Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle
April 17, 2013It is sometimes hard to remember that it wasn’t that long ago that Americans were fighting for civil equality in this country. The National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership…
It is sometimes hard to remember that it wasn’t that long ago that Americans were fighting for civil equality in this country. The National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, seeks to spark conversation about the long road to civil rights equality through a new project. The initiative, entitled “Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle,” focuses on developing public programming about America’s Civil Rights history by awarding communities resources to facilitate the programs. Communities across the country can apply to receive four critically-acclaimed films, programming resources and up to $1,200 to help in developing programs that focus on the civil rights topic. The goal of the initiative is to “spark public conversations about the changing meanings of freedom and equality in U.S. history.”
The films included are as follows:
The Abolitionists
A small group of moral reformers in the 1830s launched one of the most ambitious social movements imaginable: the immediate emancipation of millions of African Americans who were enslaved. Produced and directed by Rob Rapley. Sharon Grimberg, executive producer for American Experience, WGBH.
Slavery by Another Name
Even as slavery ended in the south after the Civil War, new forms of forced labor kept thousands of African Americans in bondage until the onset of World War II. Produced and directed by Sam Pollard. Catherine Allan, executive producer for Twin Cities Public Television. Douglas A. Blackmon, co-executive producer. A production of TPT National Productions, in association with Two Dollars & A Dream, Inc.
Loving Story
The moving account of Richard and Mildred Loving, who were arrested in 1958 for violating Virginia’s ban on interracial marriage. Their struggle culminated in a landmark Supreme Court decision, Loving v. Virginia (1967.) Directed by Nancy Buirski; produced by Nancy Buirski and Elisabeth Haviland James. A co-production of Augusta Films and HBO Films. Distributed by Icarus Films.
Freedom Riders
The Freedom Rides of 1961 were a pivotal moment in the long Civil Rights struggle that redefined America. This documentary film offers an inside look at the brave band of activists who challenged segregation in the Deep South. Produced and directed by Stanley Nelson. Mark Samels, executive producer for American Experience, WGBH.
Up to 500 communities across the country will receive these NEH-funded films, in addition to programming resources to help guide public conversations. Each participating site will also receive an award of up to $1,200 to support public programming exploring the themes of the Created Equal project.
Applications are open to museums and historical societies; humanities councils; public, academic, and community college libraries; and nonprofit community organizations.
Application receipt deadline: May 1, 2013
Notification: June 1, 2013
Grant term: September 1, 2013 – August 31, 2016
Learn more and apply here: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-exhibitions/created-equal-americas-civil-rights-struggle
