Documentaries & Book Studies
The documentary and book-study series began in 2015 as part of its Harm Free Zone Movement. Over the past two years we have partnered with over fourty organizations to develop a shared understanding about issues impacting poor people and people of color in our communities.
Developing and deepening our analysis within diverse community settings has proven to be a powerful foundation for building the common understanding that helps to create more equity and accountability for all.
SpiritHouse Inc begins year four of The Harm Free Zone Book Study and Documentary series with Black Feminist, writer, & activist Audre Lorde
“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
― Audre Lorde
Spirithouse inc is pleased to kick off Women’s History Month by announcing our first book study of 2018. First published in 1984, “Sister Outsider” by Audre Lorde, is a series of essays and speeches that challenges readers to examine the impacts of racism, sexism, ageism, class and homophobia on Black women. Now, more than thirty years later, in the time of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, we are witnessing brave women speaking up about gendered violence, sexual violence, criminalization, income inequity, reproductive justice.
Yet, these movements, similar to women’s movements of the past, often eliminate the impact of racialized oppression from these critical conversations. This deliberate erasure of Black women’s issues contributes to a further marginalization of our most vulnerable population.
Lorde speaks to this in her essay “Eye to Eye Black Women, Hatred and Anger” when she states, “We are Black Women born into a society of entrenched loathing and contempt for whatever is Black and female. We are strong and enduring. We are also deeply scarred.”
For the past three years SpiritHouse has led local communities through a deep examination of the impacts of racism and systemic oppression, through incarceration, disinvestment and serial displacement, on the Black community. Our series has grown from a city-wide book study, with sixteen local churches and organizations, to a Southern regional book study of over fifty organizations. This year we are excited to continue expanding by inviting some of our national partners to join us in this unique experience. We hope that you will join this groundbreaking movement too.
Timeline & Next Steps
March 1- 31, 2018 - Get your book, establish your study group, join us on social media as we share poetry and other writings by Lorde and other Black women writers and activists.
March 25, 2018 - Harm Free Zone Book Study Kick off event.
April 1- May 31, 2018 - Receive your Harm Free Zone Book Study “Sister Outsider” Toolkits to begin begin study group readings, discussions and activities.
For more information and to sign on to this book study please contact Tia Hall at Tia@spiritHouse-nc.org
Documentary & Discussion
SpiritHouse has, partnered with The Center for Documentary studies, to host a bi-monthly Documentary and Discussion Series.
DOCUMENTARIES