AP AfAM Unit 4 Supplemental Videos

For unit four, I put together a list of videos that can be used with every topic of study for the unit. They vary in length from three minutes to over an hour. None of them are designed to substitute the video lectures I normally asign, but instead, they reinforce some of the most important concepts.

Throughout the year, I’ve consistently used videos from Crash Course’s Black American History playlist. These are pretty well known, so I didn’t include any of them in the list. Another reliable sources of videos have been the youtube channel Black History in Two Minutes or So hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr - some of these are included in the list. Almost all of these videos can be found on YouTube. Notably, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episode, and Hip Hop at 50 special are on other websites.

I hope this list is helpful. If you have any videos that you use in your classrooms for this unit, please leave a comment with the video link and corresponding unit topic.

4.1 The Négritude and Negrismo Movements

Cesaire and the Negritude movement | DigiDocs (7:16) This short documentary covers the start of the Negritude movement and Aime Cesaire’s role in it. It mixes Cesaire’s writings passionately performed into the story and uses interesting animations that make the video captivating.

4.2 Anticolonialism and Black Political Thought

Race Historicised: Fanon & Colonial Psychosis | DigiDocs (7:47) This video goes deeply into the writings and actions of colonialism critic, Frantz Fanon. Fanon had a role in the Algerian government when the Algerian war for independence started. The video has great animations, and it mixes in some of his writings into the narration to detail his complaints against colonialism.

4.3 African Americans and the Second World War: The Double V Campaign and the G.I. Bill

First African American Tank Unit Enters WWII | 761st Tank Battalion: The Original Black Panthers (12:20) Establishes context for the start of World War II. This includes segregation in the US, in the military, and the Double V campaign. Deep dives on the 761st Tank division and how they fought with valor despite the barriers and discrimination that they were subjected too. 

4.4 Discrimination, Segregation, and the Origins of the Civil Rights Movement

Civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin has arrest records expunged (8:26) News profile on Colvin and her actions of refusing to give up her seat in Montgomery. She explains her motivations and cites women activists before her. Centers her in the civil rights movement, given overdue credit for her action. Covers new development of her criminal record expunged for that arrest.

4.5 Redlining and Housing Discrimination

Does My Neighborhood Determine My Future? (22:08) News documentary that examines all aspects of past housing discrimination and talks with experts on how it has impacted outcomes. It also covers the impact of some modern policies that further increase disparities. Video uses opportunity atlas that can be used in class.

4.6 Major Civil Rights Organizations

The forgotten “wade-ins” that transformed the US (13:43) This video goes deeply into wade-ins, forms of civil disobedience that tried to integrate pools and beaches in the United States. The video focuses on the campaign that happened in St. Augustine, Florida led by an NAACP Youth Council Advisor.

4.7 Black Women’s Leadership and Grassroots Organizing in the Civil Rights Movement

How an FBI Poster Became a Black Power Symbol | The Bigger Picture with Vincent Brown | PBS (14:25) This video covers the charges and arrest of Angela Davis. It also covers how her Afro stood out as a symbol of black power and resistance. It incorporates interviews with Davis in the present day, she gives further commentary on what the movement meant and accomplished.

4.8 The Arts, Music, and Politics of Freedom

A History of "We Shall Overcome" (8:46) This covers the evolution of the song “We Shall Overcome” from the spiritual “No More Auction Block” to Charles Tindley’s version, to the version that became the anthem of the Civil Rights movement. The video ends with some commentary on what the evolution means and how it reflects changes in broader society.

4.9 Black Religious Nationalism and the Black Power Movement

Black Power (2:48) This video narrated by Henry Louis Gate Jr., Black History experts, and Civil Rights activists, briefly covers the start of the Black Power movement as it was vocalized by Stokely Carmichael

4.10 The Black Arts Movement

Faith Ringgold's art of fearlessness and joy (5:41) This news piece goes into the life’s work of Faith Ringgold and her various different types of works from story quilts to paintings and prints. She talks about the discrimination she faced in the art world in the 20th century and her activism.

4.11 The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense

Why the US government murdered Fred Hampton (18:12) This gives extensive background on Black Panthers. Biographical information on Fred Hampton and the coalition he put together. Explains deeply theFBI’s COINTELPRO and the raid that led to Hampton’s assassination.  

4.12 Black Is Beautiful and Afrocentricity

Black Pride: An Evolution in Self Love (7:15) This video starts with a short skit between two Black women giving each other compliments on their Black characteristics. They give some historical background and a definition for Black Pride. They go into the history of the James Brown song “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud.”

4.13 The Black Feminist Movement, Womanism, and Intersectionality

Intersectionality: Feminism Wasn't Made for Black Women | Ephrata Tesfaye | TEDxYouth@MaristSchool (7:39) A TEDx talk by a young Black woman activist and spoken word poet  on how Black women were left out of the feminist movement. She covers intersectionality and how Black women have consistently been consistently marginalized despite their contributions.

4.14 Interlocking Systems of Oppression

The urgency of intersectionality | Kimberlé Crenshaw | TED (18:49) Kimberle Crenshaw who coined the term intersectionality talks about how Black women who die at the hands of police are less likely to be remembered than Black men who are also killed at the hands of police. She gives context into how she started her work in studying intersectionality by looking at double discrimination in employment opportunities. **IMPORTANT NOTE**This talk ends with a montage of Black women who’ve been killed, it includes videos of police brutally beating women in custody, which may be triggering to some. 

4.15 Economic Growth and Black Political Representation

Congressional Black Caucus (3:18) This video narrated by Henry Louis Gates Jr and Black Historians covers the birth of the Congressional Black Caucus in Congress and the initial opposition they experienced by the Nixon administration. It also covers the impact it has had in US politics since its founding. 

4.16 Demographic and Religious Diversity in Contemporary Black Communities

Have Christianity and Islam Helped Black Americans Survive?| AJ+ (11:09) Gives an overview of the evolution of religion amongst African Americans going back to colonial times. Talks about the central role the Black church has had in organizing for rights. Includes information about Islam and Black adherents in the US. Offers reasons for why African Americans continue to practice religion and what the role of it may play in fighting systematic racism.

4.17 The Evolution of African American Music: From Spirituals to Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop At 50: Rhythms, Rhymes & Reflections (41:34) Documentary and celebration of the birth and evolution of hip hop. Hybrid talk show format with artists and commentators. Puts the birth of hip hop in the context of wider US history. Split into segments, 1st talks about birth and impact of hip hop. 2nd covers the impact of women in hip hop. The 3rd section covers the financial side of hip hop, how it has been monetized and who has benefited from it. The last section covers hip hop as an outlet for artists dealing with difficult conditions and how it led to a mental health revolution.

4.18 Black Life in Theater, TV, and Film

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air S4 Ep 24 (22:41) In this episode, Will’s dad comes back into his life after being absent for 14 years. By this point in the series, Will is more integrated into his life in Bel-Air but now must navigate how to deal with difficult elements of his past. The show ends with one of the most dramatic scenes of the entire series with Will coping with the trauma of abandonment and his Uncle Phil consoling him.

4.19 African Americans and Sports

You can also check out the Unit 4 Lectures or buy the slides for classroom use.

1968 - A Mexico City Documentary | NBC Olympics (1:11:37) This documentary covers everything leading into the 1968 Olympics and Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ protest on the podium. It includes information about protests that occurred in Mexico City prior to the Olympics.

4.20 Science, Medicine, and Technology in Black Communities

How Mae Jemison Became an Astronaut: First Black Woman in Space (6:38) - animated biographical video. Probably intended for younger audiences, but includes a lot of biographical information about jemison. Goes into detail on her education background and ultimate achievement of going to space.

4.21 Black Studies, Black Futures, and Afrofuturism

Pumzi (22:09) This short film directed by Kenyan director, Wanuri Kahiu, explores a dystopian future 35 years after World War III. It squarely fits the definition of Afrofuturism as most of the characters that inhabit this future world are Black and the issues they face are similar to those African nations currently face.