The American Negro (unfinished, reel 5, 1962)

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Discusses the experiences of students in an integrated high school in Indiana, highlighting the absence of racial conflict and the positive interactions among students of different races. It emphasizes the importance of open discussions about race relations in education, the pride in African heritage among Black Americans, and the belief in the possibility of improving race relations in the U.S. The speaker reflects on the historical struggles for equality and the ongoing pursuit of civil rights, ultimately expressing hope for unity and progress.

This unfinished civil rights-era film details how segregation affects the daily lives of African Americans, and includes portions of interviews with James Farmer, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, and Ralph Metcalfe. Farmer, Wilkins, and Young were considered to be among the “Big Four” leaders in the U.S. civil rights movement, along with Martin Luther King, Jr. The film also describes the strides and challenges faced by African Americans in the areas of voting, housing, and education. The film was written by Louis Lomax, produced by Willard Van Dyke, directed by Graeme Ferguson, and narrated by Charles Gordone.

Keywords
integration, race relations, education, heritage, equality, American ideal, civil rights, racial harmony, community, pride