Description: Jan von Mehren reports on Henry Hampton's address to students at Boston University. Von Mehren notes that Hampton talked about the importance of campus activism and civil rights. Von Mehren's report includes footage of Hampton speaking to the student audience. Hampton encourage students to make demands on the university administration. Pearl Shelton (community activist) addresses the students from the audience. She encourages them to become involved in the struggle for change in society. Von Mehren's report also includes footage of Rosa Moreno (Boston University law student) and Derek Davis (Boston University law student) talking about the lack of activism on college campuses. Von Mehren discusses the role of campus activism in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Von Mehren's report includes footage from Eyes on the Prize of Diane Nash (civil rights activist). This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: K.C. Jones of the Boston Celtics reacts to racist remarks made by Jimmy "the Greek" Snyder on national television Reactions to comments by Jimmy "the Greek"
1:00:06: Visual: Black and white footage of the Civil Rights Movement from Eyes on the Prize. African American students face off with white police officers during the civil rights movement. African American student demonstrators are marching on a street. Shot of an FBI poster seeking information on the murder of three civil rights activists. Shots of students being escorted into police vehicles; of police using fire hoses on civil rights activists in Birmingham, Alabama. Shots of civil rights activists at city hall in Nashville, Tennessee; of Diane Nash (civil rights activist) standing with Ben West (Mayor of Nashville). Footage of Nash saying that she asked West if he believed that discrimination was wrong. Footage of West saying that he told Nash that discrimination was morally wrong. Shot of Nash applauding as she faces West. Jan von Mehren talks about how students were on the front lines of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Von Mehren notes that some civil rights activists lost their lives; that some were jailed. Von Mehren talks about the participation of college student Diane Nash in the civil rights movement. Von Mehren says that today's college students have only vague memories of the civil rights movement. Von Mehren reports that Henry Hampton (civil rights activist and filmmaker) addressed a group of high school and college students today at Boston University. V: Shots of students listening to Hampton speak; of Hampton addressing the students. Footage of a white female student asking Hampton how Boston University can increase the enrollment of minority students. Hampton says that students need to be persistent in making demands on the administration. Von Mehren stands at the back of the auditorium where Hampton is speaking. Von Mehren says that the civil rights activists from the 1960s are trying to convince the younger generation to become active. V: Footage of Pearl Shelton (community activist) standing in the audience. She asks how many students are members of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) or the Urban League. Shelton says that students need to give something back to society. Footage of Shelton being interviewed by von Mehren. Shelton says that Martin Luther King (civil rights leader) would be disappointed in the lack of activity in the current movement for civil rights. Footage of Rosa Moreno (Boston University law student) saying that there is apathy among students today; that some students do not know how to become involved; that civil rights organizations need to distribute information to students. Footage of Derek Davis (Boston University law student) saying that students have not mobilized behind one cause or political candidate; that many students are disillusioned or skeptical; that some students are interested in fighting for change. Shots of Hampton addressing the crowd; of students in the crowd listening to Hampton. Von Mehren says that today's students have not united behind one cause; that many are trying to make a difference. V: Footage of Hampton saying that today's students need to dream like King did. Shot of the audience applauding.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/18/1988
Description: Marcus Jones reports on Northeastern University's observation of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. Jones notes that a ceremony commemorating King's life was held at the university. Jones' report includes footage from the ceremony. Sonia Sanchez (poet and teacher) talks about King. Jones' report also includes footage of King. Susan Sullivan (Northeastern Law student) makes the announcement that the university is awarding an honorary law degree to Nelson Mandela. Interviews with Daniel Givelber (Dean, Northeastern University School of Law) and Sullivan about the decision to award a degree to Mandela. Jones notes that the university trustees overturned a policy which required recipients of degrees to pick them up in person. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: David Scondras, Charles Yancey and Ray Flynn: Boston City Council makes fair housing policy
1:00:10: Visual: Footage of an African American man performing a song at a ceremony commemorating the life of Martin Luther King (civil rights leader) at Northeastern University. Shots of the audience. Marcus Jones reports that hundreds of people gathered at Northeastern to commemorate the life of King; that King's 59th birthday is Friday. V: Shots of King addressing a crowd; of King marching at the head of a group of civil rights demonstrators. Footage of Sonia Sanchez (poet and teacher) talks about King's struggle to advance the cause of civil rights. Sanchez says that King's work is not finished. Shots of audience members applauding. Jones reports that Sanchez was the featured speaker at the ceremony; that the remarks of Susan Sullivan (Northeastern Law student) were the highlight of the event. V: Footage of Sullivan announcing that the Board of Trustees at Northeastern University has decided to award an honorary law degree to Nelson Mandela (jailed South African leader). The crowd applauds. Jones reports that Northeastern law students have petitioned the university for three years to grant a degree to Mandela. V: Shot of the entrance to the library at Northeastern Law School. Shot of a paper taped to the door of the library. A handwritten note on the paper reads, "Trustees grant Mandela Honorary Degree." Jones reports that the request had been previously denied due to a policy which required recipients of degrees to pick them up in person. Jones notes that Mandela has been jailed by the South African government because of his opposition to apartheid. V: Black and white footage of Mandela speaking; of a sign for Pollsmoor Prison, where Mandela is held. Jones notes that the university's decision to accede to the demands of students and faculty is unprecedented. V: Footage of Jones interviewing Daniel Givelber (Dean, Northeastern University School of Law). Givelbar says that Northeastern has an unusually diverse group of Trustees; that the Trustees felt like they were doing the right thing. Givelbar notes that the Board of Trustees made the decision to divest two years ago. Footage of Susan Sullivan saying that the degree should have been granted when the students first petitioned for it; that the law students should not have had to fight so hard for it. Sullivan says that international recognition could hasten Mandela's release from jail. Jones notes that the scheduled protest by the students turned into a celebration. Jones says that Northeastern students hope that other universities will follow Northeastern's example.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/14/1988
Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that Princess Zenani Dlamini, daughter of Nelson and Winnie Mandela, and her husband Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini, son of the late King of Swaziland, will attend Boston University. The couple has expressed a desire to abstain from politics while attending the university. Press conference where Zenani Dlamini answers questions about her parents. Vaillancourt's report is accompanied by footage of events in South Africa and by footage of Nelson Mandela. BU President John Silber stirred up controversy when he awarded an honorary degree to Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, the South African Zulu Chief, instead of Nelson Mandela. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Dr. Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) must improve the reading skills of its students
0:59:58: Visual: Footage of Princess Zenani Dlamini saying that she has come to Boston to be a student. Footage of Princess Zenani and Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini exiting a building and walking on the campus of Boston University. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Princess Zenani is the daughter of Nelson Mandela (black South African leader ); that Prince Thumbumuzi is the son of the late king of Swaziland; that the couple will be attending Boston University on full scholarship. V: Shot of Princess Zenani at a statue commemorating Martin Luther King (American civil rights leader) on the campus of Boston University. Footage of Zenani at a press conference, saying that she has come here to fulfill her dream and her parents' dream. Zenani quotes Martin Luther King, saying that people should not be judged by the color of their skin. Shots of the press at Princess Zenani's press conference; of Prince Thumbumuzi and Princess Zenani speaking. Vaillancourt reports that neither Prince Thumbumuzi nor Princess Zenani discussed US policy in South Africa; that Princess Zenani answered questions about her mother and father. V: Shot of Winnie Mandela (wife of Nelson Mandela). Black and white footage of Nelson Mandela speaking. Footage of Princess Zenani saying that she first met her father when she visited him in prison at age 16. Princess Zenani describes the experience of visiting her father in prison. Princess Zenani says that she first hugged her father in December, 1977. Shots of Prince Thumbumuzi and Princess Zenani at the press conference. Footage of Princess Zenani saying that she will focus on her education. Prince Thumbumuzi says that they will react to important events in their homeland, but will try to focus on their schoolwork. Vaillancourt says that Prince Thumbumuzi and Princess Zenani will try to abstain from political discussions; that Boston University is associated with the politics of John Silber (President, Boston University). V: Footage of Silber conferring an honorary degree on Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi (South African Zulu Chief) in November, 1986. Student protesters carrying signs walk out of the auditorium. Vaillancourt reports that protesters believe that Silber honored Buthelezi because he is a more conservative leader than Nelson Mandela. V: Footage of Princess Zenani at the press conference, saying that her father has no objections to her attending Boston University. Vaillancourt reports that there is controversy surrounding a "mansion" being built by Winnie Mandela in Soweto. V: Shot of a newspaper headline reading that the Mandela house is "fit for a queen." Footage of Winnie Mandela with black South African children. Footage of Prince Thumbumuzi at the press conference, saying that the controversy surrounding the house has been blown out of proportion; that Winnie Mandela has adopted many children who will live in the house with Winnie and her relatives. Princess Zenani talks about Winnie Mandela's strength and courage. Shots of soldiers in armored vehicles and gunfire in the streets of South Africa. Shots of Prince Thumbumuzi and Princess Zenani walking on the campus of Boston University. Shots of young black children in South Africa; of a shantytown in South Africa; of children on the street in South Africa. Vaillancourt reports that it will not be easy for Prince Thumbumuzi and Princess Zenani to separate themselves from the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/13/1987