The topics of officer-involved shootings, eyewitness testimony and police/community relations will come to the fore as MTSU shows a widely popular film to prompt open discussion.

“The Hate U Give,” a 2018 movie about a 16-year-old African-American girl who witnesses a police officer shoot and kill an unarmed young man, will be shown at 6 and 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 14-16, in the Student Union Theatre.

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This event is sponsored by the MTSU chapter of the NAACP and the MTSU Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs as part of the university’s Black History Month events.

“The MTSU chapter of the NAACP is excited to help promote this event because the NAACP believes in advocacy for public safety and justice for all people,” said Curtis Johnson II, president of the MTSU chapter of the NAACP.

“We believe that this is a topic that needs to be discussed in order for changes to be made. I hope that the MTSU student body and community will be inspired to be more socially involved and aware of the social issues in today’s world.”

A panel discussion moderated by Jimmy Hart, director of MTSU’s Office of News and Media Relations, and MTSU student Jordan Hunter to flesh out the issues raised in the film is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, in the Tom Jackson Building.

Confirmed panelists include:

• Dr. Sekou Franklin, MTSU associate professor of political science and international affairs.
• Joshua Crutchfield, MTSU alumnus and organizer for Black Lives Matter Nashville.
• Theeda Murphy, organizer for the Nashville Community Oversight Board campaign.
• Danielle Nellis, former Nashville assistant district attorney.
• Capt. Jeff Martinez, MTSU Police
• Officer Patrick Fajardo, MTSU Police.

The screenings and the panel discussion are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Kelly Hill at 615-898-5812 or kelly.hill@mtsu.edu.

— Gina Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)