Description: Christy George reports that the Reverend Allan Boesak, an anti-apartheid activist, received an award at Harvard University. He gives a speech at the university in which he urges western countries to place economic sanctions on the South African government. He criticizes Ronald Reagan and other western leaders for supporting the South African government. Boesak, at a press conference after the awards ceremony, praises Dukakis for imposing sanction and and urges George Bush to impose sanctions on South Africa. Boesak talks about the effectiveness of sanctions. George's report includes footage of Bush talking about South Africa and footage of apartheid South Africa. Following the edited story is additional footage of Boesak's press conference at Harvard.
1:00:00: Visual: Footage of Dr. Allan Boesak (anti-apartheid activist) preaching at Memorial Church at Harvard University. Boesak says that the lives of many South African blacks could have been saved if Ronald Reagan (US President) and other Western leaders had divested from South Africa in 1985. Footage of South African police brutally arresting South African blacks. Christy George reports that Boesak is one of the few South African church leaders who would dare to blame Reagan for the deaths of South African children. V: Footage of Boesak at Harvard. Boesak accuses Reagan, Margaret Thatcher (Prime Minister of Great Britain), and Helmut Kohl (Chancellor of Germany) of supporting the South African government. Boesak says that these leaders refused to impose sanctions on the apartheid government. George reports that Boesak is outspoken; that Boesak received an award from Harvard University today; that Boesak chided Harvard for investing in South Africa. V: Shots of Memorial Church at Harvard University; of Boesak receiving an award from a Harvard official. George notes that Boesak praised Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts) for imposing sanctions against South Africa; that Boesak begged George Bush (US President-elect) to do the same. V: Footage of Bush on October 25, 1988. Bush says that the South African government is racist; that the US needs to stay engaged; that the US needs to use its "moral influence" to change the South African government. Footage of Boesak at a press conference at Harvard University. Boesak says that he hopes Bush will follow the example of Massachusetts; that the US should divest from South Africa. Boesak says that he wishes Dukakis had been elected president. Boesak says that Bush has talked about his commitment to civil rights; that Bush needs to act on his commitment. Footage of South African blacks running from police on January 10, 1988. George reports that Boesak says that the South African government is redoubling its efforts to enforce apartheid laws. V: Footage of Boesak saying that he his tired of lame excuses from western governments. Boesak says that western leaders are lying when they talk about their concern for South African blacks. Boesak talks about the US government's commitment to sanctions against Cuba, Libya, Argentina and Nicaragua. George reports that Boesak says that sanctions are effective; that war has become too expensive for the South African government. George reports that Boesak points to the end of wars in Namibia and Angola as proof of the effectiveness of sanctions. V: Footage of Africans celebrating in the streets; of Africans marching in the street; of African soldiers watching a plane taxi on a runway. Footage of Boesak at a press conference. Boesak talks about sanctions. Boesak says that the South African government should be cut off from oil and from access to the international money market. Boesak says that no South African blacks would be hurt if air links to and from South African were cut off. Boesak says that he and Desmond Tutu (South African anti-apartheid leader) are the only two South African blacks who fly anywhere.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/17/1989
Description: Jan von Mehren reports that a small band of Harvard Alumni have announced the candidacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu (black South African leader) for the Harvard University Board of Overseers. Von Mehren notes that the Board of Overseers is elected by university alumni to make policy recommendations. She adds that Tutu is on a slate of candidates nominated by the Harvard/Radcliffe Alumni Against Apartheid organization. Von Mehren's report includes footage of Alumni Against Apartheid members Robert Wolff, Robert Zevin, and Linda Davidoff addressing a small crowd on the Harvard Campus. Wolff says that the Board of Overseers will have a hard time explaining to Tutu why they have not divested completely from South Africa. Von Mehren notes that Harvard has divested some its holdings in South Africa. She adds that university officials have no comment on Tutu's candidacy or on their divestment policy. Von Mehren's report also features footage of apartheid protesters at Harvard and footage of Tutu in South Africa. This tape includes additional footage of the Alumni Against Apartheid gathering on the Harvard campus.This tape also includes footage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaking. Students walking through Harvard Yard.
1:00:16: Visual: Footage of Robert Wolff (Alumni Against Apartheid) standing in front of the office of Derek Bok (President, Harvard University) in Massachusetts Hall on Harvard campus. Robert Zevin (Alumni Against Apartheid) and Linda Davidoff (Alumni Against Apartheid) stand on either side of Wolff. Jan von Mehren reports that a small band of Harvard Alumni gathered outside of Bok's office in Harvard Yard today. Von Mehren reports that the Alumni announced the candidacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu (black South African leader) for the Harvard University Board of Overseers. V: Footage of Wolff saying that he looks forward to the first meeting of the Board of Overseers with Tutu present. Wolff says that he would like to see Bok explain to the Overseers and Tutu why divestment is not in the best interests of black South Africans. Von Mehren reports that the thirty-member Board of Overseers is elected by the university alumni; that the Board of Overseers makes policy recomendations. V: Shots of Harvard students walking in Harvard Yard. Shot of Tutu at a religious service. Von Mehren reports that Tutu is one of five candidates on a slate nominated by the Harvard/Radcliffe Alumni Against Apartheid organization. Von Mehren reports that Zevin and Davidoff are also running for the Board. V: Footage of Zevin and Davidoff standing in front of Bok's office. Davidoff says that she expected Harvard to be a leader on issues like divestment; that Harvard needs to make its alumni proud again. Shots of apartheid protestors at Harvard University on September 5, 1986. Von Mehren reports that has decreased its investments in South Africa since the 1970s; that $250 million remains invested in companies doing business in South Africa. V: Footage of Davidoff saying that Harvard's divestment policy is "part-way there." Footage of Wolff saying that Archibishop Tutu will win a debate with Bok on divestment. Von Mehren stands in Harvard Yard. Von Mehren reports that university officials have no comment on Harvard's divestment policy or on Tutu's candidacy for the Board of Overseers. V: Footage of Wolff saying that Harvard officials never admit to caving in to outside pressure. Wolff says that Harvard has already divested part of its holdings in response to pressure from alumni, faculty, and students. Von Mehren reports that Tutu and the pro-divestment slate will be running against Elizabeth Dole (US Secretary of Labor), Paul Kirk (former Chairman of the Democratic Party), and others. V: Shots of Tutu; of Dole; of Kirk. Von Mehren reports that the winners will be announced at Harvard's graduation in June. Von Mehren notes that Tutu's election to the Board of Overseers will force Harvard to reevaluate its divestment policy. V: Shots of Harvard students walking in Harvard Yard.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/09/1989
Description: Shirley Caesar is a gospel singer and pastor, also active in community and political affairs in Durham, NC. She visits Harvard to sing with a choir in Memorial Church. Fields notes that Caesar is an evangelist and a Grammy award-winning singer. Fields adds that Caesar has recently entered local politics in Durham, North Carolina. Fields interviews Caesar, who talks about her music and her outreach ministry. She also discusses her recent entry into politics. Caesar says that she sees herself as a humanitarian. Fields' report includes footage of Caesar performing with a choir in front of an audience at Memorial Church.
1:00:14: Visual: Footage of Shirley Caesar (gospel singer and evangelist) performing at Memorial Church at Harvard University on October 5, 1989. A gospel choir stands behind her. Shots of members of the audience listening to Caesar. Carmen Fields reports that Caesar has won five grammy awards; that Caesar has three gold albums. Fields reports that Caesar also runs a church and an outreach mission; that Caesar has recently been elected to the City Council of Durham, North Carolina. V: Footage of Caesar being interviewed by Fields. Caesar says that she is a "down-to-earth singer"; that she is a "concerned citizen." Caesar says that she sees herself as a humanitarian. Caesar talks about her outreach ministry. Caesar says that she puts 50% of her earnings back into the community. Footage of Caesar performing at Memorial Church; of audience members listening. Footage of Caesar saying that everyone has suffered at one time or another; that she tries to send a message of love through her music. Fields notes that Caesar offers unconditional encouragement to all through her music. V: Footage of Caesar talking about Jim Baker (evangelist). Caesar says that Baker should be forced to pay back the money he owes; that Baker should not be sent to jail. Footage of Caesar performing at Memorial Church. She speculates as to whether anyone has ever danced in the aisles of Memorial Church. The crowd applauds. Caesar says that she will "christen the aisles." Shots of audience members seated in pews and on the floor. Fields reports that Caesar will soon turn fifty years old. V: Footage of Caesar performing at Memorial Church. The audience members stand and clap their hands. Footage of Caesar being interviewed by Fields. Caesar says that she is "a traditional singer with a contemporary flavor." Caesar talks about her roots in music. Footage of Caesar saying that she would like to learn more about the workings of city government; that she may run for mayor someday. Footage of Caesar performing at Memorial Church. The audience is on its feet.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/06/1989