The Wilson Bruce Evans Home Historical Society is sponsoring a community showing of the film “Awakening to Justice” with conversation to follow. The film is a timely intervention, recovering an important 19th century moment in the long struggle for racial justice in the United States, and addressing the opportunities for connecting across lines of race—then and now. The 19th century abolitionists referenced in this film were contemporaries of Wilson Bruce Evans (1824-1898) who moved from North Carolina to Oberlin where he became an abolitionist and Underground Railroad operative active in the fight to end slavery. The film showing and community conversation will provide an opportunity to think together about how to face opportunities and challenges we face at this fraught moment.
The conversation will be moderated by Dr. A.G. Miller, Emeritus Professor of Religion at Oberlin College and Pastor of House of the Lord Fellowship in Oberlin. Dr. Miller was part of the multiracial team of scholars who developed the Dialogue on Race and Faith Project, the creators of this film and a book of the same name.
As we work to open the Evans House in Oberlin to the public as an historic site and educational center, we too strive to connect past and present. Our motto, “Restoring 33 East Vine Street, Reshaping Our Future,” guides us. We believe that knowing more of our history can help us work more intentionally toward racial justice.
The film showing and discussion is open to all. For those unable to attend in person, please join us via Zoom.
This event is co-sponsored by the Oberlin Heritage Center and the Oberlin African-American History and Genealogy Group.
For more information, please contact Carol Lasser, Executive Director, at manager@evanshhs.org.
A second showing and discussion will take place March 8 at Dye Lecture Hall.
