The American Society of Adaptation Professionals and Climigration Network are hosting a screening and discussion for the film “Come Hell or High Water: The Battle for Turkey Creek” on Thursday, Sep 25, from 4:30-6 PM ET / 1:30-3 PM PT. We will screen the film in the first hour and then have an open discussion. RSVP here and bring a friend!
About the film: This film follows the painful but inspiring journey of Derrick Evans, a Boston teacher who returns to his native coastal Mississippi when the graves of his ancestors are bulldozed to make way for the sprawling city of Gulfport. Derrick is consumed by the effort to protect the community his great grandfather’s grandfather settled as a former slave. He is on the verge of a breakthrough when Hurricane Katrina strikes the Gulf Coast. After years of restoration work to bring Turkey Creek back from the brink of death, the community gains significant federal support for cultural and ecological preservation. Derrick plans to return to Boston to rebuild the life he abandoned, but another disaster seals his fate as a reluctant activist. On the day Turkey Creek is featured in USA Today for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the Deepwater Horizon rig explodes.
“This intimate film tells a gigantic story — about race, about power, about so-called development. But it is also a saga of community, resilience, resistance, and hope. It’s not just the drama of a small creek in Mississippi — it’s about everything that matters in our society.”
— Bill Bigelow, Rethinking Schools
Materials:
Film transcript and teaching guide, available in the “Resources” tab
Pre-recorded conversation with filmmaker Leah Mahan. Learn from Leah’s valuable wisdom and experiences, including:
How she came to this work and her relationship with Derrick
How the Turkey Creek community’s work has evolved and grown through partnerships, including collaborations with a Community Land Trust
Learnings from ongoing community story archiving efforts
Ideas for strengthening community storytelling efforts, including engaging youth and navigating political upheaval
We hope you’re able to join us on September 25 at 4:30 PM ET / 1:30 PM PT! Please email info@climigration.org with any thoughts or questions ahead of the event.