Davis documentary to screen at Sacramento’s Guild Theatre on MLK’s birthday

The public is invited to attend a free public screening of the documentary “From the Community to the Classroom,” produced by longtime Davis resident Jann Murray-García. This screening takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 15 — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday — from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Guild Theater, 2828 35th St., Sacramento, in the historic Oak Park neighborhood.

The documentary, which runs about 72 minutes, tells the story of how a partnership of youth and adults helped the Davis community confront its 21st century racism. The film opens with a racial incident in January 2003 and the community’s initial response. It continues to trace the community over the next seven years: how tension in the community rose, how a group of young people began to speak out and have the hard discussions about race that adults were putting off, and how an innovative youth-adult partnership helped the community break out of its denial and begin to address its problems with courage and with its eyes open.

“In this documentary, Davis young people poignantly teach us how they learn and live race within our schools,” said Murray-García. “They tell us that we must go beyond test scores to how schools can powerfully and differentially shape the identities of children and young people.  They show us, in this award-winning film, how youth are under-appreciated and under-used forces in solving what many have called the civil rights issue of our time, America’s achievement and discipline gaps.”

Those interested in attending may phone 916-484-5025 or email fayek@springamail.com.

Those who can’t attend Tuesday’s screening there is a YouTube link at the documentary’s website, http://www.communitytotheclassroom.com/the-film/