From Oak Creek to Charleston, Orlando to Charlottesville, v
iolent manifestations of hate that have occurred in summer are etched in our memories. Not In Our Town films focus on how communities come together in the face of hate.
With strength and resilience, these communities forged strong bonds, sending a message to perpetrators that hate would not gain a foothold in their cities.
Twenty years ago this summer, deadly white supremacist attacks left many communities across the country reeling. The NIOT film
Summer of Hate / Season of Healing documents three arson attacks in Sacramento, Calif., the murder of a gay couple in Redding, Calif., and the ways in which both communities responded with love.
Waking in Oak Creek recounts the story of survivors of the attack at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin
and their leadership in transforming their place in the community.
Not In Our Town: Manhattan Beach
looks at how an African American family is joined by their community in standing up to hate after their home is set on fire. (see trailers below)
And finally,
Rising, a new short film from
The Ad Council written by
Lena Waithe and directed by
David Nutter (
Game of Thrones) asks why we must wait for disaster to strike in order to come together as communities.
HOW TO GET STARTED
When your event
is scheduled, we will send you a high resolution copy of the film program you choose to share at your event.
How can a Not In Our Town Film Screening help your town stop hate?
A film screening is an opportunity to reach "beyond the choir" to gather residents, leaders, parents and students who may be targeted by hate, and those who can be jolted into action when they gain a deeper understanding of what's at stake.
The stories shared in the films help to
open a discussion about the experiences of residents who are targeted by hate, the challenges facing immigrant communities in reporting hate, and effective actions that can support welcoming community goals.
MORE ABOUT THE FILMS
Summer of Hate / Season of Healing
Summer of Hate / Season of Healing (watch trailer)
follows the 1999 fire-bombings of three synagogues, an event that jump-starts what comes to be known as "the summer of hate." Within hours, the community unites in support of the victims, culminating in a gathering of four thousand people. But two weeks later, the arsonists murder a prominent gay couple in a nearby town, and the local residents and leaders rally against hate crimes of every kind. Five years after the arsons, with rebuilding well underway, congregants of one of the burned synagogues invite the families of the murdered men to a special Shabbat service to commemorate-and heal from-their common loss. (2009)
Waking in Oak Creek
Waking in Oak Creek (watch trailer): As the Sikh community in Oak Creek, Wisconsin prepares for Sunday prayers, a deadly hate attack shatters their lives, but not their resilience. After six worshipers are killed by a white supremacist, the local community finds inspiration in the Sikh tradition of forgiveness and faith. Lieutenant Murphy, shot 15 times in the attack, joins the mayor and police chief as they forge new bonds with the Sikh community. Young temple members, still grieving, emerge as leaders in the quest to end the violence. In the year following the tragedy, thousands gather for vigils and community events to honor the victims and seek connection. Together, a community rocked by hate is awakened and transformed by the Sikh spirit of relentless optimism. (2014)
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach (watch trailer) is a portrait of a community grappling with a suspected hate crime after an African American family's home was set on fire in Manhattan Beach, CA. Ronald and Malissia Clinton share their story about the night of the attack, their fear that the attack was racially motivated, and their reaction to the overwhelming community response of support. A few days after the arson at their home, 700 community members gathered in the town square to stand with the Clintons, and hundreds donated to a reward fund for information about the case. One year later, while the case is still under investigation, local law enforcement, school leaders and community members are working to build a safe and inclusive community for all. Released with the Department of Justice COPS office for our partnership in the Safe, Inclusive Communities Initiative. (2016)
Rising
In Rising (watch film), a diverse but divided neighborhood struggles to survive rising floodwaters and bias in the heart of America. The original short film by director David Nutter and screenwriter Lena Waithe asks the question, "why does it take a disaster to bring us together?" Rising is a powerful film that takes us back to where we started with Love Has No Labels, reminding everyone to see each other as humans above all else. The film captures the poignant story of a diverse neighborhood coming together in a flood, rising above their differences to support each other in a time of need. At a time where we're seeing stories of togetherness overcome the devastation that comes with hurricane season, this story is timely and relevant to all. (2019)
Sincerely,
Patrice O'Neill
CEO/Executive Producer: The Working Group/Not In Our Town
Questions, concerns, or ideas? Email info@niot.org.
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