CRES and Sankofa Cinema Club Screen Counter Histories: Rock Hill

The Institute for Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES) at St. John’s University is partnering with Sankofa Cinema Club to virtually screen Counter Histories: Rock Hill from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, in room B75 of St. Albert Hall. You can also attend virtually by visiting this WebEx link.

In this film you meet the men who stood up for their rights by sitting down at the lunch counter of the Rock Hill, SC, Five and Dime. They asked for a cup of coffee and were instead met with violence, police brutality, and unjust imprisonment.

A small town miles from Charlotte, NC, Rock Hill became a landmark of the Civil Rights Movement, one that too few remember today. Students of Friendship College took on the weight of fighting discrimination under the banner of nonviolence and “Jail, No Bail.” The tactic spread across the South, inspiring protesters to no longer fund their own oppression through bonds and fines. The courage of these men ignited a passion and fury that rose into the famed Freedom Rides.

Bridget Smith, Adjunct Professor, Division of Mass Communication, has founded a virtual cinema club to show untold, accurate, and positive Black historical content with an interactive discussion afterwards. Filmmakers and people related to the content will be present for a Q&A when possible.

Please email CRES at [email protected] or Prof. Smith at [email protected] for more information.