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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.
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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.
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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

Joe Slovo speaking at the ‘Future of Socialism’ conference Joe Slovo speaking at the ‘Future of Socialism’ conference
Date: 10/13/1990Call Number: KP 049Format: Cass A & BCollection: African liberation movements
Joe Slovo speaking at the ‘Future of Socialism’ conference
Conference on Zimbabwe after independence. Conference on Zimbabwe after independence.
Date: 2/27/1982Call Number: AFR 032Format: Cass A & BCollection: May 19th Communist Organization
Conference on Zimbabwe after independence, featuring speakers Judy Jensen of Material Aid Campaign for ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union), Comrade Johnny of Zimbabwean Missions, Marcy Shulman of May 19th Communist Organization, Sister Assata Shakur and Serge Mukendi of FLNC (Congolese National Liberation Front), and Ahmed Obafemi, the East Coast Region Vice President of the RNA (Republic of New Africa). Jensen speaks first on the Material Aid Campaign’s goals of building solidarity with Namibia’s struggle against South African and American imperialism through the “Dollars for Bullets” campaign in solidarity with PLAN (People’s Liberation Army of Namibia). She points to Zimbabwe’s victory as bringing support to Namibia’s struggle through resources and moral support. Later she speaks on efforts to aid in Zimbabwe’s reconstruction. Comrade Johnny speaks about how the armed struggle was essential for victory, and how revolution never dies. After liberation, Zimbabwe must still continue the long process of freeing people from the white imperialist structures. He tells of the history of the Zimbabwe struggle, and how a development plan must be set up in reconstruction. Marcy Shulman speaks about women’s role in fighting for liberation. Assata Shakur and Serge Mukendi the oppressive situation the people of the Congo find themselves after the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. Mukendi calls for an armed peoples war for national liberation and socialism, and calls for solidarity with SWAPO (South West African People’s Organization). Ahmed Obafemi begins his speech, continued on AFR 033. Tape 1, 2/27 DFB
Conference on liberation and reconstruction struggles in Southern Africa Conference on liberation and reconstruction struggles in Southern Africa
Call Number: AFR 035Format: Cass A & BCollection: African liberation movements
Continuation of AFR 034 See enclosed note in AFR 035 Conference on liberation and reconstruction struggles in Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia. A representative of SWAPO (South West African People’s Organization) speaks about the international community being in solidarity with Southern African countries, and asks for support for SWAPO’s continued struggle for liberation in Namibia. A member of the Zimbabwe admission to the United Nations speaks about the bonds formed between liberation fighters in Africa and internationally. He speaks about the leaders of ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union), the ANC (African National Congress), and the PAC (Pan African Congress). He speaks on the history of the struggles for independence and human rights in Southern Africa, and the contued struggle for liberation. Sylvia Baraldini of the May 19th Communist Organization speaks on the National Campaign in solidarity with the ZANU Women’s League. She talks about the lessons of the struggle for liberation in Zimbabwe and looks at the process of reconstruction. A permanent representative of the PAC of Azania to the United Nations speaks about South Africa. He comments on South African president P.W. Botha’s refusal to erode Apartheid through economic means. He talks about a socialist solution incorporating equal distribution of wealth and power, and calls people to work together to fight oppression.
Pan African Congress Chairman Pokela on the PAC and conditions in South Africa. Pan African Congress Chairman Pokela on the PAC and conditions in South Africa.
Date: 11/8/1982Call Number: AFR 069Format: Cass A & BCollection: South Africa
Judy Jensen of the Material Aid Campaign for ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union) interviews PAC (Pan African Congress) chairman Pokela about the PAC campaigns in South African townships and cities. He speaks about how the PAC insists on conducting an armed struggle and guerilla warfare, and also that Gatsha Buthelezi is an independent and not the voice of PAC, although he is a member. Pokela speaks about the Soweto Uprisings. He talks about how one must go back into the history of Soweto to understand the significance of the uprisings, and how Africans can achieve their own independence, and their own rights. He talks about how the Soweto Uprising campaign is similar to PAC campaign, and then speaks about workers’ rights and job conditions. Side B is a continuation of Side A PAC Chairman Pokela speaks about unification between the PAC and Black Consciousness Movements, thereby uniting the people internally. He speaks about the need for all Africans to be united, and speaks about how other African countries such as Algeria, Angola, and Mozambique have been good examples for black South Africans. He speaks about the possible involvement of women in the PAC. Lastly, he says that Nationalism, Pan Africanism, and Socialism are central to the PAC.
Paul Robeson speaks in Oakland Paul Robeson speaks in Oakland
Call Number: PR 063Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsCollection: Paul Robeson recordings
Out-takes: Excerpts from interview in Oakland, CA. Robeson speaks about the Council on African Affairs, his passport struggle, his love for the folk songs of many cultures, art as the reflection of a common reality and universal aspirations for a better life all over the world, his travels to socialist countries, and socialism. Also, excerpts from his speech on civil rights, the history of slavery and the abolition movement. (Some distortion on tape.) Same as CD 308, Track 1
Paul Robeson speaks in Oakland Paul Robeson speaks in Oakland
Out-takes: Excerpts from interview in Oakland, CA. Robeson speaks about the Council on African Affairs, his passport struggle, his love for the folk songs of many cultures, art as the reflection of a common reality and universal aspirations for a better life all over the world, his travels to socialist countries, and socialism. Also, excerpts from his speech on civil rights, the history of slavery and the abolition movement. (Some distortion on tape.) Same as PR 063 Raw materials, 1950s: Taped message from Robeson to Marine Cooks and Stewards Same as PR 064 Joe Johnson, Marine Cooks & Stewards Union, introduces Paul Robeson. Robeson, speaks, sings 5 songs, recites speech from “Boris Gudonov” in English and Russian, sings part of an aria from Mussorgsky’s opera; also recites “Dr. Butts” by Langston Hughes. (The latter has some parts missing from the tape.) Same as PR 067
Questions and Answers with Chairman Pokela of the PAC Questions and Answers with Chairman Pokela of the PAC
Date: 11/8/1982Call Number: AFR 091Format: Cass A & BCollection: African liberation movements
In an informal conversation, Chairman Pokela of the PAC talks with members of Material Aid to ZANU, Free Azania (NYC Chapter), and the Anti-Springbok 5. Within the course of the question and answer session, Poleka details a wide range of issues facing South Africans and the liberation struggle in 1982. He talks about the significance of the Soweto uprisings, types of resistance, Bantustans and separate development, history, aims and objectives of the PAC, the role of workers and capitalism, armed struggle, political prisoners, and the PAC’s connection to other regional struggles for liberation. Three tapes.
Independence: The Peoples Republic of Mozambique Independence: The Peoples Republic of Mozambique
Publisher: Department of Information FRELIMOYear: 1975Volume Number: No. 61 June 25Format: MonographCollection: Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique
Official Organ of Mozambique Liberation Front FRELIMO
Eritrea: The National Question and the Logic of Protracted Struggle Eritrea: The National Question and the Logic of Protracted Struggle
Authors: Michael and Trish JohnsonPublisher: Eritrea Material Aid CampaignDate: 4/1981Volume Number: AprilFormat: ExcerptCollection: Eritrea
Reprinted from African Affairs, April 1981
Southern Africa Political & Economic Monthly (SAPEM) Southern Africa Political & Economic Monthly (SAPEM)
Publisher: Southern Africa Political Economy Series (SAPES) TrustYear: 1990Volume Number: Vol. 3-10Format: PeriodicalCollection: Zimbabwe
The Condition of Women: Challenges for the 1990s