It's official. Dateline NBC will be a one hour special on Booker's Place: A Mississippi Story, Sunday July 15 called Finding Booker's Place.
I am beyond ecstatic that so many people are going to hear about his triumphant journey!
Go Booker Wright!!!
Great that this is happening! Thanks Ms. Johnson and Mr. De Felitta for bringing this to light.
ReplyDeleteHi Yvette,
ReplyDeleteI am extremely happy for you that you're able to learn what a great man your grandfather was. This is a special time for you and I hope you are able to smile and enjoy every minute of the journey. He would be so proud.
@JeremyKnop on twitter
Watching it right now. Your grandfather was a very courageous hero!
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I are watching the NBC Dateline show on this right now--Wow!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being willing to share this part of your family's history.
Thank you, Sister Yvette, for amplifying your grandfather's voice beyond Mississippi and Los Angeles to the entire nation. His dignity in the face of indignity, his dreams of a better life for his children, his enterprising spirit, his refusal to be a victim, despite the physical and emotional attacks he endured -- all struck a chord with those of us who have known the sting of racism, tokenism, and "stay-in-your-place"-ism. Now that we are aware of his story, we must, as his heirs, rededicate ourselves to eradicating the structures and mechanisms that maintain institutional racism in this country, as well as the attitudes and values that propagate white supremacy. We have been dealing for many years with consequences. It is our white brothers and sisters, however, who must come to grips with how institutional racism and white supremacy have benefited them, caused them to mistreat people of color, shaped their world views, and blinded them to the reality that their days of political, cultural, and economic hegemony will soon be over. When they find themselves in the minority, perhaps they will then discover the kind of humility and decency Booker Wright possessed throughout his life. Thank you for your contribution toward winning the ongoing struggle for freedom, justice, and equality.
ReplyDeleteHello Ms. Johnson, I watched some of the story on Dateline on Sunday July 15, 2012. It was very interesting. Hopefully I can find the full espisode of the program, because it is a piece of history that should be told and watched by everyone. Thank you
ReplyDeleteDear Yvette,
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to just happen to be home yesterday when the Booker's Place Dateline sequel came on. I was there in Greenwood in 1990, at Booker's Cafe (as some locals called it)during the filming of playwright, scholar & Civil Rights activist, Dr. Endesha IM Holland's interview for the Oscar-nominated documentary film, Freedom on My Mind (1994). I have lots of still photos & memories of the stories that floated around in the air that week along with the aromas of golden fried chicken, catfish & homemade side dishes. I wish you could have met Endesha (she passed away in Santa Monica in Jan. 25, 2006); she was a master storyteller, and she had plenty of stories about Greenwood in the 60s, Booker's Place & the folks who hung out there. (She even mention's Booker's Cafe in her Pulitzer nominated play, From the Mississippi Delta.) I'm originally from Detroit, but will always have fond memories of the warmth, hospitality & courage of the Greenwood citizens I've met throughout the years. My passion, as a scholar, creative artist and African American citizen, is to enlighten & empower ourselves and others by writing, speaking & revisioning the histories & contributions of previously "uncelebrated" heroes & she-roes. Thank you for shining your light on another incredible moment in American history.
so cool!!
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