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Chrys Weedon<\/strong> | Entertainment Editor<\/span><\/p>\n The three months that make up winter term hold within them many significant dates: the anniversary of the women\u2019s march (Jan. 20, 2018), Martin Luther King Jr. day (Jan. 21) and Black History Month (February), to name a few.<\/span><\/p>\n Winter Term also offers a class that focuses on film from the civil rights movement. For six years, Dr. Dean Braa has been teaching Sociology 407. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI invented it, sort of. Years ago (the sociology department) had a discussion and we discovered that a lot of students, most students, didn\u2019t know anything about the civil rights movement,\u201d commented Dr. Braa. \u201cNot many students have that opportunity, and we have looked at US history books \u2026 and most of the US history books I use, even around here, say little or nothing about civil rights.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The film series is open to everyone, no matter if they are registered for the class or not. Participants watch 12 films across the term, including the documentary series \u201cEyes on the Prize\u201d and documentaries following the Native American civil rights movement. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe try to make it fun, I tell people \u2018bring popcorn, bring snacks, bring your dinner if you want to,\u2019\u201d said Dr. Braa.<\/span><\/p>\n In the 50 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr\u2019s death and the 37 years since the end of the Black Panther Party, civil rights film has been replayed in educational settings across the country. But why is rewatching this film so important? <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWell (the class) raises consciousness about social movements, it raises consciousness about racism and how terrible it is \u2026 this racism wasn\u2019t just in the south,\u201d explained Dr. Braa. Watching films from and about the civil rights movement is not only educational, but can teach about present-day movements as well. Dr. Braa discussed, \u201c(injustice) is still going on now. We haven\u2019t fixed it \u2026 (the film series) serves to show a connection; we gotta keep this movement going.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Film and other art that was born out of the civil rights movement can show how successful social change happens. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou want people to understand, positive change doesn\u2019t usually come from within government, it comes from outside,\u201d said Dr. Braa. Film from this specific period of American history shows that change usually happens when the status quo is upset. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSocial movements that kind of threaten government or put government under duress, that\u2019s where positive change comes from,\u201d remarked Dr. Braa.<\/span><\/p>\n A film is shown every Wednesday night from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Health and Wellness Center in room 203. All are welcome to attend. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n Civil Rights Film Schedule:<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Jan.30<\/strong> Eyes on the Prize (Continued episodes)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Feb. 6<\/strong> Freedom Riders (Famous bus trips across the South in support of desegregation)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Feb.13<\/strong> The Black Panthers (A documentary on the Panthers and their demise)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Feb. 20<\/strong> A Good Day to Die (The story of Dennis Banks and the American Indian Movement)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Feb. 27<\/strong> Incident at Oglala (The Leonard Peltier story of injustice on the Pine Ridge Reservation)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Mar. 6<\/strong> American Outrage (The struggle of Western Shoshone women for tribal rights)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Mar. 13<\/strong> The People Speak (Howard Zinn and friends provide a critical, social movement based history of the \u00a0U.S.)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n