Prominent
scholars, authors, filmmakers, and policy leaders will speak and
participate in discussions about civic engagement, individual,
collective responsibility, and tolerance.
Facing History and Ourselves in partnership with
The Allstate Foundation, an independent charitable organization made
possible by The Allstate Corporation, will present a series of
community-wide dialogues in several cities across the U.S. Prominent
scholars, authors, filmmakers, and policy leaders will speak and
participate in discussions about civic engagement, individual,
collective responsibility, and tolerance.
The first two "Community Conversations" took place
this spring in Maplewood, New Jersey and Cleveland, Ohio. These
featured award-winning filmmakers Marco Williams and Whitney Dow and
their new film about race relations in a school in Buffalo, N.Y.,
called, I Sit Where I Want: The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education.
The one-hour documentary follows a racially diverse group of high
school students as they attempt to integrate their lunchroom. Williams
and Dow are scheduled to speak at two more events this fall.
Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in Rwanda who
courageously sheltered more than 1,200 refugees from certain death
during the Rwandan genocide, will speak in the Bay area in September.
The film "Hotel Rwanda" tells his amazing story.
In January 2006, South African Constitutional
Court Justice Albie Sachs and his life partner and architect Vanessa
September, will speak in six cities across the country. Sachs and
September will discuss South Africa's emerging democracy following the
fall of apartheid.
All Community Conversations are free and open to
the public. If you would like more information about these events,
please call Kristen Duffy (617)735-1665, or visit www.facinghistory.org/allstate [1].
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About Facing History and Ourselves
Facing History and Ourselves is an international
educational and professional development organization whose mission is
to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism,
prejudice, and antisemitism in order to promote the development of a
more humane and informed citizenry. By studying the historical
development lessons of the Holocaust and other examples of genocide,
students make the essential connection between history and the moral
choices they confront in their own lives.
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About The Allstate Foundation
Established in 1952, The Allstate
Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by
The Allstate Corporation. The Allstate Foundation sponsors community
initiatives to promote "safe and vital communities"; "tolerance,
inclusion, and diversity"; and "economic empowerment." The Allstate
Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and
in helping America's families achieve their American dream.
