Next public event in re-segregation series to feature film screening, group discussion

The conversation about school re-segregation will continue this Tuesday. Mercer University’s Center for Collaborative Journalism, Georgia Public Broadcasting and The Telegraph are hosting a community event in Macon.

Attendees will watch the “Frontline” documentary “Separate and Unequal” and participate in small-group discussion. The film addresses the increasing racial divide in public schools in the United States and follows a group of white parents in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as they try to create a separate school district.

The free event will be at the East Macon Community Center, 3326 Ocmulgee East Blvd. Doors will open at 5:45, and the program will start at 6:15 p.m. Pizza and drinks will be available.

This will be the fifth public program in the ongoing collaborative project exploring re-segregation in today’s schools. Stories in the series have addressed the increased racial concentration in Bibb County public schools and Macon’s school integration history.

“With all the engagement projects, we’ve tried to do reporting on issues that are important to the community with hopes it might bring positive change or awareness of the issues. This project is more personal for people, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer,” said Debbie Blankenship, interim director for the CCJ. “It’s an issue that communities all over the country are facing. It’s an important conversation to have.”

Tuesday’s event will be an opportunity for candid discussions between community members about the problem and potential solutions, she said.

This story was originally published October 19, 2017 at 2:33 PM with the headline "Next public event in re-segregation series to feature film screening, group discussion."