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History Making
Districts host Black History Month events to bring focus to officer-resident relationships
n DAN CAMPANA AND KAREN STAHL
A group of about 50 seniors watched intently, a few of them in tears at times, as Harriet Tubman’s life played out be- fore them in the 2019 film “Harriet.”
When the movie screening concluded, moved audience members asked where they could buy a copy of the film. And they thanked CAPS Officer Roderique McClain, the Seventh District’s senior citizens liaison, for putting together a memorable experience.
This is what McClain set out to accom- plish when he arranged the screening at a local senior facility complete with pop- corn to achieve a true theatergoing ex- perience. But the event became so much more than a celebration of Black History Month.
“I wanted to share this movie with seniors who had not had the opportu- nity to see it, but who I knew could re- late emotionally to the historical aspect of the movie, the impact on our culture and the legacy she left for women to fol- low for eternity,” McClain, a 15-year CPD veteran, said. “Prior to showing the mov- ie, we had a discussion about advance- ment in society and the various cultures through time. We shared our memories, dreams and ideas of what Black History Month meant to us.”
Officers throughout the city celebrat- ed Black History Month with various events and remembrances, but CAPS and district-led events proved to go be- yond simple commemoration. They in- spired reflection, encouraged a little fun, evoked important conversations and
30 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MARCH 2020
Ten students were awarded prizes in the fourth annual Black History Month Essay Competition.
continued the ongoing mission to build relationships.
For McClain, describing the impact of the movie event as “huge” wouldn’t do it justice. He described how many of the men who attended initially stayed in the back of the room, away from the officers present. Past conflicts with law enforce- ment live deep within them, McClain ex- plained.
“They shared the stories they had of their interactions with many police offi- cers through the years,” McClain noted, adding that he explained the many ways the department has changed to give cit- izens a voice and is working to develop
a more effective community partnership with residents — all in an effort to right past wrongs.
“To see the way the men’s chests be- gan to swell up with elation and pride was amazing,” he continued. “By the end of the discussion and the film, all of the seniors were so happy for us to be there and expressed their willingness to let by- gones be bygones.”
Other Black History Month events served to give the city’s young people perspective and a chance to understand the past as they look toward the future.
In the 15th District, Feb. 19 marked a day full of hundreds of pages of read-