'The Word' with commentary by professor and historian A.B. Spellman focuses on the pardon and immunity granted to President Richard M. Nixon, based on a plea of depression. Spellman compares this to the treatment given to African Americans facing time in jail.

David Boeri reports on a demonstration by members of ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), outside of the offices of Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston). Boeri notes that the demonstrators were advocating for more affordable housing in Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan. Boeri's report includes footage of Peggy Jackson (ACORN demonstrator) and Neil Sullivan (Director of housing policy for the Flynn administration) debating the administration's affordable housing policy. Boeri notes that the demonstrators demanded the deed to a vacant lot in order to develop affordable housing themselves.

Australian aborigines visit Franklin ParkProgram focuses of the culture of Australian aborigines. Host David Crippens introduces Dighton Spooner's interview with Gulpilil (and other aborigines visiting Boston) on music, ceremonies, instruments, costuming, and the requirements for the cultural survival of Australia's aboriginal people. Interviews touch upon offers from European companies to purchase tribal lands, Australia's attempts to restore native culture, Australian rules governing 'mixed blood,' the impact of African American leaders on Australia, the creative forces behind aboriginal cultures, and the effects of European repression on native cultural tradition. Additional program segments include footage of aborigines applying body paints of clay and charcoal and performing tribal dances in Boston's Franklin Park, the 'Historical Minute' with Georgia State Representative Julian Bond, 'Bookbeat,' 'Commentary' by professor and historian A.B. Spellman on the differences between Third World and western cultures, and segment interludes with Sheryl Bibbs and Louis Wilson (of the musical group Mandrill). Produced by Marita Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.

David Boeri reports that William Celester (Deputy Superintendent, Boston Police Department) has been accused of sexual assault by a female employee of the Police Department. Boeri reviews the allegations. He notes that neither the department or Celester will comment on the ongoing investigation. Boeri interviews Rafe Kelly (St. John's Missionary Baptist Church). Kelly talks about the case from the victim's point of view. Boeri's report includes footage and photographs of Celester.

Deborah Wang reports that minority workers are underrepresented in the advertising industry. Wang interviews Bink Garrison (Ingalls, Quinn and Johnson) about the lack of minority workers in the industry. Wang's report includes footage of workers in the offices of Ingalls, Quinn and Johnson (advertising firm). Wang reports that Ingalls, Quinn and Johnson is participating in industry efforts to attract students into the industry. Wang notes that the Ad Club at English High School teaches students about advertising. Wang reports that Ad Club students wrote and acted in a public service announcement last year. Wang's report includes footage of the public service announcement produced by the Ad Club. Wang's report also features footage of Pam Piligian (Ingalls, Quinn and Johnson) working with students in the Ad Club. Piligian and Michelle Wilcox (11th grade student) talk about the Ad Club. This tape includes additional footage of workers at the offices of Ingalls, Quinn and Johnson.

Created by video artist Burt Barr, 'Aeros' is an impressionistic behind-the-scenes look at the Trisha Brown Dance Company as they rehearse, stage, and perform her choreographed work in a variety of settings, including Moscow, New York, France, and Florida. Here we see members of the Tricia Brown Dance Company during a rehearsal for the performance piece.

Aggrery Mbere interview. Program focuses on the current political situation of Africa. Host Marita Rivero speaks separately with Aggrey Mbere (member of the South African National Congress and a current instructor at Roxbury Community College) and Mugelle Otieno about developing an organization by Africans for Africans to solve Africa's problems, revamping aid programs, Secretary of State Henry Kissenger's visit to Africa, MBere's participation in the United States Civil Rights struggle, whether there are true policy changes occurring in the United States, whether liberation will occur with or without outside forces, and how Communism will factor into the struggle. Program includes the 'Community Calendar.' Produced by Marita Muhammad Rivero.

Alexandra Marks reports on the challenges faced by minority businesses in Boston. She notes that Jet-A-Way is multi-million dollar company that recycles trash, industrial waste, and construction debris. Marks interviews Jesse Jeter (marketing director, Jet-A-Way) and company founders Ed Jeter and Darlene Jeter about the challenges they have faced as a minority business. Jesse Jeter says that racism is still a problem. Ed Jeter says that the business benefited minority quotas in the early years. Marks reports that the NAACP Leadership Development Training Conference was recently held in Boston. Marks's report includes footage from a luncheon held during the conference. Marks interviews William Singleton (president, Quest Publishing Company) about his experiences as an African American entrepreneur. Marks notes that minority-owned businesses often have trouble finding financing. Marks' report includes footage of operations at the Jet-A-Way recycling facility. This tape includes additional footage of operations at the Jet-A-Way recycling facility. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Carmen Fields interviews Richard Taylor about the Republican Party and affirmative action.

Dr. Gloria White-Hammond (pediatrician) examines a young Latina child in an examining room. The child cries and White-Hammond comforts her, speaking in English and in Spanish. White-Hammond speaks to the child's mother about treatments for the child. White-Hammond examines the child with a stethoscope. Callie Crossley interviews White-Hammond about a program designed to increase the number of African American physicians across the nation. White-Hammond says that medical schools lack the financial, academic and other kinds of support necessary to retain some students. White-Hammond talks about the need for more minority physicians; White-Hammond says that minority physicians bring a 'sensitivity' to the treatment of minority patients.

Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz comments on the inability for Black Americans to receive fair treatment in the United States judicial system.

Carmen Fields interviews Frank Hector (World War II veteran) and Ralph Cooper (Vietnam veteran) about their experiences in the military. Hector talks about the accomplishments of African American soldiers and war veterans. Hector says that the military is a good experience for young African Americans. Cooper talks about the disproportionate numbers of African American soldiers in the front lines and the lack of services for veterans of color. Hector and Cooper talk about their opinions of Colin Powell (Head, US Joint Chiefs of Staff). Field's report is accompanied by footage of Powell and soldiers during the Persian Gulf War. Fields reports that many African Americans join the military to escape the high unemployment rate in the African American community. Field's report is accompanied by footage of Reverend Michael Haynes (Twelfth Baptist Church) leading a church service at the Twelfth Baptist Church. Relatives of soldiers in the Persian Gulf War stand in front of the altar to pray for the soldiers. Fields interviews Haynes. Haynes says that African American soldiers must be granted equal rights and privileges when they return home from the war. Fields' report is accompanied by footage from interviews with people on the street about African American soldiers in the Persian Gulf War. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Students at Boston University attend a prayer service for peace in the Persian Gulf. BU Theology students talk about the Persian Gulf War

Carmen Fields reports that the Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA is commemorating Black History Month by exhibiting Norman Rockwell's work featuring African Americans. Fields interviews Maureen Hart Hennessey (curator, Rockwell Museum) about Rockwell's paintings depicting events in the civil rights movement, including The Problem We All Live With and Murder in Mississippi. Fields notes that Rockwell did these paintings for Look Magazine in the 1960s. Fields and Hennessey discuss the portrayal of African Americans in Rockwell's earlier work for the Saturday Evening Post, including The Boy in the Dining Car. Hennessey talks about an African American family in Stockbridge who modeled for Rockwell. She notes that the children of the family modeled for the paintings, The Problem We All Live With and New Kids in the Neighborhood. Fields' report includes footage of tour guides at the museum talking about specific paintings during museum tours. This tape includes additional footage of the Rockwell Museum and of Rockwell's paintings. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Shirley Owens Hicks, Byron Rushing and Louis Elisa talk about cuts to the state budget. Black Caucus members oppose cuts to the state budget

Carmen Fields reports on differing opinions of the African American studies program at Harvard University. Fields interviews Harvard professors Harvey Mansfield and Orlando Patterson. Mansfield says that conservative scholars are excluded from the African American studies program at Harvard. Mansfield adds that the program is too political and not concerned enough with the study of the African American experience. Mansfield calls African American studies an 'advocacy major' which promotes a certain point of view. Patterson notes that many academic departments are too political. He adds that history departments often teach history from only one perspective. Patterson says that African American studies offers an inter-disciplinary approach to the study of one area of life. Patterson discusses his concerns over the lack of African American scholars entering academia. Fields's report is accompanied by footage of the Harvard campus and footage of students in a class taught by Derrick Bell (Professor, Harvard Law School).

African American men, women and children wait for buses and board buses in Roxbury. African American residents walk on a busy urban street.

'Dealin'' with poet and Pan African supporter Haki MadhubutiProgram focuses on the meaning, nature, and support of the liberation of African countries by African Americans. Program segments include an excerpt from Henry Johnson's film on the African Liberation Day March in Washington, DC, May 27, 1972 (including footage of Boston residents preparing for the trip to Washington, DC, and event speeches by Charles Diggs, Michigan Congressman and United Nations Delegate and organizer for African self-determination, and Elaine Brown, two years before she became President of the Black Panthers), 'Dealin'' with poet and Pan African supporter Haki Madhubuti (formerly Don L. Lee) discussing the nature of Pan Africanism, 'Commentary' by Askia Muhammad (poet, activist, and journalist) on the disparity between United States support of self-determination for nations and its actual practice in Africa, 'Information' on the meaning of 'African liberation,' interview and performance footage of vocalist Syreeta Wright, and segment interludes featuring Grover Washington (jazz musician), Tasha Thomas (of musical production The Wiz), and Fred Cash (of the musical group The Impressions). Produced by Marita Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.

Caroline Hunter comments on the struggle for African liberation. Guests Caroline Hunter, Dinizulu Ceitou (both of Boston's African Liberation Day Committee), and Christopher Nteta (of the Pan African Liberation Committee) discuss the liberation struggle in Mozambique with host Topper Carew. Topics include Frelimo (the African freedom fighters in Mozambique), the influence of African American support on the cause, the relationship between corporations and the seizure of African land, the need for violence to achieve liberation, the relationship between racism and colonization, and the need for African Americans to recognize that the African struggle is their own. Program includes a 30-minute film titled 'The Struggle Continues (A Luta Continua),' which documents the work of the resistance. Produced by Topper Carew. Directed by Conrad White.

Carmen Fields reports on the restoration of the African Meeting House on Beacon Hill. Fields reports that the Meeting House is the oldest African American church in the nation and that it was gutted by fire in 1973. Fields interviews Philip Hart (Board of Directors, African Meeting House) and Ruth Batson (Director, African Meeting House) for the report. Hart talks about the significance of the Meeting House. Batson talks about plans for music, scholarly debate, and religious services at the Meeting House. Fields notes that a series of rededication programs will begin soon. Fields' report is accompanied by footage of construction workers and staff at the Meeting House and by photographs documenting the history of African Americans in Boston.

Aggrey Mbere, a native South African and member of the Organization of South African Students, talks about the day to day struggles of Blacks in South Africa under apartheid.

As part of the Say Brother theater piece entitled 'Theatre in Reverse', Al Jarreau performs You Don't See Me, live in the studio.