On this edition of Central Issues we discuss an issue that affects millions of people every year. This issue is not unique to any race, ethnicity, gender or class. This issue…is domestic violence. Last year in the city of Syracuse the police department answered 10,312 domestic violence calls, arrested 1,575 domestic violence perpetrators and arrested 170 sexual offense perpetrators.

Vera House is working to end domestic and sexual violence. This organization holds multiple events throughout the year to raise awareness for people who are being hurt or can not speak for themselves. On event in particular that is close to us here at WCNY is the White Ribbon Campaign. This event begins on March 25th and goes through April 3rd. On this C.I. we take a close look at domestic violence and inform you on how to help end this world wide problem.

For details on the event please visit
www.verahouse.org

A woman named a Clara Zetkin (leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) came up with the idea of an International Women’s Day. She proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day – a Women’s Day – to press for their demands. In a conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women’s clubs, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin’s suggestion with unanimous approval and thus International Women’s Day was the result.

soruce: internationalwomensday.com 

On this edition of Central Issues we are honoring the 100^th Anniversary of International Women’s day by exploring the past present and future of women artists.

ArtRage Gallery Presents

100 Years of Women Rockin’ The World

A Celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of International Women’s Day

March 5^th thru April 23, 2011

www.artragegallery.org

The Warehouse Gallery Presents

Kueng Caputo: The Quadrangular Cloud

March 3^rd thru May 14, 2011

Also at The Warehouse

Artist Talk: Stephanie Rozene will discuss her new site-specific work

The Politics of Porcelain

March 7^th, 2011 at 6:00PM

At The Warehouse Gallery

350 West Fayette Street Syracuse, NY 13202

When the Governor of Wisconsin proposed a budget to limit the power of public employee unions right to collectively bargain, it made headlines across the country. Since the first whispers of this bill reached the ears of union member’s protests began and continued for weeks. Trying to find a resolution between supporters for the bill and union members has become a considerable task. The outcome could affect not only Wisconsin, but the future of union’s across the country. The power of unions’ political background is in peril, jobs are on the line and the design of unions hangs in the balance.

On the next edition of Central Issues we discuss the options facing public employee unions, whether a middle ground can be found, and if actions like those in Wisconsin could happen here in New York.

In the week prior to the controversial decision made by the House of Representative to eliminated federal funding for public broadcasting, Congressmen Bill Owens (D) was extremely vocal in his opinion of the bill. He was open and honest about his relationship with his local PBS station stating he was their lawyer for 25 years and his wife still works for that station. In a speech he gave February 14th on the floor of the House he stated;

“I agree that reducing spending is a priority, but it must be achieved without resorting to ideologically based slash and burn tactics that will not allow us to facilitate a compromise with the Senate and White House. Which brings real reduction in spending based upon the shared pain which we all understand is needed.”

On this edition of Central Issues we not only discuss funding for PBS, we also ask Owens his opinion on Governor Cuomo’s budget and his thoughts on the turbulence in the Middle East.

After weeks of protest the Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak ended his 30 year reign on Friday February 11, 2010. The country is now under military control and will remain so for the next six months or until free democratic elections are held. So, what comes next for Egypt? How will they become a democracy and can it happen in six months?

Our panel of experts helps us understand the factors that led to the Egyptian uprising and discuss the protests in Libya, Bahrain and our very own Madison, Wisconsin. The future of Egypt is unknown; find what our experts predict on this edition of C.I.

In looking at the social movements that erupted in the 1960’s The Black Panther party left a unique footprint among the history of our nation. In an attempt to preserve their message and legacy the ArtRage gallery is hosting a traveling exhibit from Los Angeles. The art work featured in this exhibition is on loan from the Center for the Study of Political Graphics. Consisting of manly posters the assemblage of 64 items is a portion of the Center’s more the 75,000 donated pieces ranging from the 19th century to today.

On this edition of Central Issues we talk in depth about the message behind the Black Panthers iconic imagery like the fist and Huey Newton. We will also discuss the importance of understating what these images mean and how they represent the intent behind the Panther party.

Please visit the exhibit:
“All Power to the People! Graphics of the Black Panther Party, USA.”
ArtRage Gallery, 505 Hawley Ave., Syracuse
2 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Feb. 19.
Information: 218-5711.
Admission: Free.