Centenary hosts screening of Shreveport civil rights documentary "Beyond Galilee"
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College’s Diversity Committee, in partnership with the North Louisiana Civil Rights Coalition and the YWCA of North Louisiana, will sponsor a screening of the documentary “Beyond Galilee” on Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Whited Room in Bynum Commons. A panel discussion with local citizens active in the civil rights movement will follow the screening. The event is free and open to the public.
“The documentary provides a historical perspective on the current racial narrative in the city of Shreveport,” says Kaylan Walker, director of community engagement at Centenary. “As a member of the Diversity Committee, I am thrilled about the collaboration between Centenary College and other civic organizations to provide programming which explores relevant issues that affect not only our students, but also our local community.”
“Beyond Galilee” traces the early days of the civil rights movement in Shreveport, using a 1958 speech delivered in Shreveport by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a backdrop and starting point. The documentary blends interviews with people who led and experienced Shreveport’s struggle for civil rights with newly uncovered 16mm film footage of meetings, marches, and other civil rights events. The documentary was produced in 2012 by Joey Kent and Tim DeWayne.
The February 27 panel discussion following the screening includes several people featured in the film as well as others who played an important role in the movement in Shreveport. Rev. Dr. C.E. McLain, Mrs. Maxine Sarpy, Mrs. Ersula Hardy, and Dr. Lee Morgan will offer additional context for the events portrayed in the documentary, adding insight from their own experiences. Deborah Allen, executive director of the North Louisiana Civil Rights Coalition, will moderate the panel.
For more information about the screening and panel discussion, contact Kaylan Walker at kwalker@centenary.edu.
NOTE: This event was originally part of Centenary’s annual January Dream Week programming. It was rescheduled due to inclement weather.