By SPLC
Photos: “Ghosts of a Lost Cause”\Wikimedia Commons
MURRAY, Ky. — On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Murray State University will host a screening of “Ghosts of a Lost Cause” produced by Sherman Neal and Gerry Seavo James at the Wrather West Kentucky Museum, Murray State University, North 16th Street and University Drive. The film explores the connection between history, memory, and belonging, sparking conversations and inspiring change.
“We believe that films like Ghosts of a Lost Cause provide a unique opportunity to reflect on our history, confront uncomfortable truths, and inspire positive change,” says Sherman Neal. “By hosting this screening on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we aim to honor Dr. King’s legacy and encourage open conversations that promote understanding and unity.”
Dubbed the “friendliest town in America,” Ghosts of a Lost Cause is an intimate portrayal of small-town Murray, Kentucky’s battle to relocate a Confederate monument during the Black Lives Matter movement. From forgotten battlefields to enduring symbols, this documentary offers a profound look at how the stories we tell about history impacts how we challenge and confront the ghosts of the American Civil War, the Lost Cause narrative, and their lasting impacts on our communities.
“Documentaries like Ghosts of a Lost Cause are essential tools for clearing away pro-Confederate propaganda and setting the record straight about our history,” says the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) Rivka Maizlish. “This film is also important because it tells the story of the brave activists who fought for their community and values. It serves as an example of the kind of civic engagement and activist struggle necessary to finish the work of liberation.”
Featured panelists include:
- Gerry Seavo James – Executive Producer, Deputy Campaign Director at Sierra Club Outdoors for All and Founder, Explore Kentucky Initiative
- Sherman Neal II – Producer, Community Organizer and Deputy Campaign Director at Sierra Club Military Outdoors
- Robyn Pizzo – Community Organizer and Board Member at Murray Independent School District
- J. Shelly Baskin – Community Organizer and Southeast Operations Coordinator at United Campus Workers
- Dr. Brian Clardy – Associate Professor of History at Murray State University and Chair of the Kentucky Humanities Council Board of Directors
- Crystal Fox – Community Organizer and President at Mayfield Minority Enrichment Center
- Constance Alexander – Award-winning poet, playwright, and journalist based in Murray, KY
- Kristen Farley – Community Organizer focused on labor solidarity and Murray State alumna
- Rivka Maizlish – Senior Research Analyst with the SPLC’s Intelligence Project
Panel discussions moderated by Mayfield High School student Aniji Fox, and Murray State graduate student and political strategist David Pool will follow the screening.
Documentary screening and panel discussions are open to the public. Click here for tickets, with free admission for students.
For more information, contact executive producer Gerry Seavo at [email protected] or producer Sherman Neal at [email protected].
About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.
