Brandeis to host showing of ‘Selma,’ panel discussion on race and civil rights

As part its reflection on the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Brandeis this week is hosting a special screening of “Selma” and a panel discussion on race and civil rights in the United States.

“Selma” is the critically acclaimed film that chronicles the historic marches between Selma and Montgomery, Ala., in 1965, that were a critical part of Rev. King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s efforts to ensure the right of African Americans to vote. The film, just released to a national audience this month, will be shown Wednesday, Jan. 21, 6:30 pm, in the Wasserman Cinematheque in the Sachar International Center.

Alice Kelikian, associate professor of history and chair of the Film, Television and Interactive Media Program, arranged to have the film shown on campus. The special screening is sponsored by Film, Television and Interactive Media, the Department of African and Afro-American Studies (AAAS), the Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice, and Brandeis Bridges.

On Thursday, Jan. 22, AAAS, the Office of the President and the Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice are sponsoring “Selma and Beyond: A Discussion on Race and Civil Rights,” in Rapaporte Treasure Hall starting at 7 pm.

President Frederick M. Lawrence, as the moderator, and panelists Thomas Doherty, professor of American studies; Jasmine Johnson, assistant professor of AAAS and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies; Daniel Kryder, associate professor of politics; and Chad Williams, associate professor and chair of the AAAS Department, will discuss issues of race, civil rights and social justice that affect the country and campus.

Earlier in the week, Brandeis celebrated the 10th Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The Jan. 19 event, sponsored by MLK Scholars and Friends and the Dean of Students Office, featured a keynote address from Roy DeBerry ’70, executive director and one of the founders of the Hill Country Project and was an active participant in the civil rights movement, and performances by Louise Grasmere of students and enrollment, Makalani Mack ‘16, and Brandeis student groups The Kaos Kids and the So Unique Step Team, as well as by Emmy Award-winning Sean Fielder and the Boston Tap Company.

Categories: General, Humanities and Social Sciences, Student Life

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