LibGuides: African & African American Literature: Media

Featured Streaming Media

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Africa to America to Paris: The Migration of Black Writers (53:15) his program traces the path of African-American literature from the shores of the U.S. to the Left Bank of Paris at the end of World War II through the late 1960s. The program provides context by first exploring the New Orleans salon poetry of Desdunes and discussing the historic suppression of black activists in the U.S. After the Harlem Renaissance, an increasingly hostile climate drove writers James Baldwin and Richard Wright to Paris, where liberal racial attitudes allowed for greater artistic expression.
Alice Walker: Everyday Use, Uncommon Art Series (2 parts) This two-part series offers an in-depth study of Alice Walker’s widely studied short story "Everyday Use," combining a poignant film adaptation with a focused interview of the author conducted by her official biographer, Evelyn C. White. 2-part series, 23–26 minutes each.
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand (01:25:10) Explore the life and legacy of August Wilson, the playwright some call America's Shakespeare, who chronicled the 20th-century black experience. Features James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Laurence Fishburne, Viola Davis, new dramatic readings and rare footage.
Creativity with Bill Moyers: Maya Angelou (59:00) Following acclaimed poet and memoirist Maya Angelou on a visit to her childhood surroundings in Stamps, Arkansas, this Bill Moyers interview remains a classic of broadcast journalism and a valuable teaching tool for African-American studies.
In Black And White: Six Profiles Of African American Authors Series (6 parts) This six-part series introduces students to six of America’s most highly acclaimed contemporary writers: Charles Johnson, Toni Morrison, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, John Edgar Wideman, and August Wilson. With works ranging from plays to poetry to essays, short stories, and novels, the works of these multi-award-winning authors has helped to define the 21st century literary canon. 6 parts, 22–31 minutes each.
Langston Hughes: Working Toward Salvation Series (2 parts) This outstanding two-part series brings together an excellent production of Langston Hughes’s short story "Salvation" and thought-provoking interviews with author Alice Walker and Hughes biographer Arnold Rampersad. 2-part series, 26–31 minutes each.
A Raisin in the Sun: Character Studies Conversations (50:45) Hosted by Eric Stoltz, this program dissects Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun through the sharp insights of Joe Morton (Walter Lee Younger); Kim Yancey (Beneatha Younger); Phylicia Rashad (Lena Younger); Ruby Dee, Audra McDonald, Starletta DuPois, and Ernestine Jackson (Ruth Younger); Ralph Carter (Travis Younger); John Fiedler (Carl Lindner); directors Lloyd Richards and Jack Hofsiss; Broadway producer Philip Rose; and Hansberry expert Lynn Domina, author of Understanding A Raisin in the Sun: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents. The first play to realistically portray the daily lives of a contemporary African-American family, Raisin—a revolutionary work about race written during the civil rights era—makes the universal statement that dreams of a better future are important to everyone. A viewable/printable instructor’s guide is available online.

Swank

Stream feature films chosen by COM faculty to support your courses from studios like MGM, Paramount, and Sony. Stream 24/7 on or off campus.

Want more on Swank? Go to the How to Use Swank Digital Campus Guide. Must access on campus or login with your COM account for off campus access.

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry A substantial insurance payment could mean either financial salvation or personal ruin for a poor black family.