In their poignant short film “Rising: The Hall of Negro Life,” Dallas filmmakers Lindell Singleton and King Hollis shed light on the vibrant expressions of Black culture at the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. This event marked a significant moment in history, showcasing the resilience and artistry of Black Americans. Yet, the saga of this manifestation of culture is riddled with stories of erasure and neglect, as essential photographs and artworks have vanished over time.
Hollis and Singleton, along with producer Lynn Rushton, invite viewers to explore their 28-minute film at Baylor University’s Mayborn Museum. Screening at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, this event commemorates Black History Month, with a reception starting at 5:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the filmmakers during a Q&A session led by Malcolm Foley, Baylor’s adviser for equity and campus engagement. Admission is complimentary, welcoming all who wish to reconnect with a piece of history.
The Hall of Negro Life demonstrated the cultural advancements and contributions of Black Americans post-slavery, with elements from art to science on display. This remarkable pavilion hosted notable figures such as opera singer Marian Anderson and exhibited innovations from pioneers like George Washington Carver. The creators of this space later contributed to the Civil Rights movement, ensuring its legacy endured despite the racial strife of their times.
Singleton remarks, “The Hall of Negro Life was an innovative, powerful transcendent moment in history.” After the exposition concluded, the hall’s essence faded, its physical space erased, leaving only a parking lot in its wake—an unfortunate fate for such an impactful cultural landmark. Unraveling this story, the filmmakers traced its roots, discovering the extraordinary efforts of Antonio Maceo Smith and Black institutions that curated the hall under challenging conditions.
Delving into the hall’s significance reveals its dual impact on both Black and white visitors, creating a cultural bridge. The filmmakers uncovered the important contributions of librarian Dorothy Porter, who expanded library classifications to better represent the Black experience beyond the limiting topics of “slavery” and “colonization.” Yet, lingering questions about lost murals and missing photographs haunt the narrative, with Singleton lamenting the scarcity of visual records from such a widely photographed event.
Since its debut in 2022, “Rising” has captivated audiences across festivals and public broadcasts, continuing to resonate on the Public Broadcasting Services’ Passport platform. As Singleton and Hollis embark on their next project, “Quakertown USA,” which reveals the tragic dismantling of a thriving Black community in Denton during the 1920s, they remain committed to giving voice to forgotten stories. Hollis succinctly expresses their mission: “Lindell and I want to give voice to stories that were lost in the seas of time.”
Dallas filmmakers Lindell Singleton and King Hollis present their short film “Rising: The Hall of Negro Life,” showcasing Black culture at the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. Despite its historical importance, the story is marred by erasure of artifacts and narratives. The film will be screened at Baylor University as part of Black History Month, encouraging discussions and reflections on cultural identity.
The screening of “Rising: The Hall of Negro Life” at Baylor University serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of Black cultural contributions overshadowed by neglect and erasure. The film not only illuminates the past but also continues to inspire dialogue around heritage, identity, and the context of racial history in America. Singleton and Hollis’s dedication to amplifying these narratives ensures that the stories of resilience endure beyond time.
Original Source: wacotrib.com
