Be intentional. It isn't enough to feel in our minds a certain way about inqequality and injustice, but showing that feeling is so important, says Beth Khadem of the Paducah NAACP Racial Unity Group. She and Cal Ross, Executive Director of the Paducah Housing Authority, join Kate Lochte on Sounds Good to talk about reinvigorating the group with racial unity efforts in Paducah, including film and discussion at Maiden Alley Cinema and a "Race Story Rewrite" all-day workshop in May.
The group formed in mid-November in response to the racial issues that dominated headlines in latter half of 2014 in the United States. The group felt those incidents could happen anywhere, including Paducah. A group of 10, including ministers and community leaders gathered to discuss reconciliation workshops, inspired by the memory of Constance Donley of Gilbertsville - a lifelong advocate of promoting racial unity.
The effort begins with a showing of the documentary film Racial Taboo, to an integrated audience, followed by an hour of conversation after the showing in April. In May, they'll host workshops via Race Story Rewrite. Ross says, "We want to prevent a Ferguson. And we think that we can do that in western Kentucky by using this film and having open dialog where people come together regardless of race to talk with each other."
Racial Taboo Trailer:
Khadem is working to bring together local black and white churches to view the film and talk about race issues with the goal to improve respect for one another and leave with lasting friendships. They're working with the churches now to arrange dates.
The all-day workshop is scheduled for May 9, with times and location to be determined. The invitation is open to everyone, including community leaders and members of the police force.
Khadem says, "My goal is that this would be the beginning of conversations that would lead to true and lasting friendships between people of different races."