UA Little Rock to Host Screening of ‘Reparations’ Documentary
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a screening of the documentary “Reparations” on Thursday, Jan. 26.
The documentary by filmmaker Jon Osaki explores the four-century struggle to seek repair and atonement for slavery in the United States. Black and Asian Americans reflect on the legacy of slavery, the inequities that persists, and the critical role that solidarity between communities has in acknowledging and addressing systemic racism in America.
The film, which is free and open to the public, will be shown Jan. 26 at 5:30 p.m. in the Friday Courtroom at the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Osaki will join the audience in person, traveling to Little Rock from San Francisco, for a question-and-answer session following the screening.
“We are delighted to be welcoming documentary filmmaker Jon Osaki to UA Little Rock and the William H. Bowen School of Law to screen his timely recent documentary ‘Reparations,’” said andré douglas pond cummings, associate dean of faculty and Charles C. Baum Professor of Law. “As the movement to repair historical economic injury to Black Americans gains steam in the United States, we are enthusiastic to contribute to this conversation in Arkansas.”
Osaki is an award-winning filmmaker and longtime social justice activist who uses storytelling to educate, organize, and inspire action. His initial interest in film grew from his desire to share stories of the Japanese Community Youth Council, where he has served as executive director since 1996.
The story is told by Black and Asian Americans who believe that collective liberation can only be achieved by standing with one another. The film seeks to raise awareness of the Black reparations struggle and how vital it is to bring healing to this country.
The event is sponsored by Bowen’s Center for Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform, Office of the Chancellor: DEI Fellow Initiatives, and Bowen Law School Faculty Colloquium Speaker Series.
