The images of policing and investigating as presented in Black films and television will be the focus of the next Conversations on Race and Policing when the series resumes this week.

“The Pride of Lions” will be livestreamed on Zoom beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, on Zoom. It can be accessed from a PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android at https://csusb.zoom.us/j/97960458784.  

In this discussion, Kathyrn Ervin, professor of theatre arts at CSUSB, will examine images of policing and investigating as presented in Black films and television. Historically, actors and filmmakers have struggled against the oppressive systems of law enforcement through their choices in subject matter, characters and themes. This conversation will review some of those images and their potential impact.

Ervin teaches courses in directing, acting, creative drama, and African American theatre, film and culture. She has directed dramas, comedies and musicals. Her upcoming production of “ANON(YMOUS)” will be presented in May. She is a member of numerous professional organizations and also a consultant, past president and a named a Lifetime Member of the Black Theatre Network in 2010.

Andre Harrington, professor of theatre arts at CSUSB, will formally introduce Ervin at the program.

Conversations on Race and Policing began in the aftermath of the May 25 death of George Floyd while in the custody of four Minneapolis, Minn., police officers. A video of the incident posted on social media has led to widespread protests, the firing of four police officers, the arrest of one officer on a second-degree murder charge, the other three on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder – and a spotlight worldwide on race and policing.

Previous forums also are posted online (more recordings will soon be available for viewing) on the CSUSB History Club Lecture Series YouTube channel.

The ongoing Conversations on Race and Policing series is hosted by CSUSB students Marlo Brooks and Yvette Relles-Powell.

The series is organized by Brooks and Relles-Powell, CSUSB faculty members Mary Texeira (sociology) and Jeremy Murray (history), Robie Madrigal, public affairs/communication specialist for the CSUSB John M. Pfau Library, and community member Stan Futch, president of the Westside Action Group.  

For more information, contact Robie Madrigal at rmadriga@csusb.edu or Jeremy Murray at jmurray@csusb.edu.

Conversations on Race and Policing April 7 flyer