WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28. 2005
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3A
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5 Jayhawk
Filmmaker meets controversy
Journalism graduate student Ranjit Arab utilizes the Dole Institute for his film documentaries
Kim Andrews/KANSAN
BY STEVE LYNN
slynn@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Ranjit Arab strives to make film documentaries that provide in-depth coverage about immigration issues in Kansas, and his confrontations with one official have not prevented him from making films with controversial topics.
Arab, a 35-year-old Lawrence graduate student in journalism, will screen "in-state," the newest documentary from Arab and his cameraman, Baldwin senior Aaron Paden, on campus tonight. Arab's "El Jardin" won two awards at the KAN Film Festival in 2003.
Arab's "in-state" focuses on a law that legislators passed in 2004, which granted in-state tuition for some undocumented immigrants at public universities, including the University of Kansas. The Federation for American Immigration Reform and 24 students sued Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, the Kansas Board of Regents and state university chancellors and presidents in 2004, Arab said. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2005.
"Making movies seemed to be the best way to get the point across," Arab said. "People can see the people who are affected by the laws rather than just reading about them."
During the making of "El Jardin," Arab made some unsuccessful attempts to interview Kansas State School Board member Connie Morris. He said he tried to ask her questions about her immigration policies, which sought to bar undocumented immigrants from attending Kindergarten through 12th grade in public schools.
"She just didn't feel obligated as a public figure to talk about her policies," Arab said. "She works for the citizens of the state. It really is her duty to answer those questions."
Making the films has not always gone smoothly for Arab, who has worked in media-related professions throughout Kansas until beginning graduate school recently.
Morris did not return phone calls or an e-mail message requesting an interview.
Penny Plamann, secretary to the
Sue Gamble, school board member,
said she didn't know why Morris had
given up on the press, but said that she
was present at a board meeting where
Morris refused an interview with Arab.
Gamble also said that Morris had recently made a habit of screening phone calls and e-mails, on which she has programmed an automatic response, to avoid the press.
board, said Morris had given up on the press.
According to an October 2004 article in The Hutchinson News, Morris reported Arab to the FBI "to ward off any possible stalking or terroristic behavior."
Arab said he made a Freedom of Information Act request to view the complaint, but the office said it had no record of such a complaint.
Arab, whose parents immigrated legally from India in the 1960s, made the documentaries to provide a voice for immigrants who would otherwise remain silent about their struggle for rights in Kansas. He said immigrants were afraid of being deported, put in prison or fined if they asserted themselves on certain issues.
"These are dangerous times — to
Gamble said she thought Morris accused Arab of possible stalking or terroristic behavior because of Morris' geographical background.
Arab hopes "in-state" will educate people on the issues that immigrants face in Kansas, he said. After screening the film in classrooms a number of times, Arab was surprised to learn how little people knew about immigrants and how much they paid in taxes, what rights they were entitled to and how they contributed to the economy, he said.
"OK, you've got Connie Morris from podunk Kansas. This man is asking her opinion," Gamble said. "Her best defense is to accuse him of this."
"There's a lack of understanding." Arab said. "We've reduced these people to titles like aliens and workers; We don't view them as people with goals, rights and aspirations."
be accused of that is no laughing matter," Arab said.
Edited by Kellis Robinett
Larald by Kean Robbins
SHOWING OF IN-STATE
◆ When: 6 p.m., tonight
Where: 427 Summerfield Hall
- Length: 40 minutes
◆ Length: 40 minutes
Free to the public
Free to the public
Discussion will follow
ON THE RECORD
An 18-year-old KU student reported a $360 gray specialized mountain bike stolen sometime between 3 p.m. Sept. 25 and midnight Sept. 26 from Oliver Hall.
- A 22-year-old KU student reported a $100 radar detector and $12 in other valuables stolen from a vehicle sometime between midnight and 4:05 p.m. Sept. 20 at the 1300 block of West 24th Street.
♦ A 19-year-old KU student reported a $250 silver iPod stolen sometime between 8 and 10 p.m. Sept. 15 from GSP-Corbin Hall.
ON CAMPUS
Michael Powell, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, will speak at 7:30 p.m. at the Lied Center. Admission is free. No tickets are needed.
- A new interactive art exhibit called "Two Cultures: Collection" by Texas artist Tracy Hicks will be unveiled at a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the KU Hall Center for the Humanities. Hicks will present and discuss his work. Regular hours for the exhibit will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Monday.
- A free performance of "On the Yellow Brick Road with Salman Rushdie and Paul Stephen Lim: An Evening of Reminiscences and Revelations" will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.
CAMPUS
Spanish-speaking students visit campus for bilingual recruitment
Spanish-speaking high school students will have two days to learn about applying and coming to the University of Kansas. Special on-campus visits set up by the Office of Admissions and Scholarships will be held on Oct. 27 and Dec. 7. This is the first time the office has played host to specific on-campus visits for Spanish speakers.
Bilingual staff members will talk to students about applying for admission, financial aid and housing, said Lisa Pinamonti Kres, director of the Office of Admissions and Scholarships.
She said the University has held programs for Spanish-speaking students in Dodge City and Garden City, but never on campus.
"This is to provide an additional opportunity to understand the process of going to KU for Spanish-speaking students." Pinamonti Kress said.
Registration is based on a first-come, first-serve basis.
John Jordan