By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-13-69.balt.east.verizon.net - 141.157.13.69) on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 9:07 pm: Edit Post |
Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed
Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed
Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed
By James Greenberg
Bottom line: Rather than seeming dated, Chisholm's moxie and commitment is a refreshing antidote to the opportunism and cynicism that rules the political roost today.
Realside Prods.
PARK CITY -- With all the experimentation going on with the documentary form, it's reassuring to see the traditional formula of newsreel footage and talking heads work as well as it does in "Chisholm '72 -- Unbought and Unbossed." As the first black woman to run for president, Shirley Chisholm makes a spirited subject. The film could be a worthy candidate for select theatrical release in late summer during the political conventions before it airs on POV in late fall.
Rather than seeming dated, Chisholm's moxie and commitment is a refreshing antidote to the opportunism and cynicism that rules the political roost today. There is almost a wistfulness to what Chisholm dared as a first-term congresswoman from Brooklyn in 1972. It's not only a historical document but an inspiring tale of someone who made a difference.
The American political landscape is littered with Don Quixote's tilting against windmills and vested interests. Chisholm told people that "if you can't support me, get out of my way." She was physically attacked three times while on the campaign trail, and talking about it today she still gets teary-eyed.
Not surprisingly, she met a lot of resistance, even among the Congressional Black Caucus and emerging women's rights groups. Gloria Steinem thought she was good, but McGovern was great. And to this day, Chisholm believes that her black colleagues in Congress failed to rally around her because she was a woman.
The story climaxes at the Democratic National Convention, where Chisholm had hoped to influence the platform. The whole point of the campaign was not to win but enter the struggle and pave the way for the future. Now retired and living in Florida, Chisholm wants to be remembered as a woman who fought for change in the 20th century. Mission accomplished, but not finished.
By daniel (0-1pool136-5.nas12.somerville1.ma.us.da.qwest.net - 63.159.136.5) on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 5:52 am: Edit Post |
Well,
A Couple of my questions below were ansewered here. I find myself printing this out into a hard copy for my three ring binder. She must have made an impact on me too.
Before I knew much about her, I studied the campaign of 1972 in my political science class in College and wrote about each of the candidates. Hunter S. Thompson had a picture of her in his book, "Fear and Loathing on the campaign trail of 1972". Her candidacy was so different than the others. I had so many questions? Where was she coming from? How much support did she have? The questions went on...
Those questions led me to study the civil rights movement. Even in the "Eyes on the Prize series" by the Juan Williams, the Washington Post reporter, he barely mentions her contribution. I thought to myself, here was a woman, african american and a leader running just after a turbulent time in America. Why didn't her candidacy take off? I think she was truly before her time. Being physically attacked three times gives you an indication of the ignorance and racial anger that was still brewing at that time. What was not talked about was the way she was talked about in the Diner's, on the street, and among the party establishment. It brought, "tears to her eyes when she talks about it". Why, because she believed in what she was doing and she was not understood. That is courage.
At the end of College, I wrote a play/multimedia show on the civil rights movement during world of difference week. Members of the international club performed the play that Spring. I joined the Peace Corps a short time after. It was those questions and her presence in politics that brought better understanding to main stream America.
By daniel (0-1pool136-7.nas12.somerville1.ma.us.da.qwest.net - 63.159.136.7) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 9:41 am: Edit Post |
Do you think she should be in the head lines?