Cable-TV documentary exploring the myths and realities of the spiritual tradition of Voodoo.

On 4 February 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr., preached “The Drum Major Instinct” from the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Ironically, two months before his assassination on 4 April 1968, he told his congregation what he would like said at his funeral: “I’d like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody” (King, “The Drum Major,” 185). Excerpts were played at King’s nationally televised funeral service, held at Ebenezer on 9 April 1968.King’s sermon was an adaptation of the 1952 homily “Drum-Major Instincts” by J. Wallace Hamilton, a well-known, liberal, white Methodist preacher. Both men tell the biblical story of James and John, who ask Jesus for the most prominent seats in heaven. At the core of their desire was a “drum major instinct—a desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade” (King, “The Drum Major,” 170–171). King warns his congregation that this desire for importance can lead to “snobbish exclusivism” and “tragic race prejudice”: “Do you know that a lot of the race problem grows out of the drum major instinct? A need that some people have to feel superior … and to feel that their white skin ordained them to be first” (King, “The Drum Major,” 176; 178). Conversely, King preached that when Jesus responded to the request by James and John, he did not rebuke them for their ambition, but taught that greatness comes from humble servitude. As King put it, Jesus “reordered priorities,” and told his disciples to “Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be first in love” (King, “The Drum Major,” 181; 182).https://kinginstitute.stanford.....edu/encyclopedia/dr for historical purposes.

In a 22 December 1958 letter, Morehouse president Benjamin Mays invited King to address the graduating class of 1959; King accepted six days later. In these prepared remarks—his earliest known usage of this title—King invokes his common themes of anticolonialism and black self-respect.1 He places the domestic “social revolution" in a global context and urges the graduates of his alma mater to rise above the limits of “individualistic concerns,” submitting that all people are “caught up in an inescapable network of mutuality.”

News coverage of the speech indicates that King modified this handwritten text at several points. He advised his audience to adhere to nonviolence, for the "oppressors would be happy if black Americans “would resort to physical violence” and reminded them of progress already made: “We’ve broken loose from the Egypt of slavery . . . and we stand on the border of the promised land in integration.”2 King reportedly closed with a warning against inaction: “If you go home, sit down and do nothing about the revolution which we are witnessing you will be the victim of a dangerous optimism.”3

There can be no gainsaying of the fact that we are experiencing today one of the greatest revolutions that the world has ever known. Indeed there have been other revolutions, but they have been local and isolated. The distinctive feature of the present revolution is that it is worldwide. It is shaking the foundations of the east and the west. It has engulfed every continent of the world. You can hear its deep rumblings from the lowest village street to the highest intellectual ivory tower. Every segment of society is being swept into its mainstream. The great challenge facing every member of this graduating class is to remain awake, alert and creative through this great revolution.

Shared for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.

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In the 20th Century, few Americans have made such a powerful impact upon society as Malcolm X. Speaking out against the social oppression and economic exploitation of the Black American in the early 1960s, the dynamic leader championed a wave of race pride and back nationalism until his assassination in 1965. This illuminating biographical portrait documents the site of Malcolm X, tracing his career as both a black activist and an influental Crusader for the Nation of Islam. The program includes recorded excerpts from the speeches of Malcolm X along with commentary from his widow, persona/ acquaintances and noted historians to provide stirring insight into the life of an ideological hero. _ This program was produced for NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIOs newsmagazine ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. NPR produces and distributes award-v\Annhg news and information and arts and performance programming that is broadcast clay more than 400 noncommercial public radio stations throughout America.Shared for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.

On July 5th, 1852 Frederick Douglass spoke at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York on the significance of America’s Independence Day. Ossie Davis reads this speech, compiled by Phil Foner, which demonstrates Douglass’ incomparable skill in oration and commands respect for the legendary thinker and activist. Admitting to being embarrassed by the great "distance between this platform and the slave plantation, from which [he] escaped," Douglass proceeded to praise the "sublime faith in the great principles of justice and freedom" out of which the United States was born, while mourning the "sad sense of disparity" that even after national independence persists in keeping an "immeasurable distance between us" through the bonds of slavery. (The Emancipation Proclamation was not issued until 1863, and the 13th Amendment did not officially end slavery until 1865.) (Remastered and reiussed on SFW47006 The Oratory of Frederick Douglass.)Shared for historical purposes.

Ossie Davis reads excerpts from Frederick Douglass’s autobiography, edited by Dr. Philip Foner, which traces the abolitionist and statesman’s life from early childhood through to his most significant political accomplishments. This first volume establishes the personal and educational foundation on which Douglass built his distinguished career, specifically addressing his birth into slavery, his battle to learn to read and how being forced to "drink the bitterest dregs of slavery" inspired his escape. (See also FW05526 Autobiography of Frederick Douglass, Vol. 2.) Buy the CD at https://folkways.si.edu/ossie-....davis/autobiography- for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.

To Be a Slave: Original Slave Narratives Read By Ruby Dee and Ossie DavisTo Be A Slave is a 1968 nonfiction children's book by Julius Lester, illustrated by Tom Feelings. It explores what it was like to be a slave. The book includes many personal accounts of former slaves, accompanied by Lester's historical commentary and Feelings' powerful and muted paintings. To Be a Slave has been a touchstone in children literature for more than 30 yearsA1 Prologue A2 To Be A Slave A3 Auction Block B1 The Plantation B2 Resistance To Slave 1 C1 Resistance To Slave 1 (Cont'd) D1 Resistance To Slave 2D2 EmancipationD3 After Emancipation D4 EpilogueShared for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.

Up from Slavery is the 1901 autobiography of American educator Booker T. Washington (1856-1915). The book describes his personal experience of having to work to rise up from the position of a slave child during the Civil War, to the difficulties and obstacles he overcame to get an education at the new Hampton Institute, to his work establishing vocational schools—most notably the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama—to help black people and other disadvantaged minorities learn useful, marketable skills and work to pull themselves, as a race, up by the bootstraps. He reflects on the generosity of both teachers and philanthropists who helped in educating blacks and Native Americans. He describes his efforts to instill manners, breeding, health and a feeling of dignity to students. His educational philosophy stresses combining academic subjects with learning a trade (something which is reminiscent of the educational theories of John Ruskin). Washington explained that the integration of practical subjects is partly designed to reassure the white community as to the usefulness of educating black people.

In December, 1971, Muhammad Ali visited Switzerland to fight the West German boxer, Jürgen Blin. He arrived ten days early and during this time a camera crew followed him around at press conferences, autograph-signing appearances and training sessions. He is also seen with his children and discussing religion with a friend. Finally the film covers the fight itself. The result is an informal portrait of the boxer and one that shows the different sides of his dynamic personality. -Worldcat

Muhammad Ali on daytime talk show The Phil Donahue Show in Fall 1977, a few months after his title defense against Ernie Shavers in September 1977.

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Muhammad Ali (/ɑːˈliː/; born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer, activist, and philanthropist. Nicknamed "The Greatest", he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century and as one of the greatest boxers of all time.Ali was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, and began training as an amateur boxer at age 12. At 18, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics, and turned professional later that year. He converted to Islam and became a Muslim after 1961, and eventually took the name Muhammad Ali. He won the world heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston in a major upset at age 22 in 1964. In 1966, Ali refused to be drafted into the military, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. He was arrested, found guilty of draft evasion, and stripped of his boxing titles. He appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, which overturned his conviction in 1971, but he had not fought for nearly four years and lost a period of peak performance as an athlete. His actions as a conscientious objector to the war made him an icon for the larger counterculture generation, and he was a high-profile figure of racial pride for African Americans during the civil rights movement. As a Muslim, Ali was initially affiliated with Elijah Muhammad's Nation of Islam (NOI). He later disavowed the NOI, adhering to Sunni Islam, and supporting racial integration like his former mentor Malcolm X.Ali was a leading heavyweight boxer of the 20th century, and he remains the only three-time lineal champion of that division. His joint records of beating 21 boxers for the world heavyweight title and winning 14 unified title bouts stood for 35 years. Ali is the only boxer to be named The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year six times. Ali fought Ken Norton for the third time in September 1976. The bout, which was held at Yankee Stadium, resulted in Ali winning a heavily contested decision that was loudly booed by the audience. Afterwards, he announced he was retiring from boxing to practice his faith, having converted to Sunni Islam after falling out with the Nation of Islam the previous year. - Wikipedia