We are working to catalyze a greatly needed national dialogue on race and reconciliation. The footage we have shows a community overcoming difference to find connection, it shows people speaking truth to power and telling the buried stories of their ancestors. Stories can change hearts. They open us up to a full-body change, embodiment, not just a changed mind.

The book had sparked a public hearing in Austin held on June 17th.  I was able to bring five members of The Keepers of Love to testify and the filmmaker who’s been covering the story from its inception in 2003 and with whom I’m collaborating on a feature-length documentary. We now have over 70 hours of footage. 

 

As a result of the searing testimony at that hearing, where one man spoke of how he watched helplessly as a road grader rolled over the African-American cemetery where his ancestors – former slaves – are buried, another hearing has just been scheduled for September 3, 2008 – this time in Marshall, a few miles from Love Cemetery. African-American state legislators are writing legislation for the 2009 session to put an end to what’s happening at Love which effects everyone, not only African Americans. 

 

View the very rough trailer here at http://chinagalland.blip.tv.

 

Please take a look at The Keepers of Love web page to learn more about our mission.  

 

Also, you can visit my website at http://www.chinagalland.com.