The Association of Black Student Leaders organized a showing of the film ‘12 Years a Slave’ on Friday, continuing their celebration of Black History Month.
The Association of Black Student Leaders (ABSL), together with Friday Night Fever and the African American and Diaspora Studies Department (AADS), presented the movie as part of an ongoing exhibit.
Dr. Tracey Patton, Director of the AADS Department, said she felt the event was highly successful.
“There were two showings and it was the highest attendance in recent history for films suggested by ABSL,” Patton said.
In addition to the movie, a panel of speakers facilitated discussions with those in attendance. Dr. Kerry Pimblott, visiting assistant professor for the AADS department, chose the panelists on the grounds that she wanted a combination of student and faculty voices, as well as disciplinary expertise ranging from media studies to history.
Those who represented the panel included: Dr. Tracey Patton, Director of the African American and Diaspora Studies Department; Canaan Hurst, senior in the Communications Department; and Natawsha Mitchell, junior in the AADS Department.
Marlin Holmes, an AADS member, said the movie was chosen due to its general unpopularity in the state, and to offer attendees a view of realistic portrayal of slavery.
The ABSL has taken it upon itself to incorporate the university into celebrations of Black History Month alongside them by providing free events for students to attend. The month’s events have included a lunch panel discussing the evolution of student activism and speaker Dr. Ulrich Adelt.
‘12 Years a Slave’ depicts actor Chiwetel Ejio as Solomon Northup, who wrote a memoir of being kidnapped and forced into slavery. Even as the movie has won Oscars critical acclaim, the majority of speakers on the panel expressed disappointed in the film.
“The movie and book are definitely different,” Hurst said. “The book is heavy and extremely hard to read due to its brutality. The movie was nowhere close to the accounts in the book. Some of the scenes in the movie were completely random and never mentioned by Northup.”
Hurst continued by saying that he felt as if it was “just another white face-saving Hollywood movie attempting to confirm that we are now a post-racist society.”
Patton agreed with Hurst.
“I enjoyed both the movie and the book; however, the book was superior to the movie as there was more detail, more character development, and Solomon was the hero in his narrative,” she said.
Hurst said he felt as if the questions and comments from audience members were aimed at comprehending the discrepancy.
“[They] were truly seeking to understand why the movie would belittle the story as far as accuracy, history and white glorification are concerned,” he said.
Even though the movie seemed to disappoint the panelists, many audience members took on copious new perspectives.
Freshman Wyatt Shinaver said that, though it was a moving and inspiring experience, it was still just a movie.
“What I found most rewarding was the panel discussion,” Shinaver said. “It helped me grow as a person by educating me on a part of my country’s horrific past.”
Patton also said she saw many audience members, both women and men, who were moved to tears, as well as facial expressions that showed shock, dismay and horror.
Shinaver commented that he felt it was important for events such as this movie showing to take place year-round and not just during Black History Month.
“I guess as a country, we can never move on from slavery and discrimination and segregation until everyone has been educated by our past,” Shinaver said.
ABSL is proceeding in the observance of Black History Month by offering two more events that are free to the public. There will be a soul food dinner and game night from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday in the Cheney International basement.
