Movie to be shown at Prindle

In preparation for this summer's Read to Understand discussion groups, a free screening of the movie "The Color of Fear" will be offered today at 7 p.m. at the Prindle Institute of Ethics at DePauw Nature Park.

"Color of Fear," directed by Lee Mun Wah, was released in 1994. The movie is a documentary that focuses on eight North American men of different ethnicities -- Asian, European, Latino and African -- and their take on the state of race relations in the United States.

The film is not suitable for children. The event is open to the public.

Prindle is located at 2961 W. C.R. 225S, just past the Putnam County Highway Department.

Parking is available to the right of the entrance to the park, and there is limited parking at the top of the hill at the center for alternative fuel-powered and handicapped-accessible vehicles.

Read to Understand

Read to understand is a community project, designed to promote discussions on race, ethnicity, identity and diversity, that invites local residents to read and then discuss the book, "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" by Beverly Daniel Tatum.

This best-selling book focuses on racial identity development and race and racism and how it impacts all of us and what we can do about it.

"It is hoped that through enhanced understanding we can improve our community," said Leslie Hanson, a member of the League of Women Voters, who is on the committee for the Read to Understand project.

"It has been 40 years since the Civil Rights Movement and people are still treated differently based on the color of their skin and we are all affected by it," a release about the Read to Understand Program said. "A legacy of racism continues on and it is reflected in the stereotypical images of people of color in the media, patterns of housing discrimination, racial bias in hiring practices and rising incidents of racially motivated hate crimes.

"This legacy is also reflected in the benefits and privileges afforded to the white community," the release continued. "Over 5 years ago members of this community participated in discussions on race but there is still more work to do. We need to learn to listen to each other so that we can move toward a community where everyone feels welcome."

As Beverly Tatum says in her book, "Talking about racism is the only way we can change it."

How Do I Sign Up?

To sign up for the project and receive a free copy of the book or to get more information please contact Leslie Hanson at lesliehanson@broadreach.net. You may also call her at 720-3236.

Forms are also available at the Putnam County Library.

What subjects will be discussed?

Sample questions that will be used in the discussion groups include:

* Have you learned something about yourself through Tatum's discussion of the development of self-identity and of racial identity?

* Has this book changed the way you look at people who are different from you?

* Have you altered the way you look at the word 'racism?' What do you think about Tatum's definitions of passive and active racism?

* Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why did you feel that way? Did this lead to a new understanding or awareness of some aspect of your life?

When is the discussion?

Distribution of the books began in May. Small group discussions will take place in late summer and early fall, with dates to be announced.

Each participant will be expected to participate in one two-hour discussion.

How Can I Help?

If you would like to donate your time or money to this project please contact Hanson.

Who Is Sponsoring this Project?

The project is co-sponsored by several organizations. They are: Greencastle NAACP, Greencastle League of Women Voters, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, Putnam County Public Library, the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, the Banner-Graphic and the Janet Prindle Institute of Ethics at DePauw. The steering committee members are: Charles Miles, Leslie Hanson, Dr. Robert Green, Diane Hightower, Margot Payne, Nancy Michael, Martha Rainbolt, Bill Wieland, Lucy Wieland, Tamra Walker, Ann Newton and Indy Cox.