In downtown Provo, The Compass Gallery teamed up with Books and Bridges to discuss James Baldwin's book "The Fire Next Time."
"I think people are interested in what is happening here and they want to be connected to it," KaLe Mortensen, gallery assistant, said.
For one of its February events, The Compass Gallery worked with Books and Bridges to help the Provo community focus on Black History Month.
"Books and Bridges is a convening organization that brings together speakers, authors and audiences to talk about big ideas, beautiful books and burning questions," Nathan Nielson, Books and Bridges director, said.
Books and Bridges invited BYU history professor Joseph Stuart, Ph.D., to give his insights on civil rights author, James Baldwin, and his views on white supremacy in "The Fire Next Time."
"The first time that I interacted with Baldwin was as a master's student at the University of Virginia, and we read 'The Fire Next Time.' He acknowledges that white supremacy is a major problem that will not go away on its own or through laws alone," Stuart said.
He emphasized to his listeners how Baldwin worked as a mid-way figure between white and black communities to foster deeper understanding.
"He cannot give into the impulse to hate his neighbor, to hate his white friends and family and community members," Stuart said.
Though attendee numbers were small, everyone present engaged in active listening, note taking and eager questions when the floor was directed to them.
"It's okay to talk about things that we want to learn more about or things that we don't know about. It's okay to not know things. It's reaching out and going to these places and being willing to learn," Jocelyn Watt, gallery director, said.
"I think good discussion will happen and people will feel a sense of calmness and peace," Mortensen said.
Though Black History Month only lasts through February, both The Compass Gallery and Books and Bridges host events year round. To learn more visit thecompassgallery.com and booksandbridgesforum.org.