MCC-Maple Woods presents Black History Month film series

February is Black History Month, and MCC-Maple Woods will present and educational film series exploring the African American culture from the Civil War period through the 1950s. English instructor Joel Conway will discuss each film and its impact on audiences, both then and now.

These events are free and open to the public. All films will be shown from 6-8 p.m. in the Humanities Building, Room 204.

Feb. 1, 2011

A Raisin in the Sun

Originally debuting as a play on Broadway in 1959, A Raisin in the Sun was the first play written by a black woman, Lorraine Hansberry, to make it to the Great White Way. It was also the first Broadway show with a black director, Lloyd Richards. A Raisin in the Sun follows the Youngers, a multi-generational back family living in Chicago just after WWII. The play explores the implications of becoming more a part of the "white" world and role family plays in times of crisis, financial and otherwise.

Feb. 15, 2011

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

Born from the Federal Writers Project of the 1930s, The Slave Narratives emcompassed the autobiographical accounts of more than 2,000 former slaves in 17 states. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, Unchained Memories features readings fo the personal histories by actors like Vanessa Williams, Ossie Davis, Jasmine Guy, Angela Bassett, Robert Guillaume and Oprah Winfrey.

Feb. 21, 2011

Strange Fruit

Strange Fruit, a documentary filme, chronicles the story of famous singer Billie Holiday and her 1939 recording of the song "Strange Fruit." Originally written as a poem by a teacher to condemn racism and the lynching of African American men, Holiday recorded the song amid fears of backlash. The song became one of the most powerful songs of her generation, and has since been covered by more than 20 artists.