Civil Rights Documentaries Will Be Screened In Rockland

Four films with new footage illustrating the history of civil rights in America will be screened in Rockland County in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s March on Washington. Starting in October, the African American Historical Society of Rockland County (AAHS of RC) and its community partners will offer screenings and discussions centered around the documentaries: “The Abolitionists,” “Slavery by Another Name,” “Freedom Riders,” and “The Loving Story.”  

The programming is being made possible through the National Endowment for the Humanities’ initiative “Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle.” Its objective is to use documentary films to encourage community discussion of America’s civil rights history. NEH partnered with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History to develop programming and support materials.

AAHS of RC President Wylene Branton Wood said the organization is one of 473 institutions across the country awarded the four films that chronicle the history of the civil rights movement.  “Freedom Riders” received an Emmy in 2012 and “The Loving Story” and “The Abolitionists” have been nominated for Emmys this year.  

“These films chronicle the long and sometimes violent effort to achieve the rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness—for all Americans,” said Wood. “We are pleased to receive a grant from NEH to provide programming around these films. These documentaries and the conversations/discussions that ensue will be particularly meaningful for our community since currently there is discord among people with different backgrounds, life experiences, and goals.” 

AAHS of RC’s community partners and co-sponsors include: Rockland Community College, VCS Inc., St. Thomas Aquinas College, Jamaican Civic and Cultural Association, Spring Valley NAACP, The CEJJES Institute, The Anti-Racist Alliance, Rivertown Film, Nyack NAACP, Naomi’s Program of Excellence, Holocaust Museum and Study Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. Multi-Purpose Center, Chiku Awali African Dance, Arts and Culture, Historical Society of Rockland County, SUNY New Paltz, Nyack College, Konbit Neg Lakay, Dominican College, The Center for Safety and Change, and the National Pan Hellenic Council of Rockland County. 

Each of the films was produced with NEH support, and each tells stories of individuals who challenged the social and legal status quo of deeply rooted institutions, from slavery to segregation. 

The African American Historical Society of Rockland County works to expand the knowledge and understanding of individuals and groups concerning the culture and history of peoples of the African Diaspora.  The organization promotes knowledge and understanding through conversations with other groups, through educational programming, cultural presentations, speakers, website, film screenings and library materials.