And Still I Rise, Black America Since MLK

On Wednesday, November 9, 2016, Louisiana Public Broadcasting station sponsored a screening of the four-hour television series; And Still I Rise: Black America Since MLK.
One night after the election, hopeful, anxious, and expectant eyes filled the Cotillion Ballroom in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union at Southern University to screen a film which seemed more significant now than ever before.
The night began with a quote from the Southern University System’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. M. Christopher Brown that resonated throughout the room and set the tone for the rest of the night.
“We learned all there was to know, we taught others, then we forgot, then we forgot that we had forgotten, now we are taught by those, who were once taught by us, knowledge that we already had.”
This event featured excerpts from the four-hour, two-part documentary series written and executively produced by Harvard professor, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The film highlights the last 50 years of Black history. From James Brown’s “I’m black and I’m Proud” to hit TV shows such as Soul Train, then on to more grave issues such as the LA Riots and the Black Lives Matter movement- charting the progress Black people have made in America and examining how far is left to go.
“We have to keep the conversation relevant. We have to know where we have been to know where we are going. I think the film stamps in our minds the importance of voting, and keeping us all aware of our surroundings. I enjoyed that it wasn’t a watered down version of our history,” said panelists Michael A.V. Mitchell.
The screening was free and open to the public, followed by a panel discussion featuring: Southern University Dean of the College of Business, Dr. Donald Andrews, Ms. Regina Barrow, Louisiana State Representative for District 29 of East Baton Rouge Parish, Ms. Zana Lynn Harris, the 2016-2017 Southern University Student Government Association President, Mr. Michael A.V. Mitchell of the Urban Congress on Black Males, Political analyst, Southern University Professor, and Chair of the Criminal Justice Department, Dr. Albert Samuels, moderated by Ms. Robyn Merrick.
When asked what would she would say to Dr. King if he returned today, State Representative Regina Barrow said, “I would tell Dr. King how excited I am that we now have more African African Americans elected to office, we have more women in office, we are making a difference in all the things he fought for. I would also tell him that any of the struggles in terms of equality, that he faced we are also still facing today.”
Junior Class Vice-President, Levi Brown said, “It was very different from the usual LPB Programming. I plan on watching the film in its entirety.”
Sponsors for this event included: 100 Black Men-Greater Baton Rouge Chapter, Southern University, LaCapital Federal Credit Union, and Louisiana Public Broadcasting Service.
To watch entire two-part, four- hour documentary series tune in to LPB for the premiere Tuesdays: November 16, and November 23, at 7pm each night.