Voices United, inspired by the struggles and triumphs of history at the Denton Black Film Festival
Vicki Baker
January began with wintry weather, snow, and freezing temperatures. As the month came to a close, the Denton Black Film Festival (DBFF) brought us some much-needed warmth. Dedicated to bringing artists from around the country and the world to Denton, DBFF preserves and celebrates Black culture with cinema as its core. But it isn’t just about films. Now in its 11th year, the festival has expanded to include film shorts, documentaries, feature films, music videos, comedy, spoken word poetry, and art.
Festivals are often determined by the debuts they present, but DBFF has also shown reverence for past works. Coordinated by the Diversity in Action Committee of Voices United, members attended the opening screening of the controversial and once-banned 1973 classic The Spook Who Sat by the Door. Based on the novel of the same name by Sam Greenlee, it follows the story of the first Black CIA agent who ends up staging a political revolution in Chicago by amassing a contingency of “freedom fighters.” Pulled from theaters shortly after its release, it was later added to the National Registry by the Library of Congress due to its historical significance.
The film exemplified this year’s featured theme—“Resilience”—emphasizing the Black community’s ability to thrive in the face of adversity. It challenged us to think beyond the surface and reflect on the profound injustices in our country’s history. Maya Angelou stated, “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”
Voices United knows history is not just a story from the past; it’s a guide for our future. At our forefront is advocacy. With advocacy comes education. With education comes change. Steps that are the driving force behind many of the positive shifts we’ve seen in society.
Come join Voices United as we take the next steps forward and share progressive values through community outreach, civic awareness, discussion groups, book readings, cultural events, issue-related presentations, and more. We meet monthly on the first Saturday of the month at 11 a.m. in the clubhouse. For more information, visit www.voicesunitedrr.org.