“The New Jim Crow,” a book by Michelle Alexander (published in 2012 by the New Press, 300 pages including notes), is a fact laden, tightly argued presentation about mass incarceration in the U.S. especially of black men. It is emotionally hard to read.
The book and the topics raised are the focus of a Princeton wide community effort to inform as many as possible about the situation and to try to find some actions that we can take to make some changes.
A calendar of events centering on this.
Some selections:
February 21 Thursday at 7 – 9:30 PM, Montclair Art Museum Freedom Riders: Democracy in Action Screening & Panel Discussion 973-746-5555
WhereAction (map)
DescriptionSIXTH ANNUAL MONTCLAIR AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL The Montclair Art Museum’s African American Cultural Committee (AACC) proudly collaborates with the Montclair African American Heritage Committee for the Sixth Annual Film Festival. The festival will include film screenings and discussions on topics relevant to the evolution of Black American cinema from the early 20th century to the present. Thursday, February 21: Freedom Riders: Democracy in Action 6:30 – 7 p.m. Pre-film Screening Reception 7 – 9 p.m. Film screening of Freedom Riders 9 – 9:30 p.m. Panel Discussion.
From May until December 1961, more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives by simply traveling together through the Deep South. Deliberately violating Jim Crow laws, the Freedom Riders’ belief in non-violent activism was sorely tested as mob violence and bitter racism greeted them along the way. Facing History and Ourselves is an educational partner for this PBS American Experience film, and workshop participants will learn about southern segregation laws and models of political resistance during the Civil Rights Movement.
Feb. 22 Fri. 7 PM PPL Film: “Slavery by Another Name”–Based on the book which is discussed on Feb. 5– http://www.princetonlibrary.org/events/2013/02/film-%E2%80%9Cslavery-another-name%E2%80%9D
Feb. 25 Monday, 1:30 PM, Stories from the South, 40 The Reading Senior Center, 15 Ring Old St., A celebration of African American courage, dignity, beauty and honor includes performances from Dr. Cecelia Hodges, Karen Carson, Mickelle Jackson and others. A potpourri of music, narratives, dance and fun.
Feb. 25 (Meets Monthly) Monday 7:30 PM Barnes and Noble, African American Book Group, Marketfair, 3535 US Route 1, Princeton, NJ 08540, 609-897-9250 Please contact crm2646@bn.com with any questions.
Feb. 28 Thursday 7 PM–Community Commemoration of Emancipation Proclamation
PHS Performing Arts Center
March 3 and April 3 Sunday 11:45 AM after the worship service: Book discussion on “The New Jim Crow” at Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, 124 Witherspoon Street. The discussion is open to anyone who wishes to attend. . info@witherspoonchurch.org 609-924-1666
March 4 (every first Monday, October-June) 7:30 PM PPL–Not In Our Town’s Continuing Conversations on Race. http://www.princetonlibrary.org/events/2012/12/continuing-conversations-race
March 10, 4 p.m., Troubling Issues Forum on the New Jim Crow, Princeton United Methodist Church, Nassau at Vandeventer, Princeton.. 609-924-2613, www.princetonumc.org.
March 14 Thursday 7 PM Princeton YWCA Discussion, “Now Hear This” looking at the New Jim Crow as it relates to women, children and their families. http://www.ywcaprinceton.org/pdf/Mission/Now%20Hear%20This%20winter12-13.pdf
Here is the Link for the Princeton Public Library (PPL) Connections bulletin which also lists all the events at the Library:
http://issuu.com/princetonpubliclibrary/docs/connectionsmagazinewinter2012-13
Also see listing on the Princeton Theological Seminary Website for additional events: http://www.ptsem.edu/index.aspx?id=25769804988
Now Through June 30, The African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, (215) 574-0380featuring The Mary Wilson Supremes Collection clothing worn during the Supremes hay day
Now Through June 2, National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia, South Independence Mall East, “Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow: Jewish Refugee Scholars at Black Colleges” tells the story of some Jewish academics from Germany and Austria who came to the U.S. after being dismissed from their teaching positions in the 1930s and found positions at historically black colleges and universities in the Jim Crow South.