Panel discussion of ‘Selma’ and the Civil Rights Movement

From a Carolina Jews for Justice press release:

Panel discussion of ‘Selma’ and the Civil Rights Movement

Asheville, NC — Carolina Jews for Justice/West will be sponsoring a panel discussion of the highly acclaimed film, “Selma,” at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the YMI Cultural Center, 39 South Market Street. The program is free and open to the community and is being offered in collaboration with the YMI’s “Taking Issue Forum.”

YMI Board Chair Sharon West says, “Over 50 years ago, the YMI introduced its first tag line, The Gathering Place. This name was appropriate in that it reinforced the YMI’s role as a safe place for all to come together to share, to discuss, to take action, to encourage, to affirm. This tagline remains true today. Selma is a great entrée into such discussions relative to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s fight for voting rights and other topics of equity. The YMI welcomes these discussions, sponsored by Carolina Jews for Justice/West.”

The African-American, Jewish and white non-Jewish panelists will share their perspectives as Freedom Riders, civil rights organizers and native southerners during the era of the civil rights movement in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi including:

Ellen Clarke grew up in Montgomery, Ala., during the civil rights era; she remains active in various organizations that address the inequities and racial disparities of our country’s criminal justice system; Isaac Coleman went to Mississippi in 1964 as part of SNCC’s Freedom Summer, worked as SNCC staff member for 5 years, moved to Asheville in 1971 and is recognized for his activism in educational, political, social and environmental areas; Charles Gershon was born and raised in Atlanta and was a teenager during Freedom Summer, he is a retired MD and author; and Carol Rogoff Hallstrom went to Mississippi as a Freedom Rider, became an attorney and remains an activist. Join us to hear their stories.

“Carolina Jews for Justice/ West is proud to present a panel discussion on the civil rights movement of the 1960’s and its consequences, prompted by the film, Selma, says steering committee member Frank Goldsmith. “As a grass-roots social justice organization we are devoted to bettering the lives of the people of Western North Carolina.  Our mission includes promoting greater understanding of racial issues and the elimination of the vestiges of racism.  Our quest is informed by the values of the Jewish faith, which command us to pursue justice and to love all our fellow human beings of whatever race or origin, as ourselves,” he added.

Fifth years ago, Selma, Ala., may have been ground zero in the struggle for voting rights in America … but the right to vote is far from a guaranteed right for people of color in 2015.  Today, the struggle for justice continues.

“We encourage those who have not seen this important film to see it, then join us to listen to and participate in a panel discussion on Freedom Summer and the history of the civil rights movement portrayed in this important film,” says Goldsmith.

For more information contact wncjewsforjustice1@gmail.com

Carolina Jews for Justice (CJJ) combines advocacy and education to organize a non-partisan Jewish voice in North Carolina.  We work to influence policy at the local level and state levels and encourage individuals and Jewish institutions to take a stand on issues in our community.