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WEB Du Bois: A Biography in Four Voices
Date: 1/1/1995Call Number: V 157Format: VHSProducers: Louis MassiahCollection: Videos – camera originals and reference materials
Writer/Narrators: Wesley Brown, Thulani Davis, Toni Cade Bambara and Amiri Baraka
The long and remarkable life of Dr. William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B) Du Bois (1868-1963) offers unique insights into an eventful century in African American history. Born three years after the end of the Civil War, Du Bois witnessed the imposition of Jim Crow, its defeat by the Civil Rights Movement and the triumph of African independence struggles.
Du Bois was the consummate scholar-activist whose path-breaking works remain among the most significant and articulate ever produced on the subject of race. His contributions and legacy have been so far-reaching, that this, his first film biography, required the collaboration of four prominent African American writers. Wesley Brown, Thulani Davis, Toni Cade Bambara and Amiri Baraka narrate successive periods of Du Bois' life and discuss its impact on their work.
Part One: Black Folk and the New Century (1895-1915)
Du Bois' first sociological work, The Philadelphia Negro, and, even more, The Souls of Black Folk, examined the cultural and political psychology of the American African Diaspora. During the same period, racism was institutionalized under the Jim Crow system. Du Bois emerged as the most outspoken critic of Booker T. Washington's advocacy of accommodation to segregation. He co-founded the Niagara Movement and then the NAACP to agitate for full equality between blacks and whites.
Part Two: The Crisis and the New Negro (1919-1929)
Du Bois created the NAACP's magazine, The Crisis, which became a vital organ in the burgeoning African American cultural movement, the Harlem Renaissance. Du Bois also was a founder of the Pan African movement, organizing the first international congresses of leaders from Africa and the Diaspora.
Part Three: A Second Reconstruction? (1934-1948)
Dismissed from the editorship of The Crisis for his radical views, Du Bois was forced to resume his academic career at age 68. It was now the Depression and he became more open to leftist ideology as reflected in his magnum opus, Black Reconstruction.
Part Four: Color, Democracy, Colonies and Peace (1949-1963)
Du Bois' continuing anti-racist activism and growing leftist sympathies made him a target during the McCarthy years. He was indicted and for a time his passport was revoked. In 1961, Kwame Nkrumah, the president of the newly independent African state of Ghana, invited him to participate in that country's development; Du Bois accepted, living there for the remainder of his life.
William Kuntsler Book Tour
Year: 1994Call Number: V 857Format: VHSCollection: Videos – camera originals and reference materials
William Kunstler speaking in 1994 on book tour after publication of his autobiography (My Life as a Radical Lawyer, 1994). He summarizes background on how book evolved and comments on a number of his clients and cases, including: an appeal in the Jack Ruby case, the Chicago conspiracy trial (amusing story about cannabis package in the courtroom), the chaining and gagging of Bobby Seale, the Ohio 7, Leonard Peltier/Wounded Knee, the Birmingham 6 civil rights/freedom riders cases, and others. Kunstler also has a book of poetry coming next month—Allen Ginsberg says the poetry is not too good but he likes it. Comments on the OJ Simpson case (not yet decided at this time) and the racial polarization it represents. Talks about his friendship with Marlon Brando. Also Kunstler mentions his own acting roles, as in Law and Order and several films. He takes questions. What does he hope is the legacy? Hopes that young lawyers will decide that their real job is to represent people who are not going to take things lying down. Of his own life, he says he was always anti-establishment, “a terrible kid”…
father said he’d end up in prison. Discusses the idealism of the “1960s.” Also speaks about Kent State and Vietnam. Says that there is no single social advancement that has not come from mass upsurge. Says, “la luta continua”—in every country. Says that activists should avoid
“rhetoric” to better communicate with masses of people. Also intersperses comments on the positive attributes of the 1960s/70s “counterculture,” and how he attended Woodstock with Abbie Hoffman and went back with Richie Havens for the 15th anniversary.
Paul Robeson, The First 100 Years: A Celebration of His Life and Legacy
Date: 4/5/1998Call Number: V 147Format: VHSProducers: WBAI New YorkCollection: Videos – camera originals and reference materials
Begins with a video montage with narration on Robeson’s life, including excerpts from his speeches and interviews, historic film footage.
Followed by speakers who pay tribute to Robeson; musical performances. Concludes with a panel discussion and questions from audience.
Dr. Charles Wright is seated on the stage but is not shown speaking.
Paul Robeson, The First 100 Years: A Celebration of His Life and Legacy
Date: 4/5/1998Call Number: V 146Format: VHSProducers: WBAI New YorkCollection: Videos – camera originals and reference materials
Begins with a video montage with narration on Robeson’s life, including excerpts from his speeches and interviews, historic film footage.
Followed by speakers who pay tribute to Robeson; musical performances. Concludes with a panel discussion and questions from audience.
Dr. Charles Wright is seated on the stage but is not shown speaking.
4 Documents Found