WICHITA, KAN.—Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts and Tallgrass Film Festival will screen “Traces of the Trade: a Story of the Deep North,” for the September installment of the Tallgrass Third Thursday film series. The screening will be held at 7 p.m., Sept. 17, 2009 at the Warren Theatre West, 9150 W. 21st St. A panel discussion will immediately follow the screening. Tickets are $9 general admission and $7 for students and seniors and will go on sale Sept. 10 at the theater. The film’s director, Katrina Browne, and producer, Juanita Brown, will visit Wichita to participate in a number of events, including the screening and panel discussion following the film. The panel will discuss slavery’s impact on American society and the issue of reparations. Browne and Brown will also participate in classroom discussions, at a Wichita State University Special Collections workshop featuring slave related documents, and in a community potluck at St. James Episcopal Church.
Congress recently passed a resolution to apologize for the governmental involvement in the enslavement and segregation of African Americans in the United States. This is considered a first step toward a nationwide reconciliation effort. The documentary, “Traces of the Trade,” was originally intended to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolishing of slave trade in 1808 in the U.S. The Wichita screening will bring the process closer to home. Visit tracesofthetrade.org for more information about the film.
Recently, other organizations including the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, have made similar statements apologizing for slavery. Consequently, each diocese has been charged with addressing the issue of slavery and the Episcopal Church’s role in promoting and benefiting from the slave trade. While many feel that Kansas lives up to its image of being a state where white settlers supported African Americans having political and civil liberties, historic events such as Brown vs. Board of Education and the Dockum Sit-in tell us otherwise. The process of knowing and remembering will have the greatest impact in Wichita, which, based on the 2000 census, is the most segregated city in the state of Kansas.
The two days of “Traces of the Trade” activities are co-sponsored by the Society of Public Historians at Wichita State University, Wichita State University Special Collections and University Archives, St. James Episcopal Church , Kansas African American Museum, Wichita State University Film Studies Program, and Avivo Brick Oven Pizzeria. The filmmakers’ participation and the two-day event are supported by a grant from the Kansas Humanities Council.
Schedule of Events
Discussion and Examination of Slavery Artifacts with the Filmmakers
2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16
Special Collections and University Archives, Wichita State University Libraries, Ablah Library: A program will take place with presentations by filmmakers Katrina Browne and Juanita Brown led by Dr. Lorraine Madway, Curator of Special Collections and University Archivist, Wichita State University Libraries. The focus of the program is to discuss the importance of documents and artifacts of the slave trade and how they help researchers come to grips with the many ramifications of the slave trade in 18th and 19th century America. Free of charge and open to the public. For more information about this specific event, contact Jay Price at [email protected] or call (316) 978-7792.
Community Potluck and Discussion
Wed., 6:30 p.m., Sept. 16, St. James Episcopal Church, 3750 E. Douglas
A discussion of the legacy of slavery and reconciliation will take place with filmmakers Katrina Browne and Juanita Brown. Since the Episcopal General Convention in 2006, the national and local Episcopal community has worked to educate and inform communities about the “continued legacy of slavery, apology, and repair.” The event hopes to bring together people from a diverse array of faith traditions and racial backgrounds. Free of charge and open to the public. For more information about this specific event, contact Jay Price at [email protected] or call (316) 978-7792.
“Traces of the Trade: a Story of the Deep North,” Film Screening, Q&A with the Filmmakers, and Panel Discussion
7 p.m., Sept. 17, Warren Theatre West, 9150 W. 21st Street. The panel will be moderated by Mark McCormick, Director of the Kansas African American Museum and former Wichita Eagle columnist. In addition to the two filmmakers, the panelists will be Gerald Norwood and Professor Gretchen Eick. Mr. Norwood, is a local historian who has worked with WSU Special Collections regarding the history of slavery. Gretchen Eick is a Friends University professor of history and author of the book Dissent in Wichita. After the screening and panel discussion, a community reception will be held at Avivo Brick Oven Pizzeria, 2441 N Maize Rd Ste 101. Event tickets are $9 general admission and $7 students/seniors
Tallgrass Third Thursday special screenings are a program of Wichita Association of the Motion Picture Arts which also produces Tallgrass Film Festival. This year’s festival is scheduled for Oct. 23-25, 2009 at venues in and around downtown Wichita. For more information about the festival, visit tallgrassfilmfest.com or contact Teri Mott at [email protected] or (614) 506-9307.
2009 festival sponsors include Integrated Media Group, Emily Bonavia Trust, Clear Channel Radio/Wichita, Wichita Downtown Development Corporation, City of Wichita , Stella Artois, House of Schwan, Glazer’s, Go Wichita!, KMUW, KPTS, ProductionHUB.com, Kansas Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, Ulrich Museum of Art, The Gruver Family, The Orpheum, The Garvey Center, Naked City and Greteman Group.
