see life.
Emily Krumberger: Michelle Baroody is the Film Programs Curator for Mizna. The organization, which started in the 1990’s, puts on the annual Twin Cities Arab Film Festival, publishes an art and literary journal and hosts film screenings state-wide.
Baroody: We've taken the film festival on the road a few times, to Winona and to St Cloud
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Emily Krumberger: Earlier this month in Minneapolis, Mizna hosted a screening of short films produced by queer Palestinian and Southwest Asia and North Africa - or SWANA - filmmakers.
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Baroody: So is a set of eight short films created by others who are part of this organization that and they'll be screening globally, across like and across different cities, all through June and the month of pride.
Emily Krumberger: Mizna’s event was part of a larger series organized by Queer Cinema for Palestine, which will be screened virtually in July.
Baroody: They were programmed by various folks across the world to attempt to show support for Palestinians. In the wake of the genocide, recent violence, a lot of different film series that usually would take place in Palestine had to be canceled.
Emily Krumberger: This year’s films spanned genres from stop motion animation to drama, and depicted love stories, heart break, and finding joy amidst violence.
Baroody: You know, our goal isn't to present Arab and SWANA stories for audiences who need to be convinced of the humanity of Arab and SWANA people. But to, you know, see ourselves represented on screen, to see our, you know, the varied communities of Arab and SWANA folks out there that we know exist, but you know that, of course, get sort of flattened into stereotypes.
Emily Krumberger: During Pride month, this mission is uniquely important for Mizna.
Baroody: I mean I think there is stereotype and stigma around the idea that Arab and SWANA communities are particularly oppressive to queer identities.
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Emily Krumberger: Even in times of fear, violence, and crisis, Michelle says,
Baroody: continuing to create and make art and tell stories that's just imperative. How else will we mark this moment? And sometimes it feels like, what else can we do?
Emily Krumberger: Go to mizna dot org for information about upcoming events, including an online reading on June 26th. For North Star Stories, I’m Emily Krumberger.
You are listening to North Star Stories.
The Great Lakes Aquarium is bringing the past to the present in a new exhibit. 'Lava to Lakes' invites guests to uncover life's ancient secrets. It features life-size models of ancient marine animals, including horseshoe crabs and extinct armored fish. Guests can even touch jellyfish and small sharks. The immersive show opened Memorial Day weekend and will run through the summer. Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund paid for about half of the exhibit's million-dollar cost.
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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.