Ep 2. Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth
- February 7, 2014
In American Masters season 27 episode 2, viewers are taken on a journey through the life and work of Alice Walker, an acclaimed author and activist. This episode, titled "Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth," explores the ways in which Walker's experiences growing up in the rural South during the Civil Rights Movement shaped her writing and activism.
The episode features interviews with Walker herself, as well as with her friends, family, and colleagues. Viewers learn about her early years living on a Georgia farm, as well as her experiences attending segregated schools and participating in Civil Rights protests. Through archival footage and interviews with historians, the episode places Walker's life and work in the context of the larger social and political movements of the 20th century.
The episode examines the impact of Walker's groundbreaking novel "The Color Purple," which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1983 and was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film. Viewers learn about how the book's depiction of African American women's experiences and relationships challenged societal norms and inspired a generation of readers and writers.
In addition to her writing, the episode also explores Walker's activism on issues such as women's rights, environmentalism, and global human rights. Through interviews with fellow activists and scholars, viewers gain insight into Walker's efforts to promote social justice and create change on a global scale.
Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to readings from Walker's writing, as well as photographs and other archival materials that provide a glimpse into her life and work. The episode also features interviews with figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Gloria Steinem, and Angela Davis, who discuss the impact of Walker's writing and activism on their own lives and careers.
Overall, "Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth" offers a rich and intimate portrait of a pioneering writer and activist, exploring the ways in which her life and work have shaped contemporary culture and inspired generations of artists and activists.
