As part of a special program to mark the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and in conjunction with Black History month, Tarrant County College’s Southeast Campus will host several civil rights events in February at the Judith J. Carrier Library.
Titled “Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle,” the program uses four documentary films to stimulate conversation about freedom and equality in America. Made possible through a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of its Bridging Cultures initiative, and, in partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, films in the “Created Equal” program span more than a century – from the 1830s to the 1960s – and feature stories about those who challenged legal and social mores, from slavery to segregation. Excerpts of these films will be shown at the library, followed by a discussion of the documentaries.
“By telling the stories of remarkable individuals involved in the civil rights movement, these programs have the power to inspire us to make changes within ourselves and our community, said Tracey Minzenmayer, Ph.D., assistant director of library services. “They show us that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference.”
Documentaries discussed will include:
Feb. 3, 1 p.m. – “Slavery by Another Name,” presented Greg Kosc, Ph.D., TCC associate professor of history. This program will involve a facilitated discussion of excerpts of the documentary, which is based on the 2008 Pulitzer Prize-winning book of the same name. This film tells the history of the forced labor programs in the South, which kept African-Americans in a different form of bondage until World War II.
Feb. 13, 5:30 p.m. – “The Loving Story,” presented by John Lundberg, Ph.D., TCC associate professor of history. This film highlights the marriage of Mildred and Richard Loving, who were arrested in Virginia in 1958 for violating the state ban on interracial marriage. Their case ended in a landmark Supreme Court case, which finally allowed them to live together as man and wife in their hometown. Dr. Lundberg will lead a discussion of the film.
Feb. 20, 2:30 p.m. – “Freedom Riders,” presented by Ruthann Geer, TCC instructor of government. The Freedom Riders were an interracial group of young activists who peacefully challenged segregation in the Deep South and were met with violence and incarceration. Geer will facilitate discussion based on excerpts from the documentary by the same name.
Feb. 27, 11:30 a.m. – “The Abolitionists,” presented by Kallie Kosc, TCC adjunct instructor of history. Kosc will lead a discussion of the documentary, which highlights the struggles of the men and women who led the uphill battle to abolish slavery in the United States.
In addition to the discussions regarding the documentaries, on Feb. 12 at 1 p.m., Tramaine Anderson, TCC instructor of history, will discuss local youth activism during the civil rights movement in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.