Documentary Viewing at the Malcolm X

By Malachi Kudura

Contributing Writer

On Saturday March 25th, 2023 the Valencia Park/Malcolm X Branch Library hosted a John Henrik Clarke documentary viewing of “A Great and Mighty Walk”, presented by the UNIA/ACL Afrikan Redemption Division #619. The film was followed by a discussion with the audience on their thoughts on Dr. John Henrik Clarke, who was an historian, black nationalist, PanAfricanist, and a pioneer in the formation of Africana studies in the United States.

The documentary was narrated, and executive produced by actor Wesley Snipes. It gave a detailed account of African history and the importance of the Pan-African Movement. Dr. John Hendrik Clarke was described by Wesley Snipes in this film as “A Legend, an African American hero, historian, an activist. He has for half a century charted a singular course dedicated to the intellectual and spiritual liberation of a people.”

The film was produced in 1996 in partnership with documentarian St. Claire Bourne. Clarke is featured in much of the film, where, in his own words, he talks about everything from his upbringing, Pan-Africanism, the civil rights and the Black Power movements, and his views on Louis Farrakhan’s Million Man March, to name a few.. He schools his audience on the history of African civilization, and argues that no colonizer ever “brought civilization” to Africa.

Jardea Jenkins, President of UNIA-ACL RC2020 African Redemption Division, had this to say when asked to share her thoughts about the event that took place Saturday, “It is important for us to show documentaries like these in the community to raise awareness. We have to raise awareness of our history, who we are, spirituality.

Once we start to learn who we are, then we can think in terms of organizing around the common purpose.

The performance definitely did not leave room for disappointment. Actors Biko Eisen-Martin (John Carlos “Los”), Korey Jackson (Tommie), Patrick Marron Ball (Pete), Christian Coulson (Neville), Michael Early (Jesse Owens), Kimberly Scott (Dora), and Nick Wyman (Avery) delivered their lines and contorted their bodies with the intent and fullness of the characters they portrayed. The chemistry on stage exuded a relatable sense of familiarity and brotherly love, strained relationships, and even hatred felt by all in attendance, allowing for a full scope of emotions to be explored in the production. Jive talk displayed authentically witty Black-male humor that generated deserved laughter, while pain and anger expressed through the experiences of loss and the unchanged mistreatment of Black Americans promoted empathetic anger in the hearts of attendees. With a standing ovation and fists raised in solidarity in the crowd, it’s clear that this is a can’t-miss production. The efforts of all involved with the performance from the writing, direction and acting to the set and costume designers and backstage production crew truly delivered an epic story that deserves to be told and seen by all.

“Currently, Black history is under attack. Events like this take the history of our people and our s truggle back to the community. Malcolm

X Library has always been a site for that sort of learning”, said Mychal Matasemela Odom, also in attendance Saturday. He continued, “To apply his ideas, we need to read, organize and build institutions. We need to also elevate the role of Black women.”

It is very clear that black and white are colors that describe a person’s skin tone, not their nationality, history or culture. It is important we seek more information about our lost African history. As Marcus Garvey said, “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”.