Reconstruction Destructed Community Conversation at Fort Snelling

KZMOHD

KZMOHD with hosts Ra and Aniya will be in community live from cities throughout Minnesota on the Reconstruction Destructed Film Tour and Community Conversations.

Reconstruction Destructed is the 6th film in the "Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery" film series, co-produced by OMG Studios and the Minnesota Humanities Center. Each documentary, released annually on Juneteenth, seeks to bring people together in conversation—both to reckon with our country's legacy of nearly 406 years of enslavement, and, to celebrate Black resistance, resilience, and leadership as essential components of our American freedom story.

As James Baldwin reminds us, "I don't think history is the past. If it were the past, it would not matter." These films bring history into the present by examining how our country's legacy of enslavement and resistance have profound and enduring implications.

By having the courage to look back, we find that the past lives on in our current systems of racial capitalism, exclusion, and segregation, even in Northern states like Minnesota.

Despite leading the country in progressive legislation during the period of Reconstruction (1865-1877), Minnesota still practiced slavery, segregation, racial terror, and lynching creating a profound disconnect between our proclaimed values of freedom and equality, and the enduring reality of racism.

Reconstruction, the central topic of this year's film, presents an opportunity to reflect on how the cyclical nature of progress towards realizing our nation’s founding promises—of liberty and justice for all. Periods of expanding rights and opportunities are often followed by fierce pushback and retrenchment.

Understanding the promise and ultimate destruction of Reconstruction in the 19th century can help us draw upon the lessons of our past, to navigate our present moment of struggle and possibility.

We believe transformative learning happens at the intersection of history, conversation, and community. Take a moment to reflect on what you saw in the film and use intentional breathing to ground yourself and others before and after discussions.

Learn more at: bit.ly/3K0Opk2