DAVID BRINKLEY'S JOURNAL: MOUND BAYOU (TV)
Summary
One in this series of public affairs programs hosted by David Brinkley. This 1962 program examines Mississippi's segregated town of Mound Bayou -- on the occasion of its diamond jubilee celebration -- where all 4500 residents are black. Contemporary Mound Bayou residents comment on the economic need to desegregate their town -- founded in 1887 by former slaves Isiah T. Montgomery and Benjamin T. Green as a haven for their people -- in order to mitigate its financial distress. However, they also voice concerns that they will have to sacrifice too much of their liberty should they invite white-owned industry. Residents comment about their situation during the festivities of their jubilee celebration. Highlights include the following: postmaster C.V. Thurmond comments on the lack of employment and the need for potential white residents and investors to be sympathetic to their efforts; school superintendent Calvin Jones voices the need for the town to create opportunities that will compel its talented young people to remain at home; members of the staff of the Taborian Hospital assert that they are overburdened and understaffed due to a lack of money; and Catholic priest Father Thaddeus Boucree states that Mound Bayou is now considered by many to be a "voluntary ghetto." The 75th anniversary celebration concludes with current and former townspeople pondering whether the town will still exist by its 100th birthday. Commercials deleted.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Marc Haas and Helen Hotze Haas Foundation, 1995.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: October 15, 1962 Monday 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:25
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:35269
- GENRE: Specials
- SUBJECT HEADING: Mississippi - Race relations; Segregation
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1961-1963
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ted Yates … Producer
- Stuart Schulberg … Producer
- Georges Klotz … Director
- David Brinkley … Host
- Thaddeus Boucree
- Benjamin T. Green
- Calvin Jones
- Isiah T. Montgomery
- C.V. Thurmond