Upcoming movie to remind Chicago of the history of the 1963 boycott of Chicago's schools to protest segegation
The upcoming premiere of "Lessons of the '63 Boycott" is being promoted by the movie's producers (Kartemquin Films). It is also by the Chicago Teachers Union, through its Black Caucus. The film, which will be providing Chicagoans with important information about our own history. "On October 22, 1963, more than 200,000 Chicago Public Schools students boycotted school to protest segregation and inequality in one of the largest civil rights demonstrations in Chicago's history," the history states.
Leaflets promoting the 1963 boycott. Chicago Historical Society.An October 16 press statement by Brandon Johnson from the CTU states:
On October 22, 1963, more than 200,000 Chicago Public Schools students boycotted school to protest segregation and inequality in one of the largest civil rights demonstrations in Chicago's history.
Join us for two events that celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 Boycott of Chicago Public Schools and examine it in light of the contemporary fight for public education.
Sunday, October 20: Reclaiming our past to build a better future for our schools
In this interactive teach-in organized by the Education for Liberation Network and the Chicago Teachers Union Black Caucus, you will have an opportunity to watch a short clip from the upcoming documentary on the boycott and in a series of small group discussions, talk directly to boycott organizers and participants Dr. Grady Jordan, original Black Caucus member and teacher during the boycott, CTU retiree Patricia Knazze, a student at the time of the boycott, and boycott student Audrey May, executive assistant to CTU President Karen Lewis. The panel will be moderated by Dr. William Watkins, professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Education and editor of "The Assault on Public Education."
Two events, one on Sunday October 20, the next the following week:
1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lawndale Community Church, 3827 W. Ogden Ave. FREE, Child care and Spanish interpretation and light refreshments provided
Tuesday, October 22: 1963 to 2013: Connecting the past and the present.... Join us on the 50th anniversary of the boycott for a screening of Kartemquin Film's in-progress documentary '63 Boycott and a panel with CTU President Karen Lewis, Fannie Rushing, Rosie Simpson, Elizabeth Todd and the Chicago Student Union. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. The DuSable Museum of African-American History, 740 E. 56th Place
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