Each month the Penn's Village Inclusiveness and Diversity Committee recommends several resources to help our members and friends to be more aware of the racial biases in each of us and in our society, and the resulting inequities, past and present. It is the committee’s hope that this information may even inspire us to make corrective changes. These resources, assembled by Lori Dumas and Mike Pulsifer, represent different mediums, different perspectives and experiences, and diverse authors.
November, 2021
From September 22, 2021 to January 30, 2022, a Philadelphia Monumental Tour that Explores the African-American Experience
This outdoor sculpture tour honors aspects of the African American experience including the first slaves brought to America in the 16th century to the present-day prison pipeline and the struggle for liberation in-between. It begins on Eakins Oval on the Ben Franklin Parkway and ends at the Cherry Street Pier on the Delaware River. There is an audio guide to accompany the walking tour. It also can be experienced virtually. Click here for more specific details.
A Philadelphia Orchestra Concert:Fire, Hope, and Truth
This performance from the Kimmel Center’s Digital Stage is available from Wednesday, November 24 at 8 pm to Wednesday, December 1 at 11 pm. This one-hour concert conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin echoes the words of James Baldwin (The Fire Next Time), Langston Hughes (Hope), and Maya Angelou (We Saw Beyond Our Seeing). This powerful evening explores themes that are still relevant today and features compelling vocals by the bass-baritone opera singer Davone Tines. To learn more about this digital event and to purchase a $20 ticket click here.
TV Film: 8:46 Films
A one-hour presentation on the BET (Black Entertainment Television) network hosted by Gail King. This TV program is a beautiful collection of four short films each 8 minutes and 46 seconds long in reference to how long officer Derek Chauvin’s knee was on George Floyd’s neck. These films by four Black film makers show four stories of Black love, hope, and joy. This presentation can be seen On Demand.
Speech by Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall
1987 was the 200th anniversary of the United States Constitution. On May 6th of that year Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall spoke at The Annual Seminar of the San Francisco Law Association. In his speech he said, “In this bicentennial year, we may not all participate in the festivities with flag waving fervor. Some may more quietly commemorate the suffering, struggle, and sacrifice that has triumphed over much of what was wrong with the original document, and observe the anniversary with hopes not realized and promises not fulfilled. I plan to celebrate the bicentennial of the Constitution as a living document, including the Bill of Rights and the other amendments protecting individual freedoms and human rights.” Click here to read his entire speech.
Kimmel Center Presents:Soulful Christmas on Tuesday, December 14th at 7:30 pm.
For more than seven years during the holiday season primarily African-American Churches in Philadelphia have joined together to present a musical extravaganza celebrating Christmas. This year’s Soulful Christmas under the leadership of Dr. J. Donald Dumpson will feature a region-wide mass choir, instrumentalists, soloists, and dance. This is always a sold-out event. Tickets go on sale November 1st. To purchase tickets online click here.