Search Help

How does this work?
There are many ways to search the collections of the Freedom Archives. Below is a brief guide that will help you conduct effective searches. Note, anytime you search for anything in the Freedom Archives, the first results that appear will be our digitized items. Information for items that have yet to be scanned or yet to be digitized can still be viewed, but only by clicking on the show link that will display the hidden (non-digitized) items. If you are interested in accessing these non-digitized materials, please email info@freedomarchives.org.
Exploring the Collections without the Search Bar
Under the heading Browse By Collection, you’ll notice most of the Freedom Archives’ major collections. These collections have an image as well as a short description of what you’ll find in that collection. Click on that image to instantly explore that specific collection.
Basic Searching
You can always type what you’re looking for into the search bar. Certain searches may generate hundreds of results, so sometimes it will help to use quotation marks to help narrow down your results. For instance, searching for the phrase Black Liberation will generate all of our holdings that contain the words Black and Liberation, while searching for “Black Liberation” (in quotation marks) will only generate our records that have those two words next to each other.
Advanced Searching
The Freedom Archives search site also understands Boolean search logic. Click on this link for a brief tutorial on how to use Boolean search logic. Our search function also understands “fuzzy searches.” Fuzzy searches utilize the (*) and will find matches even when users misspell words or enter in only partial words for the search. For example, searching for liber* will produce results for liberation/liberate/liberates/etc.
Keyword Searches
You’ll notice that under the heading KEYWORDS, there are a number of words, phrases or names that describe content. Sometimes these are also called “tags.” Clicking on these words is essentially the same as conducting a basic search.

Search Results

Winnie Mandela interview Winnie Mandela interview
Call Number: KP 045Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProgram: Freedom Is A Constant StruggleCollection: African liberation movements
Winnie Mandela is interviewed on her political trajectory, discrimination she encountered, and the freedom struggle in South Africa. Speaks to her role both as a social worker and organizer with Black Women's Federation.
MANDELA: Free at Last MANDELA: Free at Last
Date: 1/1/1990Call Number: V 003Format: VHSProducers: Rory O’Connor, Danny SchechterCollection: Videos in many formats – both camera originals as well as reference materials
A documentary about South Africa, apartheid, Nelson Mandela and his role in the liberation of South Africa.
Mandela in America Mandela in America
Date: 1/1/1990Call Number: V 150Format: VHSProducers: Danny SchechterCollection: Videos in many formats – both camera originals as well as reference materials
This complete chronicle of Nelson Mandela's U.S. tour includes an exclusive interview with Mandela and reactions from President Bush to actress and South African, Alfre Woodard. Also includes performances by Aretha Franklin, Tracy Chapman, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Stevie Wonder and more. Additional performers include: Aretha Franklin, Tracy Chapman, Hugh Masekela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Johnny Clegg, Sweet Honey in the Rock. A commemorative documentary. Music Producer(s): Danny Schecter & Rory O'Connor Combines studio and live performances.
Nelson Mandela in Oakland Nelson Mandela in Oakland
Date: 6/30/1990Call Number: CV 004Format: Cass A & BCollection: Chuy Varela Collection
On June 30, 1990, Ron Dellums along with Harry Belafonte introduce Mandela and other speakers and artists take the stage to discuss the injustices of apartheid. Nelson Mandela speaks about ending apartheid in South Africa and establishing democracy. Mandela emphasizes the importance of the movement within the Bay Area to end apartheid and how it has inspired the people in South Africa to keep up the struggle.
Nelson Mandela Released Nelson Mandela Released
Call Number: V 365Format: VHSProgram: CBS News Sunday Morning, PBS The Macneil Lehere News HourCollection: Videos in many formats – both camera originals as well as reference materials
CBS news coverage of Nelson Mandela's release from Victor Verster Prison in South Africa and interviews of supporters. Brief material with Pete Seeger singing about freedom. German Reunification.
Winnie Mandela interview Winnie Mandela interview
Call Number: CD 691Format: CDProgram: Freedom Is A Constant StruggleCollection: Compact discs and videos representing digitized copies of analog tapes
Winnie Mandela is interviewed on her political trajectory, discrimination she encountered, and the freedom struggle in South Africa. Speaks to her role both as a social worker and organizer with Black Women's Federation.
Nelson Mandela in Oakland Nelson Mandela in Oakland
Date: 6/30/1990Call Number: CD 658Format: Cass A & BCollection: African liberation movements
On June 30, 1990, Ron Dellums along with Harry Belafonte introduce Mandela and other speakers and artists take the stage to discuss the injustices of apartheid. Nelson Mandela speaks about ending apartheid in South Africa and establishing democracy. Mandela emphasizes the importance of the movement within the Bay Area to end apartheid and how it has inspired the people in South Africa to keep up the struggle.
Political Prisoners: There and Here Political Prisoners: There and Here
Date: 11/18/1990Call Number: PM 423Format: Cass A & BProducers: WBOMCollection: African liberation movements
Nelson Mandela addresses US Congress on the end of Apartheid, Dhoruba Bin Wahad, former Black Panther Party member and Freedom Now member speak out on the governments escalation of oppression and its parallels to attempts to stomp out the antiapartheid struggle in South Africa.
Political Prisoners: There and Here Political Prisoners: There and Here
Date: 11/18/1990Call Number: CD 813Format: CDProducers: WBOMCollection: Compact discs and videos representing digitized copies of analog tapes
Nelson Mandela addresses US Congress on the end of Apartheid, Dhoruba Bin Wahad, former Black Panther Party member and Freedom Now member speak out on the governments escalation of oppression and its parallels to attempts to stomp out the antiapartheid struggle in South Africa.
Nelson Mandela Released Nelson Mandela Released
Collection: African liberation movements
Short excerpt from speech by Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, upon his release from Victor Verster Prison after 27 years of incarceration.