The Man, the historic fictional film starring James Earl Jones as the first African American to serve as President, will be screened and discussed at the Vanderbilt Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center on February 19, from 6-8 pm.
The Man is a 1972 film based upon Irving Wallace’s bestselling novel, The Man, which was made for television, but was never aired on commercial TV due to its controversial nature. In the film, when the President and Speaker of the House are killed in a building collapse, and the Vice-President declines the office due to age and ill-health, Senate President pro tempore Douglas Dilman (James Earl Jones) suddenly becomes the first Black man to occupy the Oval Office.
Come and see this film, which was prophetic in its treatment of race, politics and the presidency, and join in the discussion afterward. Dr. Don Brunson, assistant dean of the Graduate School, and Dr. Frank Dobson, director, Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center, will lead the discussion.
