The Utah Film Center is adjusting its programming this Black History Month to put more opportunities for the community to discuss topics relating to the month.
Russell Roots handles community outreach at the film center and believes the topic of learning about the Black experience is important.
“This is a really great opportunity to highlight the successes, the industry and the political savviness of Black Americans. Yes, we are coming from this place of racial standpoint last summerbut black history is American history,” he said.
Every Tuesday, this month the public can sign up online to watch free films of African American Pioneers.
Patrick Hubley is the Executive Director for the Utah Film Center and said that slots to sign up to watch online will be limited.
He hopes the films will help people better understand what the black experience in the United States looks and feels like as a whole.
“It’s important for us as a country as a community to accept and understand our history and that means the good, the bad the ugly,” Hubley said.
You can see a list of upcoming films here.
One upcoming film gives an in-depth look at the 1972 presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to congress and the first to seek nomination of U.S. president.
Billy Palmer, is a community affairs radio co-host in Salt Lake City.
He’s partnering with the Utah Film Center by participating in an additional program called ‘Black, Bold and Brilliant to keep the black culture discussion going.
“The next episode coming up is BLERD, it’s about black nerds,” Palmer chuckled. “So there’s so much more to our story. And why not remind ourselves of that.”
He wants people to not be afraid to talk about matters as it relates to race and be open.
“The more we become educated and less afraid and less uncomfortable when we talk and say the words black; it’s OK to say, be, do blackness,” he said.
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