By WMBD TV
NORMAL – Illinois State University’s African American Studies Program is hosting its inaugural film series.
Three times in February, the program is inviting the community to the Normal Theater to highlight Black voices and cultivate meaningful conversations.
In her first year as director, Dr. Brea Banks, says she and her colleagues believe there’s an ongoing need to pursue social change. The department thought creating a film series is one of those avenues of change.
“I think it’s important we look to the past, relevant to those past movements and the leaders that have come before us who have done this work, particularly relevant to the civil rights era, because we have a lot to learn from them,” she said. “And at the same time, I think it’s important too, we think about innovative and creative ways to engage in activism and advocacy and service our community.”
On Feb. 3, the program showcased “One Million Experiments.” According to the producers of the film, “One Million Experiments is an experimental documentary film that showcases and explores how we define and create safety in a world without police and prisons.”
On Feb. 10, there is a showing of “I Am Not Your Negro.” The documentary is based on a James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript analyzing the history of racism through reflections on Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The program partnered with the youth council from the Bloomington-Normal NAACP branch for the showing of the documentary narrated by Samuel L. Jackson.
Banks said sometimes people get siloed and it’s important for the community to come together across identity whether it’s race, age, or sexuality.
“I think when we’re able to come together and work together as a group and engage in these conversations, you know, across demographics, that’s where the real change can happen,” she said.
NAACP leadership said it was important to be intentional with this collaboration as they are exposing their youth to such powerful film.
“Not only will this docuseries give them an opportunity to reflect on what their forefathers have done, but it also draws a strong correlation with the work that they’re doing now,” said Dr. Carla Campbell-Jackson, the local branch’s first vice-president.
On Feb. 26, instead of a film, there will be a play reading of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf,” by Ntozake Shange. Through poetry, the 1970s work “reflects the experiences, struggles and triumphs of Black women.” It was adapted into a film by Tyler Perry in 2010.
Each film or play reading will be followed by a panel discussion. The doors open at 6 p.m. with the films or play reading starting at 6:30 p.m.. The first 50 people will receive free concessions. The Normal Theater is in Uptown Normal at 209 W. North St.
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