Jackson Action Coalition Screens Dr. King Film “Selma”
The Jackson Action Coalition (JAC) in collaboration with other community organizations recently held a private screening of the major motion picture “Selma”, at the ShowPlace ICON movie theater, 1011 South Delano Ct., in Chicago.
“Selma” retells the historical events prior to the march from Selma, Al. to Montgomery, Al. staged in 1965 by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
The march created national awareness about the disenfranchisement of African Americans. The march culminated in a nationally televised attack of peaceful marchers by Alabama state troopers on March 7, 1965 which has come to be known as “Bloody Sunday”. After Bloody Sunday, then U.S. president Lyndon Johnson supported and signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law on Aug. 6. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 protects the right to vote for of all Americans regardless of race, sex, creed or color.
“When I saw the preview for the movie 'Selma' I knew it was a must see for all generations especially the younger generation who are not actively involved in the political process in their community,” said Marseil Jackson, founder and CEO of JAC. “This movie must be seen and we must present it to the community. We must wake the conscious mind of a people who are sleep and don’t understand why we need to vote. This movie has come out at the right time, this is the perfect time, this is right before the next Chicago municipal election where we need everyone to get out and vote.”
Wendell Mosby, Chair of Chicago's Young & Powerful, one of the coordinators of the screening, told the Chicago Citizen Newspaper that “we sold out 280 seats in six days” and 150 youth individuals were able to attend.
“The film was great, definitely going to see it again. If it wasn’t a call to action I don’t know what would be a call to action,” said Mosby. “We still have a lot of work to do and I’m looking forward to help continue the fight voting rights, equity pay, equalized education funding.”
The demographic that Jackson was primarily targeting for the audience at the screening was African American youth.
The Chicago West Side NAACP Youth Council brought 40 youngsters to the screening.
“We know that the leader may not look like [Dr.] Martin Luther King, Jr. but the leader is coming from these millennials,” said Daphne Lecesne, chairperson, , Youth & College Division. “It’s somebody here so it’s very, very important to us to grow them up to their destiny.”
Following the screening of Selma, a panel discussion was held. Kurt Summers, 35, City of Chicago Treasurer, addressed the audience about the importance of films like Selma and how he will work to positively impact Chicago’s African American community before the panel began.
“I sincerely hope and literally pray that [“Selma”] reaches young people,” said Summers. “As I sat in there and watched the movie, I was reminded of how much work there still is to do. I hope that when people see this movie they have that same reminder and they’re inspired by where we can go and what we can do.”
The Jackson Action Coalition strives to bridge the gap and bring generations together by empowering our community, youth and seniors through outreach services and events.
For more information about the Jackson Action Coalition email whoisjac@yahoo.com
Latest Stories
- ICYMI: Midwest Democratic Leaders Emphasize Party Strength and Unity Ahead of 2024 Democratic National Convention
- West Side Young Men Travel to the State Capitol to Advocate for a new Department for Early Childhood and the Austin People’s Action Center’s Freedom School
- Comcast Launches NOW – a New Brand and Product Portfolio that Redefines Low-Cost Internet, Mobile, and TV
- Wards365 Announces Summer50 Fest on Saturday, May 18 at United Center City-Wide Resource Festival focused on Summer Activities for Youth and Families
- The Magic Of Alvin Ailey Comes To The Auditorium Theater
- BOSS Impact Funds Gives Black Women Entrepreneurs Access To Capital
- Closing the Black Maternal Health Gap Is At The Center Of Organization’s Work
- Praize Productions’ Production Shows That ‘Black Love Reigns Supreme’
- Chicago Public Schools Announces 2024-25 Preschool Application Launch
- State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Pushes to Reunite Residents with Unclaimed Property, Missing Money