Film & Discussion: Rosewood directed by John Singleton

May 10th, Friday 7 p.m. Film & Discussion: Rosewood. Rosewood is an unforgettable film directed by John Singleton, who died too young at 51 on April 29th. Singleton was a trailblazer, breaking down barriers as a young filmmaker. He was the first African American nominated for an Academy Award as Best Director in 1991 for Boyz n the Hood. (And to this day, no Black director has won Best Director). He was an inspiration to young filmmakers and was loved by many who saw themselves in his films.

Set in the small, mostly Black town of Rosewood, Florida, this 1997 film tells the true story of the Rosewood Massacre when people in this Black town were attacked by white mobs in 1923. Black people stood up against these attackers, but the town was burned to the ground and its residents were permanently driven out. The story itself was buried for over 60 years.