Cold War film subject of library discussion
By Andrew Bell
Published in News on January 26, 2006 1:46 PM
A six-part discussion series on the film "Post War Years, Cold War Fears: American Culture and Politics, 1946-1960" begins Sunday in the Gertrude Weil Auditorium of the Wayne County Public Library from 2 to 4 p.m.
Rhonda Konig, a reference librarian for the library, said it is an opportunity for residents to explore the country's political and social history following World War II.
"This is a way for people who lived through this time period to share their personal experiences. It is also a way to help younger generations understand and appreciate the events and cultural movements that helped shape their parents' and grandparents' way of life," Konig said.
The film examines how America's new affluence and demographic shift to suburban areas during the 1960s created a new consumer culture that altered traditional American values, Konig said. Also, the program investigates the origin and progression of the Cold War and how American presidents attempted to contain Communism without instigating a global nuclear war. Other social and political aspects presented in the film series include the rise and fall of McCarthyism, the civil rights movement and the inception of modern feminism.
During the first hour of each event attendees will watch sections of the film that correlate with the second hour's discussion. Each discussion will be led by Dr. Alan Lamm, a professor and history department chairman for Mount Olive College.
The film series was made possible through grants from the North Carolina Humanities Council. Konig said the council has helped the library previously by providing grants for speakers, but this event will combine active discussion with 20th century history.
For more information on the film series, call Ms. Konig at 735-1824, ext. 4.