LANSING, MI — A powerful story of student activism and cultural resistance will take center stage on Monday, October 6, as the documentary War of the Flea: Fight for Xicano Studies screens at The Fledge DAO, located at 1300 Eureka St, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Directed by Ernesto Todd Mireles, War of the Flea captures the real-life struggle of Xicano students at Michigan State University who, through the grassroots efforts of the Movimiento Estudiantil Xicano de Aztlán (MEXA), fought to establish a Xicano/Latino Studies program on campus.
The film documents a modern-day David vs. Goliath battle, as students faced institutional resistance, political pushback, and coordinated efforts to silence their voices. Despite these challenges, their commitment to cultural self-determination and academic equity never wavered.
The screening will be followed by a community discussion with Mireles, offering deeper insight into the movement and its lasting impact on both education and identity.
The event is free and open to the public, inviting students, educators, activists, and community members to engage in an evening of film, resistance, and dialogue.
For those interested in social justice, ethnic studies, and grassroots organizing, War of the Flea is a must-see.
