Independent Lens Season 19 Episode 6 I Am Not Your Negro

"I Am Not Your Negro" is the sixth episode of the nineteenth season of Independent Lens. The episode is based on James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript "Remember This House," which he intended to be a memoir of his friends and civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. The documentary explores the history of racism in America through Baldwin's philosophy and personal experiences.

Using a combination of archival footage, contemporary interviews, and Baldwin's own words, the documentary presents a powerful and timely examination of systemic racism in the United States. The film takes the audience on a journey through Baldwin's life, from his childhood in Harlem to his prominence as a writer and civil rights activist.

The documentary focuses on Baldwin's perspective on race relations in America, and how these issues have evolved since his time. Through his writings and speeches, Baldwin argued that racism was a fundamental problem in America, one that had to be confronted before any meaningful change could occur.

The film also examines the lives of the three civil rights leaders who were the subject of Baldwin's manuscript. Medgar Evers was assassinated in 1963, Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965, and Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Baldwin considered these three men to be his closest friends, and their deaths had a profound impact on him.

"I Am Not Your Negro" is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that explores the state of race relations in America. Through Baldwin's eloquent and impassioned words, the film challenges viewers to confront the deep-seated racism that continues to plague our society.

The documentary is directed by Raoul Peck, a Haitian filmmaker and political activist. Peck has a long history of creating films that examine social and political issues, and his work has been screened at film festivals around the world.

Overall, "I Am Not Your Negro" is a must-watch documentary for anyone interested in social justice and civil rights. Through Baldwin's captivating prose and Peck's skillful direction, the film offers a powerful and timely examination of the issues that continue to divide America.