2008 Woodie Awards
'Courage' film premiers at SU
Shannon Dille
Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: News
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Samford hosted an event this past Wednesday for sociology professor Hugh Floyd's new film, "Lives of Courage, Voices of Hope."
Those who attended witnessed the first showing of the documentary that featured the stories of five women who played important roles during Alabama's civil rights struggle.
The film portrayed the often overlooked and dramatic perspectives of women during that time period.
"In a patriarchal society, men are most often put in places of leadership. That empowers them and gives them a voice to be the leaders. It is the unfortunate fact that this takes away from the contribution that women make…doing this video was an attempt to create and facilitate the voices of women. It is my hope that students will learn to appreciate the contributions of these women and of women as a group," Floyd said.
The documentary accomplished Floyd's purpose through first-hand accounts of women's experiences in the 1960s. Four of the five women who were interviewed for the documentary were present during the showing.
Joanne Bland and her sister Linda Lowery were featured in the documentary. They are African American women who were raised in Selma, Alabama and who contributed vivid tales of their participation in Bloody Sunday and the March to Montgomery.
Carolyn McKinstry also contributed her poignant tale of surviving through the bomb blast in the 16th Street Baptist Church.
Peggy Rupp and Eileen Walbert were young white women when they joined the march to support the voting rights of all Americans.
"It was the first time that they all had a chance to meet each other and view the film together," said Samford In Mission Director Nancy Biggio.
They continue to work with various organizations in order to combat the racism that lingers in our community. Those present had the opportunity to ask the women questions.
The audience was informed that racism continues to exist in today's society.
"This happens in every country" said professor Carolyn Mckinstry. "Poverty, war and racism will always be with us. The Church needs to own that problem. But first, we have to be willing to acknowledge that it still exists."
Over the past few decades, progress has been made in overcoming racism in its legal form.
"We have not made it even though we think that we have. When I say 'we' I do not mean black people, I mean human beings," Linda Lowrey said.
Those who attended witnessed the first showing of the documentary that featured the stories of five women who played important roles during Alabama's civil rights struggle.
The film portrayed the often overlooked and dramatic perspectives of women during that time period.
"In a patriarchal society, men are most often put in places of leadership. That empowers them and gives them a voice to be the leaders. It is the unfortunate fact that this takes away from the contribution that women make…doing this video was an attempt to create and facilitate the voices of women. It is my hope that students will learn to appreciate the contributions of these women and of women as a group," Floyd said.
The documentary accomplished Floyd's purpose through first-hand accounts of women's experiences in the 1960s. Four of the five women who were interviewed for the documentary were present during the showing.
Joanne Bland and her sister Linda Lowery were featured in the documentary. They are African American women who were raised in Selma, Alabama and who contributed vivid tales of their participation in Bloody Sunday and the March to Montgomery.
Carolyn McKinstry also contributed her poignant tale of surviving through the bomb blast in the 16th Street Baptist Church.
Peggy Rupp and Eileen Walbert were young white women when they joined the march to support the voting rights of all Americans.
"It was the first time that they all had a chance to meet each other and view the film together," said Samford In Mission Director Nancy Biggio.
They continue to work with various organizations in order to combat the racism that lingers in our community. Those present had the opportunity to ask the women questions.
The audience was informed that racism continues to exist in today's society.
"This happens in every country" said professor Carolyn Mckinstry. "Poverty, war and racism will always be with us. The Church needs to own that problem. But first, we have to be willing to acknowledge that it still exists."
Over the past few decades, progress has been made in overcoming racism in its legal form.
"We have not made it even though we think that we have. When I say 'we' I do not mean black people, I mean human beings," Linda Lowrey said.