African Americans–Civil rights–History

  • Ralph Abernathy and Angela Davis

    Angela Davis, recently released from prison, is interviewed by civil rights leader Rev. Ralph Abernathy regarding the May 20, 1972 “Rally Against Racism, War, Repression” in San Jose, CA. The two discuss the impact a consolidated effort by different activist groups (civil rights, anti-war, Chicano, and labor movement) could have on the oppressive regime in…

  • Dear Angela: James Baldwin on Angela Davis

    James Baldwin talks with Joe Walker (1934-2007), editor of the Nation of Islam’s newspaper “Muhammad Speaks” and author George Cain about the Angela Davis trial and the international attitude on America and its race issues at this time. Baldwin then reads his “An open letter to my sister, Angela Davis.” This program, number 7137 of…

  • The wall (Episode 4 of 5)

    In 1964, Leonard Brown and a team of volunteers created this five-part “audiomosaic” documentary series on the lives of African Americans in the ghettos of Los Angeles. This fourth part “The wall,” focuses on the social barriers between Blacks and Whites in America. Blacks talk about their distrust of Whites, recount stories of racial discrimination…

  • Black studies at San Francisco State : Clarence Thomas interviewed by Mike Traugott

    In this recording, Michael Traugott interviews Clarence Thomas, student coordinator of the Black Students Union at San Francisco State College. They discuss the development of the Black Studies department and the activities of the BSU at San Francisco State College. Previously titled “Black studies at San Francisco State : autonomous, to be or not to…

  • Huey Newton’s birthday party

    On February 16, 1969 at the Berkeley Community Theatre, a large crowd celebrated the birthday of Huey P. Newton and heard a variety of guests speak on Black power, revolution, the New Left, and the justice of Black America. Speakers include Father Earl Neil, Black Panther attorney Charles Garry, a recording of Huey P. Newton…

  • In memory of Martin Luther King Jr.

    This is a recording of a portion of a memorial for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. held on April 5, 1968, the day after his assassination. The first recording heard is an excerpt of a speech by King at the March on Washington, dated August 1963, followed by an introduction by a male member of…

  • The need for action (Part 1 of 2)

    Father James E. Groppi, a white Roman Catholic priest leading a black militant group in Milwaukee known as the Commandos, addresses the Racism in America symposium at Sacramento State College, October 3, 1968. Part one. |KPFA Folio note, February 1969: Father James E. Groppi, a white Roman Catholic priest, is a leader of a black…

  • Sadie and Maude / Jeanette Henderson and Linda Taylor

    In this program of poetry, discussion and music dedicated to Angela Davis, two young Black women, Jeanette Henderson, wife and mother, and Linda Taylor, student, read the works of Black women poets Sojourner Truth, Jeanette MacDonald, Gwendolyn Brooks, Charlene Grant, and a poem titled “Inside the Church of the People” by an anonymous poet. Black…

  • LeRoi Jones interviewed by Earl Anthony

    Earl Anthony of the Black Panther Party interviews Black poet and playwright LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka), who talks about his life and work. They also discuss the court case brought against Jones, Barry Wynn, and Charles McCray for unlawful possession of weapons and resisting arrest during the Newark riots in July 1967. The recording quality…

  • Charlene Mitchell on Angela Davis’s indictment

    Charlene Mitchell is interviewed about the decisions Angela Davis made, including speaking out against repression and admitting that she was a communist, that lead up to her indictment and later arrest. Recording contains Angela Davis giving a speech about her willingness to give up her UCLA job to be able to speak her truth and…