ToraCon

There are few words that can be used to describe the yearly anime convention at RIT that is Tora Con. Weird. Fun. Interesting. Educational. Geeky. Slutty. Any of these could apply to the children, students and adults that converge on campus to celebrate all things anime with lectures, performances, social gatherings and shopping. For one who is uninformed about anime, simply walking around campus was an adventure of colors, sights and crazy hair styles.

In doing so, it quickly became apparent that the primary reason for attending Tora Con was about spending time with your friends in costume, mugging for the cameras and commenting on other characters. The weather cooperated perfectly, spilling people outdoors into the courtyards and walkways to mingle.



For those not anime inclined, the event could be overwhelming with masses of costumed teenagers clogging the walkways and shouting strange, game-related phrases. The anime lovers were frequently given wide berth by students visiting or working on campus.

What has been on my mind? Migrant labor. As I found out about 6 months ago, I have been blissfully ignorant to one of the largest stories in the county. Monroe county, and the neighboring Wayne county, both support large numbers of migrant workers who come to pick the fruit and vegetables that are grown here. I have been working on immigration reform and documentary work in the area for the past 6 months, which has been frustrating, hard, intense, interesting and fun.

Not only do these people come long, long distances to work, they do not plan on staying. They do not cause trouble. They do not take jobs away: in fact, every farmer I have spoken with has said that they have begged, pleaded, and dragged American workers to the fields, only to have them quit after a few days. Despite these facts, there remains a good amount of negative press about migrant workers, and their role in society.

I am concerned that the upcoming "immigration reform" will do nothing to help, and that the debate around immigration will become bogged down in lies and assumptions. Perhaps I am naive in thinking that my own documentary and academic work will somehow effect how people think about migrant workers, and will help some see how the situation is. For those who are reading this, please check back for updates. If you are looking for more information on this subject please see:

Food, Inc. (film)
With These Hands (book)
NYCLU Immigration Reform (website)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14509724 (radio piece)