Eyes on the Prize

[Rosie]

Eyes on the Prize, a mini-series/documentary on the Civil Rights Movement in America 1954-1985 will be showing on PBS.

I saw this for the first time as a young teenager and it was a series that had profound effect on me. I have assigned it as homework to my students and called everyone I know to watch it. It started on Monday but, it will repeat during the week and will be shown every Monday hereafter locally in the NYC area 9-11pm.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eyesontheprize/

 

[Lena_Horne]

I'm in the Detroit area and watched it Monday night. I saw some of it in high school a few years ago but it was much better this time around. Perhaps because I got to enjoy it alone. I was thoroughly touched by Ms. Mamie Till-Mobley's bravery after her son's death. I had been somewhat fascinated by Emmett Till's death but never had I seen the footage of the trial, nor her statement to the press afterward. I also hadn't expected that angle of that photograph of his face during the funeral. I had seen photographs of the funeral home prior, and even a shot or two of his face but not that angle....I very nearly turned away from the screen which I am admittedly wont to do. I could identify with every one of those women in the church crying out in shock and horror.

*click*

Ms. Till-Mobley with witnesses at the trial, September 1955:


I agree with Rev. Adam Clayton Powell's statement at the beginning of the documentary. That movement wasn't just for negroes, it was for every democratically-minded citizen in the country.

L_H

 

[Rosie]

Hi Lena!

I too had never seen that angle of Emmit Till. I saw this as a teenager also and so it was different seeing it as an adult. I too was impressed with Mrs. Till's composure and statements. Another thing that struck me a bit differently this time around was (I forget his name) the student who wanted to enter University of Mississippi and of course the Little Rock Nine. It was interesting to see the lengths at which people would go to keep things as they were. I've seen this before but to see the hate on the people's faces, in their eyes was quite a frightening thing. It was something I think I was unaware of as a younger me.

It felt wonderful to see the untiy of the community within the church and its affect with the Bus Boycott. Again, I've seen all of this as a child but as an adult, the feeling was just...different.

 

[Harp]

E-P

I've met Rev Jesse Jackson, and several
other lesser known civil rights era participants; all of whom achieved
later success in life, but remain rooted in the movement.
America has certainly advanced since the turbulent 1960s,
a time still fairly recent, so films such as 'Eyes on the Prize'
serve reminder of past injustice and the need for continued progress.

 

[Lena_Horne]

Hi Lena!

I too had never seen that angle of Emmit Till. I saw this as a teenager also and so it was different seeing it as an adult. I too was impressed with Mrs. Till's composure and statements. Another thing that struck me a bit differently this time around was (I forget his name) the student who wanted to enter University of Mississippi and of course the Little Rock Nine. It was interesting to see the lengths at which people would go to keep things as they were. I've seen this before but to see the hate on the people's faces, in their eyes was quite a frightening thing. It was something I think I was unaware of as a younger me.

It felt wonderful to see the untiy of the community within the church and its affect with the Bus Boycott. Again, I've seen all of this as a child but as an adult, the feeling was just...different.

His name was James Meredith. He (if I'm not mistaken) came out against Affirmative Action, which I wholeheartedly understand. It shouldn't be about color but the person's academic merit. I have found that a lot of older (I mean pre-1950s) blacks generally disapprove of the point system. I am personally torn as I see it as an excuse not to have to do as well and get rewarded just the same, but on the other hand, it was (and seemingly continues to be) a necessary evil.

So on and so forth,

L_H

 

[Harp]

Ole Miss

James Meredith wrote about his Ole MIss student experience
in Three Years in Mississippi.

 

[Rosie]

James Meredith wrote about his Ole MIss student experience
in Three Years in Mississippi.

Thanks Harp, I think I'll pick that up.


Lena, I understand yours and others split-ness (if I can make up a word) on aa. I myself wish it weren't necesarry but, it still seems to be as you pointed out. As time goes on, there will be a time when it isn't needed. Even as I am getting older, and I am still relatively young, things seem to be progressing.

 

[Tomasso]

Affirmative Action, It shouldn't be about color but the person's academic merit. I am personally torn as I see it as an excuse not to have to do as well and get rewarded just the same, but on the other hand, it was (and seemingly continues to be) a necessary evil.

I often wonder what Dr. King's feelings would be about AA, as it seems to run contrary to his core ideology.

 

[Lena_Horne]

I admittedly don't feel that it is getting better, I actually feel that it is simply hidden better as it is not currently in vogue to express racist views. Any look at any number of unregulated message boards (clicking the Discuss option at the end of any Yahoo! crime story, particularly if it involves blacks, certainly stands to raise a few hairs) or blogs (even the Huffington Post, which is a wholly left-leaning blog that sees its fair share of racist trolls, has this problem) and you'll find people who can anonymously spew vile hatred in any and all directions without the so-called repercussions. But, as far as day-to-day life is concerned, it has gotten far better than it once was. I suppose, I do after all live in the most racially segregated area in the nation, and contend with the subtle yet strongly felt affects of racism daily. I find myself gritting my teeth all the time, but it's never any one, overt thing. I suppose that, after all, is the problem.

An aside, check out, if you can get your hands on it, the October 1955 article entitled: The Negro in the North, featured in Collier's. I bought the issue about a month ago and realized that the way the Civil Rights Movement is portrayed, one would believe that the struggle really only got started in 1957 in a few key places. But, the article reminds (and I already knew of one in my area in 1941 that far superceded the one in 1967) readers that race riots were breaking out throughout the forties and fifties. The issue was just more easily sidestep. Hell, if you really want to be fastidious, you can look back at the nineteenth century....

What's old is new again,

L_H

 

[Rosie]

I often wonder what Dr. King's feelings would be about AA, as it seems to run contrary to his core ideology.

Well of course we could never really know his view on AA. But, it isn't really contrary to his ideology. He wanted people to live in a world where they would be judged as the people they were and not by the color of their skin or their appearance. Sadly, this is not the case in places like the workplace where people are looked over, not given positions, not given promotions based solely on the way they look.

I have experimented with this on a small scale. Being a person of color and a person with a very "ethnic" sounding name, I have personally sent resumes to different places with my name and with my initials. The resume with my initials always get more responses because my name "sounds black".

I have gone through phone interviews with companies, in particular, one company where I had to take two tests and have two phone interviews. Everything was fine until I was asked to meet with the company because I was told, I would fit in fine with them I was, "the kind of person they we're looking for". You should have seen the look of horror on EVERYONE's faces when I showed up. My voice and speech pattern in some people's minds betrays what they think a black girl should sound like.

There have been numerous studies where people of color have been passed over, looked over for jobs, promotions, apartments, loans, etc. based purely on color. To add to this on a small scale, most of my friends and acquaintances are college educated, many holding a masters or higher in their field or multiple masters, myself included. Everyone of color that I know with the exception of one person, works in some position that is below what they should be doing, below what they are capable of, below their talents. Not because they haven't tried, but because this is what they could get. Almost everyone I know, with the exception of those who don't want to push themselves who isn't a person of color has a position equal or better than what they are qualified for, equal to their talents, etc. It really is a problem and until it isn't, AA in my opinion, is needed.

 

[Rosie]

I admittedly don't feel that it is getting better, I actually feel that it is simply hidden better as it is not currently in vogue to express racist views. Any look at any number of unregulated message boards (clicking the Discuss option at the end of any Yahoo! crime story, particularly if it involves blacks, certainly stands to raise a few hairs) or blogs (even the Huffington Post, which is a wholly left-leaning blog that sees its fair share of racist trolls, has this problem) and you'll find people who can anonymously spew vile hatred in any and all directions without the so-called repercussions. But, as far as day-to-day life is concerned, it has gotten far better than it once was. I suppose, I do after all live in the most racially segregated area in the nation, and contend with the subtle yet strongly felt affects of racism daily. I find myself gritting my teeth all the time, but it's never any one, overt thing. I suppose that, after all, is the problem.

An aside, check out, if you can get your hands on it, the October 1955 article entitled: The Negro in the North, featured in Collier's. I bought the issue about a month ago and realized that the way the Civil Rights Movement is portrayed, one would believe that the struggle really only got started in 1957 in a few key places. But, the article reminds (and I already knew of one in my area in 1941 that far superceded the one in 1967) readers that race riots were breaking out throughout the forties and fifties. The issue was just more easily sidestep. Hell, if you really want to be fastidious, you can look back at the nineteenth century....

What's old is new again,

L_H

I will try to get that article, thanks. You make very good points, I cannot argue. Truthfully, I no longer read most online written opinions for that very reason.

And, you're right. I experience some thing almost everyday. It never is an outright name calling or anything that drastic but, it is still there. Even in my school, I mostly stay to myself because of it, the same thing in college. (You should hear the things that come out of people's mouths sometimes). Truthfully, I'd rather it be said or expressed than live under the pretense that everything is okay. I'd rather know where I stand in the scheme of things.

 

[Lena_Horne]

I will try to get that article, thanks. You make very good points, I cannot argue. Truthfully, I no longer read most online written opinions for that very reason.

And, you're right. I experience some thing almost everyday. It never is an outright name calling or anything that drastic but, it is still there. Even in my school, I mostly stay to myself because of it, the same thing in college. (You should hear the things that come out of people's mouths sometimes). Truthfully, I'd rather it be said or expressed than live under the pretense that everything is okay. I'd rather know where I stand in the scheme of things.

I don't what it is that keeps me clicking, even though I know what I'll find. Masochistic curiosity I suppose....But, I also understand what you wrote about staying to myself. I love the people I know, but around here, it's just a matter of time before you run into someone who isn't quite what they want others to believe...

L_H

 

[Roger]

So what is the story behind this documentary not being shown for so many years? Was it something to do with royalites or copyrights?[huh] I caught it on t.v. and I remember it from years back.

 

[Rosie]

So what is the story behind this documentary not being shown for so many years? Was it something to do with royalites or copyrights?[huh] I caught it on t.v. and I remember it from years back.

I read a quick snippet in the paper the other day, if I find it online, I'll link to it. The director passed away since the last time it was shown, early '90s. The family was in dispute over ownership with PBS. I did notice that it is being billed under the PBS show American Experience. When shown in the past, it was a stand alone doc like Ken Burn's documentaries. It was shown on PBS but was a doc. being shown not like a PBS show. I hope that makes sense.

 

[Roger]

Oh well, that's like me anyway. I always forget the meat of the matter.lol