By Danielle Bettendorf Asst. living and arts editor
Susquehanna’s Black Student Union kicked off its Black History Month film series with the documentary “13th” on Feb. 6. Films that will be shown later this month include “Menace 2 Society,” “Malcolm X” and “Dope.” These film showings will take place every Monday in February at 7 p.m. in the Degenstein Meeting Rooms.
“13th” is titled after the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which outlawed slavery with the exception of punishment for a crime. The film focuses on the links between slavery in a historical sense and racial inequality in the criminal justice system today.
According to senior Joelene Joinvil, president of BSU, the club aimed to pick films that would appeal to audiences but also would prompt a discussion.
“[The BSU executive board] generally sit down and pick movies that we feel will draw a crowd and have something we want to talk about,” Joinvil said.
“‘13th’ we had watched with BSU previously, and it was a really impactful film, so we felt it was important,” Joinvil continued. “‘Malcolm X’ is also important, but we also highlight lighter films, like ‘Menace 2 Society.’ We try to balance it between activism and fun.”
The Black History Month film series is an annual event and one that holds special meaning for BSU.
“It’s something that I don’t think I’ve seen other clubs do, and it’s kind of a tradition at this point,” Joinvil said. “When BSU was small and tiny, we did this, and it would just be us and a couple members sitting down in [Degenstein] meeting rooms eating food and watching these movies. It’s always been something for us for to share.”
Joinvil also noted the importance of Black History Month not only as a form of remembrance but as a venue to discuss current issues.
“Black History Month has its flaws, but I think it’s still important to utilize it as a platform,” Joinvil said. “I think it’s important that we have these things, and while a lot of people who we would want to come don’t show up, it’s still an option. If we could get some teachers to do extra credit or something, I’d be really happy to be able to have discussions with other people and to try to educate them the best I can.”
“Black culture is so very much commodified as it stands already, but it’s nice to be able to share something with people when you’re actively a part of it,” Joinvil continued. “I think it comes with a message, but I think it’s a neutral meeting ground: you can come watch a movie with us, learn a part of our culture, enjoy it with us and see that we’re people. I think everything that we do in some way, shape or form is an attempt to—I wouldn’t try to say argue that we have humanity—but just to show that we have humanity regardless of if people recognize it or not.”
Ava DuVernay, the director of “13th,” echoed a similar sentiment when speaking about her film.
“It’s to give context to the current moment,” DuVernay said. “The current moment of mass criminalization, of incarceration as an industry, prison as profit, punishment as profit. And the current moment of the declaration that the lives of black people, our very breath, our very dignity, our very humanity, are valuable and matter to the world.”
Joinvil also emphasized the importance of providing spaces for marginalized voices generally on campus.
“I think everyone should stop by one diversity club at least once in their whole time here, because we’re here on this campus too,” Joinvil said. “We’re always here, we’ll never stop being here, and I think it’s important for people to meet us in a space where we feel safe.”
“A daily interaction you may have with a black kid, with a LGBTQ+ kid—there’s an uneven playing field for them,” Joinvil continued. “They have to decide whether they feel safe to interact with you, to share certain things with you. When you’re in a space like BSU or GSA, those kids have a better platform to be like, ‘OK, I’m surrounded by people I feel comfortable with. I feel better and I feel like I’m in a more equal position to talk to you,’ so I think you get to see who we are better in spaces like that.”
