Friendship-West to host screening of PBS Documenatry “Banished” February 8

For Immediate Release

January 24, 2008

Contacts:         

* Lewis “Ski” Elliott: (972)228-5391

* Danielle Ayers: (972) 228-5226

* Shawn Williams: shawn@dallassouthblog.com

Friendship-West to host Community Cinema Screening of documentary “Banished”

On February 8, 2008, Friendship-West Baptist Church will host a free screening of the PBS documentary BANISHED @ 7:00 p.m.  BANISHED is part of PBS’ weekly Independent Lens series which is hosted by Terrence Howard.

One hundred years ago in communities across the U.S., white residents forced thousands of black families to flee their homes. Even a century later, these towns remain almost entirely white. BANISHED tells the story of three of these communities and their black descendants, who return to learn their shocking histories. Through conversations with current residents and the descendants of those who were driven out, the film contemplates questions of privilege, responsibility, denial, healing, reparations and identity.

Filmmaker Marco Williams said he wanted to make a film that explored prospective solutions to the racial divide.  “I do hope that the film will be part of the material for building bridges across the forces that divide Americans and people throughout the world,” Marco Williams said.

After the screening of the documentary, there will be a group discussion for those in attendance.  “We hope to accomplish three things with this screening and discussion,” says Lewis “Ski” Elliott, L.I.F.E Matters Facilitator and Mentor at Friendship-West.  “We want to increase social consciousness, educate and empower our guests, as well as bridge the gap between the past and present and into the future.”

“The events recounted in Banished are not as distant as we would like to think,” said Shawn Williams.  Shawn Williams publishes the blog Dallas South and will facilitate the discussion after the screening.  “Even today historical African-Americans neighborhoods are slowing fading away.  We need to take a closer look at why that is,” he said.

Danielle Ayers, Minister of Justice at Friendship-West, says that this will not be the last film screening for the benefit of the community.  “We plan to show films that highlight the realities of our community and offer solutions to the troubles we face,” says Ayers.

BANISHED will air on PBS stations throughout the country on February 19th.  The documentary will air in the Dallas area that evening on KERA Channel 13 at 10:00 p.m.

Friendship-West Baptist Church is located at 2020 Wheatland Road in Dallas just north of Interstate 20.  Dr. Frederick Douglas Haynes III serves as Senior Pastor of the church whose motto is "Equipping Changed People to Change the World."  Those planning to attend the screening are asked to RSVP at www.friendshipwest.org, shawn@dallassouthblog.com, or (972)228-5391.

Who:    Friendship-West Baptist Church

What:   Free Screening of BANISHED – PBS documentary

Where: 2020 Wheatland RD, Dallas

When:  February 8, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m.