LBCC African American Film Screening

Roger Ebert famously described film as "a machine that builds empathy."  They allow us to witness lives as they unfold and build appreciation and compassion for the the people being depicted on screen.

In celebration of Black History Month, LBCC’s Diversity Achievement Center will be screening films that focus on African American culture every Thursday at noon. The upcoming movies include Rick Famuyiwa’s “Dope” on Feb. 18 and Spike Lee’s “Chi-Raq” on Feb. 25.

“It gives America the opportunity to look at other forms of art by predominantly artists and producers,” said Diversity Achievement Center Administrator Raven Womack. “All of these movies touch on a lot of cultural things, as well as show a different form of art.”

Originally the brainchild of Womack, this will be the second year in a row the DAC is hosting this event. The initial inspiration for the screenings was to showcase the art of moviemaking through the lens of the African American experience.

“I wanted to show that there were actually really good films out there with really strong African American leads,” said Womack.

Womack later added that it’s now more important than ever to encourage the viewing of movies developed by people of color, citing the recent controversy over the lack of diversity in Academy Award nominations this year, spread through twitter under the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite.

“There was no diversity. And this is not the first time there hasn’t been any nominations of color. But that’s the reason why I put this event together, to showcase that there are tons of great actors and actresses of color out there that just might not be recognized. To snub someone due to race or an inferior movie selection is a problem,” said Womack.

Womack’s statement about this not being the first year the Oscars have snubbed people of color is absolutely true. According to a study conducted by Lee and Low Books in 2015, in the entire history of the Academy Awards less than 5 percent of acting Oscars have been awarded to black actors. And according to a study by the Los Angeles Times, 94 percent of Oscar voters are Caucasian, and 77 percent are male.

“If there were more members of color on the staff, they would have a broad spectrum of views of how Hollywood should look.”

Womack later added “We are all the same. We all make art together, and we all need to be recognized for that art no matter what color we are.”

In a short speech Womack gave on Thursday after the screening of F. Gary Gray’s “Straight Outta Compton,” he discussed the representations of police brutality in the film, and how this theme is just as relevant today as it was in the late 80s. The enlightening effect of “StraightOutta Compton” was felt by at least one viewer, as LBCC student Giovanni Hernandez said of the film, “I didn’t know about the police brutality NWA had to deal with. I learned a lot.”

At a Glance:
Films shown: "Dear White People", "Straight Outta Compton", "Dope", "Chi-Raq"
Location: Diversity Achievement Center
Time: Noon, Every Thursday in February