March 16, 2013 | Theatre,

CHECK OUT THESE FILMS, BOOKS & MUSIC RELATED TO EMERGENCY

 

FILMS

Graceland Girls (2012)

In this documentary directed by recent Emerson alumna Jordan Salvatoriello, the Graceland Girls School celebrates young women in central Kenya who desire to become leaders in their community. These girls defy the odds by using their schooling to demand equality and respect. Check it out in the Bright Family Screening Room on March 23 @ 1PM.

Middle of Nowhere (2012)

On a plaintive journey of self-discovery, Ruby uncovers inner strength during the dark time of her husband’s incarceration. Director Ava DuVernay was awarded for this film at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and was the first African American woman to win the prize. Like Emergency, this powerful film deals with the struggle to escape a history that haunts us. See it in the Bright Family Screening Room March 17 @ 1PM and March 23 @ 6PM.

Malcolm X (1992)

This biopic of Malcolm X shows how he overcomes the trauma of his father’s murder by white supremacists and turns into one of the most influential (and controversial) African American leaders. Initially he turns to gang violence, but during a period of incarceration, he reads the Nation of Islam writings of Elijah Muhammad and converts to Islam. He valiantly tries to spread the word of Muhammad and compel his community to reject inherent white superiority, and his iron will leads him and those around him on journeys of self-discovery.BOOKS

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf (1974)

Ntozake Shange’s gripping choreopoem conjures heart-wrenching stories of women of color in modern America. Told through the perspectives of seven rainbow-clad women with overlapping pasts, the narrative evokes a sense of shared history which bonds together the characters, audiences and the world. Similar to Emergency in that any one character could be representative of the community as a whole, readers and audiences will be able to feel a weighted history of centuries’ worth of misdeeds that shape people of color into the human beings and cultures they have today.

Their Eyes Were Watching God (1934)

After her first marriage turns sour, Janie finds a husband who wants to build a name for himself, and does so by founding an all-inclusive African American town in Florida. But even within an all-Black community, Janie finds that there are still social hierarchies and societal expectations of how women are expected to act. Zora Neale Hurston’s novel questioning gender, class and race was published during the Harlem Renaissance, and still resonates with modern audiences due to its strong-willed female protagonist fighting to declare a name for herself while examining the double standards a race can hold against itself.

The Fire Next Time (1963)

James Baldwin’s collection of essays inspired slow-simmering action during the Civil Rights movement. Baldwin discusses the role of race in American history using his own unjust experiences in Harlem as a platform to write about the horrific realities of people of color. It’s easy to draw lines of comparisons from Baldwin’s work to Beaty’s, especially reflecting on Beaty’s idea of transforming pain into power.

MUSIC

Introducing Daniel Beaty (2012)

Now you can hear the spoken word of Daniel Beaty anytime with this compilation of his poetry. Relive his empowering rhythms and whirls of emotion as he weaves together autobiographical threads and overarching stories that many can relate to. Beaty challenges what it means to be a free man in today’s society, and how one can’t shake or forget his ancestors’ pasts.

A Sun Lady for All Seasons Reads Her Poetry (1971)

During the Black Arts Movement, Sonia Sanchez’s poetry shone as a cultural representation of her thoughts and emotions (and those of her peers) at the time. She addresses relevant cultural issues of the past and present. Her smooth voice does not simply say the sentences; she treats each word on an individual basis, either delivering them in short, staccato bursts, or elongating them smoothly over her tongue. Sanchez has praised Beaty’s work in Through the Night, saying it was refreshing to see Black characters who don’t just sing and dance all the time: they reflect deeply about their situations.

Tracy Chapman (1988)

Tracy Chapman caused waves with her acoustic singer/songwriter album during the heyday of synthesized rock. Her quiet but smoldering protest music resonated with listeners as she talked about poverty in her song “Fast Car” and addressing the need for change in “Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution.” With activism extending beyond her lyrics, Chapman has aided causes such as South Africa’s Anti-Apartheid Movement, AIDs relief, Amnesty International and children’s charities. Chapman has performed with Beaty in the past.

Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998)

The collaboration between Mos Def and Talib Kweli spawned an honest and raw album speaking to the issues and philosophical ideals of their day in their hometown of New York City. Listen to the critically acclaimed album that cautions against materialistic pursuits, encourages pride towards the outward appearances of African Americans and addresses the underlying aggression that comes with wanting to be strong and free. This duo contributed two songs (“Respiration” and “Definition”) to VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. Most Def has performed with Beaty in the past.

 

Katherine Ouellette is a first semester senior at Emerson College, studying writing, literature & publishing with a minor in marketing communication.