Page 20 - BigConversationsDismantlingRacism

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Viewing and discussion of the film,“13 ”.
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This film was titled after the 13 Amendment. In this
documentary, filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the
history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on
the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled
with African-Americans. It was first shown at the Calvert
Library with a discussion following. It had an enormous
impact and the BC-DRaP committee chose to show it again
in December, right before the Big Conversation in January
2018. There were over 100 people who attended the
program at Middleham & St Peter’s. The facilitated
conversation after the film was rich and moving.

Here are some of the statements from the exit cards:

x I did not realize how systemic the problem of racism is.
x Statistics were eye opening and frightening.
x This is a moral problem for which each of us is responsible. We need to write
letters, make phone calls, attend public meetings and VOTE. We need to hold
politicians accountable. Make them know that we will HOLD THEM
ACCOUNTABLE.
x I have so many racist friends who are content remaining so. What can I do?
Where do I start?
x What can we do? What can we pressure our legislators to do?
x The power of the Black Lives Matter Movement- its energy, voice, flexibility,
visibility and explained in a succinct, clear and impactful way. They give me
hope.
x This is my 3rd time I have seen this film. My adult son (43 years old) – we are
African- Americans – insisted that we watch this after a Sunday dinner. It was so
hard. Then I sat in at the Library’s presentation. Today was my third viewing
and for the first time I cried. My tears would not stop. It made me sick. Why –
because things have not changed in view of the words and actions of the current
government administration.” But in God all things are possible.
x How do I talk about this subject to my “racist” friends?
x What can we do as individuals to help with bringing us all together?
x How did you not know as white people what blacks went through and are still
going through? Is it that you didn’t want to know? Or because your rights were
not affected?

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