In an election year already unlike any other, the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries seeks to explore the answers and opinions posed by a simple question:
“What does the Constitution mean to me?”
Featuring keynote lectures, movies, and book discussions, this program series will delve into how this 236-year-old document continues to impact both individuals and our society at large. It is a timely examination, as candidates and political movements across the country are both supporting and challenging what Constitutionality means to America.
The series will be capped by a presentation by noted Georgia Historian Stan Deaton, the Dr. Elaine B. Andrews Distinguished Historian at the Georgia Historical Society, distinguished lecturer with the Organization of American Historians, and the creator/presenter of the famed “Today in Georgia History” program on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
A complete list of events and locations is listed below.
“The Constitution and Me” is supported by Georgia Humanities, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, through funding from the Georgia General Assembly. It is presented by the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries with additional support from the Muscogee County Library Foundation.
Events:
KEYNOTE ADDRESS – HISTORIAN STAN DEATON
This entertaining lecture by noted historian Stan Deaton will explore how the U.S. Constitution’s inclusions (and exclusions) at the time of its creation still impacts our world.
Stan Deaton is the Dr. Elaine B. Andrews Distinguished Historian at the Georgia Historical Society, an endowed position created by Dr. Victor Andrews. He has worked at the Georgia Historical Society since 1998. He holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Florida, an M.A. in History from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. He is the Emmy-winning writer and host of “Today in Georgia History,” jointly produced for TV and radio by GHS and Georgia Public Broadcasting. He also serves as a Distinguished Lecturer for the Organization of American Historians. At the Georgia Historical Society Deaton is a public historian, speaker, writer, teacher, and lecturer. He produces videos, writes a blog, and records podcasts that are all available at "Off the Deaton Path," speaks to groups across the country on a variety of subjects, serves as managing editor for the Georgia Historical Quarterly, edits the GHS newsmagazine Georgia History Today, helps recruit materials for the GHS Research Center; leads teacher training workshops; writes historical markers; conducts oral history interviews; helps write grants; assists with fund raising; writes regular newspaper editorials for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and is regularly interviewed by broadcast and print media on a variety of subjects related to history in the news. Thursday September 19, 6:30pm – Columbus Public Library Auditorium, 3000 Macon Road
THE CONSTITUTION BOOK DISCUSSION SERIES
Several of the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries’ regular book clubs will be hosting public discussions of books related to the Constitution in September.
- Books-n-Brews Book Club – September’s book is The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein. Saturday September 7, 2:00pm – Iron Bank Coffee Company, 6 11th Street
- Presidential Picks Book Club – This monthly series highlights books about our country’s Presidents. For September we’ll discuss the presidency of one of the Constitution’s primary authors, James Madison. The featured book will be Ralph Ketcham’s James Madison, A Biography. Wednesday September 11, 6:00pm – Columbus Public Library Betty Van Cleave Meeting Room, 3000 Macon Road
- The Year of Living Constitutionally: A Constitution Month Book Club (Reservations Required) – Reservations will include a free copy of AJ Jacobs entertaining and enlightening novel The Year of Living Constitutionally (while supplies last). Register by calling the North Columbus Public Library at 706-748-2855. Thursday September 12, 6:00pm – North Columbus Public Library Large Conference Room, 5689 Armour Road
LOCAL HISTORY SPOTLIGHT: Primus King Expands the Georgia Vote – Join us for this presentation on how Columbus resident Primus King and supporters fought to expand voting rights in Georgia by legally challenging the barrier that stood in the way of Black Georgian’s right to cast ballots in state and local elections. Tuesday September 17, 3:00pm – Columbus Public Library Auditorium, 3000 Macon Road
THE CONSTITUTION ON FILM
Explore how the many issues created by our Constitution have been explored both through fiction and documentary in this provocative film series. Each film takes a different look at how aspects of Constitutional thought and individuals rights and responsibilities dramatically collide.
- What the Constitution Means To Me – Filmed directly from the 2017 Broadway production, author/creator Heidi Shreck recalls her teen-aged years as she earns college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. Hilarious, hopeful, and achingly human, she traces four generations of women and the document that shaped their lives. Monday September 9, 6:30pm – Columbus Public Library Auditorium, 3000 Macon Road
- My Name is Pauli Murray – this documentary explores the amazing life of Pauli Murray, a non-binary African-American lawyer, activist, poet and priest who inspired both Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legal pursuits of civil and gender rights. Tuesday September 10, 6:00pm – Mildred L. Terry Public Library AKA Room, 640 Veterans Parkway
- Lincoln – Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed masterpiece (with an Oscar-winning performance by Daniel Day Lewis in the title role) looks at how Lincoln cajoled, threatened, supported and led the U.S. Congress to pass the Thirteenth Amendment formally abolishing slavery. Monday September 16, 6:30pm – Columbus Public Library Auditorium, 3000 Macon Road
- Selma – Ana DuVernay’s dramatic recreation of the behind-the-scenes drama leading up to the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery March for Voting Rights. This “All-Access” movie will be screened with captions and descriptive audio. Thursday September 19, 11:00am – North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road
- Iron-Jawed Angels – This 2004 movie details the little known (yet integral) role played by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns in helping secure women the right to vote. Monday September 23, 6:30pm – Columbus Public Library Auditorium, 3000 Macon Road
- Willie Velasquez: Your Voice is Your Vote – This documentary tells the amazing story of Willie Velasquez, a butcher’s son from San Antonio whose questioning of why there was no Latino representation in his local and state government became the seeds of a political awakening that led to the creation of the Southwest Voter Registration and Education project which has gone on to register millions of Indigenous and Latino voters in this country. Monday September 30, 6:30pm – Columbus Public Library Auditorium
KNOW-IT-ALL CONSTITUTION NIGHT Think you know it all when it comes to the Constitution? Prove It! Join us for a night of trivia fun. Tuesday September 24, 6:00pm – Columbus Public Library Synovus Meeting Room A, 3000 Macon Road
PROGRAMS ESPECIALLY FOR TEENS
Teen Takeover: Merry Pop-ins – Pop in for a movie (National Treasure) and a scavenger hunt inspired by our Constitution programs! Tuesday September 17, 4:30pm – Columbus Public Library Teen Department, 3000 Macon Road
PROGRAMS ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Scavenger Hunt – Help us keep an eye out for items inspired by the legendary Schoolhouse Rock series about our government. Available week of Sunday September 15 through Saturday September 21 – Columbus Public Library Children’s Department, 3000 Macon Road
Constitution Connections – Learn about the United States Constitution through interactive games, crafts, and a scavenger hunt. Thursday September 26, 4:00pm – North Columbus Public Library Large Conference Room, 5689 Armour Road