Africans in America: America's Journey Through Slavery (1998)

MUSIC IS IMPORTANT TO THIS JOURNEY

Africans in America This is a wonderful series, which I like most for its tie-in with the series of music composed and compiled by Bernice Johnson Reagon and Toshi Reagon in connection with the production. I have the cds and play them all the time for the mixture of African American folkloric music mixed with the special contribution both Bernice J Reagon and her daughter Toshi Reagon are making to African American music and the light they continue to shed on the importance of African American music to American culture. Apparently, so much of our music was protest music and part of an ongoing statement of humanity despite our conditions as slaves and for many years post slavery. So I just love the it. August 24, 2008

Great educational tool.

This is a great piece of history. Didn't receive 5 stars because I think the history should have continued and not ended at the point it did. July 12, 2007

A Great Companion to the Book

Reading the book of the same name prompted me to purchase this DVD and I was not disappointed. It provided the same atmosphere, despair, anger, amazement, etc however I highly suggest you read the book first. As with all movies made from a book, you lose a little something because of the time constraints but this is a good way for the kids/teenagers to wet their American/Black history appetite. It is also a good way for the family to view it together and to discuss it, after, each chapter and get immediate feedback. One way or the other, you can't watch this movie and not be moved. The movie is a must in your DVD collection. May 13, 2007

Massive Amount of Information

I am absolutely NOT a history buff, so when I didn't have to take a bunch of history classes in high school, I was okay with that. But when I got to Northern Michigan University and realized how some locations can completely snub African American literature by not teaching it, it annoyed me. It also made me want to learn more. Since then, I have found interesting ways to learn more about my own history. An Amazon friend gave this DVD such a high rating (and he doesn't like much of anything) so I had to check it out. I picked it up at the library figuring it was going to be pretty dry but educational. Wrong! Not only was it educational, but it was the most interesting way to ever learn about African American history for someone like me. Bassett has a wonderful storytelling voice, there were enough anecdotes to make it feel heartwrenching, the information was endless, and it was so well documented. I am completely impressed and bought a copy for myself. It's such a satisfying feeling to be able to back up emotions with actual facts and this DVD gave a lot of hidden information that we'll never find in "American" history books. Great job! March 24, 2007

a documentary that everyone needs to see.

I love history to death also. Looking back and studying history can help you find out who you are and where the world is going due to history often repeats itself. This six hour dvd is packed with information about slavery and its history. The documentary goes so deep into detail that it will have unknown information for the most scholarly historian. Features like this are important for children of afrikan descent due to the fact it seems that the school system isn't teaching this aspect of history and making sure our youth understands the importance of the events that happened. This documentary is highly recommended for your collection. March 8, 2007

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