African American History Month Film Series

This free film series is presented in partnership with the Louisville Free Public Library, the Uofl Health Sciences Center Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the UofL College of Arts & Sciences.

All film screenings will be followed by a discussion lead by UofL faculty.

FREE and open to the public.
PARKING IS FREE.
Hearing loop available for the hearing impaired.

Main Library
301 York St.

Find more info at lfpl.org/aahfilms.

Complete Film Slate and Panelists

February 2, 2020 - The Free State of Jones

This is a true story of a multiracial armed revolt in Mississippi during the Civil War, unionizing Jones County, Mississippi. The story continues forward from Reconstruction to 1948 encompassing voting rights, lynching, post-Civil War work force conscriptions, and the Mississippi State Supreme Court miscegenation laws. Rated R. 2 hours 19 minutes.

Panelists:

• Cedric Merlin Powell, J.D. - Wyatt Tarrant & Combs Professor of Law and Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, University of Louisville
• Clestine Lanier - Program Coordinator Sr., Diversity & Community Engagement, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville
• Nicholas McCleod - Ph.D. Candidate, Pan-African Studies, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville

February 9, 2020 - Best of Enemies

This movie is based on true events of the co-directorship of Durham, North Carolina court ordered school integration in 1971. The co-directors were Ann Atwater, civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan. Rated PG-13. 2 hours and 13 minutes.

Panelists:

• Tracy K' Meyer, Ph.D. - Professor, Department of History, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville
• Tafeni English - Director, Civil Rights Memorial Center, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
• Representative from American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

February 16, 2020 - Blackkklansman

In the early 1970s, an African American police officer successfully infiltrates the local Ku Klux Klan branch with the help of a Jewish surrogate who eventually becomes its leader. This Spike Lee rendition is based on true events. Rated R.
2 hours and 15 minutes.

Panelists:

• David Owen, Ph.D. - Interim Dean and Professor of Philosophy, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville
• Asaf Angermann, Ph.D. - Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Jewish Thought, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville
• Gary Lewis, Jr. - Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety, University of Louisville
• Lamont Washington - Sergeant, Media and Public Relations Office, Louisville Metro Police Department
• Representative from Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)

February 23, 2020 - When They See Us

Based on true events, five teens from Harlem become trapped in a nightmare when they are falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park New York in 1989. We will be showing the first part of this 4 part Netflix series. Rated TV-MA. 1 hour and 4 minutes.

Panelists:

• Cherie Dawson-Edwards, Ph.D. - Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville
• Shelton McElroy, M.C. - Associate Director, The Bail Project
• Dana Seay, M.Ed.- Instructor, Department of Communication, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville
• Ivan Haygood - Officer, 2nd Division, Louisville Metro Police Department