The Documentary Meeting David Wilson starting on GEM$NBC now

[malaise]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/arts/television/11wils.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin

<snip>
In “Meeting David Wilson,” a documentary on MSNBC on Friday, a 28-year-old African-American from Newark in search of his roots finds his way to North Carolina. The goal of his trip is to meet a 62-year-old man whose great-great-grandfather owned slaves, one of whom was the younger man’s great-great-grandfather. Both men are named David Wilson.

Brian Williams will have a panel after.

[Syrinx]

1. looks interesting so far

[libnnc]

2. I've eaten at that restaurant that Wilson owns in NC

Short Sugar's is a barbecue joint that is known for its silver-dollar sized, thin homemade biscuits. It's pretty popular in that area.

This is a great show so far.

[malaise]

3. Small world

I'm enjoying it.

[Subdivisions]

4. Very good so far. Enjoying it thoroughly. n/t

[libnnc]

5. Okay, every DUer should watch this at some point

I wonder if they'll make it available online or on DVD?

This is an excellent broadcast.

[Subdivisions]

6. It's about time they did something right. n/t

[PA Democrat]

7. I'm watching also.

I was hooked within the first few minutes.:hi:

[DesertFlower]

8. i'm watching now.

they went to commercial -- so i thought i'd check and see what's going on here.

okay, it's back. bye.

[bleever]

9. This is really interesting.

:thumbsup:

[Subdivisions]

10. Why do I find myself getting emotional watching this? Is anyone

else feeling this?

[malaise]

13. Yep it's very emotional

Some interesting ads to go with the program as well.

[intheflow]

18. Of course you should be getting emotional.

No matter your race, the legacy of slavery and the embedded white privilege have deeply scarred this nation's soul. It should piss us all off AND tear at our heartstrings. It's a really, really heavy topic to wrestle with.

[Subdivisions]

20. I'm quite surprised at my personal reaction to this. And I agree. n/t

[PA Democrat]

23. The moment when David stepped across the thresh hold of the slave quarters

gave me goosebumps. I can't imaging his feelings, sadness, rage, pride in his ancestors for having survived it all. It was extremely moving.

[libnnc]

11. It was tobacco that brought slaves to VA and NC

Once the 17th and early 18th century planter elite figured out they could make big bucks growing tobacco, that fueled the slave trade to the Chesapeake and NC

[Subdivisions]

12. I have roots in that trade in both states. My mother's ancestors

were tobacco farmers right up until halfway through my life when the last of them died off or got too old and no one was left to carry on the tradition.

[libnnc]

14. My ancestor was a back country Justice of the Peace and

wealthy landowner. He transported slaves from market in Charleston up to Rutherford County in NC.

We all need to come to terms with this.

[malaise]

15. They learned from the planters in the Caribbean

Some of the worse slave owners in Barbados used to visit the South and give them ideas. Some owned plantations in both Barbados and the US South.

here's one link.
http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/2008/03/slave-research-us-barbados-drayton.html

[Fridays Child]

16. Wow! The white David Wilson suggested that the black David Wilson would be entrenched in poverty...

...back in Africa, if not for slavery. The black David Wilson responded to him that, if not for the free labor of slavery he, the white David Wilson, would be entrenched in poverty. Truly a stunning exchange.

[malaise]

17. That was unbelievable arrogance and ignorance

Which continent would not be poor if millions were taken away and enslaved. This is too sad.

[Subdivisions]

19. A very dramatic moment and quite revealing. n/t

[malaise]

24. And yet the white David Wilson

is nothing like his slave owning ancestors. I like his honesty.
We've come a long way but we still have a long way to go.

[Subdivisions]

21. I nominate this film for an Emmy. n/t

[libnnc]

22. yup

:thumbsup:

[malaise]

26. The families meeting is amazing

I'm in tears. :cry: Damn we've come a long way.

[Subdivisions]

27. Don't hog the tissues! n/t

[libnnc]

28. This is the discussion we ALL need to be having.

It pisses me off to hear white people say "I don't owe anyone ANYTHING...not MY fault!!111"

As a historian-in-training, I read about the ugly past everyday.

[malaise]

33. Those who read and those who travel know better

We're all one. The bottom line is we really need to have this conversation across the globe.
Obama may have finally given us the chance. Any bet they had this documentary for ages and only decided to use it after that Obama speech.

I will never understand how people can just hate on the basis of color or fear others on the basis of race. No wonder so many people need medication - they really hate themselves.

[Subdivisions]

25. Damn. n/t

[libnnc]

29. The door of no return

[Subdivisions]

30. Anyone who isn't profoundly touched by this journey simply

has no soul and has no shame.

[malaise]

32. Indeed

How do humans do these things to each other.

[malaise]

31. A group of us visited the Elmina Fort

We wept like children.

[libnnc]

34. My Race and Slavery professor told us about it

He asked us at the beginning of class "Why are any of you in this class? What do you want to learn?" Most in the class were African American. One of the best classes I EVER took as an undergrad. I'm in my final semester in the MA program and I really miss him.

His work on slavery in VA and NC is pretty good google Jeffrey Kerr-Ritchie if you're interested. He's not at UNCG anymore but he's well published.

Edit to add NC

[malaise]

38. You must read Thomas Thistlewood's Diary

edited by Douglas Hall - it's a classic on the evils of slavery in Jamaica - it will sicken your stomach. Thistlewood was an evil pervert.

[libnnc]

40. I'll check that out. Race and Slavery is not my field

but as an Americanist, it is something that we are schooled in--at least in a cursory way. We have an Atlantic World concentration at UNC-Greensboro that focuses on the Atlantic slave trade.

[malaise]

43. What's your field?

My maternal grandfather studied at Howard.

[libnnc]

45. 20th Century US with a concentration in GLBT History

We don't have a GLBT History department per se but my mentor has allowed me to take off in that direction. Currently I'm studying the Atlanta Lesbian Feminist Alliance--it was a grassroots lesbian feminist org. that was founded in '72 and finally disbanded in '96.

[Subdivisions]

35. Wow. What a POWERFUL lesson. n/t

[Fridays Child]

36. That was the best thing I've seen on TV in a long time.

It has left me deeply moved and pretty much speechless.

[Subdivisions]

37. I'll second that emotion. Left me a blubbering mess. n/t

[malaise]

41. It's on DVD n/t

[malaise]

39. It was very good

I am reminded of Roots -this generation needs to see that again.

[proud patriot]

42. And now the conversation w/ David A and David B

live at Howard University.

[malaise]

44. This could be good

if people are honest.

[libnnc]

48. who is this guy talking right now?

I was stirring my pot of chili and didn't hear

(not Oliphant...that guy before)

[malaise]

52. Time Wise

The event, to be moderated by Brian Williams, anchor of “NBC Nightly News,” will air on MSNBC at 10:30 p.m. ET and will streamed live on msnbc.com. It will include radio talk show host Tom Joyner; author and Georgetown University professor Michael Eric Dyson; Malaak Compton-Rock, an entrepreneur and wife of comedian Chris Rock; and the Rev. DeForest Soaries, a prominent Republican activist.

I love Dyson and Wise is great.

The panel list is incomplete.

Corrected.

[libnnc]

55. TY. Dyson was at UNCG a few weeks ago and I missed him

I exponentially suck.

[proud2BlibKansan]

46. Wow this was an excellent show

Everyone should see this.

[malaise]

47. The discussion is also very good so far n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

57. I am watching NOW

My DVR is screwed up and if I tape a show I have to watch that show.

I have to take this damn machine back to my cable company and get a new one. :grr:

[Subdivisions]

50. Just as Malaak just said, ever child needs to see this film. n/t

[malaise]

56. If she took off some of that weave

her daughter might like her own hair.

just saying!

[redstate_democrat]

63. Exactly

and how many times have she said the word "I". I I I I I did this and that. Malak, it ain't ABOUT YOUR EGOTISTICAL ASS!

[Subdivisions]

64. She just did it again. n/t

[redstate_democrat]

65. "I work with an organization..."

:puke:

Again, she seems like the elitist type that wants a pat on the back for "working" with "those people".

[malaise]

66. She can't help herself

celebrity wife and all, but at least she's trying to make a difference.

[redstate_democrat]

67. Yes I can tell she really does care and is trying to make a difference

I'm just venting because it just seems so condescending at times

[bullwinkle428]

49. Thanks for this thread - I'll be sure to watch the rebroadcast later tonight!

:applause:

[Subdivisions]

51. Be sure to have the tissue at the ready. You'll need them. n/t

[malaise]

60. Why does Brian WIlliams ask why the black doll test

is failed by black kids. They are brain washed to hate themselves. All they have to do is turn on TV and never see themselves. It breaks my heart every time I see this test.

My dad's sister who lived in the US always sent us black dolls. When she visited us she'd call us Miss World. I always thought I was beautiful.

[intheflow]

82. It wasn't rebroadcast in my area.

:grr:

My cable guide said it would be, and my TIVO said that was what I recorded, but what I got instead when I looked this morning was an episode of Cold Case. :grr:

[NOLALady]

53. I missed it.

But, they will show it again at 11:00 CST.

[malaise]

54. Get out the tissues

You will cry but it's well worth seeing.

[malaise]

58. Barnacle made a few good points

but he doesn't understand some of the issues.

[Subdivisions]

59. What was the name of the person who did the original

Doll Test experiment?

[malaise]

61. Kenneth Clark n/t

[Subdivisions]

62. Thanks. Need it for my Doll Test post. I still haven't located

the original test film though.

[malaise]

68. Maybe Library of Congress

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/brown/brown-brown.html

[Subdivisions]

69. Thanks! Added link to my post. n/t

[HughMoran]

70. I've been enjoying this for the past hour and a half

I wonder why this doesn't happen more often. We could really grow as a nation if we were discussing this issue on a daily basis.

[proud patriot]

72. as have I

:)

[malaise]

74. Obama has reopened the discussion

This is a very good program. Damn this professor is good looking :D

[Subdivisions]

71. This needs 3 more recs, please. Let's get the word out

to the rest of DU.

[Subdivisions]

73. delete

[intheflow]

75. I'm upset they're not repeating the the dialog tonight.

I can set the TIVO to record the second showing of the movie, but I can't record the dialog. This is a lot of information, it's impossible to take it all in in only one viewing. :(

[malaise]

76. Well when they showed Supersize it

they repeated it over and over so hopefully they'll do the same with the film and the conversation.

It was excellent.

[libnnc]

77. Hell what's gotten into MSNBC? Miss. Cold Case!

Watch this Doc. on Klan killings in the '60s.

[malaise]

78. I'm guessing the gazillion complaints about that

SHIT! :rofl:

[checks-n-balances]

79. I want to write MSNBC and give them a double message

To congratulate them on their showcase of this program and to chide them for their dearth of programming between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.

This type of program can make us better people and a better society. That doc block/predator stuff may be serving some kind of purpose (besides the fact that it's about sex, and sex sells) but it doesn't delve into the type of issues we ALL need to be dealing with and learning from. It's educational without appearing that way.

Again, that was a WONDERFUL program!!

[me b zola]

80. I watched this last night and hoped that someone began a thread

The documentary itself was powerful and amazing. The discussion afterwords was outstanding. I wasn't prepared to see msnbc air such honest and frank discussion that is long overdue and deeply necessary.

Tim Wise blew me away. I don't know who this guy is but we need more of him. I have long admired Michael Erik Dyson, and he did not disappoint last night. Who was the Howard professor in the audience who had a short amount of time to speak?


A big :thumbsup: to msnbc for airing this, I hope that they will rebroadcast with the discussion included.

[intheflow]

81. Tim Wise is excellent.

I used some of his stuff when educating (overwhelmingly white) volunteers about white privilege when I was working in Mississippi after Katrina. Because he's a white guy, I really think that whites can "hear" him better than when black leaders speak. It's a clear case of white privilege, but at least he's using his WP for good not evil.

He's got a lot of good stuff up on his homepage: http://www.timwise.org/
You can also check out his ZNet essays and articles: http://www.zmag.org/bios/homepage.cfm?authorID=96

[Blue_In_AK]

83. That was an astounding documentary

very beautifully done.