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Cry Freedom, Donald Woods, Steve Biko

Description: Christopher Lydon reports on the release of the film Cry Freedom, based on the life of Steve Biko (martyred black South African leader). Lydon notes that the film is told from the perspective of Donald Woods (white newspaper editor). Lydon interviews Woods about apartheid and his relationship with Biko. Woods says that the black opposition in South Africa was forced to become violent in response to the brutal tactics of the white regime. Woods talks about his early opposition to Biko and the black movement; he says that he changed his opinion when he realized that Biko's positive message of black self-reliance was not anti-white. Lydon notes that Biko was killed in prison while Woods was exiled from South Africa. Lydon's report is accompanied by footage from the film and from the trailer of the film Cry Freedom. Editor's note: Additional footage from the film and the trailer of the film Cry Freedom, were edited out of the end of the tape.
1:00:00: Visual: Footage from the trailer for the 1987 film, Cry Freedom starring Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington. Christopher Lydon reports that the film Cry Freedom is a the story of Steve Biko (martyred black South African leader) told through the eyes of a white newspaper editor. V: Footage from the film, Cry Freedom. Lydon notes that the film Cry Freedom takes up where the 1982 film Gandhi left off. Lydon notes that Mahatma Gandhi (Indian leader) was born in South Africa. V: Footage of Donald Woods (South African journalist) being interviewed. Woods says that he has always considered Gandhi more of a South African than an Indian. Woods says that Gandhi was involved in the first attempts at non-violent protest in South Africa. Woods says that non-violent protest does not work very well in South Africa because the government forces are not afraid to use their guns. Woods says that the African National Congress (ANC) was forced to take up arms after fifty years of non-violent struggle. Woods says that the South African government does not respond to non-violent protests; that the South African government has forced the opposition to become violent. Woods says that black South Africans are not allowed to vote; that black South Africans are not allowed to campaign against anything. Woods notes that the South African government refuses to allow free speech or passive protests. Lydon remarks that the irony of the film Cry Freedom is that a white editor tells the story of a black victim. Lydon notes the same irony exists in his interviews with Woods. Lydon reports that Woods never wanted to equate the price he paid with the price paid by Biko. Lydon reports that Woods was exiled and banned from South Africa; that Biko was killed in prison. V: Footage from the film, Cry Freedom. Shot of Woods being interviewed. Footage of Woods being interviewed by Lydon. Lydon asks if Woods was converted by Biko. Woods says that Biko did not set out to convert him; that Biko set out to neutralize the activities and writings of Woods. Woods says that he had been writing editorials condemning black consciousness. Woods says that he mistakenly considered black consciousness to be racism in reverse at the time. Woods says that he began to realize that Biko's message was a positive message of black self-reliance. Woods says that black racism is not and never has been a factor in black politics in South Africa. Woods notes that the ANC was formed in 1912; that no credible black leader or organization in South Africa has ever been anti-white. V: Footage from the film, Cry Freedom.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/06/1987

Violence against Asian immigrants

Description: David Boeri reports on an increase in violence against Asians in Eastern Massachusetts. Boeri notes that refugees from Southeast Asia have become targets of violence in some white neighborhoods. Boeri interviews Elaine Song (Asian American Resource Workshop) about violence against Asians. Boeri quotes statistics from a study by Song on violence against Asians. Boeri reports that Song's research has found that acts of violence have become a part of daily life for Asians in the Boston area. Boeri interviews Sarann Phoung (Cambodian resident) about his experiences in East Boston and Chelsea. Boeri reports that Phuong is concerned about how younger Asians will respond to the violence. Boeri reports that Asian refugees may begin to strike back if the violence continues. Boeri's report is accompanied by photos of Asian crime victims.
1:00:01: Visual: Shot of a school photo of a young Asian boy; of a black and white photo of an Asian man and an Asian woman; of a white man assaulting an Asian man; of the frame of a burnt house. David Boeri reports on violence against Asians in Eastern Massachusetts. Boeri reports that a 13-year old Asian boy was allegedly killed by an 11-year old white boy; that an Asian man was beaten to death by a white man during an argument; that an Asian family was assaulted by whites; that the family's house was burnt down. V: Footage of Elaine Song (Asian American Resource Workshop) recounts incidents of violence and harassment against Asian Americans. Song says that she does not think that the situation can get any worse. Boeri reports that Song is the author of a study, "To Live In Peace...Responding to Anti-Asian Violence in Boston." V: Shot of the cover of Song's study. On-screen text shows quotes from Song's study. Boeri reports that Song's research has found that, "For many Asians, acts of violence...have become a part of daily life." V: Shots of two Asian women and a child walking on a street; of a residential street in Revere, MA. Boeri says that refugees from Southeast Asia have become targets in white neighborhoods in Revere. V: Footage of Song saying that Boston has a history of segregated and "turf-conscious" neighborhoods. Shot of Boeri talking to Sarann Phoung (Cambodian resident) on a street. Boeri and Phuong sit on a bench. Boeri reports that Phuong lived in East Boston until he and three other Cambodians were attacked and beaten by seventy whites. Boeri notes that Phuong moved to Chelsea; that Phuong still experiences hostility from whites. V: Footage of Phuong being interviewed by Boeri. Phuong says that Asians are targets of violence and harassment; that many incidents are not reported to police because many Asians do not like to make trouble. Phuong says that some Asians are afraid to report incidents in case the perpetrators seek revenge on the victims. Boeri reports that Phuong said that Asians are often victims of violence by whites and Latinos; that Phuong is concerned about how younger Asians will react to the continuing violence. V: Shot of two Asian boys walking on a street; of an Asian woman standing on a sidewalk. Boeri stands on a streetcorner in Chelsea. Boeri reports that there is no peace for Asians in neighborhoods in Chelsea, East Boston, Dorchester, Lowell, and other areas. Boeri notes that violence against Asians is a problem; that Asian refugees may begin to strike back if the violence continues.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/19/1987

Annie Johnson

Description: Fritz Wetherbee reports that Annie Johnson, a Boston resident, will receive the Living Legacy Award in Washington DC. Johnson grew up in Boston and organized domestic workers through the Women's Service Clubs of Boston in the 1960s. She led the workers on a campaign for benefits. Interview with Johnson in her home. She talks about the importance of helping others. Johnson discusses her aunt, Eleanor Graves Chandler, who was an early community activist. Johnson preparing chicken in her kitchen and visiting a senior citizen meal program at the Grace Baptist Church.
1:00:12: Visual: Footage of Annie Johnson (Living Legacy Award winner) saying that a person can be poor and "colored" and still help everybody. Fritz Wetherbee reports that Johnson is 83 years old; that Johnson will fly to Washington DC to receive her Living Legacy Award. V: Footage of Johnson preparing chicken in her kitchen at home. Wetherbee reports that Johnson is preparing the food for Project Soup; that Project Soup is a senior citizen meal program at Grace Baptist Church. V: Footage of Johnson saying that people have called her for help when she is sick in bed; that she will get up to try to help them, before going back to bed to lie down. Wetherbee reports that Johnson grew up in Boston; that she has lived in the same house on Elmwood Street for 46 years; that she raised seven children in the house. V: Shots of Elmwood Street in Boston; of the exterior of Johnson's house on Elmwood Street. Footage of Johnson preparing chicken in her kitchen. Wetherbee reports that Johnson organized domestic workers in the 1960s, through the Women's Service Clubs of Boston. Wetherbee notes that Johnson succeeded in winning minimum wage, worker's compensation, social security, and regular days off for the workers. Wetherbee adds that Johnson organized a job training program for the workers. V: Shot of the prepared chicken in a foil dish. Wetherbee reports that Johnson is the niece of Eleanor Graves Chandler. V: Shot of an African American woman serving chicken to elderly women at Project Soup. Footage of Johnson saying that Chandler was a politician; that Chandler believed that African American women should be active in politics and civic life. Johnson says that she can remember taking people to register to vote when she was younger. Johnson talks about another one of her relatives who was "an advocate for her race." Shot of Johnson leaving the Grace Baptist Church, carrying some flowers. Wetherbee reports that Martin Luther King Sr., Jesse Owens, Rosa Parks, A. Philip Randolph, and Roy Wilkins have all been awarded the Living Legacy Award; that Johnson will receive the award this evening. V: Footage of Johnson saying that many other racial groups have followed the lead of African Americans in their struggle for civil rights.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/20/1987

Women, Inc.

Description: Fritz Wetherbee profiles Katie Portis (President of Women, Inc.). Wetherbee reports that Women, Inc. is a service organization in Dorchester that provides housing, treatment, and other services for poor and drug dependent women. Wetherbee notes that one of the goals of Women, Inc. is to provide support for single mothers who want to keep their children. Wetherbee interviews Portis. Portis talks about the organization and her reasons for starting it. Wetherbee profiles Ethel, a resident at the Women's Inc. house. In an interview, Ethel talks about the help she has received from the organization. Wetherbee interviews Diana Christmas (residential counselor) and Linda Galloway (resident at the Women, Inc. house) about the organization. Wetherbee's report is accompanied by footage of the interior and exterior of the Women, Inc. house.
1:00:01: Visual: Footage of Katie Portis (President of Women, Inc.) saying that some people take drugs to help them cope with poverty, despair, and domestic abuse. Fritz Wetherbee reports that Portis had become frustrated with the desperate conditions under which some people are forced to live. Wetherbee notes that Portis started a revolution with one kind act. V: Footage of Portis talking about how she once offered to take care of a woman's baby while the woman went down the street to sign up for a methadone program. Shot of the exterior of the Women Inc. house in Dorchester. Wetherbee reports that Portis started Women's Incorporated in Dorchester; that Women's Inc. has provided support and stability to over 5,000 women; that many of those women have stopped using drugs and are living with their children. V: Shot of an Ethel P. (resident at the Women's Inc. house) with an infant. Ethel P. walks through a hallway and into a bedroom of the Women's Inc. house. Footage of Ethel P. saying that she had no direction when she was living on the street; that she had been to jail three times. Ethel P. says that Women's Inc. has given her a place to focus on herself and to kick her addiction. Shot of Ethel P. rocking her baby. Wetherbee reports that most of the women living at the Women's Inc. house have low self-esteem; that Women's Inc. tries to instill the women with a sense of pride. V: Footage of Diana Christmas (Residential counselor) that the residents have one-to-one and group counseling sessions. Shot of the exterior of the Women's Inc. house. Wetherbee notes that Portis is frustrated that Women's Inc. cannot help every woman who becomes a resident there. V: Footage of Portis saying that the goal of Women's Inc. is to encourage every woman to keep her child; that sometimes a woman is not ready to raise a child. Wetherbee says that Women's Inc. has more success than failure. V: Footage of Linda Galloway (resident at the Women's Inc. house) talking about the help and support she received from Women's Inc.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/24/1987

James Baldwin remembered

Description: Carmen Fields marks the death of author James Baldwin with a retrospective profile. Fields reports on Baldwin's accomplishments as an author and his social criticism. Baldwin challenged American society to deal with racism. Interview with Floyd Barbour (Professor, Simmons College) about Baldwin. Barbour says that Baldwin's voice was truthful and angry. He adds that Baldwin's work bears witness to the African American experience in the twentieth century. Fields's report includes footage of Baldwin talking about race in the United States. Fields reports that Baldwin dealt with religious themes in his later work. Fields's report is accompanied by shots of Baldwin's books and by footage from the American Playhouse production of Go Tell it on the Mountain. Fields reports that Baldwin lived in France for forty years. She notes that he returned to the US three years ago to serve as a professor at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
0:59:07: Callie Crossley reports that James Baldwin (author) was able to capture the African American experience honestly in his books. V: Shots of black and white photos of Baldwin; of Baldwin's book, The Evidence of Things Not Seen; of Baldwin's book, The Amen Corner; of a framed print of a program for the Black-Hispanic Convocation at Princeton University in 1954, which was delivered by Baldwin. Shot of a program for a musical production of Amen Corner. Crossley reports that Floyd Barbour (Professor, Simmons College) was inspired by Baldwin as an undergraduate. V: Footage of Barbour being interviewed by Crossley. Barbour says that Baldwin's voice was truthful and full of rage; that Baldwin wrote about his background and about race in society. Crossley notes that Baldwin challenged US society to deal with racism. V: Shot of a cover of Time Magazine, featuring Baldwin. Footage of Baldwin talking about racism at a public forum. Baldwin says that the US needs to face up to its racial problems; that racial violence may erupt if US society does not deal with racism. Baldwin says that African Americans have received no support from the government or most of the citizenry. Shots of Baldwin's photo and biography from the back of a book cover; of Baldwin's books, Go Tell It on the Mountain and The Fire Next Time. Crossley talks about Baldwin's first book, Go Tell It on the Mountain. Crossley notes that it was later televised on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). V: Footage from the American Playhouse televised production of Go Tell It on the Mountain. Crossley notes that Baldwin deals with religious themes in Go Tell It on the Mountain and in his later work. V: Footage of Barbour saying that Baldwin wrote about the pain endured by African Americans in the US; that Baldwin's work bears witness to the experience of African Americans in the twentieth century. Crossley reports that Baldwin lived in France for forty years; that he returned to the US occasionally; that Baldwin returned to the US three years ago to serve as a professor at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. V: Shot of Baldwin exiting a car and entering a building in France; of Baldwin typing at a typewriter. Footage of Baldwin saying that there is no "black problem"; that there is a "white problem." Baldwin says that he has no problem living with whites in the white world. Baldwin says that white people cannot see beyond skin color to the person underneath; that whites are threatened by African Americans.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/01/1987

Project Mattapan

Description: David Boeri reports on Project Mattapan, which is a community-based prenatal care program aimed at reducing the infant mortality rate in Boston. Boeri notes that the infant mortality rate is very high in the city of Boston. He adds that the infant mortality rate in the African American community is 2.5 times the rate in the white community. Boeri interviews June Cooper (Community Health Associate) and John Ramsey (Boston Foundation) about the program. Boeri reports that Project Mattapan is a yearlong project funded by the Boston Foundation. Boeri notes that the program will provide outreach to poor and uneducated women in an effort to combat premature births and low-birth weights. Boeri's report is accompanied by footage of women and health care workers at a health care center, by footage of infants at a hospital nursery, and by footage of children at an urban playground.
1:00:03: Visual; Shot of children playing at an urban playground. Shot of a woman standing at the window of an apartment, holding a baby. David Boeri reports that Boston is the medical capital of the world; that the infant mortality rate in some African American neighborhoods is as high as the infant mortality rate in third-world nations. Boeri notes that the infant mortality rate for African Americans is 2.5 times the infant mortality rate for white Americans. V: Shot of an urban landscape from the window of a health care clinic. Shot of an African-American infant hooked up to breathing equipment. Shot of a white health care worker tending to an infant. The infant is hooked up to breathing equipment. Footage of June Cooper (Community Health Associate) being interviewed. Cooper says that people need to know that prenatal care is important. Cooper says that more prenatal care could result in a decrease of the infant mortality rate. Boeri reports that Cooper is one of the founders of Project Mattapan; that Project Mattapan has launched a community-based campaign against low birth weights and premature births. V: Shot of a poster which reads, "Give your baby a healthy start." Shot of a black and white photo of an infant in a medical brochure. Footage of John Ramsey (Boston Foundation) being interviewed. Ramsey says that Project Mattapan has the cooperation of eight agencies; that Project Mattapan deals with housing, mental health, education, and other issues along with health care. Ramsey says that Project Mattapan promotes stable families. Boeri reports that Project Mattapan is a year-long project; that the Boston Foundation has funded the $100,000 project. Boeri reports that Project Mattapan will help local health care centers to reach out to poor and uneducated women. Boeri notes that these women are in need because federal programs have been cut. V: Shots of a pregnant African American woman being examined; of an African American health care worker filling out a medical chart. Shot of a health care worker and a patient in a medical examination room. Footage of Cooper being interviewed. Cooper says that outreach efforts are nonexistent in many agencies. Cooper says that the project will attempt to provide outreach and services to women. Boeri reports that the founders of Project Mattapan believe that infant mortality and low-weight births can be prevented. V: Shot of a health care worker placing a teddy bear on top of an incubator containing an infant. Shot of an African American infant hooked up to breathing equipment. Shot of a health care worker wheeling an incubator through the nursery of a health clinic.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/10/1987

Laval Wilson vs Herald

Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that The Boston Herald newspaper has accused Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) of misusing the credit card of the Boston School Department. Vaillancourt notes that Wilson has denied the charges and has demanded a retraction from The Boston Herald. Vaillancourt's report includes footage of Wilson at a press conference with Philip Crowe (attorney for Wilson). Wilson talks about the accusations and denies any wrongdoing. Crowe adds that Wilson may sue The Boston Herald for libel. Vaillancourt notes that Alan Eisner (Editor, The Boston Herald) has refused to print a retraction. Vaillancourt reports that Wilson may have been dropped from consideration for a position with the New York City Public School System because of the Herald article. Vaillancourt adds that Wilson is an "embattled superintendent."
1:00:04: Visual: Footage of Dr. Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) at a press conference. Wilson sits at a round table with his lawyer at his side. Wilson says, "That's a blatant lie." Meg Vaillancourt reports that Wilson has adamently denied accusations by The Boston Herald that he has misused a credit card belonging to the Boston School Department. V: Footage of Wilson demanding a front-page retraction of the accusations and an editorial retraction. Shot of a newspaper photo of Wilson. On-screen text details the Herald's accusations against Wilson. Vaillancourt reports that The Boston Herald has accused Wilson of double-billing the city for travel expenses; of taking improper cash advances on the School Department's credit card; of being late in filing expense reports. Vaillancourt notes that the Herald says that Wilson's tardiness in filing expense reports has cost the city $589 in interest charges on the credit card. V: Footage of Wilson saying that the Herald reporter is intentionally misrepresenting the facts. Vaillancourt notes that Wilson admitted to the accrual of interest charges on the credit card due to his tardiness in filing expense reports. Vaillancourt adds that Wilson has denied all of the other charges. V: Shots of Wilson at the press conference. Wilson holds up a notebook for the reporters. Vaillancourt reports that Wilson showed reporters credit card receipts; that Wilson said that he gave those receipts to The Boston Herald to review. Vaillancourt reports that Wilson has accused the Herald of sensationalizing the story. V: Footage of Wilson saying that the story and editorial in the Herald were malicious. Vaillancourt reports that the Herald is standing by its story. V: Shot of reporters in a newsroom. A quote by Alan Eisner (Editor, The Boston Herald) appears on screen in text. Vaillancourt quotes Eisner as saying, "We have no intention of giving Wilson a retraction." Vaillancourt also quotes Eisner as saying, "The city documents we examined show a clear pattern of credit card abuse." Vaillancourt reports that Wilson was in the process of applying for a position with the New York City Public School System when the Herald story was published. V: Shot of Wilson at the press conference. Shot of the Herald article with a headline reading, "State pays for Wilson credit 'abuse'." Vaillancourt quotes sources as saying that Wilson is no longer a finalist for the job in New York. V: Footage of Wilson saying that he intends to find out if the Herald story had a negative impact on his candidacy for the job. Footage of Philip Crowe (attorney for Laval Wilson) saying that Wilson may bring a libel suit against the Herald. Shots of Wilson sitting at a meeting with members of the Boston School Committee in May of 1986; of the audience at the School Committee meeting. Vaillancourt says that it is not clear whether Wilson is innocent or guilty; that the story has created problems for Wilson, who is "an embattled superintendent."
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/22/1987