African-American History Topics

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Democracy Now! stories, posts and pages that relate to African-American History

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  • King-afilmrecorded-1

    EXCLUSIVE: Rarely Seen Film "King: A Filmed Record" Traces MLK's Struggle from Montgomery to Memphis

    In a Black History Month special, we air excerpts of a rarely seen Oscar-nominated documentary about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the rise of the civil rights movement. Produced by Ely Landau, "King: A Filmed Record...Montgomery to Memphis" is made from original newsreel footage and other original video footage shot of marches, rallies and church services. "King" was originally screened for one night only in 1970 in more...
    Feb 25, 2013 | Story
  • Cory-booker-naacp3

    "Lift Every Voice": Potential Senate Hopeful Cory Booker Praises Harry Belafonte's Life of Activism

    Just hours after New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg announced he would not seek re-election, Newark Mayor Cory Booker introduced Harry Belafonte at an NAACP function in New York. While he hasn’t officially launched a campaign, Booker has filed a statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission, a legal requirement to begin fundraising for the 2014 race. In his remarks, Booker praised Belafonte’s lifelong commitment to...
    Feb 18, 2013 | Story
  • Harry_belafonte2

    "We Must Unleash Radical Thought": Harry Belafonte's Stirring Speech Accepting NAACP Spingarn Medal

    Along with his rise to worldwide stardom, the musician and actor Harry Belafonte has been deeply involved in social activism for decades. One of Dr. Martin Luther King’s closest confidants, Belafonte helped organize the March on Washington in 1963. On Friday, the NAACP awarded Belafonte their highest honor, the Spingarn Medal. "Numerous strategies in the quest of our freedom has been played out at all levels of the social spectrum,"...
    Feb 18, 2013 | Story
  • Cover_eslanda

    BOOK EXCERPT: "Eslanda: The Large and Unconventional Life of Mrs. Paul Robeson"

    Tune in Tuesday for a Black History Month special interview about the extraordinary life of Eslanda Cardozo Goode Robeson, known by her friends as "Essie." She was an author, an anthropologist and and a globally connected activist who worked to end colonialism in Africa and racism in the United States. She was also one of the driving forces behind the career of her husband — the singer and activist, Paul Robeson. We will speak with...
    Feb 11, 2013 | Web Exclusive
  • Theoharis-rebelliousrosaparks

    BOOK EXCERPT: "The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks"

    Read the introduction to "The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks," a new book just out by our guest, historian Jeanne Theoharis. The definitive political biography of Rosa Parks examines her six decades of activism, challenging perceptions of her as an accidental actor in the civil rights movement.
    Feb 04, 2013 | Web Exclusive
  • Rosa_parks_-_100th_anniversary

    On Rosa Parks' 100th Birthday, Recalling Her Rebellious Life Before and After the Montgomery Bus

    Born on Feb. 4, 1913, today would have been Rosa Parks’ 100th birthday. On Dec. 1, 1955, Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her act of resistance led to a 13-month boycott of the Montgomery bus system that would help spark the civil rights movement. Today we spend the hour looking at Rosa Parks’ life with historian Jeanne Theoharis, author of the new book, "The Rebellious...
    Feb 04, 2013 | Story
  • The_wilmington_ten

    The Wilmington 10: North Carolina Urged to Pardon Civil Rights Activists Falsely Jailed 40 Years Ago

    As the new year approaches, North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue is being urged to pardon a group of civil rights activists who were falsely convicted and imprisoned 40 years ago for the firebombing of a white-owned grocery store. Their conviction was overturned in 1980, but the state has never pardoned them. We’re joined by one of the "Wilmington Ten," longtime civil rights activist Benjamin Chavis, who served eight years behind bars...
    Dec 28, 2012 | Story
  • Lewis

    Rep. John Lewis, Civil Rights Icon, on the Struggle to Win, and Now Protect, Voting Rights in U.S.

    As 2013 approaches, marking the 50th anniversary of the historic 1963 March on Washington, we spend the hour with one of the last surviving speakers from that day: Civil rights icon, now 13-term Georgia Congressmember, John Lewis. During the 1960s, Rep. Lewis was arrested more than 40 times and beaten almost to death as he served as chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, marched side by side with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., helped...
    Dec 24, 2012 | Story
  • Walker_purple

    Alice Walker on 30th Anniv. of "The Color Purple": Racism, Violence Against Women Are Global Issues

    On the 30th anniversary of the publication of "The Color Purple," we speak with author, poet and activist Alice Walker about her groundbreaking novel and its enduring legacy. Set mainly in rural Georgia in the 1930s, the book tells the story of a young, poor African-American woman named Celie and her struggle for empowerment in a world marked by sexism, racism and patriarchy. The novel earned Walker a Pulitzer Prize in 1983, making her...
    Sep 28, 2012 | Story
  • Rev_barber_-_dnc_2012

    Grassroots Leader Rev. Dr. William Barber on the Fight for Voting, Civil Rights in North Carolina

    Early voting begins in North Carolina on Thursday, nearly two months before Election Day. Once again, the state is seen as a key battleground state. In 2008, President Obama won the state becoming the first Democrat to do so since Jimmy Carter in 1976. We’re joined by Rev. Dr. William Barber, a grassroots leader deeply involved in the fight to preserve voting rights in North Carolina and to mobilize unregistered voters. Barber is president...
    Sep 04, 2012 | Story