A lot has happened since our Community Cinema [DC] screenings of “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” in September. Weeks after our screenings, Liberia held elections for president. On November 10 the first woman president of an African nation, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, was re-elected in a presidential runoff in Liberia by a 90.2% majority. Turnout was low with an opposition boycott of the elections. Prior to the run-off Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee (featured in “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”) were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Gbowee received the news while on her book tour for her memoir Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War.
Emira Woods
One of Leymah’s proud sisters sharing the good news is
Emira Woods of the
Institute for Policy Studies, our guest speaker for “Pray the Devil Back to Hell.” After the Nobel prize announcement, Woods joined a panel on the
PBS Newshour to talk about the meaning of the Nobel prize for Liberia, peace and women’s rights. Community Cinema is proud to be part of Emira Woods’ sisterhood over the years and especially for the first Women and Girls Lead Community Cinema [DC] event.
MP3 audio of the Q&A with Emira Woods on September 18, 2011 at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center is available on these links:
Emira_Woods, part 1
Emira Woods, part 2
Emira recommends both Leyhmah Gbowee’s memoir,
Mighty Be Our Powers; and a second book (novel),
Redemption Road: The Quest for Peace and Justice in Liberia by
Elma Shaw. And I will add the documentary “
Liberia: America’s Stepchild” by
Nancee Oku Bright will give you historical context about the country and its leadership struggles from 1820 until the rise and fall of Charles Taylor. And a link to the discussion guide for “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” is posted on this site’s
Discussion Guide page.
Community Cinema [DC]‘s “Welcome to Shelbyville” presents an opportunity to talk about immigration from two perspectives: persons who are new American citizens of Muslim faith; persons who, like Miss Luci in the film, are committed to being welcoming guides and teachers about what it means to be and American.
Busboys and Poets, April 30, 5 PM
Washington DCJCC, May 15, 3 PM
Sadia Ali Aden is a human rights activist and writer. She is an active member of D.C.’s Somali community. Her articles on Somalia and Islam have been published by media groups around the world: Huffington Post, Middle East On-Line, Islam Online, Global Politician, Aljazeera Magazine, Foreign Policy Forum and Media Monitor Network, Scoop, and Worldpress. She has been interviewed on NPR, BBC, VOA, and Aljazeera discussing Somali/Muslim issues . Ms. Ali Aden co-founded Adar Foundation, Somali Diaspora Youth and is the founder of the Diaspora voice. (4/30 and 5/15)
Allison Kokkoros is the principal of the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School. Founded in 1970, the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School was the first Charter awarded for adult education in the nation. Their students come from as many as 78 nations speaking over 35 languages. Class options range from the basic English Literacy and life skills necessary for successful introduction to American life, to Career Level English and Professional Certificate Courses in Technology and Culinary Arts. Classes are offered in the morning, afternoon and evening to accommodate differing students’ work and family schedules. (5/15)
For reservations: Click on this link, or call 202-939-0794
Note: This post has been updated. Both guest speakers will join the May 15 screening at the Washington DCJCC
Anas “Andy” Shallal, artist, activist and owner of Busboys and Poets; composer, organist, vocalist Evelyn Simpson-Curenton; and ITVS Regional Outreach Coordinator Michon Boston after the screening of “The Calling” at Busboys and Poets. Busboys and Poets hosted a pre-”The Calling” discussion as part of their monthly A.C.T.O.R. series (A Continuing Talk On Race). Attendees focused on “callings” that are influenced or inspired by identity issues including religion, nationality, ethnicity, and race.
Andy Shallal and Evelyn Curenton shared their stories and insights about “callings” as non-clergy. However, even in their professions, they share the same commitment and passion to make a better world through service as the persons featured in the film.
The parents of Yoni Brook (left), one of the directors for “The Calling,” joined the discussion at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center. Guest speakers were Sarah Sayeed (center) co-founder and director of OneBlue.org (community partner), and Rabbi Gilah Langner (right). As our guest speakers, Sarah and Rabbi Langner brought Muslim and Jewish perspectives to an engaging dialogue about “The Calling.” Rabbi Langner said in the Jewish tradition, it’s not a “calling”; for her it was “clarity.” Sarah’s call to create OneBlue.org was in response to the reactions from 9-11. OneBlue.org will be doing more workin the new year to address “Islamaphobia” in American society.
The Washington DCJCC Community Cinema Cafe events are always great sharing moments between the audience and guest speakers. Everyone gets involved. Community Cinema at the Washington DCJCC is set up in a smaller space which encourages engaging dialogue.
