Throughout this week (2/13–2/20), activists have the opportunity to participate in public lectures, panel discussions and community meetings. Read on if you want to get involved in the community regarding race relations, gun control and environmental protection.
Wed., Feb. 13, Conversation on Race and Ethnicity with Dr. Jorge Giovannetti-Torres @ 6 – 9 p.m.
New College of Florida – Jane Bancroft Cook Library – 5800 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.
The presentation by Dr. Giovannetti-Torres will focus on his book Black British Migrants in Cuba: Race, Labor, and Empire in the Twentieth- Century Caribbean, 1898 – 1948, published in 2018 by Cambridge University Press. Introduction by Dr. Hugo Viera-Vargas, Professor of Caribbean and Latin American Studies and Music at New College of Florida. This event is free and open to the public.
Thurs., Feb. 14, Film Screening & Discussion: I Am Not Your Negro @ 2 – 4 p.m.
West Coast Black Theatre – 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota.
A free screening of the documentary, produced and directed by Raoul Peck. James Baldwin tells the story of race in modern America in the words of his unfinished novel, Remember This House, read by Samuel L. Jackson. The film includes clips from interviews and appearances by Baldwin. Best Documentary, Los Angeles Film Critics Association. The 93-minute film will be followed by a 30-minute discussion. The screenings are free with general seating, but reservations are required. General seating reservations may be made online at westcoastblacktheatre.org.
Thurs., Feb. 14, Manatee Sarasota Sierra Club Meeting @ 7 – 9 p.m.
Sarasota Garden Club – 1131 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota.
The Manatee Sarasota Sierra Club Meeting seeks to protect the natural places in our community, teach others to understand and respect the fragile environment in which we live and promote the responsible use of Florida’s ecosystems and resources. There will be a speaker who will discuss fugitive dust and environmental justice. This meeting is free and open to the public.
Mon., Feb. 18, American Racism: Yours, Mine, and Ours – VICA 2019 Winter Series @ 7 p.m.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 790 S Tamiami Trail, Venice.
The Venice Interfaith Community Association (VICA) presents “Racial Healing: An Inner and Outer Journey” with Dr. Catherine Meeks, professor emeritus of Wesleyan College and director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing. Through this event, VICA hopes to bring understanding and foster respect and cooperation in the community by bringing together a panel of locally and nationally known speakers who will address the difficult issues around systemic racism and race relations in our community and the country as a whole. This event is free and open to the public.
Tue., Feb. 19, Parkland One Year Later: Gun Control and School Safety—How Are We Doing? @ 6:30 a.m.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center – 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
Join the Protect Our Public Schools (POPS) Forum for a panel presentation and discussion on where the community stands on developing safer schools in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting tragedy. This is an especially important discussion in light of the recently released Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission report which recommends the arming of teaching staff. Panelists include Curt S. Lavarello, executive director of the School Safety Advocacy Council, and Carol Rescigno, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. This event is free and open to the public.