Slavery by Another Name

The documentary Slavery by Another Name is being screened as part of the Black History Month Youth Film Series at the Schomburg.  

For this and more Black History Month events, see Black History/Cultural Events.  

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Douglas A. Blackmon, and narrated by Laurence Fishburne, Slavery by Another Name is a documentary that squares off against one of America's most common misconceptions: that slavery ended with the Emancipation Proclamation. The documentary tells the story of new systems of indentured and involuntary servitude that took its place and lasted well into the 20th century. 

This film gives a voice back to a largely forgotten population of victims and perpetrators (including interviews with their living descendants today). This screening is part of a week-long series of films for young audiences that capture a diversity of voices on the African-American Experience. All films are followed by a discussion by the filmmakers, scholars, or Schomburg educators.  

For this and more Black History Month events, see Black History/Cultural Events. 

The only problem I have with this film is that it suggests that this practice is not still going on.  For more about this, see:  Prisoners Provide Cheap Labour for Microsoft.  

Black History: Ebony Goddess and Black Fighter Pilots of World War 2

October is Black History Month in the UK, and I am listing some BHM events on Nurture Success.  

Click here for Next Black History Events.  They include Ebony Goddess and Black Fighter Pilots of World War, two  presentations by London Black History Walks.  These presentations are held every month of the year, not just in October.  

Click here for my review of Black Heroes of WWII, a previous presentation by London Black History Walks.  

Black History Studies is also holding a season of Black history events this month - and every month - including, on Monday 8th October, a screening of the film More than a Month.  

For more details, see Next Black History Events.  

And always, always Remember Your Greatness. 

South Africa Remixed at the Schomburg

The Schomburg will celebrate South Africa Remixed this Saturday.  The programme will include film, live music and discussions.  

Come Back, Africa, a film shot in secret during apartheid, will be one of the films screened.  Click here to read more.  

Click here for more about South Africa Remixed and other Black history and cultural events.   

This is a free event, but you need to book for it. 

Egalite for All

I recently saw this excellent PBS documentary about the Haitian Revolution, which was screened by Black History Studies.

Egalite for All was chock full of factual information, as was the subsequent presentation by Charmaine at Black History Studies.

Click here to read some of what I learned.

This is important information for all African people. And there is always more to learn. See also:

The Haitian Revolution and Practical Spirituality. The book entitled The Logical and Historical Significance of the Haitian Revolution was mentioned by Panyin on What U Need to Know. Click here to read more and listen to the show.

Fire in Babylon

Even if, like me, you know nothing about cricket, you need to see this film.

As depicted in Fire in Babylon, in the early 1970s, the West Indian cricket team was an international joke. They were referred to as "calypso cricketers" and were seen as entertainers, not as winners.

When they travelled to Australia in 1975, the Australian team humiliated them and the "fast bowlers" physically assaulted them with the ball. So the West Indies team decided to fight back.

This was a matter of pride. Having gained independence from the British, they felt, by the 1970s, like they had something to prove.

The team captain, Clive Lloyd, travelled around the Caribbean islands in search of fast bowlers - and he found some. These guys just did not quit. Some of them could bowl the ball at 90 mph. When they got on the field, they could do serious damage, not just to the other players' bodies in the form of bruises and broken bones, but to their pride.

Fire in Babylon features interviews with many members of the West Indies team during that period.

Up until then, the captains of the West Indies team had always been white. But in the 1970s, there was a new, revolutionary spirit about, partly inspired by Bob Marley's music. The film contains some great clips of Marley in performance, singing "Get Up, Stand Up".

At the same time the West Indies team were rising, Black people in Britain were coming under increasing pressure from racism. When the West Indies team played in England and beat the England team in 1976, people in the stands - both Black and white - were cheering them on.

The players from the Caribbean also felt a connection with Black people fighting apartheid in South Africa.

The West Indies team defeated Australia, considered the best cricket team in the world, after which they dominated world cricket - they never lost a test series from 1975 to 1990. (For those who don't know, a test series is the highest level of international cricket - I think.)

Fire in Babylon was an incredibly uplifting, inspiring and moving film. Just one of many wonderful events hosted by Black History Studies.

See also: Next Black History Events.

Next Black History Events

BlackHistoryWalks, Nu-Beyond, Positive Mental Attitude Community College & Lewisham Black Staff Forum present Black British Civil Rights Heroes: Mavis Best and the Women of the Scrap Sus Campaign 1981, Friday 13 May 7-9.30pm Lewisham Civic Centre, Catford SE6 4RU

Free entry: first come, first served.

In the late 70s and early 80's police officers would routinely stop, search, strip, assault and jail males and females aged 11 and up using the notorious 'Sus' law. This law meant that if an officer suspected you were about to commit a crime they could arrest you and, if they were in the mood, beat you and plant evidence. It was normal to be arrested for sus while wating at a bus stop.

This meant thousands of young Black people would leave home and not come back. Mavis Best led a group of courageous Black women who went into police stations to rescue the children. When that wasn't enough she organised a campaign to repeal the law itslef. Join us to celebrate the achievement and learn from Mavis Best what tactics were used to win equality.

Special guest appearance from Mia Morris

See video of Mavis Best here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi1mXdgoLyI

Click here for my interview with Brother T. of Black History walks.

Click here for more Black history events, including free film screenings at London Metropolitan University, and films commemorating the death of Bob Marley.

For more great stuff like this, click here to join Nurture Success.