The Whole Staircase: Films Celebrating 400 Years of African American History & Culture
SJR State's commemoration logo
For Colored Girls (2010)
Ms. Sunshine Nealy will present this film. Sunshine Nealy is an Adult Education Program Specialist at SJR State and specializes in recruitment and operations. Sunshine received her Bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo University in Business Administration and Management. Previously, she worked in Admissions at the University of Florida. She is heavily involved in the community with her involvement in youth sports, church youth, and children ministries.
As Ms. Nealy explains, "I selected this film because it is full or drama and emotions. Somewhere along my own journey, I can relate to these 9 women either as myself, a friend, family member or a total stranger. This film deals with real life situation that all women, no matter the race, go through. I hope that people will take away a sense of responsibility to these women. I also hope that people will see the strength and courage that these women have shown throughout their journey."
Screening Date and Location
March 28, 2019
Palatka Campus - Building A, Valhalla Hall from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Film Information: For Colored Girls
"A vibrant world where friends and strangers dream, fear, cry, love, and laugh out loud in an attempt to find their true selves. Adapted by writer/director Tyler Perry from Ntozake Shange's acclaimed choreopoem, this gripping film paints an unforgettable portrait of what it means to be a woman of color in the modern world." - distributor's synopsis
Run time: 134 minutes
This film is rated R for some disturbing violence including a rape, sexual content and language.
Licensed through Swank
Resources for Further Exploration: For Colored Girls
Online Resources
Shange's 'For Colored Girls' has lasting power - from CNN
Why So Much Fury Over 'For Colored Girls'? - from NPR
10 Things To Know About Ntozake Shange and “For Colored Girls” - from Ms. Magazine
Books and eBooks at the SJR State Library
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Call Number: St. Johns River/Palatka Circulation -- PS3569.H3324 F6 1997ISBN: 9780684843261Publication Date: 1997-09-01"From its inception in California in 1974 to its highly acclaimed critical success at Joseph Papp's Public Theater and on Broadway, the Obie Award-winning for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf has excited, inspired, and transformed audiences all over the country. Passionate and fearless, Shange's words reveal what it is to be of color and female in the twentieth century. Here is the complete text, with stage directions, of a groundbreaking dramatic prose poem written in vivid and powerful language that resonates with unusual beauty in its fierce message to the world."--BOOK JACKET.
Celebration • Education • Reflection
H.R.1242/Public Law 115-102, the 400 Years of African American History Commission Act, establishes 2019 as a year of "commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Africans in the English colonies, at Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1619." The commemoration is intended “to recognize and highlight the resilience and contributions of African-Americans since 1619; to acknowledge the impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination had on the United States; and to educate the public about the arrival of Africans in the United States; and the contributions of African-Americans to the United States.” In recognition of this commemoration and with the Act serving as a guide, the SJR State Library has organized a year-long series of events that will provide educational experiences and resources to students and the community that celebrate the history and culture of African Americans.
Site created and maintained by Dr. Christina Will. Pages will be added and maintained throughout 2019.
Maintenance will cease at the end of 2019 but this site will remain accessible.