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Hyde Park High teachers

Description: Pam Bullard interviews teachers Hugh Mullen and Terry Gaskill about racial tension and disturbances at Hyde Park High School. The teachers say that incidents occur in the hallways, bathrooms and cafeteria, but not in the classrooms. They discuss requests made by Hyde Park High School faculty to the school administration upon the reopening of the school after a racial disturbance. Mullen says that the school faculty has requested that outside community groups stay out of the schools until the situation is under control. Tape 2 of 2.
0:00:14: Visual: Pam Bullard interviews a white teacher, Hugh Mullen, and an African American teacher, Terry Gaskill, about racial tension at Hyde Park High School. Gaskill says that every student has grown up with racial prejudice; that most students do not want to get into trouble; that emotions run high when trouble begins and students are drawn in to the situation. Mullen says that most of the trouble happens in the hallways and bathrooms; that the atmosphere is calm in the classrooms and the gym. Gaskill adds that two fights have occurred this year in the gym; that neither stemmed from racial tensions. Mullen says that the Hyde Park High School Faculty Senate has asked for a stronger police presence and for more aides in the school building; that the school administration has granted their requests; that he hopes the school can be peaceful without police officers on duty. Pam Bullard talks informally to the teachers while the crew takes cutaway shots. Mullen says that there has been little interference from parents; that African American parents have had meetings since last week's racial disturbance; that he does not know what has come out of the school administration's meetings with parents. Mullen says that the faculty has requested outside community groups to stay out of the school until the situation is under control.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/13/1976

Hyde Park contempt trial

Description: Opening of court proceedings in a criminal contempt case against Michael Gaine (Hyde Park resident). In addition to the defendant, Judge James Lynch, Jr. (Suffolk Superior Court), Richard Driscoll (lawyer for the defendant), Stephen Limon (Assistant Attorney General for the State of Massachusetts), members of the jury, and the Brooks family are present in court. Limon makes opening statement and accuses Gaine of violating a previous consent decree by harassing an African American family in Hyde Park. Debra Stewart testifies about the events of August 22 and identifies Michael Gaine in the courtroom. Tape 1 of 5.
1:00:01: Visual: Shot of Michael Gaine (Hyde Park resident) in courtroom at Suffolk Superior Court. 1:00:31: V: Court proceedings begin in a criminal contempt case against Michael Gaine. Michael Gaine (defendant), Judge James Lynch, Jr. (Suffolk Superior Court), Richard Driscoll (lawyer for the defendant), Stephen Limon (Assistant Attorney General for the State of Massachusetts) and members of the jury are all present in court. Members of the Brooks family are seated in the courtroom. The judge allows a motion to sequester the witnesses for the defense and the prosecution. 1:02:14: V: Limon gives his opening statement. Limon accuses Gaine of violating a consent judgment signed on August 19. Limon says that the consent judgment bars Gaine from harassing African American families in Hyde Park. Limon accuses Gaine of urinating and making obscene gestures in front of an African American family in Hyde Park on August 22. Shots of Limon giving his statement; of the audience; of Gaine. 1:08:24: V: Driscoll reserves his right to make an opening statement. The judge reviews the consent judgment signed by Gaine on August 19. Shot of the audience. The court stenographer records the proceedings. Limon submits a map of the Ross Field area of Hyde Park as an exhibit in the case. 1:13:17: V: Limon calls Debra Stewart (witness) to testify. Stewart is sworn in. Limon questions Stewart about her background and her relations with the Brooks family. Limon questions Stewart about the events at the Brooks's home on the afternoon of August 22. Stewart points out Gaine in the courtroom. She says that she was in the yard of the Brooks's home with Bertha Brooks, Charles Brooks, Chad Brooks, and two other people; that Gaine was walking toward Ross Field in Hyde Park; that he stared at the group gathered outside of the Brooks's home as he passed.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/02/1982

Hyde Park contempt trial, Part 2

Description: Debra Stewart (witness) testifies during court proceedings in the criminal contempt trial of Michael Gaine (Hyde Park resident). Stewart says that Gaine urinated while facing the home of the Brooks family, made obscene gestures at the group outside of the home, and yelled Bertha Brooks's name loudly. Stephen Limon (Assistant Attorney General for the State of Massachusetts) calls Edgar Charles Brooks (witness) to testify. Brooks points out Gaine in the courtroom and says that Gaine slowed down as he walked by the Brooks home on the afternoon of August 22. Tape 2 of 5.
1:00:02: Visual: Court proceedings in the Michael Gaine criminal contempt trial. Debra Stewart (witness) continues to testify. Stewart indicates the location of the Brooks's home on the map of the Ross Field area of Hyde Park. Shot of Gaine. Stewart says that Michael Gaine (defendant) walked from Ross Field toward the Brooks' home; that Gaine unzipped his trousers and urinated while facing the Brooks's home; that Gaine made obscene gestures at the group outside of the Brooks's home. Stewart says that Gaine yelled Bertha Brooks's name loudly. 1:12:14: V: Richard Driscoll (attorney for the defendant) questions Stewart about the events on the afternoon of August 22. Driscoll questions Stewart about her relationship with Bertha and Charles Brooks. Driscoll questions Stewart about her previous statements. Driscoll points to the map while asking Stewart specific questions about her previous statements. Shots of the audience; of reporters in the audience. Stewart indicates the location of the entrance to Ross Field near the Brooks's home. Shots of the audience. 1:17:23: V: Shot of Gaine. Driscoll continues to ask Stewart to indicate locations on the map. Shot of a member of the audience. 1:18:11: V: Stephen Limon (Assistant Attorney General for the State of Massachusetts) calls Edgar Charles Brooks (witness) to testify. Limon asks Brooks questions about his work, education and family background. Limon asks Brooks about the events on the afternoon of August 22. Brooks points out Gaine in the courtroom. Brooks says that Gaine slowed down as he walked by his home on the afternoon of August 22.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/02/1982

Hyde Park contempt trial, Part 3

Description: Edgar Charles Brooks (witness) and Bertha Brooks (witness) testify in the criminal contempt trial of Michael Gaine (Hyde Park resident). Both witnesses say that Gaine urinated while facing the Brooks' home and that Gaine yelled Bertha Brooks's name loudly. Bertha Brooks says that Gaine stared at her and made obscene gestures, and that she called police. Tape 3 of 5.
1:00:05: Visual: Edgar Charles Brooks (witness) continues to testify in the criminal contempt trial of Michael Gaine (Hyde Park resident). Edgar Charles Brooks says that Gaine urinated while facing the Brooks's home; that Gaine yelled Bertha Brooks's name loudly; 1:02:43: V: Richard Driscoll (attorney for the defendant) questions Edgar Charles Brooks about his testimony. Driscoll shows Edgar Charles Brooks photographs of the area near Ross Field. 1:03:54: V: Bertha Brooks (witness) is sworn in. Stephen Limon (Assistant Attorney General for the State of Massachusetts) questions Bertha Brooks about her work and her family. Jump cut in videotape. Bertha Brooks says that Gaine urinated while facing her home; that Gaine continued to stare at the Brooks when he finished urinating. Bertha Brooks says that Gaine made obscene gestures at her and her family and guests. Jump cut in videotape. Bertha Brooks says that Gaine yelled her name loudly. Shots of James Lynch Jr. (Judge, Suffolk Superior Court). Bertha Brooks says that she called the police; that the police arrived 15 minutes after she called them.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/02/1982

Hyde Park contempt trial, Part 4

Description: Footage opens with judge announcing in court proceedings of trial regarding a restraining order violation filed by Bertha Brooks against Michael Gaine and David Gilligan. MacEachern describes actions leading to incident report against Michael Gaine about civil rights contempt of court -- violation of restraining order in Hyde Park. David Gilligan testifies. Defendant Michael Gaine, 18, also testifies, denies harassing residents. Reel 4 of 5.
1:00:02: Visual: Judge James Lynch, Jr. (Suffolk Superior Court) rules on a motion in the criminal contempt case of Michael Gaine. Richard Driscoll (attorney for the defendant) makes his opening statement. Driscoll begins his statement. Jump cut in videotape. Alan MacEachern (Boston Police Department) is sworn in as a witness. Driscoll asks MacEachern about the events on the afternoon of August 22. MacEachern says that Bertha Brooks told him that Michael Gaine (Hyde Park resident) was on Ross Field in violation of a restraining order; that MacEachern told Gaine to leave the field. MacEachern says that Bertha Brooks told him about the urinating incident when he took an incident report; that Bertha Brooks did not mention any obscene gestures made by Gaine. MacEachern says that he arrested Gaine after taking the incident report. Driscoll gives MacEachern a copy of his incident report. Stephen Limon (Assistant Attorney General for the State of Massachusetts) objects to Driscoll giving MacEachern the report. Driscoll questions MacEachern about what he was told by Bertha Brooks when he took the incident report. MacEachern looks at photographs of Ross Field provided by Driscoll. MacEachern says that Bertha Brooks told him that Gaines urinated 50 or 60 feet away from her property; that Bertha Brooks said that Gaines was directly in front of her house. The judge rules on an objection by Limon. 1:09:12: V: Limon questions a Hyde Park youth about his relationship with Gaine. The youth says that he knew about the restraining order; that he was with Gaine on Ross Field on August 22. 1:11:52: V: Gaine is sworn in as a witness. Driscoll asks Gaine about the events on the afternoon of August 22. Gaine says that he walked to Ross Field to join a group of friends on the afternoon of August 22. Gaine says that he walked over to the baseball diamond to urinate. Gaine indicates the spot where he urinated on a photograph provided by Driscoll. Gaine says that he did not make an obscene gesture; that he did not yell Bertha Brooks' name. Driscoll questions Gaine about his activities during the rest of the afternoon. Gaine says that the spot where he urinated was 197 feet from the Brooks' property. Gaine indicates the location of the Brooks' home on a photograph provided by Driscoll. Limon requests a five minute recess.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/02/1982

Hyde Park contempt trial, Part 5

Description: Michael Gaine (Hyde Park resident) testifies in his own criminal contempt trial. Gaine denies urinating in front of the Brooks family home. Gaine says that he understood the previous consent decree and knew that he was not supposed to go to Ross Field. Richard Driscoll (attorney for Gaine) asks Gaine if he intended to violate the consent decree. Gaine says no. In his closing arguments, Driscoll says that Gaine did not intentionally violate the consent decree. He says that the testimony of Bertha Brooks (witness) does not match the incident report filed by Alan MacEachern (Boston Police Department). Lynch rules that Gaine is guilty of intentionally violating the previous consent decree. Lynch charges Gaine with criminal contempt and sentences him to sixty days in the Charles Street jail. Gaine exits the courtroom. The Brooks family and their supporters exchange hugs in the courtroom. Tape 5 of 5
1:00:02: Visual: Michael Gaine (defendant) testifies in his criminal contempt trial. Stephen Limon (Assistant Attorney General for the State of Massachusetts) questions Gaine about the events on the afternoon of August 22. Limon asks Gaine where he urinated on the afternoon of August 22. Gaine denies urinating in front of the Brooks' home. Gaine says that he urinated inside the park. Limon asks Gaine if he understood the consent judgment issued by the court. Gaine says that he understood the consent judgment; that he understood that he was not supposed to congregate on Ross Field with other defendants. Limon finishes questioning Gaine. 1:05:36: V: Richard Driscoll (attorney for the defendant) asks Gaine if he had intended to violate the consent judgment. Gaine says no. Driscoll rests his case. Judge James Lynch, Jr. (Suffolk Superior Court) questions the attorneys about the length of their closing arguments. The lawyers agree to finish arguing the case that afternoon. Shots of Driscoll preparing for his closing arguments; of the audience; of witnesses, including Edgar Charles Brooks, Bertha Brooks, and Debra Stewart, entering the courtroom. 1:08:43: V: Driscoll makes his closing arguments. Driscoll reviews the charges against the defendant. Driscoll argues that the evidence does not show Gaine as violating the consent decree. Driscoll says that Gaine is guilty of urinating in a public place; that Bertha Brooks's testimony does not match the incident report taken by MacEachern; that the plaintiffs have an interest in seeing Gaine punished. Driscoll says that witnesses testified to seeing Gaine urinate; that the witnesses did not see Gaine make an obscene gesture or hear Gaine yell at the Brooks. Driscoll says that Gaine did not make obscene gestures or yell at the Brooks. 1:14:03: V: Lynch reviews the charges against Gaine. He reviews the consent judgment signed by Gaine. Lynch reminds listeners that the trial is a non-jury trial. He reviews the dual roles of the court in a non-jury trial. Lynch says that voluntary intoxication is not a defense for a criminal act. Lynch rules that Gaine is guilty of a willful violation of the consent judgment issued by the court on August 19. Lynch charges Gaine with criminal contempt. Driscoll asks for a few moments before the judge issues a sentence. Driscoll confers with Gaine. 1:18:09: Visual: Shots of the audience; of Bertha Brooks in the audience. Limon recommends that Gaine be sentenced to three months in county jail. Jump cut in videotape. Lynch says that he wants to show that "the law has teeth." Lynch says that violations which occur three or four days after a consent judgment has been issued are unacceptable. Lynch says that Gaine should have thought about the consequences of his actions. Lynch says that he would sentence Gaine to the Deer Island House of Corrections if it were possible under the current statute. Lynch sentences Gaine to 60 days in the Charles Street jail. Gaine and Driscoll stand for the sentencing of Gaine. Lynch denies Driscoll's motion for a stay of the jail sentence pending appeal. Gaine exits the courtroom as court is dismissed. The Brooks family and their supporters exchange hugs in the courtroom. Limon congratulates the Brooks. Limon, the Brooks, and their supporters exit the courtroom.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/02/1982

Hynes Auditorium

Description: Exteriors of Hynes Auditorium, Prudential Center, and Boylston Street. Traffic and fire truck. Man roller skating in the road. Pedestrians and bicyclists.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/07/1982

Image of Area B

Description: Marcus Jones interviews Brian Wright O'Connor, the Managing Editor of The Bay State Banner, about the negative media portrayal of the Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan area. Jones notes that O'Connor believes that the media focus only on images of violence, drugs, and murder. O'Connor talks about the effects of the negative media coverage. Footage from an interview with Boston Police Deputy Superintendent William Celester about negative media coverage of the community. Jones notes that gubernatorial candidate John Silber was recently criticized for making negative comments about the Roxbury community. Silber has accused columnist Mike Barnacle of giving a biased representation of life in many neighborhoods. Jones' report is accompanied by footage from a news story with Barnacle, by footage from Justice on Trial (WCVB-TV) and by footage from Street Cop (WGBH/Frontline documentary). Jones notes that politicians and community leaders have spoken out against media bias in the wake of the Carol Stuart murder case. Michael Dukakis talks about media bias at a press conference. Following the edited story is additional footage of Jones's interview with O'Connor. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: John Silber speaks to the media and Roxbury residents
1:00:25: Visual: Footage of news reports from local TV stations. John Henning (WBZ news anchor) reports on the murder of a woman in the city. Natalie Jacobson (WCVB news anchor) reports on a police search for suspects in two Roxbury shootings. Shot of police searching two suspects who are lying face down on a sidewalk. R.D. Sahl (WHDH news anchor) reports on growing outrage in Roxbury. Shot of a woman being taken from a home on a stretcher. Shots of police cruisers on the streets of Roxbury at night. Shot of an injured person in an ambulance; of police at a crime scene cordoned off by yellow tape. Shot of an African American man leaving a police station. Marcus Jones reports that media coverage of the Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan neighborhoods focus on images of violence, drugs, and murder. Jones reports that Brian Wright O'Connor (Managing Editor, The Bay State Banner) believes that the media does not provide an accurate portrayal of life in Roxbury. Jones notes that O'Connor lives in a quiet section of the Roxbury neighborhood. V: Shot of Jones and O'Connor walking through a quiet park. Footage of O'Connor saying that criminal activity should be covered by the media; that the media uses questionable tactics in covering crime. O'Connor says that the media often stretches its definition of the term "news." O'Connor questions if there is balanced news coverage of the greater Roxbury area. O'Connor says that the media come to Roxbury to cover crime; that the media comes to Roxbury to cover reactions of local residents to comments by white politicians. Footage of William Celester (Deputy Superintendent, Boston Police Department) saying that media coverage creates the wrong perceptions about the community. Celester says that negative perceptions did not begin with the comments of John Silber (Democratic candidate for governor of Massachusetts). Celester says that the negative perceptions need to be changed. Footage from WCVB of Justice on Trial. The footage shows Joe Lally (Boston Police Department) walking toward a city courthouse. The narrator says that Lally is "the only symbol of civilization left on many city streets." Marcus Jones reports that Silber has accused the media of twisting his words; that Silber says that the media has skewed perceptions of reality in Area B neighborhoods. Jones notes that Silber accused Mike Barnacle (columnist) of giving a skewed portrayal of life in many neighborhoods. V: Shot of Mike Barnacle interviewing a white man outside of a building. Footage of Barnacle walking along a sidewalk. Barnacle compares the neighborhood to a "shooting gallery." Jones reports that he interviewed Barnacle by telephone. Jones reports that Barnacle says that he feels no obligation to balance negative coverage of a neighborhood with positive coverage. Jones notes that Barnacle could not recall the number of columns he has written this summer with positive coverage of the neighborhoods in Area B. V: Footage from a WGBH/Frontline documentary called Street Cop. A plain-clothes police officer rides through a housing development. The officer says that the neighborhood is a tough place. The officer says that he would probably end up selling drugs if he were a poor, African American teenager in this neighborhood. Footage from Street Cop of white, plain-clothes police officers breaking down the door of an apartment with sledgehammers. A police officer reaches down the shirt of an old woman to look for drugs. Jones notes that WGBH/Frontline produced a documentary called Street Cop three years ago; that the documentary was accused of using negative stereotypes of crime in Roxbury. Jones reports that politicians and community leaders have spoken out against media bias in the wake of the Carol Stuart murder. V: Shots of newspaper articles with headlines about the suspect in the Stuart case. Footage of Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts) speaking at a press conference on April 11, 1990. Dukakis says that there are thousands of good kids in the community; that the media gives all of the news coverage to the 500 bad kids. Bernard Cardinal Law (Archidiocese of Boston) is seated behind Dukakis. Footage of O'Connor being interviewed by Jones. Jones asks if the media focus on crime leads to a reduction in crime. O'Connor says that the community has been stereotyped by the media; that negative stereotypes reduce the political will to address the underlying socio-economic problems. O'Connor says that these negative stereotypes imply that the citizens of the community are morally defective or undeserving of aid. O'Connor says that the biased media coverage is "pernicious." O'Connor says that the negative media coverage allows people with resources to turn away from the community. O'Connor notes that two large companies scrapped their plans to build facilities in Roxbury in the wake of the Stuart murder. O'Connor says that the two companies could have provided jobs for at-risk teenagers in the community.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/12/1990

Imani Institute

Description: Deborah Wang reports that 86 African American students attend the Imani Institute, a private school where students learn about their African heritage. Interview with institute director Ozzie Edwards, who says that parental involvement is key to a child's academic success. He adds that the students learn to be proud of their heritage. The school is housed temporarily in the Elliot Street Congregational Church. Many students formerly attended Boston public schools and area Catholic schools. Interview with President of the Parents' Council, Sadiki Kambon, who says that many African American students are not receiving a good education in the public schools. The Imani Institute needs to raise additional funds in order to make it past its first year.
1:00:11: Visual: Footage of four young African American female students stepping out of a car onto a sidewalk. The girls are dressed in school uniforms. Shots of students in uniforms gathered outside of the Elliot Congregational Church in Roxbury. Shot of an African American boy looking out of a window of the building. Deborah Wang reports that the Imani Institute is not a traditional parochial school. V: Footage of African American schoolchildren gathered in an auditorium. The students sing "Lift Every Voice." Shots of individual schoolchildren. Wang reports that a school assembly is held each morning; that each class has a Swahili name. Wang notes that the students recite a pledge about their African past. V: Footage of the schoolchildren at the assembly saying together, "We are the African people." Wang reports that there are 86 African American students at the Imani Institute; that the students learn about their African heritage. V: Shots of Imani students standing in a classroom; of students sitting in an assembly; of individual schoolchildren. Footage of Ozzie Edwards (Director, Imani Institute) saying that the school gives students a sense of pride about their heritage. Shot of a handwritten sign for the fourth grade class known as "Anika." Footage of an African American female teacher working with students in a classroom; of students working at desks. Wang reports that many of the educational concepts behind the Imani Institute date back to the 1960s; that these educational concepts are becoming more popular with parents. Wang notes that many parents believe that public schools are in crisis. V: Footage of Edwards saying that there are problems with the education of African American children. Edwards says that African American children are not achieving the level of education of other groups. Wang reports that many Imani students are former students of the Boston Public Schools; that some are former students of the African American Catholic school St. Francis de Sales. Wang notes that the St. Francis de Sales school closed over the summer. V: Shot of the exterior of the former St. Francis de Sales school building. Shot of an African American female teacher with young students in a classroom. The students sit in a circle on the floor. Shots of the students. Wang reports that parents of students at the Imani Institute have insisted on having input on the education provided by the school. V: Footage of Sadiki Kambon (President, Parents' Council) saying that many parents decided that the Imani Institute was the best place for their children; that the public schools are not providing a good education. Footage of Edwards saying that parental background and involvement are critical to a child's success in school. Edward says that parents need to be interested in their child's education; that parents do not have to be well educated. Shots of older students in a classroom with an African American male teacher. Shots of the teacher and the students. Wang reports that the school has no permanent home; that the school is housed temporarily in the Elliot Congregational Church. Wang notes that the Imani Institute must raise an additional $60,000 in order to make it past the first year. V: Shots of Imani students leaving the morning assembly.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/12/1989

Infant mortality among minorities

Description: Report on an alarming increase in the infant mortality rate in Boston. Review of the statistics noting that the infant mortality rate among African Americans is 2.5 times the infant mortality rate among whites and that the increase was most pronounced in the Roxbury neighborhood. Interview with Dr. Bailus Walker, the Commissioner of Public Health, who says that the increase in the infant mortality rate is the result of a cutback in social programs from 1982 to 1984. Mayor Ray Flynn talks about the effects of cutbacks in social programs. The state has put $15 million toward reducing the infant mortality rate. Marian Wright Edelman, the Director of the Children's Defense Fund, speaks at a press conference, saying that the US has one of the highest infant mortality rates of any industrialized nation. The video cuts to black for 45 seconds during this story, from 00:01:34 to 00:02:15, presumably for graphics that weren't added to this copy. Following the edited story is additional b-roll footage of health care workers, parents and children at the Codman Square Health Center.
1:00:05: Visual: Footage of a doctor examining a non-white baby with a stethoscope. Hope Kelly reports that the infant mortality rate in Massachusetts is nine out of 1,000 infants; that 22 of every 1,000 African American babies die; that the infant mortality rate for African Americans is 2.5 times higher than the infant mortality rate for whites. V: Footage of three young African American children playing outside of a housing project. Kelly reports that the infant mortality rate is 15 out of 1,000 for babies born in Boston; that the mortality rate for non-white babies born in Boston is 23 out of 1,000. V: Shots of a white child standing near a park bench; of a doctor examining a pregnant African American woman. Kelly reports that infant mortality rates have increased from previous years. V: Shots of an African American infant girl being undressed before a medical examination. Kelly reports that the state-wide infant mortality rate was 8.9 deaths per 1,000 babies in 1984. V: Video cuts out. Black screen is visible. Kelly reports that that the state-wide infant mortality rate was 9.1 per 1,000 babies in 1985. Kelly notes that the African American infant mortality rate was 17 per 1,000 babies in 1984; that the African American mortality rate was 22.1 per 1,000 babies in 1985. Kelly adds that the increase was drastic in the city of Boston. Kelly notes that the African American infant mortality rate in Boston was 11.7 per 1,000 babies in 1984; that the African American infant mortality rate in Boston was 15.4 per 1,000 babies in 1985. Kelly notes that the increase in the infant mortality rate was pronounced in the Roxbury area; that the infant mortality rate in Roxbury rose from 16.5 per 1,000 in 1984 to 23.4 per 1,000 in 1985. Kelly adds that the infant mortality rate in North Dorchester doubled from 1984 to 1985. V: Video cuts back in. Footage of Dr. Bailus Walker (Commissioner of Public Health) saying that he is concerned but not surprised about the rise in the infant mortality rate. Walker says that the infant mortality rate is the result of cutbacks made in social programs from 1982 to 1984. Kelly says that Walker and Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) blame cutbacks by the federal government. V: Footage of Flynn saying that the rise in the infant mortality rate is attributable to dramatic cutbacks in nutrition programs, housing programs, and other social programs. Kelly says that the state put $15 million dollars toward an effort to reverse the increase in the infant mortality rate in 1985. V: Shots of the State House. Footage of Walker saying that it is too soon to see the results of the effort; that the data for 1986-1988 will show the results of the state effort. Shots of a Boston Globe front page article. The headline reads, "Hub infant deaths up 32%. Kelly says that Boston is home to some of the nation's most advanced medical centers. V: Shots of Boston City Hall; of signs for Boston Hospitals, including the New England Medical Center Hospital and Children's Hospital. Kelly reports that the Boston's Mission Hill neighborhood is very close to the Harvard Medical Complex and other hospitals. V: Shots of a child riding a go-cart outside of a housing project in Mission Hill; of a woman standing at the window of her aparment, holding an infant. Shots of African American children playing outside of the housing project. Kelly reports that the infant mortality rate in Mission Hill is 50 deaths per 1,000 births; that the infant mortality rate in Mission Hill is as high as the infant mortality rate in many third-world countries. Kelly reports that there are high infant mortality rates among African American communities across the nation. V: Footage of Marian Wright Edelman (Director, Children's Defense Fund) at a press conference. Wright Edelman says that an African American infant born in Washington D.C. is more likely to die than in infant born in Trinidad and Tobago; that the US and one other nation have the highest infant mortality rates among twenty industrialized nations surveyed. Footage of Walker saying that he will be concerned if this trend continues for three or more years; that a one-year "snapshot" does not yet indicate a trend.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/09/1987