Black Social Change in Utah: Preserving the Story

Race relations in the United States of America, is an issue that continues to challenge our society. The country's founding as a slave nation is critically important. Both the 1776 Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States, as articulated in 1787, accorded protected property rights to slave owners. None of the subsequent amendments to the Constitution have been able to rectify or erase the effects of slavery on the African American community. The Constitution creates the framework for white privilege, which prevents African Americans from achieving sustainable upward mobility in our society. The systemic operation of white privilege in all areas of American life makes it impossible for individuals and communities of slave descent to advance in our society. Utah is a microcosm of the country; it does not escape the negative effects of racism rooted in the documents of the country's founding. This thesis focuses on the importance of storytelling in understanding the African American experience. This art form is explored through the documentary: Black Social Change in Utah: Preserving the Story completed with the help of Brolly Arts and SLCCTV. Featuring five Utah Black social change activists whose stories reveal the impact of slavery on the African American community in Utah and the country, the documentary demonstrates that while race relations have improved, racism and discrimination occur with alarming regularity. Each person interviewed was asked what sustains their "hope" that social change, such as attaining equality, is possible. The results of the interviews are examined within the context of the vestiges of slavery within the US.