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.
Consists of: 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.
The oral history consists of four digital files: 2011.174.9.1a, 2011.174.9.1b, 2011.174.9.1c, and 2011.174.9.1d.
Jamila Jones recalls participating in the Montgomery Bus Boycott as a child and forming a singing group at age 11, the Montgomery Gospel Trio, to raise money for the civil rights movement. She recalls helping the Freedom Riders, visiting the Highlander Folk Center, writing a new verse of the song "We Shall Overcome", and founding the Harambee Singers.
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in partnership with the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
