The movie Hidden Figures opens in movie theaters this weekend. /Fox Pictures
When: 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2017
Where: Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids North & IMAX
2121 Celebration Dr. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 530-7469
Discussion in Wave Room on 2nd Floor after the movie.
Cost: $6 per ticket with invitation found on SURJ Event Page.
Email [email protected] with questions.
SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing White people for racial justice. /SURJ National
It's an event that promises to bring people of varied interests together.
From racial justice accomplices to space buffs, experts in African-American achievements to admirers of John Glenn's career, advocates for Black women to technology enthusiasts, as well as those who just enjoy a good story on the big screen, there's something for everyone at this special viewing of Hidden Figures.
Organized by Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) of Greater Grand Rapids, the movie will be shown Celebration!Cinemas North for a discounted rate to those with a SURJ invitation. Partners for a Racism-Free Community will facilitate a post-viewing discussion in the Wave Room on the second floor.
The movie description reads: "Three brilliant African-American women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) -- serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world."
Organizer Marie-Claire Camp of SURJ said, "One of the important aspects of Showing Up for Racial Justice is community education. Understanding oppressive systems — past and present — are what help us defect from white supremacy in the future. When our group heard that Hidden Figures centered the untold success stories of Black Women in white male-dominated fields, we were instantly drawn to it."
"We reached out to Celebration! Cinema who graciously offered a discount to our group and space afterwards to discuss it with the community. We're very excited to work with Partners For a Racism-Free Community ... Breannah [Alexander] and Faye [Richardson-Green] both do excellent work in helping businesses and individuals understand forms of institutional and systemic oppression.
Camp recommended the event for "teachers, anyone in Human Resources in large companies, parents, historians, scientists, mathematicians, girls looking to work in STEM, CEOs, women business owners... just come and listen." She encouraged anyone with an interest: "Show up."
Cost for the special viewing only is $6.00 with the invitation and $8.00 without. The invitation can be found on the SURJ GGR Facebook Event Page, or those interested can email [email protected] for a copy.
According to their web site, SURJ National is a network of groups and individuals organizing White people for racial justice. "Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves White people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability." Camp founded the Greater Grand Rapids chapter of SURJ in July of 2016.
Amy Carpenter Leugs is a member of SURJ Greater Grand Rapids.
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