One of the great things about living today is that we still have a Public Broadcasting Service that offers amazing documentaries and programming, much of it focusing on issues of interest to African -Americans. One such documentary in particular premiered this week and it amplifies many of the things that I wrote about in my companion article in this edition of the PRIDE. The documentary is entitled “Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War.”
Fun Fact: I researched and wrote my article “The Emancipation of Slaves and the American Revolution” last week, several days before I watched the new PBS show. Seeing the stories of Mum Bett and the Book of Negroes along with the Dunmore Proclamation brought to life after I had just written about them reassured me that these are indeed things of paramount importance that we need to learn about and understand as we observe the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Whose Independence, indeed? I highly recommend that you take advantage of the opportunity to view it free online now without the PBS app at the link below; or watch it anytime with the PBS app: or watch it on your television set this weekend at the Times listed below.
Description of the program, from PBS: In 1776, the Founders’ promise of “all men are created equal” remained distant for many. Trace the heroic stories of the enslaved and freed Black Americans who fought to define democracy and their liberty through the Revolutionary War.
“Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War” airs this weekend at these times on WNPT (Channel 8.1) and WNPT2 (Channel 8.2): Friday, July 3, 7:00 pm on WNPT2; Saturday, July 4, 12:00 am (midnight Friday) on WNPT2; Saturday, July 4, 8:00 am on WNPT2; Saturday, July 4, 2:00 pm on WNPT2; Sunday, July 5, 3:30 am on WNPT; and Monday, July 6, 03:00 am on WNPT2.
Watch free through September 28 at:
https://www.pbs.org/video/declarations-black-americans-and-the-revolutionary-war-lz3868
