Providing a brief overview of the Civil Rights movement in the United States, Ordinary Americans opens with a look at the state of race relations in post-WWII America, touching on significant events that led to sweeping changes during the '60s (such as Jackie Robinson becoming the first African-American professional baseball player in 1947 and the landmark Marshall decision of 1954 which overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine). Combining diary entries, personal narratives, newsreel footage, and speech excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, the film focuses on the compelling stories of four women: Peggy Terry, a white woman who joined the bus boycott picket lines; Fannie Lou Hammer, who struggled to get African-Americans registered to vote, even after being imprisoned and nearly beaten to death; Sheyann Webb, who marched in Alabama to protest unfair voting restrictions on what became known as "Bloody Sunday," after the nonviolent marchers were assailed by local police with clubs; and Sonia Sanchez, a civil rights worker in Harlem who was inspired by the speeches of Malcolm X. The program concludes with the 1984 Democratic Convention address delivered by Unita Blackwell, an original delegate of the 1964 Freedom Democratic Party. Short enough to allow for classroom discussion following viewing, this outstanding video is highly recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (L. Stevens)
Ordinary Americans: The Civil Rights Movement
(2000) 35 min. $79.95 (study guide included). Close Up Foundation. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 16, Issue 1
Ordinary Americans: The Civil Rights Movement
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