Film introduces new effort for race unity
GUESTWORK | Mike Lang
How did the racial stereotypes that permeate our society come into being? What are the most effective ways to get beyond these stereotypes and build a society worthy of our national motto – E Pluribus Unum? Is our nation becoming more unified or polarized on issues of race? These are important questions that are addressed in a 52-minute documentary coming to Springfield Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Prairie Capital Convention Center (PCCC).
Racial Taboo is an apt name for a film that tackles, head-on, questions often ignored or swept under the rug. The film is being brought here by the Springfield Race Unity Committee, its member organizations and supporters. Committee Chairperson Delores Martin recently arranged screenings of the film at the Springfield Dominican Sisters’ motherhouse with District 186 administrators and other community/religious leaders. School district personnel who have seen the film think it highly appropriate for all highschool and most middle-school students.
Organizers are hoping to attract a diverse crowd on Oct. 17, and have titled the gathering “Greater Springfield’s Family Reunion: A call for Unity.” Clearly, unity has been in short supply throughout our nation; we hope and pray Springfield will become a leader in this important work.
The documentary that will
be shown free on Oct. 17 is often riveting, and evokes a wide range of
responses from viewers. It includes an abbreviated history of race
relations in the United States and shines a light on recent efforts by a
diverse group of South Carolinians to bridge the black/white gap that
can seem intractable. A trailer of the video can be found at www.racialtaboo.com There will be two separate PCCC screenings of Racial Taboo on
Oct. 17 – the first at 11 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m. After both
screenings will be a brief explanation of Constructive Conversations on
Race, a program that is bringing people of diverse backgrounds together
for honest conversations about race. Such conversations, which work well
in cross-congregational settings, have been occurring in Springfield
for the last 19 months.
Initiated
by the Race Unity Committee and endorsed by the Springfield Ministerial
Alliance and the Greater Springfield Interfaith Association,
Constructive Conversations on Race is a proven program that has led to
many honest, non-accusatory discussions on race, and to a significant
number of interracial/ congregational friendships that are continuing to
blossom across the Springfield area.
You
can be a part of this local effort to promote brotherhood, peace and
unity. Come to one the Oct. 17 screenings at the PCCC, take part in a
Constructive Conversation on Race, and be prepared to see yourself and
others in a whole new light. Help us by going to www.Eventbrite.com, searching for “Greater Springfield Family Reunion” and printing out free tickets for the Oct. 17 screening of your choice.
Need
further incentive? The committee will be giving away multiple sets of
University of Illinois basketball tickets (for games at the PCCC) as
door prizes on Oct. 17. More information on the “Greater Springfield
Family Reunion” can be found at our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ groups/753331118110345/
Mike Lang of Sherman is a longtime supporter and promoter of race unity in Springfield.
