Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that Jesse Jackson visited Harvard Law School to join student protests over the school's minority hiring practices. Vaillancourt notes that Jackson supports Derrick Bell (Professor, Harvard Law School), who has announced that he will leave his post to protest the school's poor affirmative action record. Derrick Bell is Harvard's first African-American tenured professor. Vaillancourt reports that there are only five tenured female professors and three tenured African American male professors out of sixty-one tenured professors at the school. Vaillancourt's report includes footage of Jackson addressing students at the school. Barack Obama is seen among students in the background. Jackson shakes hands with Bell and condemns the school's affirmative action record. Vaillancourt notes that the school administration has refused Jackson's offer to act as a mediator on the issue. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson accused Harvard Law School of institutional racism and sexism. She adds that Robert Clark (Dean, Harvard Law School) issued a statement defending the school's hiring practices. Vaillancourt's report features footage of Bell at a student demonstration at Harvard Law School in April 1990 and footage of Jackson at a student demonstration. This tape includes additional footage of Jackson addressing demonstrators at Harvard Law School.
1:00:05: Visual: Footage of Jesse Jackson (African American political leader) speaking at Harvard Law School. Jackson says that affirmative action is a response to years of denial by law. Shots of the audience listening to Jackson in a lecture hall at the school. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Jackson's visit to Harvard Law School attracted national attention to the controversy over the school's minority hiring practices. V: Footage of Jackson addressing the audience. Jackson says that it is an error and an insult to say that there is no African American woman qualified to be a tenured professor at Harvard Law School. Shots of the audience. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson visited the school to support Derrick Bell (Professor, Harvard Law School). Vaillancourt notes that Bell was the first African American to be granted tenure at Harvard Law School. Vaillancourt reports that Bell has announced that he will leave his post to protest the school's poor affirmative action record. V: Shot of Jackson and Bell shaking hands in the conference hall. Footage from April 24, 1990 of Bell at a demonstration on the campus of Harvard Law School. Bell addresses student demonstrators. Bell says that he he has urged students to take risks to further their beliefs; that he must now do the same. Shot of demonstrators holding a sign reading, "Where are our tenured black women professors?" Vaillancourt reports that Bell will take a leave of absence until the school adds a woman of color to the faculty. Vaillancourt notes that there are 61 tenured professors at the school; that three of those professors are African American; that the African American professors are all male. Vaillancourt reports that half of the students at Harvard Law School are women; that there are only five tenured female professors; that there are no Latino or Asian law professors at the school. V: Shots of Bell and Jackson entering the lecture hall; of students standing and applauding for Bell and Jackson. Shots of white and African American female students in the audience. Shot of Jackson, Bell and a white woman raising linked arms at the front of the lecture hall. The students applaud. Vaillancourt reports that the school seems ready to accept Bell's departure; that Robert Clark (Dean of Harvard Law School) declined to speak on camera about the school's hiring practices. Vaillancourt reports that Clark issued a statement in which he defended the slow pace of change at Harvard Law School. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson has accused Harvard of institutional racism and sexism. V: Shot of students demonstrators on the Harvard Law School campus on April 24, 1990. Footage of Jackson addressing student demonstrators outside on the campus of Harvard Law School. Student supporters stand behind him. Jackson says that Harvard should negotiate with Bell and the student demonstrators. The demonstrators applaud Jackson. Vaillancourt stands outside of a building on the Harvard Law School campus. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson met briefly with Clark today; that the school has refused Jackson's offer to act as a mediator on the issue of faculty diversity. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson called for a reexamination of race relations in the US during his speech at Harvard Law School. V: Footage of Jackson addressing an audience in a lecture hall at Harvard Law School. Jackson says that most people in the world are not white nor are they males. Jackson says that these people cannot wait for some archaic standard to allow them to be appraised as worthy by white males. Shots of students in the audience. Shot of Jackson entering a room. Jackson shakes hands and embraces Bell. Jackson shakes hands with other Harvard Law School professors and officials. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson has called for a new Kerner Commission; that the Kerner Commission issued a study twenty years ago which concluded that white America and black America were separate and unequal. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson praised Bell for his courage; that Jackson called on Harvard Law School faculty to support Bell. V: Footage of Jackson addressing an audience in the lecture hall. Jackson talks about the sacrifices made by Rosa Parks (civil rights activist) and Martin Luther King (civil rights leader). Jackson says that Bell is taking a principled stand; that Bell is drawing attention to the problem of racism and sexism at Harvard. Shots of Bell at a demonstration on the Harvard Law School campus on April 24, 1990. Shots of Bell addressing a demonstration outside of a building on the Harvard Law School campus today. Jackson stands beside Bell. Student demonstrators stand behind them. The demonstrators raise their linked arms. A demonstrator holds a sign reading, "diversity now." Vaillancourt reports that faculty were scheduled to vote today on a resolution encouraging diversity. Vaillancourt notes that Harvard officials say that a personal matter forced the dean to end the meeting before the resolution came to a vote. Vaillancourt notes that the vote was not rescheduled.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/09/1990
Description: Christy George reports that Jesse Jackson spoke about leadership in a speech at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. George reports that Jackson is very active in this non-election year. George's report includes footage of Jackson walking a picket line with striking Eastern Airline employees and footage of Jackson visiting an Armenian earthquake zone. George talks about Jackson's activities since the 1988 election. George's report also features footage from Jackson's speech at Harvard. Jackson talks about voter cynicism in the 1988 election and the qualities of a good leader. Jackson says that the US must invest in itself in order to flourish. He explains a metaphorical term: "honeybee sense." George's report also includes footage from Jackson's 1988 presidential campaign. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Lee Atwater visits Massachusetts for a Republican Party fundraiser
1:00:07: Visual: Footage of Jesse Jackson (African American political leader) as he enters an auditorium at the John F. Kennedy School of Goverment at Harvard University. The audience applauds for Jackson. Shot of a man in the crowd. Footage of Jackson addressing the audience. Jackson jokes about his speech being televised on C-Span. Jackson waves to his mother. Christy George reports that Jackson talked about the scarcity of good leaders in American politics during his speech at the Kennedy School of Government. V: Footage of Jackson delivering his speech. Jackson says that public cynicism won more voters than Bush did in the 1988 campaign. Jackson notes that 50% of the eligible voters did not vote; that 70% of voters expressed a desire for a different choice. Jackson says that Bush's campaign won while the country lost. Footage of Jackson at a campaign rally in New Hampshire on February 16, 1988. The crowd chants, "Win, Jesse, Win." George notes that Jackson travels the country regularly in non-election years. V: Shots of Jackson doing a television interview; of Jackson picketing with striking Eastern Airline employees. George reports that Jackson has walked with striking Eastern Airline employees across the nation; that Jackson turned a tour of an Armenian earthquake zone into a Soviet-American people's summit. V: Shot of a Soviet news anchor reading the news; of Jackson kissing a baby in Armenia. Footage of Jackson looking out of a window while riding on a bus in Armenia. Jackson speaks to the media, saying that human beings must care for one another. Footage of Jackson at a 1988 campaign rally. George calls Jackson a "perpetual candidate" and a "peripatetic preacher." V: Footage of Jackson speaking at the Kennedy School. Jackson says that he is a "liberal" who fights for change. Jackson says that pollsters and pundits are looking for a manufactured candidate. Jackson says that great leaders do not follow opinion polls; that great leaders mold public opinion. Jackson says that John F. Kennedy (former US President) was not following opinion polls when he reached out to Martin Luther King, Jr. (civil rights leader). Jackson says that Kennedy's actions were based on courage and principles. Jackson says that the US needs bold leadership to deal with the nation's "structural crisis." Jackson talks about "honeybee sense." Jackson says that honeybees know to drop pollen when they pick up nectar; that honeybees know the importance of keeping the flowers alive. Jackson says that the US needs to invest in itself in order to stay alive and flourish. The crowd rises to its feet and applauds for Jackson.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/25/1989
Description: Marcus Jones reports that anti-war activists protested across the nation to rally public opinion against the use of force in the Persian Gulf, including in downtown Boston. Jesse Jackson visited MIT to speak out against going to war in the Middle East on the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Jones notes that the MIT Initiative for Peace in the Middle East brought Jackson to the campus. Jackson says that the US must not rush to war on January 15. Interviews with MIT graduate students Corrie Lathan and Steve Penn, who oppose the war. Interview with Jesse Jackson, who says that the US and Iraq should negotiate because war is inevitable if talking is impossible. Jones' report includes footage from Inside Edition of Jackson in Iraq. Following the edited story is additional b-roll of anti-war demonstrations and of Jackson at MIT talking about Martin Luther King, Jr.
1:00:36: Visual: Footage of anti-war protesters on Winter Street in downtown Boston. The protesters carry signs protesting the Gulf War. They chant together, "We remember Vietnam. We won't go." Shot of two police officers standing in front of a building. Marcus Jones reports that a group of anti-war protesters demonstrated outside of the Army recruiting headquarters in Boston. V: Shot of a protesters carrying a sign reading, "U.S. Troops out of the Gulf." The protesters chant, "We won't fight for Texaco." Shot of a protester handing out leaflets. Jones reports that anti-war activists took to the streets across the country today; that the protesters are trying to rally public opinion against the use of force in the Persian Gulf. V: Shot of an older white woman wearing a sign around her neck. The sign reads, "Bring our troops home." Shot of two white children standing among the protesters. Jones reports that Jesse Jackson (African American political leader) visited MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) tonight; that the members of the MIT Initiative for Peace in the Middle East brought Jackson to the campus. Jones reports that Jackson spoke out against going to war in the Middle East on the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. (civil rights activist). V: Shots of Jackson greeting an MIT student; of Jackson greeting students as he walks to the podium. Shots of students in the audience. Footage of Jackson addressing the students. Jackson says that the US must not rush to war on January 15. Jackson says that efforts toward peace must be made on King's birthday. Footage of Corrie Lathan (MIT graduate student) being interviewed. Lathan says that she is opposed to the war; that the situation should be resolved in a non-violent manner. Footage of Steve Penn (MIT graduate student) being interviewed by Jones. Penn says that decision-makers in the US understand pressure; that the voice of the people must speak out against the war. Jones reports that Jackson's call for restraint may reflect a change in his thinking. Jones notes that Jackson met with Saddam Hussein (Iraqi leader) last year. Jones reports that Jackson said last year that war would be inevitable if talking proved impossible. V: Footage from Inside Edition of Jackson entering a building in Iraq; of Jackson speaking to Hussein. Jones questions whether Jackson has changed his position. V: Footage of Jackson speaking at MIT. Jones asks Jackson if he has changed his position. Jackson says that he has kept the same position. Jackson says that war is inevitable if talking is impossible. Jackson says that the US and Iraq should "talk"; that the two countries must choose negotiation over confrontation. The audience applauds for Jackson as he walks away from the podium.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/14/1991
Description: Interview with Judith Jamison previously of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. She talks about her current career on Broadway, and what it feels like not to be part of a company anymore. She gives advice for aspiring dancers. They shoot cutaways. Closeup on award presented to Jamison by the Harvard Foundation. Interview with Dr. Allen Counter of Harvard Foundation on the founding of the Harvard Foundation, which tries to improve on problems of racial discord. He also explains why Jamison was chosen for its first cultural award. They shoot cutaways.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/26/1982
Description: Marcus Jones profiles Julian Bond. Jones notes that Bond was a lecturer at Harvard University last fall. Jones interviews Bond about his role in the Eyes on the Prize series and his involvement in the civil rights movement. Bond talks about his beginnings in the civil rights movement and about the 1968 Democratic Convention. Jones notes that Bond was nominated for vice president during that convention. Jones' report includes footage from the 1968 Democratic Convention and footage from Eyes on the Prize. Jones interviews Harvard students Carlos Watson and Natosha Reid about the class they took with Bond at Harvard. Jones' report also features footage of Bond in class with his students. This tape includes additional b-roll footage of Bond in class with his students. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following items: Banks agree to improve access to banking services in low-income neighborhoods Banks improve services to low-income neighborhoods Christopher Lydon interviews Sarah Small Sarah Small
1:00:06: Visual: Footage from the opening credits of Eyes on the Prize II. Footage of Julian Bond (narrator, Eyes on the Prize) talking about the success of the Eyes on the Prize series. Bond says that the first series had a tremendous impact on the viewing public. Bond says that the second series will also have an impact; that he is proud to be associated with the series. Black and white footage from Eyes on the Prize, with narration by Bond. Marcus Jones reports that Bond is the narrator for the six episodes in the first series; that Bond will be the narrator for the eight episodes in the second series. Jones notes that Bond is proud of his social activism. V: Footage of Bond being interviewed by Jones. Bond talks about the accomplishments of the civil rights movement. Footage from Eyes on the Prize with narration by Bond. Jones reports that Bond was a senior at Morehouse College in Atlanta in 1959; that Bond joined the student sit-in movement. V: Footage of Bond being interviewed by Jones. Bond talks about how he became involved in the sit-in movement. Bond says that he has been involved in the civil rights struggle ever since. Black and white footage from Eyes on the Prize of the 1964 Democratic Convention. Jones reports that an African American delegation from Mississippi demanded to be seated in the place of an all-white delegation at the 1964 Democratic Convention. Jones notes that the effort failed; that Bond and other activists challenged the rules of representation at the 1968 Democratic Convention; that Bond was named as a nominee for vice president. V: Color footage from the 1968 Democratic Convention. Footage of Bond being interviewed by Jones. Bond talks about being nominated for vice president at the 1968 Democratic Convention. Bond says that he was nominated in an attempt to seize control of the microphones; that he was only twenty-eight years old. Bond says that the attempt failed; that the reformers were not allowed enough input on the convention floor. Jones reports that Bond lectured on southern politics at Harvard University last fall. V: Shots of Bond with his students at Harvard. Footage of Natosha Reid (freshman, Harvard University) saying that Bond's class has given her perspective on African Americans in politics. Footage of Carlos Watson (junior, Harvard University) saying that Bond's class was one of the best classes of the semester. Shot of Bond in class with his students. Jones reports that Bond intends to do more teaching and television work in the future. V: Footage of Bond being interviewed by Jones. Bond says that great leaders and fiery orators are important. Bond says that ordinary people need to be the leaders of the civil rights movement; that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things without depending on a leader.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/15/1990
Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that Jesse Jackson gave a speech at Sanders Theatre at Harvard University as part of his effort to support the presidential campaign of Michael Dukakis. Jackson attacked George Bush and the Republican Party on issues of race, and defended the term "liberal" from Republican attacks. Additional footage of Jackson and Dukakis at the 1988 Democratic Convention. Independent presidential candidate Lenora Fulani also visited Boston today. Fulani is the African American progressive candidate of the New Alliance Party. Interview with Fulani, who says that progressive voters need to vote against Dukakis. She adds that the Democratic Party needs to differentiate itself from the Republican Party in order to win the votes of progressives. Vaillancourt notes that Fulani is a Jackson supporter. Vaillancourt reports that Fulani will probably not be a threat to Dukakis in the 1988 election. She adds that a future Jackson candidacy could threaten the Democratic Party by attracting disenchanted progressive voters from the Democratic Party.
1:00:14: Visual: Footage of Jesse Jackson (African American political leader) addressing an audience at Sanders Theatre at Harvard University. Jackson talks about the civil rights movement. Shots of the audience. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Jackson attacked the Republican Party in his speech at Saunder Theatre today; that Jackson accused the Republicans of misusing the term "liberal" in the presidential campaign. V: Footage of Jackson at Sanders Theatre. Jackson accuses George Bush (Republican US presidential nominee) of attacking civil liberties as "subversive." Jackson riffs on the term "liberal." Shots of the audience applauding for Jackson. Vaillancourt notes that Jackson was campaigning for Michael Dukakis (Democratic US presidential nominee); that Jackson attacked Bush on issues of race. V: Footage of Jackson accusing Bush of buying a property labeled "caucasians only" in Houston. Footage from CNN of Dukakis, Kitty Dukakis (wife of Dukakis), Jackson, Jaqueline Jackson (wife of Jackson), and other Democratic Party leaders on stage at the 1988 Democratic Convention. Vaillancourt notes that Jackson appears frequently with Dukakis; that Jackson defended Dukakis's campaign style in his speech today. V: Footage of Jackson saying that "passion is a new extra-constitutional requirement" for the presidency. Vaillancourt stands outside of Memorial Hall at Harvard University. Vaillancourt reports that Lenora Fulani (Independent candidate for US President) was in Boston today; that Fulani is an African American progressive candidate for the presidency. V: Footage of Fulani being interviewed by Vaillancourt. Fulani says that voters should not vote for Dukakis; that the Democratic Party needs to learn not to take African American and white progressive voters for granted. Vaillancourt reports that Fulani is the candidate of the New Alliance Party. Vaillancourt adds that Fulani describes the New Alliance Party as a progressive party which is mindful of gay and minority voters. V: Footage of Jackson shaking hands with supporters after his speech. Jackson holds up a young white girl. He gives the thumbs-up sign to the crowd. Vaillancourt reports that Fulani is a Jackson supporter; that Fulani is running against Dukakis. V: Footage of Fulani being interviewed by Vaillancourt. Fulani says that progressive voters need to vote according to their own self-interests; she urges progressive voters to vote against Dukakis. Vaillancourt asks if progressive voters should vote for Fulani and risk having a Republican president. Fulani says that the Democratic Party is responsible for the Republican victories of Ronald Reagan (US President) and Richard Nixon (former US President). Fulani says that the Democratic Party needs to differentiate itself from the Republican Party. Fulani says that Dukakis is now paying attention to progressive voters because he is down in the polls. Vaillancourt reports that Fulani will probably not be a threat to Dukakis; that her criticism may signal a future problem for the party. V: Shot of Jackson on stage at the end of his speech. Vaillancourt reports that the Democratic Party would be threatened if a candidate like Jackson decided to run as an independent candidate; that his candidacy would attract disenchanted Democratic voters. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson is still campaigning strongly for Dukakis; that Jackson's campaign efforts make him a force within the Democratic Party.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/24/1988
Description: Carmen Fields reports that Dr. James Williams, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will fast each Wednesday in April outside of the office of the president of MIT. Williams is protesting the lack of diversity among the faculty at MIT. There are fourteen African Americans in a faculty of 900 professors. Interview with Williams, who talks about the role of professors as role models and the need for a diverse faculty. He says that he is trying to encourage minority students to fight for change. Interview with MIT spokesperson Ken Campbell, who talks about the university administration's efforts to hire more minority faculty. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Meg Vaillancourt reports on the annual Black/Jewish Seder supper
0:59:01: Visual: Footage of Dr. James Williams (professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) being interviewed. Williams says that his mother inspired his current protest actions. Williams talks about his mother as a sensitive and caring person. Carmen Fields reports that Williams will fast and work outside of the office of the president of MIT. V: Shots of the door of the president's office; of Williams working at a table near the door. Footage of Williams being interviewed. Williams says that minority students must act; that minority students must not be discouraged by institutional intransigence. Williams says that minority students must act decisively to effect change. Shot of Williams working at the table outside of the president's office. Fields reports that Williams is an MIT graduate; that Williams is dissatisfied with the lack of African American faculty at the school. Fields notes that there are fourteen African American faculty members in a faculty of 900 professors. V: Shot of a building on the MIT campus. Shot of Williams speaking to a group of students of color. Fields reports that Williams believes that African American students and all students need African American role models. V: Footage of Williams being interviewed. Williams says that he is trying to be a role model for minority students through his protest. Williams says that professors are role models even if they do not want to be. Williams says that professor can choose what kinds of role models to be. Fields reports that MIT believes that Williams has reason to protest. V: Footage of Ken Campbell (MIT spokesperson) being interviewed. Campbell says that the university agrees with Williams; that there are too few minority faculty members. Campbell says that two more African American faculty members have been hired since Dr. Charles Vest (president, MIT) became president of the university. Campbell says that the school needs to make more progress. Fields reports that Williams believes that protest is still necessary. V: Footage of Williams being interviewed. Williams says that people must still act in the face of slow-moving institutions. Williams says that people must not give up in defeat.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/03/1991
Description: Meg Vaillancourt interviews Nthabiseng Mabuza about the release of Nelson Mandela. Vaillancourt notes that Mabuza was only twelve years old when she was paralyzed from injuries sustained during an attack on her home by South African security forces. The Fund for a Free South Africa has helped Mabuza and her family settle in Boston. Vaillancourt's report includes footage recorded in January, 1990 of Mabuza talking about the raid on her home by security forces. Mabuza talks about the importance of Mandela's struggle; she adds that she is happy about his release. She had first heard about Mandela when she was a child. Mabuza says that she hopes to return to South Africa one day. Interview with Nthabiseng's mother, Anna Mabuza, about Mandela's release. Anna Mabuza says that she is afraid to return to South Africa because she fears reprisals from the government. Following the edited story is additional silent b-roll footage of Nthabiseng Mabuza and Anna Mabuza in their home. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following items: Hope Kelly reviews the major events and key issues during the tenure of Laval Wilson
1:00:04: Visual: Shot of a color photo of Nthabiseng Mabuza (Cambridge resident) as a young girl in Africa. Audio of shots being fired. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Mabuza was only twelve years old when South African Security Forces raided her home; that the Security Forces wounded her uncle and killed her aunt. Vaillancourt notes that Mabuza was paralyzed from shots fired during the raid. V: Footage from January 18, 1990 of Mabuza talking about the raid. Vaillancourt reports that the Mabuza family was targeted because of their connection to the African National Congress (ANC); that Mabuza's father was a member of the ANC; that the ANC was banned in South African until last month. V: Shot of Mabuza getting into her wheelchair and wheeling herself through her house. Shot of a black and white photo of Mabuza's father. Vaillancourt notes that Mabuza's father had already died before the raid took place. V: Footage of Mabuza being interviewed by Vaillancourt. Mabuza says that she had heard of Nelson Mandela (ANC leader) and the other leaders jailed in Robbin Island when she was a young child. Mabuza says that she now understands the importance of Mandela and his struggle. Shot of a poster reading "Free Nelson Mandela." Vaillancourt reports that Mabuza's father had worked with Mandela; that the Mabuza family is watching the changes in South Africa with interest. V: Shot of Mandela in South Africa. Mandela walks with a raised fist. Shots of black South Africans cheering for Mandela; of a young child at a rally for Mandela; of Mandela speaking to supporters. Shots of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela (wife of Nelson Mandela) waving to supporters. Audio of Mabuza saying that she watched Mandela's release on television; that she is happy about his release from prison. Vaillancourt asks if she misses South Africa. Mabuza says that she does miss South Africa. Mabuza talks about Mandela's commitment to his struggle. Footage of Mabuza saying that she was shot because of that same struggle. Footage of Anna Mabuza (mother of Nthabiseng Mabuza) saying that she is happy about Mandela's release from prison. Vaillancourt reports that the Mabuza family has moved to Cambridge; that the Fund for a Free South Africa (charity organization) helped to find housing and medical assistance for Nthabiseng Mabuza. Vaillancourt notes that Nthabiseng Mabuza will start high school next month. V: Shots of Nthabiseng Mabuza in her bedroom. She maneuvers herself from her wheelchair to the floor. Nthabiseng Mabuza turns on the television. Anna Mabuza joins Nthabiseng Mabuza in front of the television. Shot of the younger sister of Nthabiseng Mabuza playing with a doll. Footage of Nthabiseng Mabuza saying that she will talk to other students about the situation in South Africa; that she will continue to support the struggle. Audio of Vaillancourt asking Anna Mabuza if the family will ever return to South Africa. Anna Mabuza says that she is still afraid of reprisals from the South African government. Footage of Nthabiseng Mabuza saying that it might be a long time before exiles are allowed to return to South Africa. Nthabiseng Mabuza says that she hopes to return home one day.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/14/1990
Description: Christy George reports on efforts by the National Conference of Black Lawyers and women's groups to fight the nomination of Judge Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. Bork believes in a strict interpretation of the Constitution, while African American and women's groups believe that the Constitution needs to be interpreted according to the changes in society since the 18th century. Julie Walker (professor, University of Illinois at Urbana) and Adjoa Aiyetoro (Co-chair, National Conference of Black Lawyers) address a meeting of the National Conference of Black Lawyers in Cambridge. Women's groups held an anti-Bork demonstration on City Hall Plaza. Interviews with Gerald Horne (attorney and professor at Sarah Lawrence College), Margaret Burnham (attorney and retired judge) and Barbara Arnwine (Director, Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights) about their opposition to Bork. George's report uses supporting shots of racist literature from the 19th and 20th centuries.
1:00:15: Visual: Footage of Julie Walker (professor, University of Illinois at Urbana) saying that the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution is not strong enough to secure the protection of women and African Americans. Shots of a historical advertisement for a slave auction; of a historical pamphlet titled, "Why I am a clansman"; of a racist photo of an African American girl on the cover of the Pictorial Review; of a sign reading, "No dogs, negroes, Mexicans; of a signs for separate white and "colored" facilities. Christy George notes that the civil rights movement has struggled for equal rights ever since the abolition of slavery; that the Supreme Court has played a crucial role in some of their victories. George reports that the National Conference of Black Lawyers met in Cambridge today; that the Conference opposes the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. V: Shots of the meeting of the National Conference of Black Lawyers in Cambridge; of Bork standing beside Ronald Reagan (US President). Footage of Adjoa Aiyetoro (Co-chair, National Coference of Black Lawyers) at the conference, talking about a recent Supreme Court decision. Aiyetoro says that the recent decision allows African Americans to be put to death at higher rates than whites. Aiyetoro says that Bork's appointment to the Supreme Court would strengthen the conservative bent of the Court. Footage of woman at a table set up in City Hall Plaza. A sign on the table indicates that the campaigners are against Bork's nomination. The woman at the table talks to passersby. George reports that women are against Bork's nomination; that Bork has said that women have no Constitutional protection against discrimination. George notes that women campaigned againse Bork on City Hall Plaza yesterday. V: Shots of a woman handing out anti-Bork flyers. Footage of a woman addressing a crowd at City Hall Plaza. She stands in front of a group of women holding anti-Bork signs. She speaks from a podium. A sign hanging on the podium reads, "Reject Bork." The woman says that Bork is a "right-wing ideologue"; that Bork will not support the struggle for equal rights for women. Shots of women at the rally at City Hall Plaza. George reports that Bork believes that the Supreme Court should not overturn legislation unless it is clearly contradict the Constitution. George notes that African Americans and women believe that the Constitution needs to be interpreted according to the changes in society. V: Shot of a young infant wearing an anti-Bork pin. Footage of a woman addressing the crowd on City Hall Plaza. The woman says that the Supreme Court has validated social changes over the past thirty years. George reports that Bork believes in a strict interpretation of the Constitution; that Bork points out that the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law. V: Footage of Gerald Horne (attorney and professor at Sarah Lawrence College) saying that the Constitution should not be interpreted by 18th century standards. Footage of Margaret Burnham (attorney and retired judge) saying that Bork's interpretation of the Constitution will not protect women and minorities from many acts of discrimination. Footage of Barbara Arnwine (Director, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights) saying that Bork opposed the public accomodations provisions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act; that those provisions allowed the desegregation of public transportation. V: Shots of women at the rally at City Hall Plaza. George notes that Bork's critics do not dispute his legal skills. V: Footage of a woman at the rally talking about Bork firing Archibald Cox (Special Prosecutor). She admits that Bork has a good legal record. Shots of women at the rally holding anti-Bork signs.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/11/1987
Description: Jan von Mehren reports that Ralph Abernathy (author and civil rights activist) has written a book about his experiences in the civil rights movement with Martin Luther King, Jr. Von Mehren notes that Abernathy signed copies of the book in Cambridge; she adds that the book is called, And The Walls Came Tumbling Down. Von Mehren reports that the book is controversial because Abernathy has revealed King's human side and his faults. Von Mehren's reports includes footage of the book signing in Cambridge. Michael Dorn (Cambridge resident) says that he would rather not know compromising information about his heroes. Von Mehren interviews Abernathy. Abernathy says that King would have wanted him to write this book. Von Mehren notes that Morris Dees (Southern Poverty Law Center) is one of the leading critics of the book. Von Mehren reviews Abernathy's career in the civil rights movement. Von Mehren's reports includes footage of Abernathy speaking at the Cambridge Baptist Church, and later gathered in the church with Mel King and others. Von Mehren's report also includes clips of Abernathy and King from the film, From Montgomery to Memphis. After the edited story, there is additional black and white footage from From Montgomery to Memphis.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/08/1989