Explore Black History

1969

This 16mm film is a short documentary made for National Educational Television's Black Journal television program. Producer St. Clair Bourne chronicles the opening of Malcolm X Liberation University in Durham, North Carolina on October 25, 1969.

A film clip with the title “Malcolm X Liberation University.” The clip is a short documentary made for National Educational Television's Black Journal television program. In it, producer St. Clair Bourne chronicles the opening of Malcolm X Liberation University in North Carolina. The film consists of a single reel of 16mm color acetate film with optical sound (2012.79.1.68.1a), an original 400-foot film reel (2012.79.1.68.1b), and an original 400-foot film canister (2012.79.1.68.1c).
The film opens with a student meeting/rally at Duke University, in which one unidentified student speaker (male) states why they no longer wish to participate in a system they don't believe speaks to the needs of African American college students. A male narrator begins to speak, explaining what the Black Student Movement at Duke University was and how it originated and morphed into a separate institution. An interview with Howard Fuller begins to play, and he expresses why he doesn't believe in institutionalized black studies programs. Footage of him announcing the opening of Malcolm X Liberation University begins to play and is followed by clips of the opening celebratory parade and rally. The narrator describes the new university's proposed curriculum and study abroad program in Africa.
Howard Fuller addressed the crowd by reading a statement from Stokely Carmichael and introduced guest speaker Betty Shabazz. During her speech, white train workers in a nearby train yard rang a train car bell to interrupt her speech. A visiting professor who was in attendance climbed on top of the train car and silenced the bell so Betty Shabazz could finish her speech. A small group of women sing "The Black Magician" onstage. Courtland Cox, a representative from Malcolm X Liberation University's sister school in Washington, DC, closed the ceremony. The film ends with an interview with Howard Fuller speaking on the role of Malcolm X Liberation University and hopes to play in the black liberation struggle.

Film clip from Black Journal: Episode 18

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Pearl Bowser Collection

Black Journal

Time-based Media - Moving Images

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pearl Bowser

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2012.79.1.68.1abc

sound films
color films (visual works)
short subjects
16mm (photographic film size)

© National Educational Television
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

acetate film and metal

Physical extent (film): 320 ft
Duration: 10 min.

Title • Black Journal: 18; Malcolm X Liberation University

nmaahc_2012.79.1.68.1abc

NMAAHC

BLACK JOURNAL: 18; MALCOLM X LIBERATION UNIVERSITY

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1960s

Greaves, William • Fuller, Howard • Bourne, St. Clair • Malcolm X Liberation University • Reagon, Bernice Johnson • Harambee Singers • X, Malcolm • Shabazz, Betty • Bowser, Pearl • National Educational Television

North Carolina • Raleigh • United States • North and Central America • Wake County • Durham • Durham County

Public television • Discrimination • Education • Race • Motion pictures • Civil rights • Race relations

Muslims • African Americans

City • Raleigh • County • Wake County • State • North Carolina • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • City • Durham • County • Durham County

color films (visual works) • short subjects • 16mm (photographic film size) • sound films

Video recordings

Limited Use