Dr. G met ACI Director Ms. Karamat Ajala and joined patrons of American Corner Ibadan (ACI) during its Black History Month observance on February 22, 2024.  ACI screened A Force More Powerful, a documentary film that chronicles one of the most important developments of the 20th century, the rise of non-violent protest movements in India, the United States and South Africa. Using 3 separate case studies A Force More Powerful examined Gandhi’s use of civil disobedience to challenge British colonial rule, the disciplined, nonviolent means Fisk University students employed to desegregate Nashville’s downtown lunch counters successfully and the nonviolent mass action of Black communities in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province to weaken business support for apartheid. Following the screening, ACI patrons had a robust discussion about the film’s key concepts, comments included:

Gandhi was both disciplined and strategic in his approach. He took his time to build support and he kept the Indian people informed of what he was doing and why.

Diane Nash, a Fisk University student, asked Nashville’s Mayor if he thought segregation was morally defensible. The Mayor’s truthful answer, in part, led to the desegregation of downtown lunch counters.

South African Freedom Fighter Mkhuseli Jack was both thoughtful and passionate. As the apartheid regime became more repressive, he assured his followers they were having the desired impact. @the-fulbright-program, #DrG, #Generative_Gaze, #Africa, #Education, #Breathe, #blackhistorymonth2024