Initial Broadcast Date: October 12, 1971
30 minutes – Color
Amid the rundown buildings and deteriorating streets of Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant section, young children under Project Weeksville are “Digging for Black Pride,” and coming up with artifacts which link them to their 19th century ancestors. Black Journal focuses on this project in the second show of the 1971-72 season.
Under Project Weeksville, black children are learning of early Bedford-Stuyvesant residents who held off white raiders during the Irish Draft Riots of 1863. With the help of historian Robert Swann and archaeologist William Harley, they are discovering that a highly organized, sophisticated self-sufficient black community existed in Weeksville during the early 1800s. Research shows that the community created and administered various social and economic institutions including homes for orphans and the aged and a community insurance plan. Oral history, provided by elderly local residents, reinforces Project Weeksville’s finds.
At Public School 243, black children with the aid of Project Weeksville are also reaching back to their African past and figuratively digging for black pride. Black Journal visits a kindergarten class, where Barbara Jackson teaches children about their African heritage. The children are seen learning African songs, and chanting “once upon a time all the black children in the world came from Africa.”
“Black Journal” is a production of NET Division, Educational Broadcasting Corporation
Executive producer: Tony Brown
This reel is part of one of our Specialty Collections. Online viewing or downloads of low-res versions for offline viewing will be available for only more day, though. Online viewing or downloads of low-res versions for offline viewing has now expired, though, and cannot be viewed online. "Pro" account holders can download a low-res version for offline viewing.
Sign up for a "Pro" account to download this footage.
This reel is currently not available for online viewing.
Sorry, this video is temporarily unavailable for online viewing or download. Please try again later.
Restricted Material
Access to this reel with audio is restricted. It will be available for only more day.
Access to this reel with audio has expired.
