Description: Composer John Cage creates a live musical performance event on WGBH radio's “Chamberworks.” "Chamberworks" host Bill Cavness introduces the piece and invites listeners to call in and become part of it. Cage sits in the booth and takes calls. Interview with Cage on the acceptance and understanding of his enigmatic, elusive work. Musicians play as part of the live musical performance. Interview with musicians on playing pieces composed by Cage.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/25/1988
Description: Martin Luther King, Jr. received his doctorate of theology from Boston University in 1955, and he donated more than 80,000 personal papers to the university before he died. Coretta Scott King has filed suit against the university to get the papers returned to her. Interviews with students on campus about whether BU should return the papers to Scott King. The law firm of Melvin Miller, a BU Trustee, is handling the case for the university. Miller has accused Scott King of trying to profit from her husbands' materials. Scott King does not believe that King's agreement with the university is binding. Interview with BU Vice President Greg Felker and Black Student Union President Kiphanie Radford about the case. Shots of the papers and footage of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. This tape includes additional footage of King's papers on display at BU.
1:00:10: Visual: Black and white footage of Martin Luther King (civil rights leader) delivering the "I Have a Dream" speech. Marcus Jones reports that King was one of Boston University's most distinguished graduates; that King received his doctorate of theology from the university in 1955; that a statue in honor of King was placed on the campus after his assassination in 1968. V: Shots of students on the BU campus near the statue honoring King; of the statue honoring King. Jones reports that King donated more than 80,000 personal papers to the university before he died; that Coretta Scott King (widow of King) wants the papers returned to her. V: Black and white shots of King. Shots of the King papers on display; of Coretta Scott King. Jones reports that Coretta Scott King has filed suit against BU. V: Shot of Coretta Scott King standing near the Martin Luther King's grave. Footage of a white male student saying that the university should give the papers back; of an Asian American female student saying that BU is within its rights to keep the papers. Footage of a white female student saying that BU should return the papers if they are not being cared for properly. Footage of a male student saying that Coretta Scott King should have the papers. Jones reports that the law firm of Melvin Miller (BU Trustee) is handling the case for the university; that Miller accuses Coretta Scott King of trying to make a profit from her husband's written material. V: Footage of Miller addressing an audience. Shot of a newspaper article in The Daily Free Press with a headline reading, "Miller: Mrs. King not telling the truth." Footage of King delivering the "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington in 1963. Shot of Coretta Scott King. Jones reports that Coretta Scott King claims that Martin Luther King had changed his mind about keeping his papers at BU before his death. Jones notes that Miller disputes the claim by Coretta Scott King. V: Footage of Greg Felker (Vice President, BU Student Union) saying that BU should return the papers. Felker adds that there is evidence to support Coretta Scott King's claim that Martin Luther King changed his mind about housing the papers at BU. Footage of Kiphanie Radford (President, BU Black Student Union) saying that there may be merit in BU's refusal to return the papers. Shot of King's papers on display. Text of a quote from King is displayed on screen. Jones quotes a letter written by King to BU: "In the event of my death, all such materials deposited with the University shall become from that date the absolute property of Boston University." Jones says that Coretta Scott King claims that King's letter is not binding. V: Shots of Coretta Scott King at the grave of Martin Luther King; of a sign for the Martin Luther King Jr. reading room at Boston University. Jones stands on the BU campus. Jones reports that the public outcry surrounding the issue has not convinced BU to return the papers. Jones adds that BU is scheduled to respond to Coretta Scott King's charges on Monday, which is the anniversary of King's death.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/01/1988
Description: Harvard University Hasty Pudding Club names Lucille Ball the 1988 Woman of the Year. Harvard University marching band plays "I Love Lucy" theme song as they accompany Lucy along the street. Footage of the actress accepting the award on stage. Reporter Marcus Jones gives a brief retrospective on the 76-year-old actress's rise to fame before "I Love Lucy," and off-screen involvement in radio and Broadway performances. Clips from feature films that Ball had roles in alongside Catherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, and Fred Astaire. Still image of Ball with Marx Brothers. Clip of Lucy and husband Ricky (Desi Arnaz) announcing pregnancy. Ball tells Hasty Pudding Club a story about inspiration for a chocolate comedy routine. Closing sequence of slapstick clips from "I Love Lucy."
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/19/1988
Description: Marcus Jones reports that Mamie Till-Mobley (civil rights activist) received a lifetime activism award from a Massachusetts senior citizen action group. Jones reports that Till-Mobley's son, Emmett, was brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Jones notes that Till-Mobley's determination to bring the murderers to justice has been an inspiration to other African Americans. Jones notes that the Eyes On The Prize series has brought attention to Till-Mobley's role in the civil rights movement. Jones' report includes footage from Eyes on the Prize. Jones reports that James Farmer (civil rights activist) also received an award from the organization. Jones' report features footage of Farmer and Till-Mobley at a press conference after the awards ceremony. Jones interviews Till-Mobley, who discusses her role in the civil rights movement. Jones notes that Till-Mobley has organized the Emmett Till players, who travel with Mobley to spread the message of the civil rights movement. Jones' report includes footage of performances at the awards ceremony by Ericka Elcy and Patrice Richardson of the Emmett Till Players.
1:00:05: Visual: Footage of Mamie Till-Mobley talking about the civil rights movement. Till-Mobley says that she wanted the world to see the horrible events taking place in the US. Marcus Jones reports that the brutal murder of Emmet Louis Till startled the nation in 1955; that Emmet Louis Till was from Chicago; that Emmet Louis Till was visiting relatives in Mississippi in 1955. Jones reports that Emmet Louis Till said "Bye, baby" to a white woman when exiting a grocery store; that Emmet Louis Till's body was found in the Tallahatchie River a few days later. V: Footage from Eyes On The Prize of Emmet Louis Till's funeral. Shots of a black and white photo of Emmet Louis Till; of Bryant's grocery store in Mississippi; of a river. Footage from Eyes on the Prize of Mamie Till-Mobley at a press conference. Shots of whites seated in an audience. Jones reports that Till-Mobley's determination to bring her son's murderers to justice was an inspiration to other African Americans. V: Black and white footage from Eyes On The Prize of Rosa Parks (civil rights activist); of Martin Luther King Jr. (civil rights leader); of a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama; of white people seated at the front of a bus. Footage of Mamie Till-Mobley and James Farmer (civil rights activist) at a press conference in Boston in June of 1988. Till talks about her quest for justice in 1955. Shots of reporters at the press conference. Till-Mobley and Farmer embrace. Jones reports that Till-Mobley and Farmer received lifetime activism awards from a Massachusetts senior citizen action group. V: Shots of members of the action group seated in a room. Footage of Alfred Saunders (member of the senior citizen action group) greeting Till-Mobley. Footage of Saunders saying that Till-Mobley's commitment to justice inspired the civil rights movement. Footage of Ericka Elcy (member, Emma Till Players) performing in front of the members of the senior citizen group. Elcy says that people must be committed to their goals and life's work. Jones reports that Till-Mobley has organized a group in Chicago called the Emma Till Players; that the young people in the Emma Till Players travel with Till-Mobley to spread the message of the civil rights movement. V: Footage of Patrice Richardson (member, Emma Till Players) performing. Richardson reciting a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. Shots of Till, Farmer and the audience applauding for Richardson. Footage of Till-Mobley talking about how her role in the civil rights movement may have gotten lost in history. Till-Mobley says that her role in the movement stems from an "ugly" incident; that no one wants to remember "ugly" incidents. Footage from Eyes On The Prize of Till-Mobley in 1955. Till-Mobley says that she hopes that her son's death will mean something to other oppressed people. Shots of Till-Mobley at her son's funeral. Jones reports that the Eyes On The Prize series has shed light on Till-Mobley's role in the civil rights movement. V: Footage of Till-Mobley being interviewed by Jones. Till-Mobley says that she is interested in seeing a renewal of activism; that kids today need to be directed toward positive ways of living; that drugs and gangs are a problem for youth today.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/24/1988
Description: Marcus Jones reports that supporters of the proposed city of Mandela, Massachusetts, are raising the issue again. Voters rejected the 1986 proposal to incorporate the Greater Roxbury neighborhood into a new city. Supporters of the proposal have put together a video to educate voters about the benefits of forming a new city, by Maverick Video. Andrew Jones (Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project) is shown in the video. Interview with Curtis Davis (Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project) about the video and about the Mandela proposal. The referendum question on Mandela will be on the ballot again this year. Review of the boundaries of the proposed city and the specifics of the proposal. Marcus Jones notes that the 1986 referendum question received national media attention. Marcus Jones' report includes footage of Davis, Andrew Jones and other Mandela supporters at a press conference in 1986 and footage from an episode of the Phil Donahue Show in 1986 with community leaders Mel King (community activist), Andrew Jones, Charles Stith (Union United Methodist Church), and Bruce Bolling (Boston City Council). Marcus Jones reports that the referendum question has not received as much media coverage this year. He adds that Mandela supporters may try again in the future if the referendum question is defeated again this year. Jones' report includes footage from Say Brother of Andrew Jones talking about Mandela and footage of Bruce Bolling at a press conference. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item:Members of Boston's African American community voice their support for Bush
1:00:15: Visual: Footage from Say Brother of Andrew Jones (co-founder, Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project) in June of 1987. Jones says that he is not sure that the people do not want Mandela. Marcus Jones reports that voters in the predominantly African American neighborhoods of Boston overwhelmingly rejected the referendum quesion on the incorporation of Mandela in 1986. V: Shots of African American residents crossing under the elevated train tracks on Washington Street in Roxbury; of a map of the boundaries of the proposed city of Mandela. Marcus Jones reports that many believed the issue to be dead. V: Footage of Bruce Bolling (President, Boston City Council) addressing an audience in November of 1986. Bolling says that the issue of incorporation has been put aside "for once and for all." Marcus Jones reports that proponents of Mandela have raised the issue again; that Mandela proponents have put together a videotape to educate voters about the virtues of forming a new city. V: Footage from Maverick Video of the pro-Mandela videotape. The videotape shows Andrew Jones talking about building a new city hall for the city of Mandela. Footage of Curtis Davis (co-founder, Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project) being interviewed by Marcus Jones. Davis says that many people have liked the videotape. Davis says that the videotape is biased in favor of the proposal; that the videotape does not try to fool the voters. Marcus Jones reports that Davis and Andrew Jones were responsible for putting the Mandela referendum question on the ballot in 1986; that the referendum question will be on the ballot again this year. V: Footage of Davis, Andrew Jones, and other Mandela supporters at a press conference in front of the state house in October of 1986. Footage of Davis being interviewed by Marcus Jones. Davis says that the city of Mandela would be predominantly African American; that the residents of the Greater Roxbury neighborhoods have common concerns. Davis says that those issues are best addressed by a local neighborhood government. Marcus Jones reports that Roxbury, Mattapan and parts of Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, the South End, and the Fenway would form the proposed city. Marcus Jones reports that the referendum question gained national attention in 1986. V: Footage from the Phil Donahue Show on Mandela on October 30, 1986. An African American male audience member says that he supports Mandela. African American community leaders Andrew Jones, Mel King (community activist), Bolling, and Reverend Charles Stith (Union United Methodist Church) are guests on the show. Stith says that the incorporation of Mandela would signal a retreat from the progress made by the civil rights movement. Marcus Jones reports that the Mandela question has not received as much media attention this year; that the proponents of Mandela are presenting their case in a calmer atmosphere. V: Footage from the pro-Mandela videotape. The videotape shows Andrew Jones talking to a group of African American women outside of a housing project building. Marcus Jones reports that Mandela supporters are campaigning for the passage of the referendum question; that the supporters may try again in the future if the referendum question is defeated this year. V: Footage of Davis saying that a narrow defeat will inspire supporters to work harder for passage of the referendum. Footage from the pro-Mandela videotape.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/27/1988
Description: Marcus Jones reports on the construction of modular townhouse condominiums in Roxbury. He notes that the condominiums are affordable housing developed by a private developer. Jones tours the condominiums with tenant Kay Williams. Interview with Williams and future tenant Wanda Wallace about the condominiums. Interview with Alan Harap of the Bergmeyer Development Company about the modular condominiums. Harap says that the condominiums are an economical approach to affordable housing in Roxbury. Interview with Shay Allan of the Boston Public Facilities Department about the affordability of the condominiums. Jones reviews the price of the condominiums and notes that mortgages are available through the state's home ownership program. Jones notes that private developers can profit from building modular units for affordable housing.
1:00:05: Visual: Shot of a modular housing unit being lowered onto a site by crane. Marcus Jones reports that modular homes are built in factories, loaded onto trucks and placed on plots of land. V: Shots of a driver operating a truck; of a modular housing unit on the back of a truck; of a worker supervising the descent of a modular housing unit onto a site. Footage of Wanda Wallace (future homeowner) holding her infant as she is interviewed by Marcus Jones. Wallace says that she never expected the condominiums to be ready so soon; that she thought the condominiums would be very expensive. Jones reports that Wallace's family and four other families will be moving into the modular condominium townhouses. V: Shot of the site of the condominium townhouses. The townhouses are being constructed. Shot of workers using a drill to put the buildings together. Shot of Kay Williams (future homeowner) and Marcus Jones touring the interior of one of the buildings. Footage of Williams saying that she is happy to be able to afford to stay in the neighborhood; that the neighborhood will be a desirable neighborhood in a few years. Shots of the interior of one of the condominiums; of the bathroom in one of the condominiums. Jones reports that the condominiums are affordable housing developed by a private developer; that the private developer approached the city with the idea for the project. V: Footage of Alan Harap (Bergmeyer Development Company) standing in front of the site. Harap says that the Roxbury condominiums are a pilot project for the company; that there are many vacant lots in Roxbury where affordable housing could be built. Shot of a man directing the driver of a truck. The truck has a modular housing unit loaded onto the back. Jones reports that the 2-bedroom townhouses range from $86,000 to $100,000; that low-interest mortgages are being provided through the state's home ownership program. V: Shot of the interior of one of the townhouses; of the street below from the window of one of the townhouses. Footage of Shay Allen (Boston Public Facilities Department) saying that the homeowners will only need to put down a 5% downpayment on the townhouses. Shot of a crane being used to place one the modular units on a site. Construction workers oversee the placement of the unit. Footage of Harap being interviewed by Jones. Harap says that constructing buildings on site is more economical for large developments; that modular housing is an economical way to put affordable housing on small, scattered sites. Jones stands in front of the townhouse site. Construction continues on behind him. Jones reports that the developers say that modular units can be used to provide affordable housing anywhere; that the demand is great for affordable housing; that the developers will profit from meeting the demand.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/28/1988
Description: Marcus Jones reports that two African American families moved into a South Boston housing project today; he notes that the families are the first African Americans to live in the project in ten years. Jones reports that the two families were on the emergency placement list and had no other housing alternatives. Jones notes that there is increasing opposition to the mayor's housing desegregation plan by both African Americans and whites. He adds that the NAACP has filed suit to block the plan, contending that it unfairly ignores families discriminated against prior to 1983. Jones reports that the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) claims to have lost records for applicants before 1983, but will try to investigate claims of discrimination prior to that date. Jones interviews Carl Haith (President, Boston chapter of the NAACP) about the NAACP lawsuit. Haith says that the city needs to identify residents who were discriminated against prior to 1983. Jones' report includes footage of African American movers at a South Boston housing project and footage of white residents outside of the Mary Ellen McCormack Housing Development. Jones interviews one of the African American movers, who says that he has encountered no problems at the housing development. This tape includes additional footage of movers at the McCormack Housing Development. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: cThe campaigns of Jesse Jackson and Michael Dukakis have different agendas for the upcoming Democratic convention
1:00:03: Visual: Footage of an African American man moving a large box from a moving truck into a housing project building in South Boston. Marcus Jones reports that two African American families moved into a South Boston housing project today. V: Shots of white residents outside of the McCormack Housing Development; of a sign for the Mary Ellen McCormack Housing Development. Jones reports that an African American family last lived in the development ten years ago; that the family left because they claim to have been harassed by white residents. V: Shots of a moving truck outside of a project building. Police and movers stand near the truck. Jones reports that police officers in uniform and in plain clothes were present at the housing project today. V: Footage of an African American mover saying that he has had no trouble at the housing project today; that white residents have offered him refreshments while he did his work. Shots of the movers moving a couch from the moving truck into the project building. Two green shamrocks are posted above the entrance. Jones reports that the two African American families were on the emergency placement list; that they were placed at the project because they had no other place to go. Jones notes that opposition to the mayor's desegregation plan for public housing is growing among whites and African Americans. V: Shot of Jones and Carl Haith (President, Boston chapter of the NAACP) entering an office from a dark hallway. Footage of Haith saying that the city should not have to identify African Americans to enter an-all white housing project. Shot of the exterior of the NAACP offices in Roxbury. Jones reports that the NAACP has filed a lawsuit to block the city's desegregation plan. Jones notes that the NAACP believes the plan to be unfair because it ignores groups which may have been discriminated against before 1983. V: Shots of NAACP employees and volunteers in the NAACP offices. Footage of Haith saying that the city claims to be unable to identify victims of discrimination before 1983. Haith says that the city should try to identify those victims and compensate them. Jones reports that the Boston Housing Authority claims that many applications filed before 1983 were lost when the city switched to a new computer system. V: Shots of white residents standing at the entrance to a housing project building in South Boston; of a white woman looking out of the window of a project apartment; of a housing project in South Boston. Jones reports that the BHA says that it will investigate the claims of those who claim to have been discriminated against before 1983. V: Shots of African American movers at the McCormack Housing development. Jones stands in front of the NAACP offices in Roxbury. Jones reports that the NAACP led the fight to desegregate public schools in Boston; that the city had probably expected the NAACP to support its plan to desegregate public housing. Jones reports that the NAACP does not think the city's plan does enough.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/11/1988
Description: North End Italian Band and leader Guy Giarraffa parade through patron saint festival. Interview with Giarraffa on the history of the band, which was previously called the Roma Band. Interviews with North End residents on the band. Photographs of Girraffa from his childhood.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/19/1988
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: Marcus Jones reports on an exhibit at the Boston Athenaeum celebrating Black History Month. Jones notes that the exhibit features photographs of prominent people in Boston's African American community. Jones interviews Marie Cosindas (photographer) about the photographs. Jones' report includes shots of the photographs. Jones reports that the exhibit also includes documents, books and artworks representing the African American artistic, cultural and political traditions. Jones interviews Marilyn Richardson (exhibit advisor and MIT professor) about the exhibit. Richardson talks about a display of census documents and artworks by Edmonia Lewis (sculptor) and Allan Crite (artist). Jones' report includes footage of artworks in the exhibit.
1:00:07: Visual: Shots of color photographs of African Americans in Boston. Shot of a group photograph of Ruth Batson (community activist) and three others. Shot of a photograph of Hugh Morgan Hill (storyteller), also known as Brother Blue. The photographs are displayed at the Boston Athenaeum. Footage of Marie Cosindas (photographer) talking about the photographs. Cosindas says that the photographs were made with commercial cameras and Polaroid film. Marcus Jones reports that Cosindas made portraits of prominent African Americans in Boston; that her photographs are part of a Black History Month exhibit at the Boston Athenaeum. V: Shots of the portraits, including portraits of Elma Lewis (Roxbury community leader); of Mel King (community activist) and Joyce King (wife of Mel King); of Byron Rushing (State Representative). Shot of a portrait of Tanya Hart (WBZ television personality), Philip Hart (professor, University of Massachusetts), and a young woman. Footage of Cosindas saying that she is glad to have had the opportunity to meet these people; that she was able to learn about each person's character and personality. Shot of a portrait of Bruce Bolling (Boston City Council), Royal Bolling, Sr. (state senator), and Royal Bolling, Jr. (former state representative). Footage of Marilyn Richardson (exhibit advisor and MIT professor) talking to Jones about the exhibit. Richardson says that the exhibit includes one of the earliest census documents of the city of Boston; that the 1765 census includes blacks and Indians. Shot of the census document. Jones reports that Richardson helped to organize the 118-piece exhibit about African Americans in Boston. V: Shots of a display of books; of a painting; of a piece of sculpture. Footage of Richardson talking about a bust of Robert Gould Shaw. Richardson says that Shaw was the white captain of the Massachusetts 54th regiments, which was comprised of African American soldiers. Shot of a painting depicting the Massachusetts 54th regiment in battle. Footage of Richardson saying that the sculpure of Shaw was made by Edmonia Lewis (nineteenth-century sculptor); that Lewis was the first African American to gain an international reputation as a sculptor. Shots of photographs of Lewis; of an 1930s ink drawing. Footage of Richardson talking about the india ink drawings from the 1930s. Richardson says that Allan Crite (artist) portrayed black angels, black saints and a black Christ in his work from the 1930s. Shots of religious drawings by Crite; of a group of sculptures. Shots of a display of books. Footage of Richardson saying that the exhibit organizers have tried to gather rare and unusual documents to demonstrate the complexity and strength of the African American artistic and political traditions. Shots of a museum-goer looking at the exhibit; of a display of books; of paintings included in the exhibit. Jones reports that the exhibit will be on display until April.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/29/1988