April 18, 2016

Frack drilling is an ever more contentious issue in North Texas, and this week a documentary film of local people living on its frontlines, including the Barnett Shale, arrives here. Dear President Obama: The Clean Energy Revolution Is Now screens Wednesday, April 20, in Denton at University of North Texas and Thursday, April 21, in Fort Worth at The Museum of Modern Art, two stops on its cross-country tour.

Pastor Kyev Tatum of southeast Fort Worth, a member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church and leader of his own Kyev Tatum Ministries, appears in the film with his community “in the sweet spot of the Barnett Shale”—although, as the film reveals, not so sweet for them.   Tatum’s organization Food & Water Watch hosts the screening. Earthworks investigator and fracktivist Sharon Wilson also tells her story in the film.  

“Everyone featured is bringing us to their city. None are actors,” says Tatum. 

Dear President Obama was three years in the making, interviewing 120 people in 20 states.

“It shows the impact of fracking on Americans. It’s a cross-country look at false promises, water contamination, earthquakes here like in California and people getting sick…” he explains.  But for Tatum and his community, the film has a special importance.  

“People of color have always been exploited. Our experience with fracking is highlighted in the film. When the gas drilling companies first came in 2008, the economy was bust. They sold it as a Gold Rush… They offered as little as $300 to $400 for mineral rights” and royalty rates as little as 50 percent of those offered in middle-class neighborhoods on the opposite side of IH 35W.

Writer-director Jon Bowermaster brings to Dear President Obama the sense of adventure, exploration and rapport for human stories that propelled his 10-year series Oceans 8 for National Geographic Expeditions. Three-time Academy Award winner Mark Ruffalo narrates. 

Here’s what Ruffalo and Bowermaster blogged about the film for Huffington Post:  “It gives voice to some of the many Americans who have become the non-consenting victims of the president’s ‘all of the above’ energy policy that has so often meant…poisoned drinking water, polluted air, sick families and communities torn apart. More than 17 million Americans now live within one mile of an oil or gas well….” 

“It serves as a call to President Obama, in the remainder of his term, to help the Americans who have been harmed, and to get us on a swift path to the clean energy future starting today.  There’s still a lot President Obama can do...”

A panel discussion of elected officials and experts, led by Tatum precedes the 7 p.m. Fort Worth screening. Panelists include past mayor of DISH, Texas, Calvin Tillman; Tarrant Regional Water District Commissioner Mary Kelleher; independent economist Dr. Bill Luker, Jr., and Dr. Mark A Miller, consulting petroleum engineer and candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner.  

'Dear President Obama' Fort Worth Screening

When: April 21, 7 pm. (There is also a screening April 20 at 6 p.m. at University of North Texas, 1704 West Mulberry St, Denton. Details here.)

Where: Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St, Fort Worth. Panel discussion led Pastor Kyev Tatum to follow. Panelists include past mayor of DISH, Texas, Calvin Tillman; Tarrant Regional Water District Commissioner Mary Kelleher; independent economist Dr. Bill Luker, Jr., and Dr. Mark A Miller, consulting petroleum engineer and candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner.  

Cost: Free. Seating in Fort Worth is limited to 250 people, so RSVPs to the website are recommended. 

Info:  Kyev Tatum, kptatum1@gmail.comor 817-966-7625


Sign up for the weekly Green Source DFW Newsletter to stay up to date on everything green in North Texas, the latest news and events. Follow us on FacebookTwitter and Pinterest.

Main category: