Last updated on March 1, 2016
By: Preston Neal, Staff Writer
On Feb. 16 Volunteer State Community College screened “Selma,” a movie about the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama. The film was screened in the Rochelle Center in honor of Black History Month.
King’s goal was to win the federal right for all African American citizens to vote. This led to King leading a nonviolent march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Although violent acts were perpetrated against King and his followers, they retaliated through nonviolent protests and political negotiations.
The efforts of King and his followers led to the President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, granting suffrage to all African American citizens.
Three different showings of the film were hosted, at 1, 3, and 6.
The number of students who attended the screening was low, however, Dr. Kenny Yarbrough, Director of Student Life and Diversity Initiatives, is hopeful that student attendance and participation will increase with future events in the coming months.
In less than two weeks Women’s History Month will begin.
Students who are interested are advised to stay alert for further announcements.
Not all students find that it is necessary for Vol State to host an event for Women’s History Month.
“There shouldn’t be any recognition of Women’s History month. It’s just not necessary,” said Chelsea Goody, a Vol State student.
For the month of April, Vol State is recognizing the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Asexual (LGBTQIA) community by hosting a rally, which will be followed by a showing of the film “Milk,” detailing the circumstances surrounding the first politician to come out publicly as a homosexual man.
Students with any questions, comments, or ideas pertaining to these upcoming events should contact the Office of Student Life and Diversity Initiatives.
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