The Black Woman, Pt 2

Duration: 12:00

Year Published: 1970

Complete Record: From film can: “Poetess Nikki Giovanni, singer Lena Horne, Bibi Amina Baraka, wife of poet-playwright Leroi Jones, and other Black women discuss the role of Black women in contemporary society and the problems they confront. Topics discussed include the relationship of Black women to Black men, Black women to white society, and Black women to the liberation struggle. Lena Horne condemns the arrest of Angela Davis which she fears may be ‘a calculated genocidal move...’ There is also singing by Roberta Flack and a dance by Lorretta Abbott, and poetry by Nikki Giovanni.” PART 2: Film begins in TV studio, where six women are having a discussion about what it means to be a black woman in society. Martha Davis (“Harlem Drug Fighters”) talks about the harsh realities of being black in America. Jean Fairfax (”Legal Defense Fund”) and Marian Watson (”TV Producer”) also discuss the issues. A short poem is read by a child, Kali. Then a live dance performance by Loretta Abbott. The next segment is “Correspondents Journol” (sic), a news piece reported by George Martin about the Shrine of the Black Madonna Church in Detroit, Michigan. An interview with the church’s founder, Rev. Albert Cleage. Then scenes from the church’s services, including a reading by Sonia Sanchez from her work, “Queens of the Universe.” Another short poem, “Ladybird, Ladybird,” is read by Kali. Then back to a TV studio, where Nikki Giovanni interviews Lena Horne about family, the entertainment industry, and politics. Back to the initial studio where the six women continue their discussion. Amina Baraka (”Mrs. LeRoi Jones, Committee for a Unified New Ark”) begins the discussion. Also in the discussion are the host, Joan Harris, and Vertamae Grosvenor (as “Verta Mae Grosvenor, Author”). Then Robert Flack at the piano, sings a song in Spanish. Dissolve to Nikki Giovanni reading a poem, then back to Roberta Flack singing. Directed by Stan Lathan.