Chapel Hill Historical Society: Black History Month

COMMUNITY NEWS

By Courtney Howell
Correspondent

The Chapel Hill Historical Society, in honor of Black History Month, will be sponsoring a presentation based on Kim Talikoff’s 2021 presentation, “The Past Remains Present in Our Schools,” followed by a locally produced documentary, I’m Smart Too, about the experiences of minority students in the public education system.

Held at the Seymour Senior Center from 2 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 28, this free public event will be hosted by Kim Talikoff, presenter; Danita Mason-Hogans, board member and public historian; and Marsha Jepsen, program chair.

“I’m Smart Too” is a 25-minute documentary created by members of the local community for the Chapel Hill community. The film explores the historical context and structural dynamics underlying racial disparities among students. It also highlights how a stratified educational system and culture of segregation can undermine children of color throughout their education.

“The racial disparities in academic outcomes we face in our school district have brought us national notoriety. The lack of social and academic integration that begins in our elementary schools and continues into the high schools can feel both inevitable and immutable. Thus, our objective was to try (within the constraints of a 25min film) to shine a light on some of the complex and nuanced gap-making dynamics playing out inside our schools and to provide some historical context for the current circumstance. This, all in the service of engaging our community in conversations about what we aspire to achieve in the collective endeavor we call public education – and the role each of us can play in realizing that vision,” said Kim Talikoff.

As the film aims to reach a broad audience, organizers hope it will resonate especially with young adults and students. The Chapel Hill Historical Society envisions the documentary as a way to connect residents of Chapel Hill and Carrboro through generational ties, particularly because many of those involved in the film share those connections themselves.

“With an overarching theme to broadly share how this film is to highlight the ways that race, class and power contribute to systems of harm,” said Kim Talikoff, CH-Historical Society.

Organizers are looking forward to presenting a rerun of the program first held in 2021 and hope the event will serve as a space for meaningful dialogue among community members, educators, parents and students. By pairing historical analysis with lived experiences shared in the documentary, the program aims to bridge past and present, encouraging thoughtful reflection and forward-looking action.

By reintroducing the presentation to the community, organizers hope to reaffirm their commitment to examining local narratives that continue to shape public institutions today. The event serves not only as a retrospective look at past discussions but also as part of an ongoing effort to keep conversations about equity and access active in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

“The Historical Society is excited for the opportunity to re-show this program originally presented in 2021. We feel that the subject of school inequality is an ongoing problem and as February is Black History month, it would be a good time to take another look at the subject. The video, I’m Smart Too, contains an introduction by the Historical Society’s President, with opportunities for Q&A and discussion following the showing of I’m Smart Too,” Said Marsha Jepsen.

Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in a guided discussion following the screening, allowing for questions, shared stories and ideas about how the community can work together to promote more equitable outcomes in schools.

“Our public schools reflect who we are and what we value. It is time to rethink what our educational system can achieve. We have the power and means to change these outcomes. It is now time to muster the will”, said I’m Smart Too Website, Board of Directors. Check out the I’m Smart Too website for further information. imsmarttoo.org

Public education can serve as a platform to promote meaningful communication within the local community and to highlight the role each individual plays in realizing the group’s vision.