Students of San Diego City College’s Umoja program continued the celebration of Black History Month with their second Black Film Fridays event, which included a viewing of “BlacKkKlansman” on Feb. 9.
Umoja is an international program that is dedicated to enhancing cultural and educational experiences of African American and other historically underrepresented students, according to the San Diego City College Umoja community website.
Despite rainy weather, there was still what organizers considered a great turnout of around 20 between students and faculty in MS-162.
Guests filled the room slowly and conversed with one another as they took their seats in the theater.
Ebony Tyree, who is both the advisor for Umoja and a professor at City, and Tammy Williams, the president of Umoja, organized the Friday screenings, which have become an annual event.
“We wanted to choose films that were impactful and reflective of the last year and what we want to expect this year,” said Williams, 21, a computer science and mathematics major. “So a lot of it was justice impacted, systematic oppression and a little bit of artificial intelligence since that’s what we’re moving toward.”
As the “BlacKkKlansman” played, members of the audience went through an emotional rollercoaster throughout the screening, with laughter, gasps and tears shared between the crowd.
When the lights turned back on, Tyree led a discussion on the “BlacKkKlansman.” It was centered around institutional change and whether or not it was possible to bring about change from within institutions built on oppression.
Though she remained neutral to get the audience engaged, Tyree quoted black feminist author Audre Lorde: “You can’t dismantle the master’s house with the master’s tools.”
It gave students plenty to think about, Williams said.
“Not all skin folk is kinfolk, but having us (African Americans) in those places helps our numbers,” Williams said. “I love it but, I do 100%, (feel) if you’re going to go in those institutions, know that there’s a pressure, knowing what you look like.”
