Description:He wanted JUSTICE and
EQUALITY Under the Law. Was that too much to
ask?
Thurgood Marshall is one of the giant figures in the history of
American jurisprudence. As the passionate and embattled civil
rights lawyer who acted as the lead attorney for the plaintiffs in
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, KS, he helped win
the U.S. Supreme Court decision to legally end racial segregation
in the public schools in the United States. He was the first
African American to serve as Solicitor General of the United States
and became the first African American to serve as an Associate
Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The movie portrays Marshall as an old man as he ruminates and
relives past trials and victories and uses Marshall's mastery of
language, storytelling and imitation to create a powerful
presentation. He is direct without being too rude and he "tells it
like it is" without prevarication. His sense of humor and
equanimity counteract some of the bitterness he felt in his long
journey. His legal arguments and masterful rhetorical style are at
once evocative and entertaining. Using Marshall's own writings and
reflections, the movie explores the discrimination he faced as he
tried to enter law school, practice as a lawyer and defend the
civil rights of others.
The movie shines a light on prejudice in the legal profession
and the barriers to hiring that prevent full participation of
lawyers of color, women and those with other nationalities of
origin, religious and sexual preference - with the hope of
eliminating these biases in the legal profession.
One of the best compliments received from one lawyer attending
the program was,
"The program made me feel what
it was like to be Thurgood Marshall."
Feeling what discrimination is like is a step to helping us
overcome prejudice.
The movie is followed by a filmed panel discussion and a
live Moderated Chat Room in which attendees can ask questions and
offer comment about ethical and bias concerns.
Winner of the ABA 2005 Silver Gavel Honorable Mention Award
in Theatre!
About the Presenter:
 T. Mychael Rambo, who
portrays Thurgood Marshall, is an accomplished actor, vocalist,
and educator. The recent recipient of a 2008 Regional Emmy
Award, T. Mychael has made his mark nationally and abroad. Mr.
Rambo has performed with numerous regional theatre companies,
Carnegie Hall with the Minnesota Orchestra, as a member of
national touring companies and throughout Europe, Africa, and
South America. A resident of St. Paul, Minnesota; he has performed
locally at the Guthrie Theatre, Penumbra Theatre, Mixed Blood
and Illusion Theatre to name but a few. As a
solo-performer his role in Thurgood Marshall's
Coming! was awarded the 2005 ABA Silver Gavel Honorable
Mention Award in Theatre. He has also received critical
acclaim for other solo performances, most notably for his role
as Martin Luther King Jr. in the Mixed Blood Theatre production of
"Dr. Kings Dream." Now his most cherished performance moment
proves to be the recent honor bestowed upon him, where he
met President Obama and sang the National Anthem during the
President's 2009 Health Rally Tour to the Twin
Cities.
As an actor, Mr. Rambo's film credits include Mighty Ducks,
Crossing the Bridge, Grumpy Old Men, The Cure, Equinox, The
Wooly Boys and a most recent independent feature film,
Justice, which was nominated for a NAACP Image Award.
He has appeared in local and national television commercials
and programs, including the HBO mini-series "Laurel Avenue,"
the TV pilot "Endeavor" and the NBC movie of the week She
Led Two Lives. As a vocal recording artist, Mr. Rambo has
released two CDs, "Simply" (a collection of jazz standards)
and "The Gift: A Christmas With Love" (a selection of original
and holiday classics.) He is currently in the process of
creating a third recording, "Chasing the Sun," songs
of inspiration, spirit and healing.
Mr. Rambo is an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Theatre
Arts and Dance at the University of Minnesota. He is an artist
in residence for the Minnesota State Arts Board and serves
as artist in residence for several programs in St. Paul and
Minneapolis, MN, teaching classes and workshops in
improvisation, creative dramatics, theatre, voice and creative
writing to students of all ages. His many honors and awards
include the 2001 Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Fellowship and a
McKnight Artist Fellowship for Theatre Artists in 1999. He
received the 2006 and 2007 Century Council Community Award
from his peers at the University of Minnesota for his efforts to
engage the community through artistic collaboration. He and
his teaching colleague, Anita Ruth, received the 2006 Young
Audience Artist of the Year Award.
He is a dedicated community volunteer and works closely with
many groups, including the African American AIDS Project,
African American Family Services, Peace House Foundation, Arm
in Arm in Africa and the Urban League. One of his great-aunt's
favorite sayings was "Service is the rent due for living on
this planet." Mr. Rambo, who views himself a "citizen of the
planet," has spent a great deal of his professional life
giving back as an arts activist and community organizer - seeking
and engaging social change through the mediums of theatre,
performance art, spoken word and song. He firmly believes that
we are all powerful agents of change. Each of us through our
creativity, personal efforts and life force has the power to
be and create the change we want to see in the world.
Presented by Periaktos Productions, LLC and Written by Anna
Marie Thatcher, J.D. and Graham Thatcher, Ph.D.
Webcast Info:Tuition:
NCBA Member $159
Non-Member $189
LANC/PD Member $139
Judge, Law Professor, Law Student, Paralegal Student,
Passport and Early Bird tuition rates do not apply.
Registration for webcasts can only be taken online with a credit
card.
Webcast Dates:
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Location:
No accommodations information available at this time. Please check back for updates. |