Description: Marcus Jones reports on the ordination of Reverend Barbara Harris as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, which has been the focus of international attention and controversy. Press conference held by Harris and David Johnson. Harris says that she will seek understanding with opponents of her ordination. Interviews with James Solheim of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and Greer Gordon of the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. Solheim talks about about opposition to Harris's nomination and his support of her nomination. Gordon talks about the reasons for the Roman Catholic Church's opposition to the ordination of women.
1:00:01: Visual: Footage of Reverend Barbara Harris (Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts) at a press conference. Bishop David Johnson (Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts) sits next to her. Harris says that she is pleased that the consent process is nearing completion. Shots of the media at the press conference. Marcus Jones reports that it has taken four months for Harris to convince Episcopal Church leaders of her qualifications to be Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. V: Footage of Johnson saying that some Episcopal leaders are afraid of women taking over the Episcopal Church. Johnson says that he disagrees with those leaders; that it is important to share the ministry. Footage of Harris saying that her ordination as bishop presents theological and emotional problems for some. Harris talks about the need to seek understanding and reconciliation with opponents of her ordination. Jones reports that the ordination of women into the priesthood has long been controversial among Christian religions. Jones reports that Harris's ordination has been the focus of international attention. V: Footage of the Reverend James Solheim (Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts) saying that Harris' election has polarized the Episcopal Church. Solheim says that Harris' election to bishop is a first in the history of the Church. Solheim says that some religions leaders do not believe that a woman should stand in apostolic succession. Footage of Greer Gordon (Catholic Archdiocese of Boston) saying that there is no evidence of women having been admitted into the realm of the apostles. Gordon talks about the principle of apostolic succession. Gordon says that the apostles are seen as a direct line from Jesus. Shot of Pope John Paul II. Jones reports that the Episcopal Church was born out of a separation from Roman Catholicism; that the Roman Catholic Church still bans the ordination of women. V: Footage of Gordon being interviewed by Jones. Gordon talks about and quotes from the Scriptures. Gordon talks about the beginnings of the Roman Catholic Church as represented in the Scriptures. Footage of Solheim saying that the Scriptures should not be read "legalistically." Solheim says that there are many laws in the Scriptures which are not followed today. Jones reports that Harris will be installed as bishop on February 11, 1989. Jones notes that it will be a time of celebration for some; that it will be a time of soul-searching for others.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/25/1989
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
Description: Jan von Mehren reports that Rev. Graylan Hagler of the Church of the United Community has been critical of the Boston Police Department's stop-and-search policy in Roxbury. Hagler has proposed that graduates of the police academy spend 18 months working as coaches and counselors in the community. Interview with Hagler, who says that police officers and the community would benefit from a stronger relationship. He adds that the police must take a more innovative approach to fighting crime in the area. He also says that police officers and young people need to form a partnership. Von Mehren notes that critics do not believe that Hagler's plan is feasible.
1:00:07: Visual: Footage of the Reverend Graylan Ellis-Hagler (Church of the United Community) walking on a street in Roxbury with two African American men. Shots of the exterior of the Church of the United Community; of a sign for the Church of the United Community. Jan von Mehren reports that Ellis-Hagler spends a lot of time on the Roxbury streets. Von Mehren notes that Ellis-Hagler moved his church into a building where drug addicts were regularly shooting up. Von Mehren reports that the church is one of the most active community centers in Roxbury. V: Shots of men standing outside of the church. Two men exchange a hug as a greeting. Shots of a Boston Police Department cruiser on the street outside of the church. Shots of Ellis-Hagler and a group of people entering the church. Von Mehren reports that Hagler has been critical of the Boston Police Department's stop-and-search policy in Roxbury. V: Footage of Ellis-Hagler being interviewed by von Mehren. Ellis-Hagler says that people feel less safe on the street than they did five years ago. Ellis-Hagler says that the police need to try out some new tactics in fighting crime. Ellis-Hagler talks about a proposal he submitted to the Boston Police Department. Hagler says that he has recommended that first-year police officers not be put on the street immediately. Ellis-Hagler says that first-year police officers should have an "intern" relationship with the community. Shots of Boston police officers making drug arrests on the street; of African American kids playing basketball on an outdoor court; of the snowy parking lot of a housing development. Von Mehren reports that Ellis-Hagler wants graduates of the police academy to spend 18 months working as coaches and counselors in the community. V: Footage of Ellis-Hagler saying that most police officers are concerned about the community. Ellis-Hagler says that many police officers realize that an more innovative approach is necessary. Shots of a group of police officers on the street; of a police officer sitting on a motorcycle; of police officers at police headquarters. Von Mehren reports that the police commissioner has not responded to Ellis-Hagler's plan. Von Mehren notes that many citizens are calling for more police protection; that some may not like Ellis-Hagler's idea of employing police officers as coaches and counselors. Von Mehren reports that Ellis-Hagler believes that his plan will result in more effective police officers. V: Shots of Ellis-Hagler talking with a group of African American men at his church. Shots of the individual men in the group. Shot of a group of men standing outside of the church. Ellis-Hagler exits the church and embraces one of the men. Audio of Ellis-Hagler saying that the police depend on cooperation from the community to solve crime. Footage of Ellis-Hagler saying that young people are a good source of information for police officers; that young people know where and when drug activity takes place. Ellis-Hagler says that the police officers should form a partnership with young people; that both sides would benefit from the relationship. Von Mehren stands in the meeting hall of the Church of the United Community. Von Mehren reports that Ellis-Hagler will hold a community summit next Monday; that Ellis-Hagler will discuss his police partnership proposal. Von Mehren says that Ellis-Hagler is pushing the proposal; that some do not believe the plan is feasible.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/15/1989
Description: Marcus Jones reports that Mayor Ray Flynn and a group of community activists have suggested replacing Boston's elected school committee with an appointed school board. Interview with Charles Stith of the Union United Methodist Church at Logan Airport. Stith talks about his upcoming trip to Philadelphia to learn about the appointed school board in that city. Flynn wants to remove politics from the government of the Boston Public School System. Press conference with Flynn and supporters. Flynn urges the citizens of Boston to join the movement to change the School Committee. Elnavia Green (parent), Bill Owens (State Senator), Reverend McCall Thomas (Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church) and Tony Molina (President, Bilingual Master Parents' Advisory Council) voice their support for Flynn's proposal at the press conference. Interview with John Nucci of the Boston School Committee, who says that it is not a good idea to ask voters to give up their right to vote. Jones notes that the controversy is drawing attention away from the immediate needs of the schools. Footage of a Boston School Committee meeting.
1:00:05: Visual: Footage of the members of the Boston School Committee seated at the front of the School Committee chambers during a meeting. Shots of Daniel Burke (Boston School Committee); of School Committee members Abigail Browne and Kitty Bowman. Marcus Jones reports that a group of community activists has suggested replacing Boston's elected school committee with an appointed school board. V: Shot of a video screen at Logan Airport listing departing flights on Delta Airlines. Shots of Charles Stith (President, Organization for a New Equality) and a small group in a waiting area at Logan Airport. Stith and another man walk toward their gate. Jones reports that a small group of community activists traveled to Philadelphia today; that the activists will examine the Philadelphia School System. Jones notes that the Philadelphia School System is led by an appointed school board. Jones adds that the group will report its findings later this week. V: Footage of Stith being interviewed by Jones at Logan Airport. Stith says that he is interested in how the Philadelphia School System works. Stith says that Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) has been talking about implementing a similar kind of system. Jones reports that Flynn has been consulting with advisors about how to remove politics from the government of the Boston Public School System. V: Shot of Flynn at a press conference at School Department headquarters. Flynn stands in front of a group of city officials including Dapper O'Neil (Boston City Council) and David Scondras (Boston City Council). Jones reports that Flynn has proposed a new school board with seven mayoral appointees. V: Shots of the members of the School Committee seated at the front of the School Committee chambers; of Dr. Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools), Peggy Davis-Mullen (Boston School Committee) and Thomas O'Reilly (President, Boston School Committee). Footage of Flynn at the press conference. Flynn urges the citizens of Boston to join the movement to change the School Committee. Flynn says that the present system is not working. Shots of the members of the media at the press conference. Jones reports that Flynn was joined at the press conference by parents and community leaders; that many endorse Flynn's call for a non-binding referendum on an appointed school committee. V: Shots of community leaders and parents at the press conference. Footage of Elnavia Green (parent) speaking at the press conference. Green says that parents have been waiting for better schools; that parents are "getting the runaround." Footage of Bill Owens (State Senator) saying that the present system is not effective. Footage of Reverend McCall Thomas (Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church) at the press conference. Thomas says that the present system is not effective. Footage of Tony Molina (President, Bilingual Master Parents' Advisory Council) at the press conference. Molina says that parents have been "abused" by the School Committee. Molina says that parents want change. The crowd applauds. Jones reports that not everyone is pleased with Flynn's proposal. V: Footage of John Nucci (Boston School Committee) being interviewed by Jones. Nucci says that the referendum will ask the voters to choose between two evils; that the voters will have to choose between the status quo and their right to vote. Jones stands outside of the headquarters of the Boston School Department. Jones reports that the debate has distracted school officials from concentrating their energies on the schools. Jones notes that the debate could continue beyond November.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/08/1989
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