Civility and Self-Justified Bias – a Classroom Screening of BlacKkKlansman

The topic of civility is presented to a class on social work, not so much as a political construct but rather from a personal and social posture. The interest for this public discourse is embodied in a concern for how we (society) treat each other, especially those who are 'different’ than we are (i.e., member of a minority group; member of a majority group). What and why do we gain from mistreating one another based on difference? Why do we feel so strongly about theses biases? How can we come together and have a conversation that does not reduce itself to a toxic confrontation that leaves us divided and a threat to one another? This discussion precedes a screening of BlacKkKlansman, whose screen-writer, Kevin Willmott, is featured as a final symposium keynote speaker.