Screening and discussion: The Cooler Bandits, a documentary in which director John Lucas follows the unfathomable journeys of Charlie Kelly, Donovan Harris, Richard “Poochie” Roderick and Frankie Porter, from 2006-2013, through various stages of incarceration as they fight to maintain relationships with family and friends and reintegrate into society after spending their adult lives incarcerated. These four African-Americans were teenagers when in 1991 they chose to engage in a series of robberies without considering how the consequences of their actions would irrevocably alter their lives. Although no one was physically injured, these young men received sentences of up to 500 years. Dispensing with mundane crime statistics and rates of incarceration amongst black men, this deeply affecting documentary is a testament to the humanity of four friends who continue to pursue a chance to lead productive and meaningful lives. Richard Roderick, Program Coordinator for Columbia’s Justice-in-Education initiative, and one of the subjects of the film, will lead a post-viewing discussion. Buffet lunch provided. Tuesday Talks are scheduled in Faculty House on the Morningside campus on alternate Tuesdays during the academic year. EPIC members, faculty, and invited guests speak on topics that range across the academic spectrum and also address issues of particular importance to the retired academic community.
