Celebrate Black History on PBA

On February 8th, 1968, eight seconds of police gunfire left three young men dying and 27 wounded on the campus of South Carolina State College at Orangeburg. Eyewitnesses claimed they saw the all-white police force shoot unarmed African-American students from behind as they fled. Termed the “Kent State of the South” and predating it by two years, the shooting marked the first time in U.S. history that police opened fire on students. Through interviews and archival material, this documentary looks at the key aspects of the incident, including the repercussions into present day.

This documentary chronicles the history of African Americans in the U.S. military, starting with the American Revolution and going all the way to the present. Using letters, diaries, speeches, journalistic accounts, historical text, and military records, it examines why, despite enormous injustice, these men and women fought so valiantly for freedoms they themselves did not enjoy.

This Emmy award-winning Ken Burns two-part film chronicles the life and career of boxer Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight champion, and one of the greatest fighters of the 20th Century. Johnson was an independent individual whose behavior infuriated the “white establishment”, and he was eventually forced to flee the United States after a federal conviction for allegedly violating the Mann Act.

This fascinating documentary takes a look at the early professional life of Muhammad Ali, when he went from fighting in the Rome Olympics to training in Miami under the guidance of trainer Angelo Dundee. Included is rare archival footage, as well as interviews with many that were closest to him. Among the interesting subjects are his unique self-promotional efforts, his bouts with Sonny Liston, and his conversion to the Nation of Islam.

Bill Cosby is the 2009 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize, honoring those in the field of humor. Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Dick Gregory, Carl Reiner, and former “Cosby” cast mates Phylicia Rashad and Malcolm Jamal-Warner are among those who take the stage to pay tribute to Cosby’s amazing career and his influence on American comedy. Also included are archival clips of Cosby performances spanning decades.