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Banished
Directed by Marco Williams
Produced by Marco Williams
Maia Harris
Music by David Murray
Editing by Kathryn Barnier
Sandra Christie
Running time 87 minutes
Country United States
Language English

The film Banished: How Whites Drove Blacks Out of Town in America is a powerful documentary from 2007. It tells the stories of several towns in the United States. In these towns, African-American families were forced to leave their homes. This happened violently between 1886 and 1923. The film shows events in Texas, Missouri, Georgia, and Indiana. Banished was shown at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

What is "Banished"?

Banished is a documentary film directed by Marco Williams. It explores a hidden part of American history. The film focuses on towns where African-American residents were expelled. This means they were forced to leave their homes and communities. These events happened after the Reconstruction era. This was a time after the American Civil War.

Why Were People Banished?

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many African Americans faced unfair treatment. Even after slavery ended, they often did not have equal rights. In some towns, white residents wanted to remove all Black people. They used threats and violence to make them leave. This was often done to control land or jobs. Sometimes, these expulsions were triggered by false accusations. Other times, they were simply due to racism.

The Impact of Banishment

When families were banished, they lost everything. They lost their homes, their farms, and their businesses. They had to leave behind their friends and their history in those towns. These families often had to start new lives somewhere else. They faced many challenges. The film shows how these events affected generations of families. It also shows how these towns changed after the expulsions.

The Film's Message

Banished brings these forgotten stories to light. It helps us understand a difficult part of American history. The film shows how communities can be affected by unfairness. It also highlights the importance of remembering the past. By sharing these stories, the film encourages us to learn from history. It reminds us to work towards a more fair and just society for everyone.

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