‘Broken but Changed Hearts’: NIC Pilgrims Trace the Civil Rights Journey
In late April 2023, a racially diverse group of 37 Northern Illinois clergy and lay people took a Civil Rights Pilgrimage to key historic sites where…
The Northern Illinois Conference Anti-Racism Task Force is pleased to present our 2023 Film Discussion Series.
Last year in our Speaker Series, we journeyed together to prayerfully learn, engage, and tackle our personal and corporate role in addressing racism. For the 2023 Film Discussion Series, we are focused on increasing cultural competency and dialogue as a means to increase advocacy and participation in the spaces around the contexts, causes, and impacts of racism.
Our 2023 goal is for a deeper growth and exploration of our commitment to reduce implicit bias and increase critical thinking about personal and systemic racism. We seek to do this by focusing on the challenges, issues and perspectives of four diverse cultures that experience racism in unique circumstances. This year’s Film Series consists of participants viewing a documentary film or movie each quarter before the event, followed by a presentation and expert-led discussions. These discussions will emphasize Dr. Andrew Hart’s challenge from our 2022 Speaker Series—to witness “Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love, and Deliverance.”
2022 Speaker Series Recordings and Resources
The 2023 goals of the Film Discussion Series are:
- Increase cultural competency and dialogue as a means to increase advocacy and participation.
- Reduce implicit bias and increase critical thinking.
- Ignite activism for God’s justice, love, and deliverance.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
-Micah 6:8
We invite you to this year’s discussions in the homes, centers, and churches to discuss and have fellowship. Food and culture of that quarter’s focus will be highlighted.
Third Quarter: Privledge, Power and Race Presentation and Discussion
Thursday, September 21, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Different locations across the conference
Cost $5 (payable at the door)
Meal, presentation, panel discussion, and table discussions around Privledge, Power and Race.
Interested in hosting a meal and discussion at your church? If so, click here to learn more and register as a Table Host.
Before attending the event, it is recommended to watch the documentary The Long Shadow documentary directed by Frances Causey. In The Long Shadow, filmmaker and investigative journalist, Francis Causey explores the roots of racism and the shameful legacy of American slavery from the founding of America to its insidious ties to racism today. Learn more here.
Fourth Quarter: Latinx History & Culture Presentation and Discussion
Thursday, November 30, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Different locations across the conference
Cost $5 (payable at the door)
Meal, presentation by Rudolph Reyes II, panel discussion, and table discussions around Latinx History and Culture.
Before attending the event the, it is recommended to watch the documentary The Bronze Screen directed and produced by Susan Racho, and Alberto Dominguez. The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood is a 2002 documentary on the 20th Century representation of Latinx in American motion pictures.
Previous Events
First Quarter: Black History & Culture Presentation and Discussion
Docent-led tour of The Negro Motorist Green Book exhibit and a discussion at the Illinois Holocaust Museum.
Watch the Presentation and Discussion
Second Quarter: Asian History & Culture Presentation and Discussion
Presentation by Dr. Wonhee Anne Joh, and panel discussion around Asian History and Culture.
Watch the Presentation and Discussion
2023 Anti-Racism Film Series Looking for Host Churches for Table Discussions.
To assist with the 2023 Film Series, the ARTF is looking for local churches in each district to host sessions for each of the second, third, and fourth-quarter events. The host churches will receive a small stipend to purchase food for the location that is related to the theme of the quarter. The events will include a time for fellowship over the meals, a panel discussion (streamed over Zoom) to review and comment on the film selected for the quarter and answer questions from the participants. Additional time will be allowed for the local group to "go deeper" in exploring the topic. The event is planned to last from 6 to 8:30 pm on a weekday evening. Interested churches may reach out toTim Alexander, Tim@osumc.org, for more details.
Click here to learn more and register as a Table Host
NIC Anti-Racism Task Force Series Committee Members:
- Tim Alexander, Chair (Schaumburg: Our Saviors UMC)
- Jenny Graham (Rockford: Aldersgate UMC)
- Dr. Betty Hart, Northern GA Conference (Acworth, GA: Acworth UMC)
- Rev. Toni Lucas (Albany UMC)
- Consultant: Dr. Richard Guzman (Bolingbrook: Friendship UMC)
- Project Manager: Amania Drane (Bolingbrook: Friendship UMC)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. - James 1:22-25
Questions about the 2023 Film Series can be directed to Tim Alexander tim@osumc.org