Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports on black South African leader Nelson Mandela's visit to Madison Park High School. Vaillancourt reports that a large crowd waited in the hot gymnasium for Mandela to arrive. She adds that Madison Park High School was one of many stops on Mandela's itinerary during his visit to Boston. Vaillancourt's report includes footage of the crowd in the gymnasium and footage of a musical group performing traditional African music. Vaillancourt reports that the crowd erupted in ecstatic cheers when Mandela arrived. Vaillancourt's report also includes footage of Mandela's arrival at the high school. Members of the crowd are on their feet as they cheer. Mandela talks about the importance of education to today's youth. Vaillancourt reports that Mandela also spoke of the struggle against apartheid and the importance of sanctions. Vaillancourt notes that many people in the crowd consider Mandela to be a hero. Vaillancourt's report includes shots of Mandela with Winnie Mandela (wife of Nelson Mandela) and his entourage on stage at the high school.
1:00:01: Visual: Footage of a crowd filling the bleachers of a gymnasium at Madison Park High School on June 23, 1990. The crowd claps and applauds. Shots of crowd members on the bleachers. Meg Vaillancourt reports that many Roxbury residents waited at Madison Park High School for an opportunity to see Nelson Mandela (black South African leader). Vaillancourt notes that Mandela is a hero to many people of color; that the Roxbury community used the Mandela visit as an opportunity to showcase its strenghts. V: Footage of Roxbury community members performing for the audience. A musical group in African dress plays on African instruments. African-American girls perform a dance in front of the audience. A man plays a rhythm on a drum strung around his neck. Vaillancourt reports that Mandela's plane arrived late at Logan Airport; that a luncheon at the John F. Kennedy Library ran long. Vaillancourt reports that every stop on Mandela's itinerary ran long; that a faithful crowd at Madison Park High School waited while chanting his name. V: Shots of the crowd standing on the bleachers. The crowd sings, claps and chants. Many crowd members hold up signs welcoming Mandela. Vaillancourt reports that the gymnasium was sweltering; that the crowd stayed to wait for Mandela. Vaillancourt notes that the crowd erupted in cheers when Mandela arrived. V: Shots of members of the crowd; of people fanning themselves. Footage of Mandela approaching the stage as the crowd cheers. Mandela and Winnie Mandela (wife of Nelson Mandela) wave at the crowd. Mandela raises his clenched fist. Mandela is accompanied by an entourage including Charles Yancey (Boston City Council). Vaillancourt reports that the crowd's ovation for Mandela lasted five minutes. V: Shots of the crowd on its feet. The crowd cheers for Mandela. Vaillancourt reports that Mandela spoke of the struggle against apartheid and the importance of sanctions. V: Footage of Mandela addressing the crowd. Mandela says that he and others are concerned by the high drop-out rate among schoolchildren in Boston. Mandela says that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Shots of the crowd. Vaillancourt reports that Mandela emphasized education. Vaillancourt notes that the drop-out rate in Boston Public Schools is nearly 40%. V: Footage of Mandela addressing the crowd. Mandela says that many students leave school because of poverty and frustration. Mandela urges students to stay in school. Shots of the crowd. Many members of the crowd fan themselves. Vaillancourt reports that Mandela spoke briefly; that Mandela's visit to Madison Park High School was the high point of Mandela's visit for many Roxbury residents. V: Footage of Mandela addressing the crowd. Mandela tells the crowd that he loves them. The crowd cheers. Mandela greets community leaders who are on stage with him, including Shirley Owens Hicks (State Representative), Bruce Bolling (Boston City Council) and Byron Rushing (State Representative). Themba Vilakazi (South African exile) and Louis Elisa (NAACP) are on stage with Mandela.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/25/1990
Description: Rollins School is example of overburdened educational system in Lawrence. Interview with the principal of the school on all of the repairs that need to be made. The student population has dramatically increased without any changes to the building. Interview with mayor Kevin Sullivan on the dilemma of serving growing population. He talks about local aid provided by the state. Special needs classroom scenes. Following the edited story is b-roll of classrooms and school building, including Mayor Sullivan in front of the class talking to students.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/08/1990
Description: Rebecca Rollins reports that the murder rate in the city is rising. She notes that an overwhelming number of teenagers are involved in these homicides. Rollins interviews teenagers Grantley Payne, Michael Duval, and Pinto Triplett about why teenagers carry guns. Payne says that guns provide protection and grant status to teenagers. Payne and another teenager play basketball on an outdoor court. Rollins interviews Franklin Tucker (counselor) about teenagers and guns. Tucker talks about how teenagers obtain firearms. Tucker talks about the lack of programs aimed at preventing violence. He adds that many teenagers involved in violence come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Rollins' report is accompanied by footage of an African American teenager being treated by paramedics. This tape includes additional footage of Payne and another teenager playing basketball on an outdoor court.
1:00:01: Visual: Footage of a body on a stretcher being wheeled by medics to an ambulance; of an African American police officer speaking to an African American male suspect. Shots of Grantley Payne (age 18) and another teenager playing basketball on an outdoor court. Rebecca Rollins reports that the death toll in the city is rising at record pace; that the number of homicides may total 150 by the end of the year. Rollins notes that an overwhelming number of teenagers are involved in the homicides as victims or suspects. V: Shot of medics lifting the body of an African American teenager onto a stretcher. Shots of guns and weapons laid out on a table. Footage of Payne being interviewed. Payne says that guns provide protection and grant status to teenagers. Footage of Franklin Tucker (Barron) being interviewed by Rollins. Tucker says that teenagers are importing their own guns; that teenagers are ordering them by mail from states with lenient gun laws. Barron says that guns are being brought in by bus and car. Tucker says that teenagers are carrying new guns and serious firearms. Rollins reports that Tucker is an expert on the subject of kids, guns, and schools; that Tucker directs counseling services for kids caught with weapons on or near school property. V: Footage of Tucker being interviewed by Rollins. Tucker says that many teenagers carry guns for protection. Footage of Michael Duval (age 16) being interviewed by Rollins. Duval says that fighting and violence have progressed from hands to knives to guns. Duval says that a lot of movies have violence. Duval mentions the 1988 film Colors. Rollins asks why kids carry guns. Pinto Triplett (age 18) says that it is difficult to be a teenager in the projects; that teenagers who carry guns live in rough neighborhoods. Triplett says that many of these teenagers do not come from good backgrounds; that many teenagers cannot get jobs. Triplett says that some of these teenagers are the victims of racial discrimination. Footage of Tucker being interviewed by Rollins. Tucker says that there are no programs focusing on prevention; that society is trying to put these kids in jail. Tucker says that prisons are already overcrowded. Rollins stands in front of a basketball court. A group of teenagers play basketball on the court. Rollins says that the Boston Police Department and City Hall will officials will meet to discuss the problem of guns and violence.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/19/1990