Documentarian Ilana Trachtman (PBS's Black in Latin America with Henry Louis Gates Jr.) sheds light on an important, if little-known episode in the civil rights movement in which Black and Jewish citizens joined forces in Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round. The title comes from Langston Hughes' 1942 poem "Merry-Go-Round."
Trachtman begins with vintage footage, bolstered by painterly animated sequences, to depict Glen Echo Amusement Park, a popular destination for Washington DC residents for decades. Actors Jeffrey Wright and Mandy Patinkin voice dispatches from the Black and white press, while other actors, including Bob Balaban and Lee Grant, voice community members.
Considering that the district had a large Black population, it’s notable that there are no Black faces in the amusement park footage, though DC was a majority-Black district from the 1950s through the 2000s. Maryland also had a significant Black population.
Black speakers in the film lament that they couldn't simply enjoy a day at an amusement park. As one puts it, "Jim Crow was just a way of life," but Howard University students began to organize in 1960, inspired by incidents of direct action in the South. Future Freedom Rider Hank Thomas and others formed the integrated Non-Violent Action Group (NAG) to advocate for equal rights. They started with lunch counter sit-ins before setting their sights on Echo Glen Park.
When Jewish progressives and labor organizers heard about the protest planned for June 30, 1960, they showed up to lend their support. After a white member bought tickets, the students went to ride the merry-go-round, resulting in five arrests.
Jewish supporters were particularly disappointed to find out that the park's owners were Jewish. The protest inspired picketing that attracted Black families, in addition to clever stunts designed to get around the prohibition. Throughout the region, it became a hot-button topic with racist letters to the editor and an American Nazi Party counter protest.
The action went on all summer, attracting notable names, like civil rights leader Stokely Carmichael and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, who were happy to lend a hand. By 1961, the park was desegregated, inspiring similar protests across the country, though the exact role of the US government in forcing that change remains a matter of interpretation. Some of the participants, like Hank Thomas, would continue to advocate for civil rights, not just in the 1960s, but throughout their lives, inspiring their children and grandchildren along the way.
Ilana Trachtman has made an artful and affecting documentary that tells a contextually-rich story, making it suitable for home, classroom, and library screenings on its own or alongside episodes from Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s four-part PBS series Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History, particularly the episode “The Grand Alliance,” which focuses on similar alliances. As Gates puts it, “We saw Jewish Americans as some of our strongest allies in the fight for racial justice.” Recommended.
Why should public and academic libraries include this civil rights documentary in their collections?
Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round brings attention to an important and often overlooked chapter in the civil rights movement, highlighting the collaboration between Black activists and Jewish allies in the fight against segregation. Through archival footage, animation, and strong voice performances, the film presents a clear and engaging narrative that will appeal to patrons interested in American history, social justice, and grassroots activism. For academic libraries, it is especially valuable for courses in African American studies, Jewish studies, U.S. history, and civil rights movements, offering a focused case study that complements broader historical overviews. The availability of both a feature-length and a 59-minute educational version adds flexibility for classroom use. Additionally, a Teacher’s Guide is included with every school license purchase; it is aligned with national standards and designed for grades 6–12, featuring seven complete lesson plans along with supplementary resources that support classroom engagement and discussion.
Is this documentary a good fit for classroom or community screenings?
Yes! The film is particularly well suited for classroom settings, where its concise educational version can anchor lessons on direct action, coalition-building, and the history of segregation in the United States. Its clear structure and compelling storytelling make it accessible to students, while still providing enough depth to support meaningful discussion. For community screenings, it pairs well with conversations about allyship, protest strategies, and the enduring impact of civil rights activism. When used alongside related materials or programming, it offers a powerful opportunity to connect past movements with present-day efforts for social justice. The film screened at festivals in an 89-minute version. This educational version is 59 minutes. Please contact licensing@aintnoback.com if you would like to explore public performance licenses or multi-site educational licenses.
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