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Alex Haley

Description: Marcus Jones reports that Alex Haley discussed African American history and his work at a Black History Month event at Harvard University. Haley is in great demand as a speaker during Black History Month. Haley speaks to students and faculty. Interview with Haley, who talks about how he came to write the novel Roots. Haley also discusses the importance of African American history and the importance of Black History Month. Haley believes that Black History Month is important because it draws attention to African American history; he is concerned about a lack of historical awareness among African Americans. Jones's report is accompanied by footage from the television series based on Roots.
1:00:10: Visual: Footage of Alex Haley (author) walking into a building with two other men. Marcus Jones reports that February is the busiest month of the year for Haley; that February is known as Black History Month. V: Shot of Haley standing up as an a small audience applauds for him. Footage of Haley being interviewed by Jones. Haley says that he will speak at thirty-two different venues during the month of February, 1991. Jones reports that Haley discussed history and his work with students and faculty at Harvard University today; that Haley will speak at Salem State College this evening. V: Shots of Haley speaking to students in a room at Harvard University. Shots of the students. Shot of the cover of Haley's novel, Roots. Jones reports that Haley told the story of his own family in Roots; that Haley is in great demand as a speaker during Black History Month. V: Footage Haley being interviewed by Jones. Haley says that people tend to talk about black history as if it is separate from American history. Haley says that black history is a part of American history; that people who claim to know American history must be familiar with black history. Haley says that American history has many components; that historians of American history must also know Native American history. Jones reports that Haley says that he does not court controversy. Jones reports that Haley is known for documenting the life of Malcolm X (African-American leader); that Malcolm X is a controversial figure. V: Shot of the cover of The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Footage from the TV series, Roots. Jones reports that history is always controversial; that Haley learned the power of history when he traced his family tree back to Africa. Footage of Haley being interviewed by Jones. Jones asks Haley about his motivation for writing Roots. Haley says that he had heard family stories from his grandmother and her sisters; that his initial motivation was curiousity. Haley says that the civil rights movement made him begin to think about Africa and his roots there; that his grandmother had told him stories handed down about Africa. Footage from Roots. Jones reports that all newcomers to the US are aware of their roots; that Haley is concerned about the lack of historical awareness among African Americans. V: Footage of Haley being interviewed by Jones. Haley says that most images of cowboys in the old west are of white cowboys; that more than half of the cowboys in the old west were African American. Haley says that it is important for young African Americans to know that African Americans were also cowboys. Haley says that young African Americans need to know the part played by their people in American history. Haley says that young African Americans cannot grow up thinking that they are the same as white people. Haley says that young African Americans need to be able to identify with other African Americans. Shots of Haley speaking to students at Harvard; of the students. Jones reports that Haley is not a critic of the limited attention given to black history during one month per year. Jones reports that Haley does not see Black History Month as "tokenism." Jones says that Haley sees Black History Month as an opportunity to encourage people to explore their roots. V: Footage of Haley being interviewed by Jones. Haley says that Black History Month is necessary because it sets aside a block of time to concentrate of black history. Haley says that he hopes that successive Black History Months in the coming years will leave a strong imprint on the popular perception of black history. Footage from Roots.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/25/1991

Ku Klux Klan

Description: Carmen Fields reports on the history and present activities of the Ku Klux Klan. Fields notes that recent statistics show an increase in hate crimes. She adds that membership in the Ku Klux Klan has increased. Fields' report includes footage from Eyes on the Prize of an interview with Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, footage of Ku Klux Klan ceremonies and graphic shots of lynching victims. Fields talks about murders and lynchings by the Klan. She reports that the Ku Klux Klan turned out in large numbers to stop a march honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. in Forsythe County, Georgia. Fields notes that Louisiana State Rep. David Duke is a former Ku Klux Klan member, who has founded a new white advocacy group. Fields' report is accompanied by footage of Duke in the studios of WHDH radio and by footage from A Walk Through the Twentieth Century with Bill Moyers. Fields' report includes footage of Sterling Brown reading a poem about a lynching. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following items: Controversy surrounds David Duke's visit to Boston and Avi Nelson and Dianne Wilkerson talk about quotas and civil rights
1:00:07: Visual: Footage of Ku Klux Klan members at a ceremony. The members wear white robes and hoods. The members walk in a circle and carry torches. The members light a cross on fire and begin to cheer. Carmen Fields reports that the Ku Klux Klan brought David Duke (Louisiana State Representative) into prominence. Fields reports that the Ku Klux Klan began in the 1860s after Abraham Lincoln (former US president) freed the slaves. Fields notes that Klan members hated Jews, Catholics, and especially African Americans. V: Footage from Eyes on the Prize of the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth being interviewed. Shuttlesworth says that no one knows how many African Americans have been killed because of their race in our society. Footage of Klan members standing in a circle around a burning cross. Fields reports that the Klan murdered African Americans; that the Klan has distorted the symbol of the Christian cross by associating it with violence and terror. V: Shot of a burning cross toppling over. Audio of Klan members cheering. Footage from A Walk Through the Twentieth Century with Bill Moyers. A woman is interviewed. The woman says that she would watch the newspaper to find out who had been lynched the night before and where the lynching took place. Fields reports that nearly 300 people were murdered by the Klan in the 1920s; that the murders continued through the 1960s. Fields reports that the NAACP began calling for anti-lynching legislation in the 1940s; that no congress ever passed a law. V: Shots of a black and white photograph of a group of men watching a body burn; of a charred body hanging from a tree; of white men surrounding the body of an African American man hanging from a tree. Shots of a black and white photograph of the bodies of two African American men hanging from trees; of a the body of a handcuffed African American man hanging from a tree. Fields reports that the Ku Klux Klan seemed to die out in the 1960s and 1970s; that the Ku Klux Klan turned out in large numbers to stop a march honoring Martin Luther King Jr. (civil rights leader) in Forsythe County, Georgia. Fields reports that statistics show an increase in hate crimes; that membership in the Ku Klux Klan has increased. V: Shot of hooded and robed Klan members at a cross-burning ceremony. White people in civilian clothes stand behind them. Shots of cars parked on a street in a rural area. Shot of two African American protesters in front of a group of protesters in Forsythe County, Georgia. Shots of Klan members at a cross-burning ceremony; of a wizard of the Klan at a cross-burning ceremony. Footage of David Duke speaking into a broadcaster's microphone in the studios of WHDH radio. Duke says that Americans are not shallow; that they are wise. Fields reports that Duke is a former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan; that Duke has founded a new white advocacy group. Fields reports that Duke has not been able to explain away his connection to the Ku Klux Klan. V: Shot of Duke at WHDH. Shot of Sterling Brown (poet). Shots of Klan members at a cross-burning ceremony. Fields notes that Brown's best friend was lynched by the Klan. V: Footage from A Walk Through the Twentieth Century with Bill Moyers. Brown reads a poem about the lynching of his friend.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/28/1991

Patriots Day reenactment

Description: Hope Kelly reports on the annual reenactment on Patriot's Day of the ride of American Revolutionary leader William Dawes. Kelly notes that Dawes's ride is overshadowed by that of Paul Revere (American revolutionary leader). Dawes began his ride to Lexington in 1775 from the site of the First Church of Roxbury. Tom Plant (Roxbury historian) organizes the annual reenactment at the First Church of Roxbury. Plant and others in colonial costume participate in the reenactment. Interview iwth Plant and Butch Redding (Roxbury resident) about the reenactment and the rich history of the Roxbury neighborhood. Kelly reports that many historians overlook the sacrifices made by black soldiers during the American Revolution.
0:59:28: Visual: Shot of a man in colonial costume leading a horse to the front steps of the First Church of Roxbury. Shots of the weathervane and steeple of the church; of the steeple of the church. Hope Kelly reports that there has been a church located on the site of the First Church of Roxbury for 350 years; that William Dawes (American revolutionary leader) began his ride to Lexington in 1775 from the site of the First Church of Roxbury. Kelly notes that Paul Revere (American revolutionary leader) did not make his ride alone. V: Footage of Tom Plant (Roxbury historian) dressed in colonial costume. He speaks to a small crowd in front of the First Church of Roxbury. Plant says that many people forget that Dawes rode one of the most historic rides in American history. Plant says that Roxbury residents are thankful that Roxbury is a part of that history. Shots of a small crowd listening to Plant. Kelly reports that Plant is the president of the congregation of the First Church of Roxbury; that he is president of the Historical Society of Roxbury Highlands. Kelly says that Plant is the organizing force behind the annual re-enactment in Roxbury. V: Shots of Plant speaking; of men on horseback in colonial costume. Kelly reports that Plant sent William Dawes off on his ride with a blessing at the re-enactment. V: Footage of Plant giving a blessing. Shots of the man playing Dawes in the re-enactment; of the audience applauding. Footage of Plant being interviewed by Kelly. Kelly asks Plant what he was thinking about during the re-enactment. Plant says that he is often transported back to colonial times when he walks the streets of Roxbury. Plant says that he felt like he was transported back during the re-enactment. Shots of "Dawes" and another man on horseback riding away from the church on horseback. Footage of the audience singing as the men ride away. The audience includes Byron Rushing (state representative) and Butch Redding (Roxbury resident). Redding is dressed in colonial dress. Kelly reports that a small crowd was present to celebrate a neglected part of history. V: Footage of Butch Redding (Roxbury resident) being interviewed. Redding says that Roxbury is rich in both white American history and African American history. Shot of the crowd outside of the church. Kelly reports that many African American soldiers fought in the American Revolution; that they were treated with ambivalence by the American army. Kelly notes that the exclusion of people of color was the norm in the eighteenth century; that many forget the sacrifices made by soldiers of color in the American Revolution. V: Shots of Plant addressing a small audience from the pulpit of the First Church of Roxbury; of audience members. Footage of Plant addressing the audience about the role of African Americans in history.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/15/1991