For six years, from 1958 to 1964, a group of Black Oklahoma City children conducted sit-ins with their youth adviser, Clara Luper. In 1960, whites joined the peaceful protests, and together, the group demonstrated until the Civil Rights Act took effect. Their sit-ins never really made national news, but nearly every restaurant in Oklahoma City desegregated as a result before the Civil Rights Act became law in 1964.
The documentary film "Children of the Civil Rights" directed by Julia Clifford, tells the story of these children and their commitment to equality. CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is proud to present this special screening of the film Friday, June 18 through Sunday, June 20 in celebration of Juneteenth and in commemoration of the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre.
The film is available online any time during the three days. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased here on CASCADIA's festival page. Once a ticket is purchased, the film may be watched on demand during the Juneteenth weekend. Learn more about the film here.
The trailer can be seen here. The film, which was completed in 2015, is 57 minutes long.
Clifford grew up in Oklahoma City. Her father , Bill Clifford, was one of the young white adults who joined the children in the sit-ins. “It was the strength and determination of the youth, under Clara's guidance, that changed the state and nation over fifty years ago,” Clifford says. “Clara taught the kids to devise a plan, be patient and be peaceful about it, and that is exactly what they all did.”
Four of the "children," now adults, in the film joined filmmaker Clifford in a recorded discussion available now on CASCADIA's website and YouTube channel. Tamika Lamison, program director of the Commercial Directors Diversity Program based in Los Angeles, moderates.
Clifford is also the current president of CASCADIA, an international film festival based in Bellingham dedicated to celebrating and showcasing exceptional films directed by women. The festival just finished its fifth festival, online this year due to the pandemic, on May 23 with 27 films from women directors around the world. The festival is one of only a handful in the U.S. to present only films directed by women.
CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and showcasing the work of women filmmakers, was formed in Bellingham, Washington, in 2015. The organization also works year-round to provide film production, exhibition, and distribution education. More information about CASCADIA may be found on the website at www.cascadiafilmfest.org.
