Heads up. On May 16th, PBS will be airing a documentary on

[Booster]

the "Freedom Riders", the brave people who got on the buses in the South to protest racism and discrimination in the '50's. I think it's important for young people to see this doc because I bet they can't imagine how bad this country was back then. Set your DVR's for this one.

[tblue37]

1. They used to show the documentary series

Eyes on the Prize in social studies classes in many--perhaps even most--of our public schools, but I wonder if they even do that any more.

[Booster]

2. I have a feeling they don't, especially in the Southern states.

What a shame - the history of those times is really interesting and uplifting (and depressing). In 1962 I got on a bus in Dallas headed for Mississippi. When I got on there were very few people on and I went to the back because there was a bench seat back there and I wanted to lay down and sleep for most of the trip. I woke up in Louisianna and the bus was packed; whites in the front and blacks in the back. An elderly black lady whispered to me "Get on up to the front before you get all of us in trouble". I said I wanted to stay in the back and the lady rolled her eyes and said "Oh, Lordy". When we got to our destination, I started up the aisle to the door and the black people began to clap their hands really softly. I'll never forget that. I do have to say that not one white person even paid any attention to me at all so it all ended up well. That memory is burned in my brain for the rest of my life.

[niyad]

3. it is appalling to realize that there are many people today who would have been right at home in the

segregated world of 1961. back then, I naively thought that we were going to leave that horror behind us. I would not have believed, then, that we would be confronting that same mentality today.

[bobbolink]

4. Thank you for posting this. The Freedom Riders have been on my mind the last few days... even

included them in a post today.

I won't be able to see this, but I appreciate knowing it will be broadcast.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNAOq8ApgBA/TRYLzFm4hrI/AAAAAAAADMk/gWJoWdE-mFw/s1600/Whites+Only.jpg

[Booster]

5. Oprah did a show on the surviving members and it was really

interesting and uplifting. It was one of Oprah's best shows - when she's good she's damn good. God, people were mean in those days.

[bobbolink]

6. I didn't see it, unfortunately. AND, people are just as mean now. Sometimes a different

target (like homeless people!), but the meanness is there.

After what I have seen today about what supposed "progressives" are saying about Indians speaking up about the use of the term "Geronimo" for a code name, I am ASHAMED and also frightened where we are headed.

Not much has really changed, if you look closely. :cry: The attitudes are pretty much the same.

Will you be able to post a review after watching this, for those of us without tvs?

[Booster]

7. I will certainly try to post a review - not too good at that though.

Someone could probably tell us if you can view shows like this on PBS's website. I will look into that and see if they show it after it's aired on regular tv. I had forgotten that they had set one of the buses on fire while everyone was still on it and they tried to block the door so they couldn't get out, but the gas tank exploded and everyone ran, giving them the chance to get off. A twelve yr old white girl started bringing them water even though she was being threatened. She was also on the show. Hard to believe that was 50 yrs ago. We haven't come nearly far enough.

[bobbolink]

8. I hope you will give it a try. I can't get that sort of thing on the internet tubes.

I thought I was fairly savvy, but there are obviously parts of the story that I don't know. It is incredibly sad, but I also find it inspiring.

BTW, there is a movie from a bit earlier era... The Great Debaters, with Denzel Washington and Forrest Whitaker. I really ABSORBED that movie! You might enjoy seeing it before this PBS special.

Thanks again! :hi:

[robinlynne]

9. thanks.

[WillyT]

10. Thanks For The Heads-Up !!! - K & R !!!

:kick:

:hi: