Dr Gates has produced a 4 part miniseries, each part an hour long, that discusses some of the changes and challenges to being black in America covering the period of Reverend Martin Luther Kings Jr assassination to the elections of 2016.
Much of the focus is from one point of view with occasional differing views but usually from people who will have their comments ignored because of their notoriety.
I didn't see any recognition to previous black pioneers and black communities prior to the reconstruction period after the American Civil War even though that period is mentioned. Would have been nice to have it mentioned that there were black political representatives up to the Congressional level previously.
It does focus on the issue of the "haves" versus the "have not's" and the spiral of poverty and crime and how the justice system has been subverted by politics so that it has become part of the problem. Some of the interviews explained this wasn't just a black issue but more of a class issue.
Would have liked to see a nod given to some non-blacks that were instrumental in some of the changes that have been made. Lyndon B. Johnson, Norman Lear, and even the show All in the Family which helped to break down some walls and start more communication.
Even if you lived through this period of change already it is worth taking the time to watch it. I would not take everything at face value but it does bring up some excellent points to consider.
Much of the focus is from one point of view with occasional differing views but usually from people who will have their comments ignored because of their notoriety.
I didn't see any recognition to previous black pioneers and black communities prior to the reconstruction period after the American Civil War even though that period is mentioned. Would have been nice to have it mentioned that there were black political representatives up to the Congressional level previously.
It does focus on the issue of the "haves" versus the "have not's" and the spiral of poverty and crime and how the justice system has been subverted by politics so that it has become part of the problem. Some of the interviews explained this wasn't just a black issue but more of a class issue.
Would have liked to see a nod given to some non-blacks that were instrumental in some of the changes that have been made. Lyndon B. Johnson, Norman Lear, and even the show All in the Family which helped to break down some walls and start more communication.
Even if you lived through this period of change already it is worth taking the time to watch it. I would not take everything at face value but it does bring up some excellent points to consider.
