Sponsored by the Racial Justice Project and the Religious Exploration and Engagement Program

This event will be shown via Zoom on February 19, at 6:00 p.m. Central time.

“I Am Not Your Negro” is a blunt, visceral documentary of James Baldwin’s thoughts on racism in America, using archival footage of his speeches and notes from the book he was writing at the time of his death.  Raoul Peck’s film mixes in footage from Rodney King’s beating, from Barack Obama’s presidency, and from Ferguson, Missouri’s riots, with historical photos of lynchings, civil rights protests, and police brutality.  Baldwin is an acclaimed author of books such as Notes of a Native Son and If Beale Street Could Talk.  Baldwin’s unfinished book focused on the lives of three slain Black leaders:  Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers. This film makes you think long and hard about the inhumane, racist society we have created and challenges us to confront the brutality against people of color inherent in America. “I Am Not Your Negro” is powerful and gut-wrenching; a movie particularly crucial for white people to digest. 

We will gather at 6pm on Saturday, February 19 via Zoom and watch this film together (1 hr, 33 min). Following the film, Dr. Augustus Wood will provide some commentary and context for the film. Dr. Wood is a post-doctoral Research Associate in the Labor Education Program at the University of Illinois. He studies political economy and gentrification, labor, and working-class social movements in African American urban history.  All who join this event are encouraged to participate in a Q & A discussion with Dr. Wood after his commentary. Please visit this link to access the Zoom.