Description: One-liners and rebuttals are suggested for the presidential candidates in second debate and remainder of campaign. Dukakis power walking, riding in tank, standing in front of flags.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/10/1988
Description: Christy George reports that critics have charged George Bush's presidential campaign with exploiting racial fears among white voters. George notes that there is controversy over the Bush campaign's Willie Horton advertisement, which criticizes Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis's furlough program in Massachusetts. George's report includes footage of the Horton advertisement and footage of Jesse Jackson criticizing the advertisement. George interviews Dr. Alvin Poussaint (psychiatrist) about racism in the campaign and in Bush's political advertisements. Poussaint says that white voters see Horton as the "universal" African American criminal and that African Americans are associated with crime in the minds of whites. George reports that the Bush campaign advertisement does not use the face of William Horton (furloughed prisioner), but that campaign advertising by Bush supporters has used Horton's face. George notes that Bush has disassociated himself from the groups producing these ads. George's report includes footage from a political advertisement produced by "Americans for Bush." Poussaint says that the "Americans for Bush" advertisement is racist. He adds that Dukakis may lose white votes if he complains too much about racism because Americans do not like to be called racist. George notes that Poussaint believes that Horton's face triggers associations with other negative images of African Americans. Poussaint goes on to analyze race in US pop culture and in US politics. George's report is accompanied by images of African American figures in US politics, sports, and culture and by footage from Saturday Night Live of a satirical campaign advertisement. George's report is also accompanied by footage of Dukakis at a campaign rally.
1:00:12: Visual: Footage from WBZ-TV of Jesse Jackson (African American political leader) speaking from a podium. Jackson says that the Willie Horton advertisement has been used to conjure up "psycho-sexual fears" of African American men among whites voters. Shot of a black and white photo of William Horton (furloughed prisoner). Christy George reports that critics have charged George Bush's presidential campaign with exploiting racial fears among white voters. V: Footage of Dr. Alvin Poussaint (psychiatrist) being interviewed by George. Poussaint says that white voters see Horton as the "universal" African American criminal. George reports that Poussaint had supported Jackson for president; that Poussaint now supports Michael Dukakis (Democratic US presidential nominee). V: Footage of Poussaint saying that African Americans have long been associated with crime in the minds of whites. Poussaint notes that the rape of white women by African American men has always been a sensitive issue. Footage of the Bush campaign's Willie Horton advertisement. George notes that Horton's face is not shown in the Bush campaign advertisement about Dukakis's furlough program in Massachusetts. George notes that many of the prisoners shown in the Bush campaign ad are white. George adds that the Bush campaign is asking a legitimate questions about the Massachusetts' furlough program. V: Footage of Poussaint saying that Bush would have raised the issue of the furlough program even if Horton were white. Shots of George Bush (Republican US presidential nominee) speaking from a podium. George reports that Bush supporters have not been cautious about using Horton's face in their campaign literature. V: Footage of Dukakis addressing a crowd at a campaign rally on October 19, 1988. Dukakis holds up a piece of Bush campaign literature. Dukakis says that the campaign literature is "garbage." The crowd applauds for Dukakis. George reports that Dukakis has attacked the race-baiting campaign literature of a group of Bush supporters from Illinois. George notes that Bush has disassociated himself from the group's literature. V: Footage of Poussaint being interviewed by George. Poussaint says that Dukakis may gain minority votes by complaining about the subliminal racism of the Bush campaign; that Dukakis may lose white votes if he complains. Poussaint says that Americans do not like to be called racist. George talks about a campaign ad paid for by a group called "Americans for Bush." George notes that many have called the advertisement racist; that the advertisement has been running for months in key states. V: Footage of the "Americans for Bush" campaign advertisement. Footage of Poussaint saying that the Horton case can be used to exploit the association of African Americans with crime and drugs. George notes that the campaign's subliminal racial messages have become the subject of satire. V: Footage of a satirical campaign advertisement from Saturday Night Live. George reports that Poussaint believes that Horton's face triggers other negative associations with African Americans. V: Shot of a black and white photo of an African-American man in the custody of white police officers. Shots of the Reverend Louis Farrakhan (leader of the Nation of Islam) and Tawana Brawley (New York State resident); of the Reverend Al Sharpton (African American community figure); of a group of white people moving through a crowd; of Bernard Goetz (New York City resident) walking down a street. George reports that Poussaint is a consultant to the Cosby Show; that Poussaint advocates positive images of African Americans. V: Footage from The Cosby Show. George reports that The Cosby Show is the most popular show among white South Africans. George adds that Poussaint does not believe that an abundance of positive African American role models will change white attitudes. V: Shots of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrating a win; of Stevie Wonder (pop singer); of Colin Powell (National Security Advisor to Ronald Reagan); of Magic Johnson (basketball player); of Bishop Desmond Tutu (Black South African leader) with Dukakis. Shot of the floor of the Republican Political Convention. George reports that Poussaint believes that whites do not find African American heroes and leaders threatening. George adds that Poussaint believes that whites transfer their fears to African Americans in their proximity. V: Footage of Poussaint saying that white women react to the color of his skin when they meet him on the street at night.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/25/1988
Description: Christy George reports on racist remarks made by Jimmy "the Greek" Snyder on national television. George notes that Snyder made offensive remarks about the superiority of African American athletes and their lack of qualifications for management positions. George's report includes footage of Snyder making the remarks on television. George reviews the controversy surrounding the remarks, which led up to Snyder being fired by CBS. George's report includes footage of Jesse Jackson (African American political leader), Al Campanis (General Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers) and Brent Musberger (CBS Sports). Interviews with fans and athletes about Snyders comments and about African American coaches and managers in professional sports. Hank Finkel (radio commentator), Mark Acres (Boston Celtics), Dennis Johnson (Boston Celtics), and K.C. Jones (Boston Celtics) are interviewed. George notes that professional sports leagues need to improve their record of hiring African American managers and coaches. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Henry Hampton calls for more campus activism in an address at Boston University
1:00:22: Visual: Footage of Brent Musberger (CBS Sports) saying that CBS Sports is ending its association with Jimmy "the Greek" Snyder (sports commentator). Christy George notes that CBS Sports fired Snyder for making offensive comments; that Snyder was asked to comment on how far African Americans have come in professional sports. V: Shots of Snyder at reporting at a football game; of Snyder with another commentator on the set of CBS Sports. George reports that Snyder said that African Americans dominate sports because they were bred for strength. V: Footage of Snyder saying that slave owners bred black slaves to be strong; that black athletes have bigger thighs which allow them to run faster and jump higher. Christy George reports from the floor of the Boston Garden. George says that Celtics' fans at the Boston Garden have mixed feelings about Snyders' remarks. V: Footage of a white male basketball fan saying that black slaves were bred for strength "in the old days"; that Snyder did not mean to be racist. Footage of another white male basketball fan saying that Snyder probably did not think he said anything wrong; that Snyder should not be on network television. Footage of a white male basketball fan saying that Snyder was out of line; that athletes should be compared on the basis of skill, not skin color. Footage of an African American male basketball fan saying that he never would have said what Snyder said. George reports that there is a backlash brewing against CBS Sports; that Jesse Jackson (candidate for US President) defended Snyder. George notes that some people are saying that Snyder's remarks were not racist; that Snyder was pointing out a truth about professional sports. V: Shots of Snyder; of Jackson; of Al Campanis (Los Angeles Dodgers) speaking to a reporter. Footage of a Boston Celtics game against the Golden State Warriors. Footage of a white male basketball fan saying that African Americans are better athletes than whites. Footage of a white male basketball fan saying that Snyder's comments about breeding were ridiculous; that African American players are dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Footage of a white male basketball fan saying that qualified African Americans should be hired as coaches. Footage of a Boston Celtics game. Shot of Golden State Warriors players sitting on their bench. George reports that athletes take offense to racial stereotypes. V: Footage of Hank Finkel (radio commentator) saying that Snyder should not have made the remarks. Footage of Dennis Johnson (Boston Celtics) saying that African Americans are striving for equality in all spheres of society. Footage of Mark Acres (Boston Celtics) saying that some people grow up with racist stereotypes. Footage of Snyder saying that there will be no role for whites if African Americans start to coach professional sports. Footage of a Boston Celtics game. George notes that K.C. Jones (Boston Celtics) is the best coach in the N.B.A. V: Footage of Jones saying that there are no African American coaches in basketball or football; that some still believe that African Americans are not qualified to be in positions of authority. Footage of a Boston Celtics game. George reports that Snyder has apologized for his remarks; that professional sports leagues need to make better progress in hiring African American managers and coaches.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/18/1988
Description: Onlookers welcome and protest visit of Ronald Reagan to Springfield, where he addresses World Affairs Council on topics of Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Palestinians and INF treaty.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/21/1988
Description: Christy George reports on the final redistricting plan for legislative districts of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. State Rep. James Brett drew up an original plan that was challenged by the Massachusetts Republican Party and by the Black Political Task Force. Both groups are fighting for more representation in the legislature. Interviews with State Rep. Byron Rushing and Lloyd King of the Black Political Task Force. Rushing claims a victory for the Black Political Task Force. George discusses whether the new redistricting plan will result in a greater number of Republican and African American representatives. George reports that the Republican Party is worried that Republican challengers will not have enough time to plot campaigns in new districts. Interview with State House Minority Leader Stephen Pierce. Interview with Rep. Brett, who talks about the redistricting plan. Footage from House chambers, including Brett explaining the new plan to his colleagues and Speaker of the House George Keverian, who addresses the House and says, "The law is an ass."
1:00:21: Visual: Shots of traffic on a city street; of scuba divers on a beach. Christy George reports that the population of Boston has been shrinking; that the suburbs south of the city have an increasing population. George reports that James Brett (State Representative) was in charge of a redistricting plan for the Massachusetts House of Representatives; that Dorchester lost a representative while Cape Cod gained one. V: Shots of Brett standing in front of a map detailing the new districts; of a street in Dorchester; of Carver Square in Carver, MA; of a ship passing through the Cape Cod Canal. George reports that Brett's redistricting plan won 159 of 160 votes in the House of Representatives; that all of the African American and Republican representatives voted for the plan. V: Shot of a roll call board of the members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Shot of Brett entering the chambers of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. George reports that the Republican State Committee and the Black Political Task Force each wanted more seats for their constituents. George notes that both groups had called Brett's original plan unconstitutional because the districts were of uneven size. George adds that Brett's new plan passed easily. V: Shot of African American teenagers standing at the entrance to a building. Shot of Brett in his office, rolling up a map of the new districts. Footage of Byron Rushing (State Representative) saying that the Black Political Task Force scored a major victory; that race should be factored into redistricting plans. George reports from the Massachusetts State House. George speculates as to whether the redistricting plan will result in a greater number of African American and Republican representatives. V: Footage of George Keverian (Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives) saying that the redistricting process is political. Shot of Brett and another lawmaker examining the maps of the new districts. George reports that the original plan protected incumbents and gave Republicans a good chance at winning two new seats. George reports that the new plan still allows Republicans a good chance in those two districts. George notes that the Republican Party is worried that Republican challengers will not have enough time to plot campaigns in the new districts. V: Shot of representatives at the entrance to the House Chambers. Footage of Steven Pierce (Minority Leader, Massachusetts House of Representatives) saying that the redistricting process is working to the advantage of incumbents; that Republican challengers are at a disadvantage. Footage of Lloyd King (Black Political Task Force) saying that he would have liked to have seen the creation of two additional districts for people of color; that he is happy that the redistricting has created one district for people of color. George reports that the redistricting plan divides some communities. George reports that Brett says that the new plan leaves some communities underrepresented. V: Footage of Brett saying that the court did not take into account the number of communities in the state. Brett says that the court ruled that the districts must be equal, according to the number of inhabitants in the state. Footage of Keverian in the House Chambers. Keverian says that "the law is an ass." George reports that the redistricting plan had been tying up legislation in the House; that the House is likely to vote on the transportation bond issue next.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/31/1988
Description: Dan Payne analyzes campaign tv ads of Republican presidential candidates.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/05/1988
Description: Profile of novelist, satirist, would-be comedy writer, baseball lover and former TOCN commentator Richard Rosen.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/22/1988
Description: Treasurer Robert Crane honored at birthday party, introduced by William Bulger. Politicians speculate and joke about Crane's eventual retirement.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/21/1988
Description: Delegates at Republican convention who supported Pat Robertson's candidacy hope that George Bush will select a pro-life conservative as a vice presidential running mate.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/15/1988
Description: NH Yankee simulates an emergency at Seabrook nuclear plant to test drill procedures. Mock press conference puts out the alert. "Entering Seabrook" sign. People on beach.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/28/1988