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.

This course considers the impact of storytelling and spirituals on the literary production of African American authors from the Colonial period to the current day, examining the cultural, historical, and political contexts of the literature, as well as how the issues of gender, race, and class affect the production and meaning of these works. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: identify the cultural influences and the development of African American literature; analyze the evolution of African American literature from an oral to a literary tradition; define the functions of African American literature from its inception in the period of slavery to the contemporary period; identify the major authors and/or literary works in the various literary periods and movements (Reconstruction to the New Negro Renaissance Movement; Harlem Renaissance; Realism, Naturalism, and modernism; Black Arts; and the Contemporary Period). This free course may be completed online at any time. (English Literature 411)

This is a conversion of a presentation given at the Negotiating the Ideal Faculty Position Workshop given on October 14-16, 2007. This presentation was compiled by Anthony M. Johnson.

'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.

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.

'Blast from the Past' with Jesse Jackson. Program focuses on the history of three of Africa's ancient kingdoms: Ghana, Mali, and Songhay. To accomplish this, Say Brother Producer Marita Rivero and her guest Musa Eubanks (of the Afro Audiovisual Company of Boston) discuss and then introduce a filmstrip created by the Afro Audiovisual Company in conjunction with the Unitarian Universalist Association. The program serves to illustrate that the liberation of African Americans from colonized thinking can only be done so via the reexamination and revised representation of Blacks in Africa -namely, that Africa had an economic, cultural, and social history before European intervention. Also included are Say Brother segments 'Blast From the Past' (featuring an interview with Jesse Jackson from 1971), 'The Word' (featuring professor and historian A.B. Spellman's plea for more serious jazz on radio), 'Access' (which provides a summary of the work of the New World News Network), the 'Community Calendar,' and 'Commentary' by Producer Marita Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.

Deborah Wang reports that notes that Andrew Young (Mayor of Atlanta) was the keynote speaker at a gathering of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund gathered in Boston this evening. Wang notes that many members of the Legal Defense Fund are skeptical of President George Bush's commitment to civil rights; she adds that civil rights advocates are worried about Bush making conservative appointments to the judiciary. Wang interviews Young about Bush's presidency and his possible judicial appointments. Young says that Bush did not exhibit fairness and decency during the presidential campaign. Wang interviews Tom Franklin and Rona Kiley of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Franklin and Kiley say that Bush is beholden to the conservative wing of the Republican Party. Wang reports that there will be several openings in lower courts and a possible opening on the Supreme Court during Bush's term in office. Wang's report is accompanied by footage of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund gathering, by footage of Bush giving a speech and by footage of Ronald Reagan (former US President) standing by as a judge is sworn in.

Fritz Wetherbee reports that Annie Johnson (Boston resident) will receive the Living Legacy Award in Washington DC. Wetherbee reports that Johnson grew up in Boston and organized domestic workers through the Women's Service Clubs of Boston in the 1960s. Wetherbee notes that Johnson led the workers on a campaign for benefits. Wetherbee interviews Johnson in her home. Johnson talks about the importance of helping others. Johnson discusses her relative, Eleanor Graves Chandler, who was an early community activist. Wetherbee's report is accompanied by footage of Johnson preparing chicken in her kitchen and by footage of Johnson visiting a senior citizen meal program at the Grace Baptist Church.

SPARK follows cartoon artist and rap musician Keith Knight as he peddles his strip the K Chronicles at a massive comic convention. This Educator Guide explores the history and form of the cartoon.

Callie Crossley reports on the documentary film Street Cop, set in Roxbury. Crossley interviews Roxbury community activists Georgette Watson and Ben Haith about the documentary's portrayal of crime and drug traffic in the community. Watson complains about the negative images of Roxbury in the media and about the negative attitude of many police officers toward African Americans. Crossley's report includes footage from Street Cop and footage of Crossley, Watson, and Haith walking in Dudley Square. Crossley's report also includes footage from an interview with Larry Brown (Boston Minority Police Association). Brown says that the documentary gave a realistic and effective portrayal of law enforcement. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: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. Accusations against William Celester

Boston based artists discuss the meaning of Black art. Host Jim Spruill leads a discussion among 17 Boston-based artists on what Black art is and to whom the Black artist speaks. Group assembled includes Orma Jo Flint, Steve Hussein, Hakim Jami, Bob Nellums, Joanne Robinson, Robert Ruff, Joanne Sanders, Ralf Coleman, Ali Yusef, Carolyn Fitchert, Charles Holley, Gary Rickson, Dana Chandler, Jr., Lovett Thompson, John Wilson, and Elma Lewis. Program includes stills of the work of featured painters and sculptors woven into the discussion, with featured performances by the musicians, dancers and poets. Featured performers include Ali Yusef Trio and the Negro Repertory Theatre. Produced by Ray Richardson. Directed by Stan Lathan.

'Blast from the Past' with vocalist Miriam Makeba. Program is divided into two halves: the first consisting of three segments related to African American theater in Boston, the second of newsmagazine-style segments. Harold Stuart, Director of the Boston Black Repertory Company and company actors Mattye 'Mama' Long and Frederick Tyson discuss the differences between 'theater' and 'Black theater,' how Black theater affects members of the community, how talented individuals find the time to act, problems financially supporting Black theater, and why there is so little Black theater in Boston. Following the discussion is an eleven minute excerpt from the Company's latest production, A Raisin in the Sun, and a short interview with two Emerson students who helped film the production (Stephen Farrier and Jacquie Gales, both members of the Emerson student group EBONI Productions). Additional program segments include 'Access' (about the Sav-Mor government-funded security program), 'Blast from the Past' (with an excerpt from a 1971 interview with vocalist Miriam Makeba on how her marriage to Stokely Carmichael affected her singing career and her opinion on Guinea's response to a recent invasion attempt by the Portuguese), 'Information' (on minority recruitment for the Peace Corps' Vista program), the 'Community Calendar,' 'Commentary' by Marita Rivero (who reads a reworked version of 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff'), and three 'Philosophy of Life' segments with musician Herbie Hancock. Produced by Marita Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.

Black Solidarity Day 1972. Program addresses a variety of topics via a magazine-format presentation. Host John Slade introduces the following segments: 'Performance' with rock/jazz musicians Compost, 'Community Events' with Black Solidarity Day organizers Joseph Nkunta, Marie Firman, Karim Atiba Bayete, and Arnold Scott, 'Speak Out!' with Jack E. Robinson, President of the Boston Chapter of the NAACP (who talks about the need for adequate police protection in African American neighborhoods and a responsive police force), 'man on the street' interviews, in which Slade asks people whether or not they would like an African American officer to command their neighborhood's police district, a 'Save Our Cities Expo' review with Melvin Penn (a university student who interviews organizer Reverend Dr. Virgil Wood, Area Chairman of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference), and 'African Notes,' in which the building of the Volta Dam in Ghana is discussed. Program ushers in a new format that incorporates the interviews and expertise of community members. Produced by John Slade. Directed by Russell Tillman.

Elinor Williams narrates a film on Black Solidarity Day 1972, commencing with a march from Blackstone Park in the South End.

'Blast from the Past' features an excerpt from the 1969 interview with actor Julian Mayfield who talks about the breadth of artistic creativity and ability in the African American community, and the need to avoid straight jacketing this artistic ability into proscribed narrow disciplines.

'Blast from the Past' features an excerpt from a Say Brother interview with Chico Neblett, a Boston Field Marshall for the Black Panther Party, who talks about institutional racism in the White Community and the need to be unified and to organize institutions in Black Communities.

'Blast from the Past' features an excerpt from a Sarah-Ann Shaw interview with Rhody McCoy. Best known as administrator of Ocean Hill-Brownsville, an experimental decentralized school district in Brooklyn with about 9,000 students, Mr. McCoy is an advocate of black community control of schools.

Excerpt from program dealing with the impact of Malcolm X on African American political and intellectual leadership in the United States. Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Black Panthers, talks about the impact of the murder of Malcolm X on the Black Panther movement.

This lesson is a study of call and response singing, especially as it relates to African-American spirituals.