World Trust & DePaul University Announce the Premiere of Cracking the Codes in Chicago, September 27

Sept. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Chicago -- A multi-city tour of the new documentary film Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity will begin with a world premiere and community film/dialogue event in Chicago on Thursday, September 27th at DePaul University in Chicago. Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity, asks America to talk about the causes and consequences of systemic inequity. The film includes moving personal accounts that illuminate the system that perpetuates structural inequity. The film features 23 leaders in the equity movement including: Amer Ahmed, Joy DeGruy, Ise Lyfe, Peggy McIntosh, Hugh Vasquez and Tim Wise.  

“Cracking the Codes is designed to deepen and shift the framing of racial disparities in this country, “ said Shakti Butler, PhD, director of the film and founder of World Trust Educational Services. “The current conversation is not only shallow, but actually harmful.  We continue to primarily focus on individuals, when institutional and structural inequities are the bigger problem. We live in a time when we cannot afford to squander our national treasure — the minds and hearts of people.”

The event is sponsored by DePaul University and is open to the community at large. The collaboration between DePaul and World Trust was natural given DePaul’s focus on educational experiences that weave “mind, people, place and heart.”  "I am delighted that DePaul University can serve as host for the inaugural screening of this film which addresses an increasingly urgent issue in American society," said Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., DePaul's president, "DePaul is deeply committed to matters of social justice and this film is an important tool for advancing a difficult dialogue."

According to Ann Russo, Associate Professor of Women's and Gender Studies and organizer of the event, “Racial injustice is a central root of systemic poverty, violence and incarceration in this country.  Without authentic conversation we can't move forward toward change. Shakti Butler has an amazing ability to get people to engage with one another--to explore how deeply this system impacts all of us and to invest in working together for a world that will work for all of us. Audiences will come away with skills as well as renewed energy and hope for individual and collective healing, action, and transformation."  

At the event, film clips will be braided with dialogue facilitated by Shakti Butler. The event is ideal for anyone yearning for change yet wary of conversation about race. ”In these divisive times, one of our goals is to deepen the conversation,” says Shakti Butler, “Film lends support by allowing folks to see the multiple ways we walk through the world. Dialogue rekindles our connection to one another and enables us to hold paradox: Your experience is different than mine. The world is not only the way I see it.  To heal the wounds of racism and dismantle systemic inequity, we must be able to hold that paradox. And we can, for in our heart of hearts we all want to create a world that works for everyone.”

Tickets are free of charge, participants RSVP here: http://crackingthecodespremiere.eventbrite.com  
Reception at 6:00 pm, Program 6:30 - 9:00 pm.
DePaul University Student Center 120, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave. Lincoln Park, Chicago
The Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity film/dialogue tour continues on to Boston, Oakland and Seattle in fall 2012 with other cities planned in 2013. For film clips and more information visit http://crackingthecodes.org

About Shakti Butler and World Trust
Shakti Butler, PhD is Founder and Creative Director of World Trust Educational Services, a nonprofit based in Oakland, CA. Through education rooted in love and justice, World Trust is a catalyst for racial equity. Using the powerful combination of film, dialogue, and transformative learning World Trust strives to create new understanding and build community.  World Trust produces programs and seminars based on Dr. Butler’s acclaimed documentary films such as “The Way Home: Women Talk About Race in America” and “Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible.” World Trust’s film-based conversation/study programs are in continual use at hundreds of schools, universities, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and government institutions nationwide.  World Trust’s films, learning events and programs engage thousands of new people in racial equity each year. More information at http://www.world-trust.org.