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

Let it Burn Let it Burn
Year: 1968Call Number: RFW 067Format: VHSProducers: Robert CohenCollection: Robert F. Williams!
We have no legal rights to reproduce or distribute this item! NOW V 220 • Robert Carl Cohen introduction • Reasons for wearing the Mao button – in support of the people of China • Circumstances behind leaving Monroe and the US: being seen as a fugitive as opposed to a refugee from racial oppression; manipulation of the White House; role of the Freedom Riders and the standing guard against white aggression; refusal to participate in non-violent protest. • 06:00: advocating for defense or violence? RFW’s policy • 07:00: kidnapping charge and the threat against RFW • 08:00: Klan activities and attacks and the response • 12:16: to Mrs. Tegall “I didn’t bring you here…” • 13:30: reasons for leaving Monroe • 15:00: names of those indicted in the kidnapping case • 17:20: post-Monroe to Cuba • 18:08: political asylum in Cuba from Fidel because of the Cuban understanding of the US as a racist country • 19:30: opposition from some members of the CP • 20:55: support from the Cuban people for his liberation struggle • 22:00: did he commit treason against the US? No, treason isn’t possible under tyranny. The US gov’t betrays its people, failed to protect the rights of Black people, a constitutional failure. • 23:30: no such thing as a neutral country for Black men (France, Sweden, Canada/RCMP) • 24:50: justification for publishing the Crusader from Cuba • 25:40: cause of the riots in Watts and Detroit was Washington and apathy • 26:00 “by any means necessary” • 26:43: reasons for leaving Cuba – beginnings of sabatoge by some members of the Cuban government • 29:24: discussions with Che Guevara • 30:22: equality for Black people as a revolutionary movement • 30:50: change of masthead of Crusader corresponding to change in ideology and mood of the movement • 33:15: names Cuban sabateurs and means of sabatoge • 34:45: CIA activity and infiltration • 35:45: Why go to China? Rejected by “neutral” countries, where else could a Black freedom fighter go? • 36:40: support from the Chinese government and people • 38:15: support for Mao as a defender of the rights of the oppressed • 39:47: not being too influenced by negative statements • 40:10: “I am a refugee, a victim. My first concern…” • 40:58: Chinese not sending arms or money to US Blacks • 42:01: Listen, Brother pamphlet, the crimes of white America, message to Black GIs to put an end to tyranny parellel to the American Revolution against the British • 45:00: not all white Americans should be killed but some should • 45:40: long-term killing of Blacks in the US over time • 46:49: who killed MLK? Out of touch with reality? No. • 47:58: parallel with Hitler Germany • 48:55: 14th amendment and the failure of the US gov’t to protect people • 51:06: why support from the Chinese? RFW is the first Black victim to survive and land on their soil. • 52:17: Cultural Revolution in China • 55:03: great turmoil to come to the US, much contempt and hatred of the US in the world • 56:29: America is about to destroy itself • 57:47: Washington, Patrick Henry, RFW all say by any means necessary