'The Black Fatherhood Project' documentary debuts at Grand Lake ...

In an effort to counter the negative stereotypes that African-American men experience and are subjected to on a daily basis - being criminal, irresponsible and deadbeat fathers, to name a few - filmmaker Jordan Thierry set out on a mission of research and documentation.

Although 70% of black children are born into single parent households, Thierry hadn?t seen anything that explained why. Once he began to delve into research and to do a series of interviews, he found out why certain stereotypes exist and was able to put them, and the root of the problem, into proper historical context.

On Thursday, Jan. 31, Thierry's findings - now the documentary "The Black Fatherhood Project" - will debut at 6 p.m. at the Grand Lake Theater.

The systematic break up of the black family started during the slave trade in Africa when families were ripped apart through brutal kidnappings, then through chattel slavery, KKK terrorism, Jim Crow, job discrimination, drug saturation on down to the prison industrial complex. The generational cycle of the black family break up persisted and continued for at least 200 years. Every generation has been attacked and broken; lost from knowledge of self and of the ways of its ancestors. What was fatherhood like in traditional African society? What did that role look like? What did it mean? Without romanticizing Africa or African traditions, Thierry felt that there were good things that could be pulled from that wealth of knowledge, in order to deal with the challenges faced by the African-American community today.

The film moves chronologically through time discussing what has continued to undermine the black family to keep it from flourishing and thriving. The second piece of film is a series of interviews with African-American men on what fatherhood means to them.

The Black Fatherhood Project is intended to spark dialog among community members to address issues being discussed in the film in their respective communities; to inspire growth and personal change in order for folks to step up to be mentors and role models, and to motivate those in politics to address structural barriers that challenge low income families of color.

The film also will be made free and accessible on-line.

This is a free film screening, however folks are strongly encouraged to RSVP HERE. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door.

For more information, visit blackfatherhoodproject.com.

Source: http://oaklandlocal.com/posts/2013/01/black-fatherhood-project-documentary-debuts-grand-lake-theater-thursday-jan-1

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