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For Martin Luther King’s birthday, Triplex to show ‘Selma’ with discussion led by activist Shirley Edgerton

“I think the arts are a great way to educate young people about history,” Edgerton told The Berkshire Edge. “Whether it is through dance, through theater, or a movie, it’s a way of integrating history into something popular."

Great Barrington — In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, The Triplex will hold a free community screening of the Oscar-winning 2014 movie “Selma” on Monday, January 20, at 11:30 a.m. The Triplex will also hold a screening on Tuesday, January 21, for students from W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School, Mount Everett Regional Junior High School, Berkshire Country Day School, and Richmond Consolidated School.

Following both screenings, local activist and Berkshire County NAACP Executive Committee member Shirley Edgerton will lead a discussion on the movie, the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., and civil rights in America. Edgerton is the founder of the Rites of Passage and Empowerment (R.O.P.E.) program, a mentoring program for young women of color and people who identify as female or non-binary.

The movie takes place over two years, from 1963 to 1965, and depicts the struggles of racial injustice of that era—from the bombing of a church in Birmingham, Ala., by the Klu Klux Klan that killed four children, to Black residents in Alabama being prevented from registering to vote. This incident led to the Selma Marches in 1965, organized by Dr. King and Minister James Bevel.

The marches helped to encourage President Lyndon Johnson to sign the Voting Rights Act into law in August 1965.

“To me, ‘Selma’ not only tells the story of Martin Luther King, but also explains the story of the civil rights movement,” Edgerton told The Berkshire Edge. “I think it’s a very appropriate movie to honor Dr. King. I think it’s also important that our young people know about history, and know who we are as people. In terms of understanding the present, knowing about the past is important. For young people, watching this movie is an effective way for them to understand who we are as a people in this country, and to know where we’ve come from, and where we are going.”

Edgerton, who added that she is a “history buff” and “might be biased,” said there should be more of a focus in society for young people to learn and understand history. “I think the arts are a great way to educate young people about history,” Edgerton said. “Whether it is through dance, through theater, or a movie, it’s a way of integrating history into something popular. We need to take advantage of the arts and utilize different tactics to engage young people and use the resources that our current society has.”

As for Dr. King, Edgerton said that she hopes people will continue to learn about him and carry on his beliefs about equality. “His message is all about love and equality,” Edgerton said. “King felt that love is a much better way of thinking, feeling, and behaving—showing and sharing love over hate. I think it’s an important lesson for all of us to love and appreciate each other.”

Edgerton argued that there has been some progress since the 1960s in terms of race relations. “There has been progress because we now have laws on the books that tell us that we have the right to vote, you have the right to live wherever you choose to live, and there are laws about discrimination in the workplace,” Edgerton said. “There have been a lot of laws that have been passed since the 1960s that have made people’s lives more equitable. But I am concerned with some of the conversations now that could reverse our progress. Politically, we know there have been conversations that have taken place during the presidential campaign. We know what has happened with the Supreme Court in terms of abortion rights. And we know what has happened in terms of affirmative rights in colleges. We live with their laws, and some changes could be made that could lead to the reversal of progress. I’m concerned about some of the rhetoric about equity for all people that was certainly very clear during the presidential campaign.”

Edgerton admits, “I have no crystal ball,” and is uncertain about what the future looks like when it comes to equity. “But I know what has happened already in terms of the reversal of some laws, including the suppression of voting,” she added. “There are people who want to vote, particularly people of color and immigrants. So I am concerned about the conversations about immigrants and where we are going with these laws. I do think we’ve made progress over the years, but I’m deeply concerned about the rhetoric and changes in laws that have occurred.”

The events are sponsored by the Massachusetts, Sheffield, Great Barrington, and New Marlborough cultural councils.

Visit The Triplex’s website for more information.

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The Edge Is Free To Read.

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