The Higher Ground Society and AU Community and Civic Engagement will be hosting a screening of “I am Not Your Negro,” a documentary film by Raoul Peck that draws from the memoirs of James Baldwin to analyze racial differences in America.
“This free event seeks to enlighten and empower us as a community to face current racial/social injustices, seen and unseen,” read the open invitation to the event on the Higher Ground Society’s Facebook page. “Bring a curious mind and an open heart. We're all here to grow together.”
Following the screening of the film, there will be an open discussion with a panel of Auburn University and community members including Dr. Julia Charles from the College of Liberal Arts, Dr. Adrienne Duke from the College of Human Sciences and Richard Trammel, Jr., an Auburn graduate, thespian and Civic and Community Engagement Specialist for the Sixfifty company.
Jerald Crook, founder of The Higher Ground Society said that the event will benefit the community by sparking conversation.
“The event will be used to foster conversations, important conversations that we think are needed,” Crook said. “It will be useful to help build a sense of community and understanding amongst people within the Auburn community. “
The documentary is based on the unfinished project of James Baldwin, “Remember This House,” in which Baldwin shared his personal accounts of the lives and successive assassinations of his three close friends Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. Crook said that the film is being shown because its message echoes what is in the news today.
“If you look at the subject matter of the film its very relevant, there are a lot of parallels between James Baldwin’s life and his experiences and what we are doing today in society,” Crook said.
The free event will be held Thursday, Oct. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in Langdon Hall.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
