The diocese’s Racial Justice Commission is hosting a free virtual screening of the award-winning documentary A Reckoning in Boston on Tuesday, February 24th at 6:30 pm. Following the 90 minute film, participants will engage in a Zoom conversation with the filmmakers, Writer and Director James Rutenbeck (a member of St. Stephen’s in the South End), and Producers Kafi Dixon and Carl Chandler who are featured in the film.
The conversation will be moderated by The Rev. James M. Hairston, Priest-in-Charge of St. Augustine St. Martin in Boston who is a member of the Racial Justice Commission and grew up in Dorchester where the film is set.
“A Reckoning in Boston touches a deep emotional core and offers a lot to unpack and reflect upon about Boston’s past and present history of racism, particularly during this Lenten season of repentance,” said Racial Justice Commission Chair The Rev. Dr. Derrick Muwina. “Our Baptismal Covenant calls on us to ‘strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being.’ We hope that you will join this special screening and conversation for our diocese.”
A Reckoning in Boston powerfully explores systemic racism, economic inequality, street violence, trauma and lack of affordable housing in Boston by looking at the lives of Kafi Dixon, Carl Chandler and others in the Dorchester community. The film is “an absolute must see – especially for white audiences,” wrote Boston Globe film critic Ty Burr.
A Reckoning in Boston has been screened by educational and religious groups, and at film festivals, all over the country. It has been featured on public television through PBS Independent Lens. The film won “Best Feature Documentary Award” at the Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival.
The live virtual screening and conversation are free. Register: https://kinema.com/events/A-Reckoning-in-Boston-onus9k
The post screening conversation will take place on Zoom at 8:00 pm. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/GjhuR1sVTd-DhDSCvdCGmw
Registration is required for both the film screening and the post-screening conversation. Please register separately using the links below.
FILM SYNOPSIS: White suburban filmmaker James Rutenbeck went to Dorchester to document the engagement of students in the Clemente Course in the Humanities. The Clemente Course is taught in 34 sites across the U.S. to those who have experienced homelessness, transitioned out of incarceration or faced barriers to a college education. But over time, James was forced to come to terms with a flawed film premise and his own complicity in racist structures. As he spends time with Carl and Kafi, he is awakened to the violence, racism and gentrification that threaten their very place in the City of Boston.
Troubled by his failure to bring the film together, he spends more time listening than filming and enlists Kafi and Carl as collaborators/producers with a share in the film’s revenues. Five years on, despite many obstacles, Kafi and Carl arrive at surprising new places in their lives, and following their lead, James does too.
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYXiqVIAYw4
LEARN MORE: https://www.areckoninginboston.com
CONTACT:
Deborah Gardner Walker
Co-Chair Subcommittee Forming Anti-Racist Episcopal Communities
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Racial Justice Commission
(978) 273-7538 dgwrites@me.com