Long Lost Black Panther Activists Interviews Unleashed In - "Black Power MixTape"
What's-the411 was recently invited to a screening of a new documentary film called "The Black Power Mixtape." It is a long lost collection of interviews with militant civil rights leaders from 1967-1975 done by the Swedish Journalist Ingrid Dahlberg. I was aware of the struggles that African Americans and minorities have endured though out Americas history. Even in this day and age I, as a black hispanic woman, at times have felt that I was a treated unfairly because of my skin color. But after seeing this film my eyes were forced wide open and I saw a small bit of what Ms. Davis and others went through during this era. This film gives the viewer a look into the civil rights movement of the sixties and seventies that was never taught to me in school or shown to me on a public television.
Director Göran Hugo Olsson and co-executive producer Danny Glover have done a wonderful job of compiling these long lost interviews. The documentary contains voice overs by Erykah Badu and Sonia Sanchez and compelling interviews with Black Panther activists Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Angela Davis and Eldridge Cleaver. When I heard that these films were found in the basements of a Swedish Television station I was shocked that a huge part of history was locked away and almost forgotten for 30 years.
It was compelling to see how a Swedish journalist could get a more enlightening, objective and in depth perspective on the Civil rights movement and its players at that time than seemingly American journalists could. It amazed me that these activists didn't mind be taped and actually relished the fact that their story was being told.
This film is definitely a must see for all ages. We must never forget what hate does, what nonsense it is, and what many Americans in this country have sacrificed so that we can continue to be free. We are all humans beings no matter color or origin, who all deserve respect, acceptance, love and understanding.
Film opens on Friday, September 9, 2011 at the IFC Center and Lincoln Plaza Cinema in New York City.
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