Emmett Till Film to be screened in Pasadena

Those of you who attended our recent death penalty vigil, know that in my comments, I delivered a little "Black History Month" lesson about how Governor George Ryan of Illinois was influenced by Mamie Till, the mother of Emmett Till, who gave a speech to Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation, just prior to her death which occurred the very week Gov. Ryan made his decision to commute the sentences of all inmates on death row. Here's a chance to learn more about this important civil rights leader: the Huntington Library offers a screening of The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till,  on March 2 (Thursday)  7 p.m. Also showing “An Interview with Rosa Parks.” $10 at the door.  Seating is first come, first served.  Information: 626-405-2205.  Friends’ Hall.

Nikki Giovanni coming to Caltech

We are looking forward to "An Evening with Nikki Giovanni" brought to you by our friends who run the Caltech Social Activism Speaker Series. Nikki Giovanni is a world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator and the event will be Thursday, February 9, at 7:30 PM at Beckman Auditorium at Caltech (maps). The event is free and open to the public.

Giovanni and illustrator Bryan Collier recently won a Caldecott Honors for her children's book about Rosa Parks, Rosa. The timing of this event seems especially appropriate following on the deaths of Rosa Parks and Corretta Scott King.

A couple of her poems are available online: "Possum Crossing" and "Quilts". The latter poem is part of a unique collaboration, Visual Verse: Poetry Meets Fabric (scroll down to see the quilt that matches the poem).

Rosa Parks, Lady Freedom

From Rita Dove's poetry collection On the Bus with Rosa Parks,

Rosa

and

Lady Freedom Among Us

"don't think you can ever forget her

don't even try

she's not going to budge

no choice but to grant her space

crown her with sky

for she is one of the many

and she is each of us"