I was really struck by the section in Marco Williams’ documentary in which he traveled to Harrison, Arkansas, a town with a deep history of banishment. He notably visited a church there, who prided themselves on their race relations. The pastor, Wayne Kelly, stated that he was confused on how to proceed, asking, “How do you work with a, a race that’s not there in your community? How do you make reconciliation with somebody who’s no longer there?” The work, he said, has to come from within, from themselves.
“Banished.” , directed by Marco Williams. , California Newsreel, 2007. Alexander Street, https://video.alexanderstreet.com/watch/Banished.
This image is of a banner that hangs in the church. I was curious about the inclusion of people of color within here, especially when coming from a church that claims to be working on “race relations.”
He stated that the first step toward repair is acknowledgement. This sentiment is reflected by other Black communities within the film, that sometimes all they need is to be seen and for an acknowledgement of the oppressions against them to be made. He continued to reflect on various other forms of acknowledgement including a National Day of Prayer and the creation of a scholarship for students. The question then centers around how performative these measures may be.
This relates to a point that Aguayo made that stuck with me– that some forms of reparation are self-serving for white people, and are put in place to help them be relieved of their guilt. I question where that line is drawn that allows the Black community to receive closure in a way that isn’t for the sole selfish purpose of making the white community feel less at fault.
I found a similar situation with the Coroner Don Lakin digging up the grave. He reflected that “this has been a long drawn out procedure for Charles. And, and it’s– he can go home tonight and know that he got accomplished what he wanted to get accomplished. So I’m pretty well satisfied with that.” What is the balance here between Charles getting what he asked for and Don being relieved?
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