Oakland, CA – The African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO) will host a community discussion on the recently released film, Harriet, this Saturday, November 23 at 2 PM.
The Harriet biopic, about the heroine of the Underground Railroad, retells generally known facts about the life of Harriet Tubman, offers some untold truths about her struggles, and relies upon creative license to craft the dialogue for the engaging scenes. Tubman, an escapee from slavery, emerged as a celebrated conductor on the Underground Railroad that brought many runaways from bondage to liberty. She is also one of few women in American history to lead a U.S. military unit into armed combat.
Four distinguished scholars who understand the dynamics of societal transformation will lead the community discussion on how Tubman helped change the course of history. They include actor Ayodele Nzinga, PhD., Lower Bottom Playaz; psychologist Tony Jackson, Ph.D., PranaMind; psychologist Ifetayo Flannery, Ph.D., San Francisco State University; and anthropologist and African Americanist Ree Botts, Ph.D. Cand., University of California-Berkeley.
“We invite members of the community, especially those who have seen the film, to join us for a community discussion that will expand everyone’s understanding, appreciation, and critical assessment of the film,” said AAMLO special projects coordinator Veda Silva.
The scholars will examine the film’s depiction of the inhumanity of bonded servitude and the cultural construction of race in North America. They will also focus on the film’s treatment of such topics as family life, husband-wife relations, sibling bonds, gender dynamics, self-agency, and spirituality in nineteenth century black communities – enslaved and freed.
Saturday Children’s Story Hour Upcoming Readings
Saturday, December 7 – 11 a.m.
Special guest Breanna J. McDaniel reads her new book, Hands Up, and notes we raise “hands up” when reaching for adults to lift us, stretching for books on the top shelf, worshipping in church, playing basketball, and protesting with members of our community.
Saturday, December 21 – 11 a.m.
Juwanna G. Ford writes K is for Kwanzaa, an alphabet book that explains everything about the special season, from A to Z. The book is an introduction for those who celebrate the holiday for the first time. For others, it reminds and reinforces what we should know that makes Kwanzaa great.