On Tuesday, Feb 17, filmmaker Nick Michael will be presenting his film “Counter Histories: Cambridge, Maryland” in celebration of AACC’s Year of Social Justice and Black History Month.

The film focuses on the desegregation of restaurants in the south.

Michael’s film is a part of a larger project called “Counter Histories” marking the 50^th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 desegregated places of public accommodation, including restaurants.

The project comes from a year’s work from the Southern Foodways Alliance (SFA) in collaboration with filmmakers across the south.

Kate Medley, a collaborator with the SFA, worked with filmmakers interviewing civil rights activists who participated in these legendary sit-ins and protests which helped end de jure segregation in the south.

“In making these films, I was struck again and again by the bravery and dedication of these young men and women,” said Medley. “They risked arrest and bodily harm to carry out peaceful demonstrations that led to real change. The filmmakers and I feel fortunate to have met some of these individuals, and it is our privilege to share their stories.”

Each film in the project focuses on a different lunch counter in the south where activists participated in sit-ins.

Although some may not consider Maryland the south, lunch counter sit ins were occurring in Cambridge, Maryland, a town where black citizens were routinely denied social and civic services.

Nick Michael will be speaking with students on AACC’s campus about the history of racial segregation in our very own backyard and discuss how it relates to us today.

Join us on Feb 17 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in HUM 112 for food and conversation as the Campus Current welcomes guest speaker Nick Michael and Dr. Lester Brooks, professor of history.