Please pardon the cross postings.

We are delighted to announce the launching of the "Exploring Amistad" web site.
"Exploring Amistad" brings together a unique compendium of primary
historical documents about the Amistad incidet, provides historical
context, offers resources for teachers, and provides opportunites for
discussion of the incident and its legacies--and it is available now d (at
least in its initial iteration)! at:

http://amistad.mysticseaport.org

"Exploring Amistad" will open with a LIVE, Real Audio & chat based
interactive online discussion of the issues the Amistad incident first
brought to the fore and their continued vibrancy for Americans today.  The
live webcast will be on from 6 to 8 pm EST *tonight* December 12th.

      Please join us!  See below for details or check at the web site.

The launch forum will consider the subject of the Amistad as a series of
stories. From 1839 when it exploded into American consciousness, to the
present day this event has held powerful meanings. Why? What about the
incident made it such a spectacle in the 1830s and 40s? Why does it
continue to resonate today? What can it teach us now?

Panelists in this open discussion include:

       - Fred Dalzell, Web Site Project Director, Exploring Amistad
       - Mahen Bonettie, Curator of the African Film Festival at Lincoln
       Center
       - Gloria Harper Dickinson, Department of African American Studies,
       College of New Jersey
       - Quentin Snediker, Amistad Project Coordinator, Mystic Seaport
       (building the replica of the schooner Amistad)

Our panelist's lively dialog will address hot topics surrounding the
renewed interest in Amistad. Take a listen!

NYU has allocated extra bandwidth for this production to allow unlimited live
audio feeds. In addition, we will be hosting interactive chat sessions
where everyone can participate.

So please note! To get the most out of the Amistad discussion forum, we
advise that you visit Better Living through Radio, the host of "Exploring
Amistad's" live launch before 6pm to be sure that you have the necessary
software: http://www.BLTRadio.com/

Better Living Through Radio is a project of NYU's Interactive
Telecommunications Program. Also, please visit Real Audio to download the
software you will need for this event before the 12th.at 6pm EST.

Sponsors:

       Interactive Telecommunications Program at New York University
        http://www.itp.tsoa.nyu.edu/
       Africana Studies Department at NYU
        http://www.nyu.edu/cas/dept/afri.htm
       Amistad America: building the freedom schooner
        http://www.amistadamerica.org

Produced in part with funding from the National Endowment for the
Humanities:  http://www.neh.fed.us

       Guy S. Hermann  **  [log in to unmask]  **  860-572-5392
     http://www.mysticseaport.org/  The Museum of America and the Sea
            The Museum Computer Network:  http://www.mcn.edu