I’m A Man (1970)

This documentary provides an intimate and provocative portrait of John Barber, a Black militant activist in late 1960s America who navigates the complexities of systemic racism, political struggle, and personal identity. Through candid interviews and observations, the film captures Barber’s confrontational approach to civil rights, including his symbolic use of a spear to challenge white authority and his outspoken advocacy for “pyro power” as a tool for revolutionary change. By weaving together the perspectives of Barber, his family, and the skeptical institutions of law enforcement and psychiatry, the film examines the toll of radical activism, the pursuit of Black liberation, and the deeply entrenched fears and power dynamics within a polarized society.

Keywords: Black Power, activism, civil rights movement, systemic racism, radicalism, militant, New Haven, political struggle, identity, revolution