The Conscience of America: Birmingham's Fight for Civil Rights - A Carol Jenkins Film

Last night in conjunction with Hunter College, there was a screening of Carol Jenkins' Doc. film "The Conscience of America: Birmingham's Fight for Civil Rights" followed by a panel discussion.  Ms. Jenkins was there to introduce the film and afterwards was part of a panel that included David Hodges, Prof. of anthropology at Hunter & Brent Leggs, the Dir. of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund to preserve Nat'l Historic cultural heritage landscapes.  Leggs is also the co-author of Preserving African American Historic Places.  Ms. Jenkins is an Emmy Award-winning journalist & host for the Emmy nominated show 'Black America on CUNY TV'.  The historic doc. focuses on the civil rights movement in the 1960s, the prescient Black Lives Matter movement and historic landmarks in Birmingham that resonate as significant & permanent historic sites in tribute to  peaceful protests to end racial inequalities & the hundreds of thousands of people who were sacrificed  suffered discrimination and rampant lynchings (without fear of retribution by the perpetrators).  Pres. Obama signed the legislation in Jan of 2017, days prior to leaving office, to earmark specific sites in Birmingham as Nat'l Monuments, Historic landmarks, artifacts and public Parks under the Antiquities Act to protect archeological sites.  The sites preserved have been refurbished and honor, acknowledge & pay tribute to racial injustices & acts of heroism that took place in Birmingham in the 1960s.  Birmingham is considered the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement.  The doc. shows historic footage of race riots using guard dogs, hoses & police batons against peaceful protestors.  The hatred of white supremacy as seen by Gov. Wallace who defied court orders to integrate public schools.  Presidents JFK & LBJ are seen putting forth & enforcing legislation to override states refusals to integrate & abolish Jim Laws.  There are prominent black leaders in the film including MLK and A.G. Gaston (uncle to Carol Jenkins) whose philanthropy established institutions for higher learning & businesses to accommodate & help black people to prosper.  In his interesting interviews he admits to not being liked by either the black or white communities in his role as a mediator.  Angela Davis is seen speaking eloquently in the 1960s and addresses the systemic oppression & injustices directed at black people today.  Birmingham is shown as home to many famous black activists, musicians, athletes & leaders.  The legacy of the Nat'l Historic Sites is to serve to honor & a conscious reminder of the historic events that occurred and to serve as a revolution for peace, reconciliation & justice.  "The strong men keep a comin' on.  The strong men git stronger.  They point with pride to the roads you built for them. They ride in comfort over the rails you laid for them."  (Sterling Brown)