After procrastinating so many times about going to the limited theaters here in New York City to see the documentary and then being disappointed to find out that it was no longer showing, a victory for me has finally arrived. The Black Power Mixtape is now available on DVD and on Netflix.
If you are unfamiliar with the documentary, its a look through the lens of Swedish filmmakers of the black power movement from the years 1967-1975. Its all original footage and interviews along with an original soundtrack and audio commentary from the likes of Sonia Sanchez, Talib Kweli, Eryka Badu, and Angela Davis.
I was excited to watch it and learn a few historical facts I was unfamiliar with. The high point for me was the mentality of black power, self reliance, intelligence, and activism that was so strong during the later end of the sixties. The low point was the systematic infiltration of heroin and eventually crack cocaine into these same communities that would somewhat slow things down. To be presented with both was somewhat daunting, but still yet interesting and informational.
Go and take a look at it on your computer and go out and buy the DVD. It will be a great addition to your race and class documentary collection. It is indeed a must have!