Photo by Charly Mann www.chapelhillmemories.com/cat/14/253
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, WCU will screen the documentary “King- From Montgomery to Memphis”. The film comes as the first event of Western’s interdisciplinary theme for the year, “1960’s: Take it all in“.
The screening will start at 7 p.m. in Niggli Theatre followed by a discussion led by the documentary editor Jack Sholder and visiting assistant professor from the Department of History Rob Ferguson.
The documentary follows the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. focusing on the major activities in his life, beginning around the time King wrote the famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in 1963 and ending at his assassination in 1968.
According to Jack Sholder there is no narration in the film, it will instead be a news reel of all of King’s great speeches. ” Everybody knows that there was a civil rights movement, but to see what happened, dogs biting children, churches being blown up and abuse of the marchers really makes you understand what this is about.” said Sholder promising that “it will be entertaining, gripping, very moving and very important”.
At the end of the film, the discussion will give students an opportunity to raise their voices and talk about race, the movement and how their lives have been impacted by Kings speeches and what they feel needs to be done in today’s society.
On the same day, the NAACP will also be holding a demonstration at the District 11, Sylva Bridge Park beginning at 5:30 p.m. The rally is one of 13 being held across the state of North Carolina to bring attention to the elimination of Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, which previously prevented racial discrimination from playing a part in the voting process.
In cooperation with Tyana Johnson.
