How did three U.S. towns make African Americans disappear? Marco Williams, award-winning filmmaker of TWO TOWNS OF JASPER, visits some of the whitest counties in the country to confront the legacy of “banishment” – a wave of racial purging that tore through the South 100 years ago. Williams sits down with KKK leaders, white residents of these all white communities, as well as descendants of the banished alike, opening the wounds of history. Will he help these communities heal? Is reconciliation possible? Or reparations? Or both?
Banished: Film Screening and Discussion
(MSU’s African-American Studies Committee Film Series)
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 1014
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Missouri State University
Glass Hall, Room 101
Facilitator: Dr. Hornsby-Gutting, History
The towns of Pierce City, Missouri, Forsyth County, Georgia, and Harrison, Arkansas, banished their black residents a century ago. The film raises questions about privilege, responsibility, denial, healing, communal identity and conflict resolution.
What does the past have to do with today?
What actions can, and should be taken to address past racial injustices?