Letter: Black Auburnians missing out on community events
Auburn just grew larger, and most Black Auburnians missed a singular opportunity to contribute to, participate in, and experience its expansion.
For two weekends in a row, Auburn Public Theater has been home to two outstanding cinematic events, right here in Ted Case's historic hometown.
On Nov. 1, "A Unique Medium" was screened for a capacity audience. A beautiful true new-Auburn story about two young men carving out revolutionary paths of their own creation, this documentary should be shown and seen every year by every child in every school in Auburn and in New York state.
On Nov. 8, "Black Barbie" opened the fourth annual Cayuga Film Festival. This documentary, about the lives of Black women and girls in the world of toy maker Mattel, was created by a young filmmaker from Texas.
I was invited to greet the audience before the second showing on Nov. 9. A bit nervous, I expected to see a full house in the theater. Instead, I spoke to several rows of Black children who had traveled 55 miles from Rochester for the evening event. But why were there so many empty seats? Where were Auburn's Black children and their families who live less than 2 miles away? I felt deeply disappointed that they were missing a very special opportunity to see themselves as never before.
The convergence of young Black artists from Auburn, Ithaca, Florida and Texas was unusual, encouraging, enlightening, surprising and beautiful. As a community, I wish we had been more hospitable toward our guests. We have out-of-town visitors every weekend, but none quite like these.
It's not too late to start showing up. If you don't you'll never understand how much larger Auburn has grown without you. Thanks to hard work and ingenuity by many different people, Auburn has come alive in the last 20 years. You have to be out to be seen, you have to speak up to be heard. Otherwise, you have no right to complain about a lack of inclusion.
Take a seat, make yourself comfortable, join the conversation, make new connections with the community of Auburn. You don't need a second invitation.
Judith Gladys Bryant lives in Auburn.
Aside from minor edits for style and grammar, all letters to the editor are reprinted as submitted. To submit a letter to The Citizen, email , use the form at auburnpub.com or mail it to The Citizen, 25 Seminary St., Suite R1, Auburn, NY 13021. Letters must concern subjects that are local to the Cayuga County area, be 400 words or less, and include a phone number to contact the writer, which will not be published. Letters concerning elections must be received at least a week before Election Day. For more information, call (315) 282-2245.
