Malcolm X Liberation University (Black Journal segment)

Produced by

Bourne, St. Clair, American, 1943 - 2007

National Educational Television, American, 1954 - 1970

Greaves, William, American, 1926 - 2014

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Subject of

Dr. Shabazz, Betty, American, 1934 - 1997

X, Malcolm, American, 1925 - 1965

Interview of

Fuller, Howard, American, born 1941

Subject of

Harambee Singers, American, founded 1966

Reagon, Bernice Johnson, American, born 1942

Date

1969

On View

Concourse, C X06

Exhibition

A Century in the Making

Medium

acetate film and metal

Dimensions

Duration: 10 Minutes

Length (Film): 320 Feet

Title

16mm motion picture of Malcolm X Liberation University [Black Journal segment]

Caption

This 16mm film is a short documentary made for National Educational Television's Black Journal television program. Producer St. Clair Bourne chronicles the opening of Malcolm X Liberation University in Durham, North Carolina on October 25, 1969.

Description

This 16mm color film is a short documentary subject made for National Educational Television's Black Journal television program. Producer St. Clair Bourne chronicles the opening of Malcolm X Liberation University in North Carolina. It consists of: a 16mm film (a), original 400 foot film reel (b), and original 400 foot film canister (c).

2012.79.1.68.1a: The film opens with a student meeting/rally at Duke University, in which one unidentified student speaker (male) states why they longer wish to participate in a system they don't believe speaks to the needs of African American college students. A male narrator begins to speak, explaining what the Black Student Movement at Duke University was and how it originated and morphed into a separate institution. An interview with Howard Fuller begins to play, and he expresses why he doesn't believe in institutionalized black studies programs. Footage of him announcing the opening of Malcolm X Liberation University begins to play, and is followed by clips of the opening celebratory parade and rally. The narrator describes the new university's proposed curriculum and study abroad program in Africa. Howard Fuller addressed the crowd by reading a statement from Stokely Carmichael, and introduced guest speaker Betty Shabazz. During her speech, white train workers in a nearby train yard rang a train car bell to interrupt her speech. A visiting professor who was in attendance climbed on top of the train car and silenced the bell so Betty Shabazz could finish her speech. A small group of women sing "The Black Magician" onstage. Courtland Cox, a representative from Malcolm X Liberation University's sister school in Washington, DC, closed the ceremony. The film ends with an interview with Howard Fuller speaking on the role of Malcolm X Liberation University can and hopes to play in the black liberation struggle.

2012.79.1.68.1b: Original 400 foot film reel.

2012.79.1.68.1c: Original 400 foot film canister. The metal can has a sticker label from a film distribution company with the name of film.

Place filmed

Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Collection title

Pearl Bowser Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Type

sound films

color films (visual works)

short subjects

16mm (photographic film size)

Topic

Civil Rights

Education

Film

Race discrimination

Race relations

Television

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pearl Bowser

Object number

2012.79.1.68.1abc

Restrictions & Rights

© National Educational Television

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5ff49a8a3-10f3-473a-8719-85e8e5f89db0