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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

Puerto Rican Plebiscite Puerto Rican Plebiscite
Date: 8/28/1989Call Number: LA 055Format: Cass A & BProducers: Gloria AlonzoProgram: public talkCollection: Puerto Rico
Jose Lopez gives public talk on the Plebiscite and Puerto Rican status as a Free Associated State. Welcome by Gloria Alonzo. Lisa Roth talks about Huey P. Newton’s funeral and his legacy. Lopez talks about Pedro Albizu Campus’ legal trial and it’s legacy. He talks about the plebicscite as a form of consulting the people you conquer. Talks about Puerto Rican Prisoners of War and Political Prisoners. question & answer.
Panel Discussion on the current state of Congo. Panel Discussion on the current state of Congo.
Call Number: AFR 062Format: Cass A & BCollection: Zaire-DRC
Panel discussion on the current state of Congo. Zairian Political Scientist Ilunga Kabongo speaks about the past struggles of Congo, and about former Congo Prime Minister and revolutionary Patrice Lumumba’s efforts in the struggle for liberation in Congo. He speaks about how FLN (National Liberation Front) was restricted because of revolutionary mercenaries from South Africa and other neighboring countries. He speaks about Congo’s abundance of natural resources as well. Next, Nzongola Ntalaja, Congolese Political Scientist, speaks about the continuing struggles in Congo, and about the struggle for autonomy in that country. He calls for the complete liberation of the Congolese people, and speaks about the struggle against Sese Seko Mobutu, president/dictator of Congo from 1930 - 1997, who had usurped power through a coup and was backed by Western powers. Ntalaja speaks about the struggle for a “second independence”, and the need to continue the struggle for liberation against Mobutu’s regime. On Side B, Dr. Tshiteya Mukona of Penn State University speaks about Mobutu’s Development policy of bribery, and how American foreign policy in Zaire (DRC - Democratic Republic of Congo) is supportive of Mobutu. Lastly, he speaks about the US’s role as a superpower and how it can influence other countries without destroying them.
Colonialism’s influence on African religion Colonialism’s influence on African religion
Call Number: AFR 065Format: Cass A & BCollection: Africa- General Resources
Recorded off mic. Begins abruptly with a speech by a man about old African religions and folk tales. He speaks about traditional African religions, animism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. “Where the African went wrong in the history of the world was when he adopted foreign gods or foreign interpretation of his gods”. One of the ways Africa was oppressed and colonized was through religious colonization. He talks about how elements of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam can be found in Africa’s own religions, but says that African religions should not be interpreted by outsiders. He describes the history of foreign influence on African religion and slave trade. Next, a woman speaks about Baptists, her own faith, and she speaks about literature originating out of Egypt. Lastly, continuing to Side B, another man speaks about Mozambique.
Elizabeth Sibeko of the Pan African Congress Elizabeth Sibeko of the Pan African Congress
Call Number: AFR 067Format: Cass A & BCollection: South Africa
Elizabeth Sibeko of the PAC (Pan African Congress) in South Africa speaks about the PAC delegation to a women’s conference in Nairobi, Kenya. She speaks about the Portuguese, French, and American involvement in South African affairs and oppression, and speaks about how the solidarity that has been shown the people of South Africa is helping to liberate the African people. On Side B, she continues to speak about children’s and student’s roles in the struggle against Apartheid and oppression. She says that they have the advantage of large population, organization, and direction.
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.
anti-imperialist jazz music and the Congolese National Liberation Front anti-imperialist jazz music and the Congolese National Liberation Front
Call Number: AFR 073Format: Cass A & BCollection: Zaire-DRC
Recorded off mic. Jazz music with vocals about anti-imperialism, neo colonialism, and the struggles of Africans under oppression. Side B continues with music, but much poorer recording. Also, a representative of FLNC (Congolese National Liberation Front) speaks about the struggle in the Congo, and the history of the struggle in relation to the present. He celebrates the 16th Anniversary of the creation of FLNC, and praises its accomplishments. Lastly, he speaks about the struggles for change in Congo, and the struggle for a good economy and unity.
Paul Robeson readings Paul Robeson readings
Call Number: PR 055Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Lincoln BergmanCollection: Paul Robeson recordings
Readings from Paul Robeson, by Lincoln Bergman, about his years living in England (1929-39) Same as CD 288, Track 3
Liberation struggles in Zimbabwe Liberation struggles in Zimbabwe
Call Number: AFR 078Format: Cass A & BProgram: Zimbabwe Medical: Fundraiser for Struggles in ZimbabweCollection: Zimbabwe
Several speeches aimed at supporting liberation struggles in Zimbabwe. The event begins with several women urging people to aid various liberation movements. The next speaker, the National Coordinator for the National Committee Against Grand Jury Repression, speaks about organizing in the Bay Area and San Francisco for the independence of Puerto Rico. He talks about solidarity between Zimbabwe and Puerto Rico, and their liberation struggles. The next speaker, a man from Zimbabwe, speaks about the need for medical supplies in his country, especially for the Zimbabwean refugees. He also speaks about ZANU’s (Zimbabwe African National Union) tactics of armed struggle, and he talks about the Zimbabwe Development Fund. He explains how it is only hurting the country because it is under foreign control. He asks people not to invest in Rhodesia or South Africa because of the white imperialist control in those countries. Lastly, he urges people to aid the medical drive for Zimbabwe. Paul Smith of the International Indian Treaty Council speaks about international solidarity, and Tiri Kangai speaks for the Zimbabwe Medical Drive Coalition. Barbara Miyangi of the Zimbabwe Medical Drive Coalition speaks about international solidarity with Zimbabwe, health care needs in Zimbabwe, and she also discusses how most diseases in Africa came from the white colonialists.
DU Zaire Au Congo DU Zaire Au Congo
Call Number: V 153Format: UmaticProducers: Christian MesnilCollection: Videos in many formats – both camera originals as well as reference materials
Part 1 of 2. SAME AS V154 Continued on V215 This documentary by Christian Mesnil chronicles Congo's struggle for independence from the racist colonial rule of King Leopold's Belgium. Using archival pictures and footage, as well as poetry and music, this documentary covers the colonial occupation of the Congo from 1885 to the declaration of independence in 1960 as well as the subsequent postcolonial struggle. Much emphasis is placed on the political life of Patrice Lumumba (1925-1961) and included are statements and speeches spanning from his organizing work with the Mouvement National Congolais to his inagueration as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This film is in French with no subtitles. B&W.
Du Zaire Au Congo Du Zaire Au Congo
Call Number: V 154Format: Mini DVProducers: Christian MesnilCollection: Videos in many formats – both camera originals as well as reference materials
Part 1 of 2. SAME AS V153 Continued in V215 This documentary by Christian Mesnil chronicles Congo's struggle for independence from the racist colonial rule of King Leopold's Belgium. Using archival pictures and footage, as well as poetry and music, this documentary covers the colonial occupation of the Congo from 1885 to the declaration of independence in 1960 as well as the subsequent postcolonial struggle. Much emphasis is placed on the political life of Patrice Lumumba (1925-1961) and included are statements and speeches spanning from his organizing work with the Mouvement National Congolais to his inagueration as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This film is in French with no subtitles. B&W.