MIDDLEBURY — The third installment of the anti-racism film series Seeing Color/Seeking Justice, sponsored by Middlebury Showing up For Racial Justice (SURJ), will screen on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Marquis Theater. “Whose Streets?” depicts the unrest and activism in Ferguson, Missouri, in the wake of the police shooting of Michael Brown.
The film series aims to educate Addison County residents about the struggles of communities of color in the United States. SURJ activists believe that the fact that Vermont is one of the whitest states may be the best reason ever to show films that highlight the lived experiences of people of color.
“What will it take to get white Americans to have more empathy for communities of color? Who benefits from mass incarceration, unjust drug laws, and police brutality?” These are some of the questions SURJ organizer Joanna Colwell is asking Vermonters to investigate. “The truth is that we have all absorbed racist messages and bigotry through textbooks, the media, and the world around us. If we are white our task is to listen to the grievances of communities of color, to open our minds and hearts, and to refuse to stop learning.”
“At this moment in history, when more and more Americans are waking up to the painful truth of racism, it is more important than ever to get out of our bubble and learn as much as we can,” said Kathy Comstock, another SURJ organizer, who has helped to plan the film series. “This Racial Justice Film Series perfectly fits our organization’s dual mission. We work to educate the community about the harm caused by white supremacy, and to raise funds for anti-racist organizations in Vermont.”
When asked why Vermonters should take it upon themselves to learn more about racism in America in general, and the Ferguson uprising depicted in the film, Black Lives Matter VT organizer, Ebony Nyoni said, “Knowledge is the key to moving us forward as one nation. You can’t help if you don’t know what we need. Showing up is the first step.”
Suggested donation to see the film is $10. Funds raised will benefit Black Lives Matter Vermont and Middlebury SURJ. The Marquis Theater is located at 65 Main Street in downtown Middlebury. Food and beverages are available for sale in the cafe area between screenings.