Of Black America In Search Of A Past Footage

Of Black America: In Search of a Past
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	Catalog #:	491182
	Clip Number:	491182-1
	Orginal Film:	WPA 1720
	Timecode:
	Location:	Ghana, Africa
	Year Shot:	1968 (Actual Year)
	Audio:	Yes
	Color:	No
	Headings:	CIVIL RIGHTS: African-American LOCATIONS/NORTH AMERICA: USA
	Description:	ON PREVIEW CASSETTE #201550 Another film about the search for cultural-socio-political identity, as several black college students travel abroad to the University of Ghana to learn about their African roots (heritage) and some of the misconceptions therein. Much of this is in an interview format (of professors and students). MS's and CU's of a stern-faced African man distributing food to kids in a village. CU of a female student talking about the culture shock of being in Africa. MS's of dancers in a predominantly black nightclub. Travelling shots along an urbanized area in Africa (many gas station signs, high rise apartment buildings, billboards, etc). MS of SWEET SOUL MUSIC, an outdoor music record kiosk. MS of a woman in heels and miniskirt (FI on her legs, natch). CU of a female student talking about her exchange student program experience, about how African people seemed ashamed of their race.......... Cu of University of Ghana Professor NANA NKETIA talking about the differences between Africa and America, focusing on the perks of being in Ghana. MS's of women and children working and playing in a poor village. CU of a man playing a tribal drum (djembe?), followed by MS's of locals teaching the American exchange students how to dance in their tradition. CU's of drummers and dancers, as well.......... CU's of students talking about family relationships and the remnants of the slave mentality in Ghana. CU's and MS's of families milling about in a Ghana village. MS's and CU's of Ghana writer and political figure JOSEPH APIA and his wife PEGGY (daughter of JOSEPH KREBS) talking about African contributions to culture and history that have been grossly overlooked by Eurocentric parties, about the justification of colonization, and about the intimacy of African culture. Great MS's and CU's at an African funeral, of dancers and drummers and the people lining to shake the hands of the bereaved (many, many smiles here as this is a happy occasion). The Apias also talk about how it is an honor and a priviledge to have children in Africa. MS's and CU's of children strapped to their mother's backs as they walk through villages and urban areas (the 20 lb backpack). More MS's of youth dancing in a nightclub.......... tight LS of a bus driving past an urban marketplace. CU's of American exchange students talking about what they felt they had in common with Africans, with Africa itself. Some blame the white man for the oppression, one claims Africa is not a utopia for the American black man, that there are no commonalities between the two countries (though stating it's her homeland), that neither place is truly free.......... MS's and CU's of Dr. SCOTT KENNEDY, an American poet and dramatist, leading an outdoor Ghana class through a fist-pumping, bongo-banging hymn of "We Shall Overcome". CU's of him talking about American vs. African culture, about the search for identity, about being called an American when abroad where in the States he would have been addressed as Negro.......... MS's inside a University of Ghana classroom as the two cultures converse about the struggle for equality, identity, about not vacating the US in favor of Africa (best to stay and fight).