'The Birth of a Nation' film inspires library lectures

NEW YORK – Nate Parker’s “The Birth of a Nation” isn’t out until October, but some libraries will be teaching about the slave rebellion that it’s based on later this summer.

“The Birth of a Nation: Slavery, Resistance & Abolition” will be offered in libraries, museums and other institutions from Aug. 21 through Oct. 30. Those are the dates when Nat Turner began his bloody slave revolt in 1831 and when it ended, with his capture. He was convicted and hanged days later.

Parker said he hopes the movie will inspire people to challenge injustices worldwide and said the lecture series would help. “This speaker series is a great way to engage local communities in an honest discussion about slavery and its legacy in America,” he said in a statement released Tuesday.

The American Library Association and the United Nations Remember Slavery Programme are teaming up with Fox Searchlight Pictures, which is releasing the film, and BazanED to present the lectures.

Among the libraries that have already signed up for the lectures are public libraries in Chicago and Detroit.