“Arc of Justice” and James Baldwin’s “Take This Hammer”: Connecting Civil Rights to Place

2017

The two films tell stories of struggle for social justice as directly connected to a physical place, whether it’s the rich agricultural lands of rural Georgia, or the streets of San Francisco. Join us for the screening and a discussion with panelists who have dedicated their lives to equitable community development in the Bay Area and beyond as we explore the intersection of activism, public policy and land wealth, with specific focus on African American communities.

Panelists

Fay Darmawi (Moderator)

Founder and Executive Producer, SF Urban Film Fest

Helen S. Cohen

Director, “Arc of Justice” film

Mark Lipman

Director, “Arc of Justice” film

Junious Williams

Board Member, Oakland Community Land Trust

Tomiquia Moss

CEO, Hamilton Families

Jack Tse

Consultant, Northern California Community Loan Fund (NCCLF)

Films

Take This Hammer
USA | 1964 | 44 mins. | Directed by Richard O. Moore
“Take This Hammer” is a documentary film produced and directed by KQED (TV)‘s Richard O. Moore for National Educational Television in 1963. It features KQED’s mobile film unit following author and activist James Baldwin, as he holds frank exchanges with local people on the street and meets with community leaders in the Bayview and Western Addition neighborhoods.

Arc of Justice, The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of a Beloved Community
USA | 2015 | 22 mins. | Directed by Helen S. Cohen and Mark Lipman
“Arc of Justice” traces the inspiring journey of New Communities and the struggle for racial and economic justice among African Americans in southwest Georgia. Formed in 1969 during the Civil Rights movement, New Communities persevered as the largest black-owned farm in the country despite relentless opposition.

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