A Civil War: for the Soul of Black America

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Short / Documentary
USA, 2019, 23 min

Plots(1)

The African American community deals with a civil divide between those who believe in the politics of respectability where proper appearance conquers racism, and those who push against it, affirming that rights are deserved regardless of "respectability." In solidarity with the African American spirit, USC Law Professor and African American Jody David Armour grew a large afro and argues AGAINST the politics of respectability. Speaking to the fact that his achievements did not deter LAPD from handcuffing and holding him at gunpoint in front of his home; nor did it prevent him from being targeted as homeless and asked to leave the JW Marriot Hotel in downtown Los Angeles while waiting in the lobby. His 1997 book, Negrophobia & Reasonable Racism: The Hidden Costs of Being Black in America (New York University Press), details the Black Tax all African Americans must pay. Over twenty years later, that tax still plagues Black America. Professor Armour's message is resolute, "We'all we got." (Pan African Film Festival)

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