Watch For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska

For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska is a compelling documentary about the struggle of African Americans in Alaska during the mid-20th century. This film sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of the Civil Rights Movement, where Black Americans faced the same oppression and discrimination as their brethren in the Lower 48 states.

The documentary begins by introducing us to the setting of the story, a time when Alaska was still a territory and not yet a state. The World War II had just ended, and the country was grappling with issues of racial injustice and segregation. While Alaska was not a part of the Jim Crow South, black soldiers who came to Alaska during the war were shocked by the racism they faced in this far-flung land.

One of the main subjects of the film is Elizabeth Peratrovich, a Tlingit woman who was instrumental in bringing an end to segregation in Alaska. Peratrovich, along with her husband Roy, who was also a native of Alaska, became involved in the movement to end discrimination in Alaska in the late 1940s. The documentary chronicles her journey towards becoming a leading voice in the movement and how her speech to the Alaska Territorial Legislature in 1945 proved to be a significant turning point.

The film delves deeper into the history of the Native and African American communities in Alaska, highlighting the ways in which they were both subjected to discrimination, prejudice and intense marginalization in the state's political and social arenas. This discrimination was especially apparent in areas such as housing, employment, and education.

One of For the Rights of All's strengths is its unique perspective. As the film progresses, it becomes evident that the struggle for Civil Rights in Alaska is a story that is seldom told. The focus is often placed on the South, where the fight for equality was more visible and gained more significant media attention. However, the fight in Alaska was just as intense, even if it was less publicized.

Through interviews with historians and members of the local community, including Peratrovich's relatives, the film paints a vivid picture of what life was like for Black and Native Alaskans during this period. It emphasizes the injustices of the time, including the fact that African Americans and Native people were excluded from voting and holding political office. The documentary also shows how their efforts eventually led to the signing of the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act in 1945, which prohibited discrimination in Alaska based on race, color, religion, national origin or gender.

The film also touches on the role of the media in highlighting the struggle for Civil Rights in Alaska. Through original footage from the period, we see how African American newspapers from the Lower 48 began to cover the issue and how their articles shaped public opinion. The documentary also explores how the Civil Rights Movement in the Lower 48 inspired activists in Alaska to form alliances and push for change.

The film's imagery is striking, with stunningly beautiful sweeping vistas of Alaska juxtaposed with gritty, black-and-white news footage from the period. The visuals are evocative and help place the viewer in the historical context to grasp the importance of this struggle.

Overall, For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska is a vital addition to the story of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. It helps us understand that the battle for equality was not limited to the Lower 48 states and that the fight for Civil Rights and social justice represents a fundamental principle of the United States. The film is an essential reminder of why it is crucial to continue to fight for the rights of all Americans, regardless of their color, religion or national origin.

For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.