Feelings of exclusion from the political process in the African American Community. Program analyzes why African American candidates were unable to win appointment to either Boston's School Committee or City Council in the 1975 elections. Guest host James Rowe of WILD Radio News speaks with Clarence Dilday (attorney and unsuccessful candidate for City Council), John O'Bryant (Director of the Dimock Community Health Center and unsuccessful candidate for School Committee), Richard Taylor (John O'Bryant's campaign manager), and Luix Overbea (reporter for the Christian Science Monitor) about why African Americans in Boston were unable to elect Dilday and O'Bryant, what the election says about the African American community's commitment to getting people in office, if election results would have been better if it had been an 'off' year election, if an organization for raising funds to support African American candidates is in the making, and what African Americans can do to heighten their political sophistication. Additional segments include a survey of Boston's voting statistics for 1969, 1971 and 1975, an interview conducted by writer/researcher Dighton Spooner with Dr. Ronald Walters (Associate Professor of Political Science at Howard University) about African Americans and the 1976 presidential election, 'Information' on registering to vote, 'Access' (on the Roxbury-Dorchester JCs), and the 'Community Calendar.' Produced by Marita Muhammad Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.

Action for Boston Community Development. Program discusses a variety of topics via a magazine-style format. Host John Slade introduces a moderated discussion led by Say Brother filmmaker Henry Johnson with Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) employees Barbara Brydie, Arnett Waters, and Russell Hill (who discuss the agency's threatened status due to a proposed withdrawal of federal aid in President Nixon's proposed budget), an interview and performance by vocalist Eddie B. with the Contemporary Jazz Trio; and an interview conducted by John Slade with Helaine Simmonds, Clarence Dilday, and Benjamin Jones of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (on Governor Francis Williams Sargent's judgeship nominations). Produced by John Slade. Directed by Russell Tillman.

Christy George reports that a lawsuit has been filed against the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) to protest its discriminatory housing policies. George notes that the lawsuit charges that the BHA has discouraged minorities from moving into all-white housing projects. George adds that the city is planning to voluntarily integrate its housing projects by next year. George interviews Tanya Boman and Annie Hailey, who are among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Boman and Hailey talk about their experience with the BHA. George reports that both women were told that their families would be unsafe in white housing projects and that the BHA would not provide them with protection. George notes that African American families in white housing projects may be victims of harassment. George's report includes footage from an interview with Doris Bunte (BHA). Bunte denies any discriminatory practices on the part of BHA employees. George interviews James Kelly (Boston City Council). Kelly defends the BHA and denounces public housing integration. George reports that Kelly has proposed an alternative public housing integration plan that eliminates preferences for minority families applying for apartments in white housing projects. George's report includes footage from an interview with Dianne Wilkerson (NAACP). Wilkerson criticizes the city's record on public housing integration and the slow pace of change. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: David Boeri reports that midwives at Boston City Hospital have been locked out by the hospital administration in a dispute over hospital policy. Midwives at Boston City Hospital

David Boeri reports that five Harvard alumni and other protesters were arrested for an apartheid protest outside the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University in November of 1986. Boeri notes that the protesters are acting as their own lawyers in court this week. Boeri reports that the defendants claim to have committed the lesser crime of civil disobedience in order to prevent the greater crime of economic support to the apartheid regime. Boeri reports that the judge has ruled that the defendants cannot use this line of defense and has refused to hear testimony about apartheid. Boeri notes that the defendants are testing the limits of the judges' ruling by continuing to introduce testimony about apartheid. Boeri's report includes footage of the proceedings in the courtroom. Don Carney (Cambridge Police Department) testifies against the defendants. Peter Bellotti (Assistant District Attorney, Middlesex County) objects to testimony by Sarah Browning (defendant) and Joel Reisman (defendant). Wendy Gershengorn (judge, Middlesex County) issues instructions from the bench. Boeri's report also includes footage from interviews with defendants Peggy Schirmer and Robert Wolff. Boeri notes that the trial will be slow and tedious. Boeri's report includes footage from an apartheid protest at the Fogg Art Museum.

Excerpt from the Say Brother program investigating the events the night Levi Hart, a 14-year-old African American youth from Roxbury, Mass., was killed in a police chase. Hart, and two other Roxbury youths had stolen and car. When the officers caught up to them, Hart was shot, arguably by Richard Bourque, in an act of police brutality. Hart family attorney, Henry F. Owens, III, talks about the treatment minorities receive on the criminal side of the court, and the belief police were not going to aggressively pursue the case surrounding the death of Levi Hart.

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.

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.

Alan MacEachern (Boston Police Department) testifies in the criminal contempt trial of Michael Gaine (Hyde Park resident). MacEachern describes the events on the afternoon of August 22. MacEachern says that Bertha Brooks told him that Gaine was on Ross Field in violation of a restraining order. MacEachern says that Brooks reported that Gaine urinated in front of her home; that Brooks did not mention any obscene gestures made by Gaine. MacEachern says that he told Gaine to leave the field and that he arrested Gaine after taking the incident report from Brooks. Stephen Limon (Assistant Attorney General for the State of Massachusetts) questions a Hyde Park youth who says that he was with Gaine on Ross Field on August 22. Gaine testifies about the events of 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 and denies harassing the Brooks family and their guests. Tape 4 of 5.

Carmen Fields reports that James Weldon Johnson was a poet, lawyer, diplomat, composer, and former director of the NAACP. Fields notes that the US Postal Service will issue a postage stamp bearing Johnson's image in honor of Black History Month. Fields interviews Samuel Allen (professor, Boston University) about Johnson's life and his legacy. Allen reads two of Johnson's poems. Fields notes that Johnson is the composer of 'Lift Every Voice,' which is known as the 'black national anthem.' Fields report is accompanied by photos of Johnson and a shot of the postage stamp bearing his image. Field's report also includes footage of the Madison Park High School Choir performing 'Lift Every Voice.'

Hope Kelly reports on the removal of Judge Paul King (former Chief Justice, Dorchester District Court) from his position at Dorchester District Court. Kelly notes that the State Supreme Court demoted King for misconduct in and out of court, including sexist remarks, racist standards for setting bail and for public drunkenness. Kelly reviews the incidents leading to King's demotion. Kelly reports that King was transferred to Stoughton District Court, where he is only allowed to sit on civil cases. Kelly's report includes shots of newspaper articles covering the story and footage of lawyers, clerks, and defendants in a courtroom.

Christy George reports on efforts by the National Conference of Black Lawyers and women's groups to fight the nomination of Robert Bork (judge) to the Supreme Court. George reports that Bork believes in a strict interpretation of the Constitution, while African Americans and women's groups believe that the Constitution needs to be interpreted according to the changes in society since the 18th century. George's report includes footage from a meeting of the National Conference of Black Lawyers in Cambridge. Julie Walker (professor, University of Illinois at Urbana) and Adjoa Aiyetoro (Co-chair, National Conference of Black Lawyers) address the meeting. George interviews Gerald Horne (attorney and professor at Sarah Lawrence College), Margaret Burnham (attorney and retired judge), and Barbara Arnwine (Director, Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights) about their opposition to Bork. George notes that Bork's critics do not dispute his legal skills. George's report includes footage from an anti-Bork demonstration by women's groups on City Hall Plaza. George's report also features shots of racist literature from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Christy George interviews Dorchester residents about the William Atkinson murder case. Reverend David Venator (United Church of Christ) says that the state could have filed more charges against the defendants; that violations of the civil rights of minorities have become commonplace. Venator says that the Dorchester community needs to deal with the racial prejudice which provoked the death of William Atkinson (Boston resident). Christy George (WGBH reporter) comments that Venator has condemned racial prejudice more severely than Francine Atkinson (William Atkinson's sister). Venator says that he can condemn racial prejudice because he is white; that he does not condone any kind of violence. Venator says that the Atkinson case is an example of a civil rights violation; that he has never experienced racial violence to that degree as a white man. A white male Dorchester resident says that Atkinson's death was not an isolated incident. The man notes that the Dorchester community has reacted strongly and quickly against Atkinson's death. The man says that the Dorchester community intends to see justice done in this case. George asks a white female Dorchester resident if she thinks that the media attention given to the Atkinson case helped bring about a more thorough investigation and the filing of stronger charges. The woman says that the media coverage is a result of the strong reaction against Atkinson's death by members of the Dorchester community. George comments that many white Dorchester residents are supporting the cause of William Atkinson. The woman says that Dorchester residents of all races are working together to fight racial violence and to make Dorchester a safer community. The tape includes footage of court proceedings in Suffolk Superior Court. George Hurd (Judge, Suffolk Superior Court) presides over the courtroom. The lawyers for the defendants identify themselves. The five defendants each plead not guilty to the charges against them. The charges are read out loud. John Kiernan (Assistant District Attorney) makes bail recommendations for the five defendants.

Boston Criminal lawyer Rudy Peirce discusses the 'personal recognizance' n Massachusetts and how it relates to Boston's poor being able to post bail.

End to experimental school project in Boston. Program, in a news-broadcast format, reviews the events of April, 1975 with anchors James Rowe and Carmen Fields, news reporter 'at large' Leah Fletcher, in-studio interviewer Russell Tillman, arts reviewer Tanya Hart, special reporter June Cross, and commentator Dighton Spooner. Program features a special reports on State Senator Bill Owens's press conference in April (in which he discussed capital punishment legislation pending in the Senate), the 'American Woman' festival held at Jordan Marsh department store in Boston, decisions made by Housing Court Judge Paul Garrity (on renovating the housing projects under the Boston Housing Authority), Julian Bond's recent traveling of the political circuit in Massachusetts to 'drum up' support for a presidential campaign, the Alliance for Economic Justice's meeting to protest the governor's cutback in welfare benefits, an interview with Winston Kendall of the Roxbury Defenders (about the upcoming conference organized by the National Conference on Black Lawyers called 'Resist to Exist'), the picketing of the president's office at Boston University by students (over the current dean and his poor management of the Black Talent Program), the United States Bicentennial events on Patriots' Day at John Elliot Square, and an interview with jazz musician Ronnie Gill. Produced by Marita Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.

A.B. Spellman comments on the pardon granted to President Richard Nixon. Say Brother presents the musical group Tavares, who perform in-studio before an audience. The Tavares brothers (Arthur Tavares, Ralph Vierra Tavares, Perry Lee Tavares, Antone Tavares, and Feliciano Tavares, aka Chubby, Tiny, Ralph, Pooch, and Butch) sing 'Am I Too Late,' 'Strangers in Dark Corners,' 'If That's the Way You Want It,' and 'Check It Out' with supporting musicians. Additional program segments include a mime performance by Halim Adbur Rashid (Fred Johnson), 'Access' (on the services of the Roxbury Defenders Committee, Inc.), 'Information' (on rent control and rent increases), 'Blast From the Past' (with an excerpt from a 1968 Say Brother interview with musician Smokey Robinson), 'The Word' (with commentary by professor and historian A.B. Spellman on the recent pardon granted by President Gerald Ford to President Richard Nixon on September 4, 1974), the 'Community Calendar,' and 'Commentary' by Producer Marita Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.