In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, California Baptist University will host a four-part documentary series event exploring the history of civil rights in the United States.
On Feb. 20, the first film screening will be of the PBS original film, “The Abolitionists,” at CBU’s Art Gallery in downtown Riverside.
“The event is called the Created Equal documentary series,” said Dr. Kenya Davis-Hayes, associate professor of American history. “It is a nationwide documentary series and will be hosted in all 50 states and Cal Baptist has been honored to be one of the sites around the country (to show the film).”
As a partner with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the Created Equal project’s goal is to reach out to communities by revisiting the history of civil rights and reflecting on how far the nation has progressed.
Those who are selected to be a part of the project are given a set of four NEH sponsored films: “The Abolitionists,” “Slavery by Another Name,” “The Loving Story” and “Freedom Riders.”
Immediately following the film, a panel discussion will be held featuring the university’s Dr. Daniel Skubik, professor of law, ethics and humanities, and Dr. Amy Stumpf, associate professor of society and religion.
Stumpf teaches courses in human rights in the U.S. As a part of her curriculum, she uses Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s book “Stride Toward Freedom.” The book discusses the violence and boycotts committed against King during the civil right movement. She also participates in humans rights activities.
Stumpf said being part of the panel for the event will be a great opportunity to share with students the history of civil rights in our country and abroad.
