Independent Collections
These collections were produced by independent journalists. Many of these recordings make up the bulk of the original collection of the Freedom Archives.
Documents
Black Writers - Horace Cayton, LeRoi Jones, and Ossie Davis
Date: 1/1/1967Call Number: CE 124Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Interviews with Horace Cayton, LeRoi Jones, and Ossie Davis discussing the conditions of Blacks in relation to white power, liberalism, socialism and war. Also distinction between violent and nonviolent approaches to organizing, and the impact of Black writers on social movements.
Gwendolyn Brooks - Part 1
Call Number: CE 125Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Brooks discusses bitterness as a theme of social protest in poetry. Also she reads her poetry, short stories, and the preface to the book "New Negro Poets," a collection by Langston Hughes.
Gwendolyn Brooks - Part 2
Call Number: CE 126Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Brooks reads her poetry and short stories.
LeRoi Jones on Black Writers: Tell It Like It Is - Part 1
Date: 9/20/1964Call Number: CE 127Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
History of Negro writers and how they had to emerge from "below the veil of anxious politeness" that was set in place by monied white audiences to reveal the true "Black experience" in America. Includes references to most influential Black artists - from jazz musicians to writers. LeRoi Jones reads from article "LeRoi Jones Speaking."
LeRoi Jones on Black Writers: Tell It Like It Is - Part 2
Date: 9/20/1964Call Number: CE 128Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
History of Black writers and how they had to emerge from "below the veil of anxious politeness" that was set in place by monied white audiences to reveal the true "Black experience" in America. Includes references to most influential Negro artists - from jazz musicians to writers. LeRoi Jones reads from article "LeRoi Jones Speaking."
LeRoi Jones on Black Writers: Tell It Like It Is - Part 3
Date: 9/20/1964Call Number: CE 129Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
History of Black writers and how they had to emerge from "below the veil of anxious politeness" that was set in place by monied white audiences to reveal the true "Black experience" in America. Includes references to most influential Negro artists - from jazz musicians to writers. LeRoi Jones reads from article "LeRoi Jones Speaking."
LeRoi Jones Reading of Poems
Date: 12/20/1964Call Number: CE 130Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
LeRoi Jones reading poems from his book "The Dead Lecturer". Includes mention of the influence Allen Ginsberg had on Jones' work.
LeRoi Jones on Philistinism - Lecture
Date: 12/20/1964Call Number: CE 131Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
On disrespect of non-material values (like art and spirituality) and how Black artists reject philistinism when expressing the experience of Blacks in America. Includes reading from Jones' book "The Dead Lecturer."
LeRoi Jones on Philistinism - Open Discussion
Date: 12/20/1964Call Number: CE 132Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Discussion after lecture on philistinism. Topics range from US imperialism and material values taking over the world, the role of religion after the Middle Ages, and the role that Black artists can play in building unity.
Kenneth Rexroth, Saunders Redding, Harvey Swados, and LeRoi Jones
Date: 12/20/1964Call Number: CE 133Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
About tensions and poor communication between different generations of Black writers, how disadvantaged subcultures (like Blacks) have trouble expressing themselves to conventional white audiences.
