The Paducah Racial Unity Group held several showings of the film Racial Taboo at Maiden Alley Cinema over the past month, to a strong and diverse attendance. Group organizers Beth Khadem and Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church pastor Reverend Alfred Anderson visit Sounds Good to discuss the next steps in a six-part series of workshops called "Continuing the Conversation," which start tonight.
Tonight's workshop is from 6 to 7:30 at Washington St. Baptist Church. The workshop includes the showing of the PBS special African American: Many Roads to Cross, and is followed by 30 minutes of conversation.
Reverend Anderson says the film showings of Racial Taboo weren't a cure-all, but point towards the right direction in making a difference in the racial attitude in the community. Already, there have been some great strides in the interaction between African American and Caucasian people. He says he feels the spirit of great and lasting change taking place.
The small group discussions facilitated by the organizers involve integrated groups with rich discussions, Khadem says, where the groups bonded over emotional stories and experiences from their past. She says groups wanted to continue the conversation and felt an hour simply wasn't enough. The conversations start with the question, "What emotionally impacted you about the film?" And, "What memory did this film evoke for you?" There were no scarcity of answers, she says, and that the effort to be intentoinal rather than reactive can bring about positive relationships.
"And this is so timely, you know. We can't turn on the news without seeing another story of anger, resentment, injustice and we feel so happy because everyone thinks we should do something, but nobody's quite clear what that something should be. And this movie Racial Taboo is ready and waiting for people across the nation as a way to begin a conversation that we hope will end with true and lasting friendships, but it starts with talking," Khadem says.
On whether white people have the right to comment, as some on social media have suggested, Reverend Anderson says we live in a country where there's freedom of speech and while some may not say the right thing, we all have an opinion. He says, we certainly don't agree with the violence, but peaceful protest is always in order. Khadem adds that through conversation and friendship a trust can develop that will deepen and make relationships stronger.
It's effects are already spreading. Reverend Anderson says a friend of his attended the Racial Taboo event and went back home to Lexington to bring it up to the city council.
