Mr.Soul - Journal Entry 26 Xiongyue Yu

Mr. Soul 2018 – Ellis Haizlip

 

In the late 60s and early 70s, he started a program on PBS in New York called Soul, which became a platform to promote the awakening of black consciousness. And the documentary he produced, one of the first series to offer expanded images of African Americans on television, shifted the spotlight from inner-city poverty and violence to the vibrant black arts movement. It was also a way to help the current audience, a predominantly black audience, experience a beautiful black era with a visual documentary. This documentary shows the world the efforts of once active black artists and groups, in all forms and with all their efforts. The music and art confronted the violence, injustice and danger that they experienced in real life. These confrontations and struggles with dark experiences make the film a positive inspiration, a way to feel and strengthen a sense of black ethnicity and to understand the mutual support and love between people. For having experienced those moments together, and in those circumstances, they still show their remarkable talent with music, which is recognized worldwide. Such talent expresses their resilience and perseverance, and will be the courage and weapon to continue to fight and struggle in a world where racial issues still exist.

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