Journalist David Wilson, 32, began tracing his roots six years ago and encountered some startling information as his journey progressed from his birthplace in Newark, to North Carolina, then to Virginia and finally to Ghana, where his ancestors were put on a slave ship. Wilson discovered the plantation where his ancestors were once enslaved and he found their modern-day descendants, one of whom had the same name as he: David Wilson. He decided to “meet this guy” and to make a video chronicle of the trip.
That decision turned into the critically acclaimed documentary Meeting David Wilson, an emotional encounter between these two David Wilsons that explores “the legacy of slavery and the pursuit of racial reconciliation.” The film’s release coincided with the 40th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. in April 2008.
Wilson, who is taking time out from the early-February official launch of his newest project, theGrio.com, a “video-centric” web site devoted to community news about African-Americans, will speak about his documentary at 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 8 at Harper College in the J Theatre, Building J, Roselle and Algonquin Roads, Palatine.
“In the film, the other David Wilson asks me where I think I’d be if my ancestors hadn’t been brought to America as slaves,” said Wilson. “I respond this way: America would have been a far different country had it not been for the contributions of African Americans.” Wilson has remained friends with the other David Wilson, a grandfather in his sixties, who has brought his grandson to New York to meet him.
Currently managing editor of theGrio.com, Wilson says the site “dives deeper into stories of black interest that mainstream news outlets currently only touch on. TheGrio.com’s goal is to be the biggest and most reliable aggregator, producer, and distributor of black news online,” he said.
There will be two free showings of the film Meeting David Wilson, at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, February 2 and at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 3 in Room A242ab, Building A. Tickets for Wilson’s lecture at 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 8 are $7 for general admission; $5 for Harper faculty/staff/seniors and other students; free for Harper students with current ID. For tickets and information, call 847.925.6100 or go to http://www.harpercollege.edu/boxoffice