Join CNS, the City of Thomasville and the Jack Hadley Black History Museum for a screening of the documentary “Can You Not See?”, at The Ritz Amphitheater in Downtown Thomasville on Friday, May 10, 2019. The screening event will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a meet and greet of coaches from that era followed by the screening of “Can You Not See?” at 8:00 p.m. and a Q & A at 8:30 p.m.
The documentary tells Thomasville’s story of how the love of football played an important role in the transition during school integration in 1970. The story is told by local coaching legends Jim Hughes, Jacqueline Bryant on behalf of her husband James Bryant, Andy Jones, Frank “Poppa D” Delaney and Charlie Ward, Sr.
“Randy Young and I felt it was important to capture their stories,” said Austin Reams, CNS Programming and Ad Sales Manager. “These coaches, along with many others not highlighted in the documentary, are legendary in Thomasville, and their guidance through the transition of school integration was paramount to guiding the students through the process.”
While there were definitely challenges along the way, Thomasville received national news attention in September of 1970 on the CBS Evening News hosted by Walter Cronkite. The seven minute news clip will also be shown just prior to the documentary.
“We encourage our community to attend the screening and hear first-hand from the coaches how their leadership and character - and the love of football - ultimately led to a peaceful transition to integrated schools when compared to other communities,” said Sherri Nix, City of Thomasville Public Outreach Manager. ”It was that love of football that brought everyone together at a time that was very challenging in our nation. This film will explore that era in Thomasville and also show the deep friendships and mutual respect that grew from that experience.”
The screening is free of charge and open to the community. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and spend the evening at The Ritz Amphitheater. For more information about the screening of “Can You Not See?”, call 229-227-7001 or find the event on Facebook on the Community Network Services page.
