I really like the way they are integrating actual history into these episodes. They way they brought exposure to the March on Washington and showed footage of A. Philip Randolph and Whitney Young, two brothers all too often left out of black history conversations, was illuminating and thought provoking.
Are any of you aware of Dr. James Smalls? He is a consultant for the show. When I found out he was part of the production I no longer was surprised at the historical relevance of the series.
The HBO series "The Wire" is my all time favorite, but this series "The Godfather of Harlem" is on the way to supplanting it.
Yeah, you are a history buff just like myself. So many things have been very well documented within this series alone. Again that is why we can't depend on mainstream media or typical history books to be accurate and tell our stories. Interesting that you mentioned James Smalls. I have been checking out his work/lectures lately thanks to Hidden Colors.
I have more random observations from this series. For one, the mystique of NYC/Harlem. I grew up in one of those households that had Ebony and Jet Magazine. When I reflect on images and influential Blacks that they often highlighted as well as events, it seemed as if they really highlighted, politicians, businessmen, artists, and other people out of NYC as if that was the Black Mecca. Strangely enough, I can think back to the golden age of Hip Hop (late 80s) when most of the rappers highlighted were from parts of NYC, I feel that energy when I watch this series as well. Maybe it's just me (shrugging shoulders).
What's even more intriguing about Adam Clayton Powell is that he was always doing what his white political counterparts were doing. Living his best life. In the end, that would be his downfall just like so many of our own politicians from the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s. They get in office, assume power but make the mistake of enjoying the liberties of their white counterparts. Unfortunately for them, they get caught slipping and when they do, it's over. They can't get away with it like other's do. Still, I see more and more why Malcolm said in his autobiography we needed more Black Politicians like Powell. At the end of the day, he still had much love for his people....
