Series: The Ten O'Clock News
Date: 1989-02-15
Duration: 00:03:27

Subject: African American students; School buildings and classrooms; African American identity; David Ellis Elementary School
People: Cozart, Charles; Hayden, Robert; Jackson, Jesse; Jones, Marcus; Lewis, Elma;
Geography: Roxbury (Boston, Mass.)|

Clip Description
Marcus Jones reports that some African American leaders, including Jesse Jackson (African American political leader), are promoting the use of the term "African American" instead of the term "black." Jones interviews Robert Hayden (lecturer, Northeastern University), who promotes the use of the term. Hayden says that it is an accurate term that reflects the roots and history of African Americans. Jones also interviews Elma Lewis (Director, National Center of Afro-American Artists), who believes that the term "black" is more inclusive. Lewis says that not all black people in the US are Americans. Jones interviews students and teachers at the Ellis School in Roxbury about which term they prefer. Jones' report includes footage of Jesse Jackson giving a speech and footage of Charles Cozart (comedian) on the Arsenio Hall Show. This tape includes additional footage of Jones speaking to students and teachers at the Ellis School.

This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item:
Meg Vaillancourt reports that the Boston School Committee is deeply divided over whether to renew the contract of Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools)
School Committee is divided in support for Laval Wilson

Series Description
A local program aimed at the Boston audience, The Ten O'Clock News debuted on January 15, 1976. Its two immediate predecessors were The Reporters and Evening Compass. A news and public affairs show focusing on neighborhood, local and state issues, The Reporters was produced and broadcast on WGBH from 1970 to 1973. The Reporters was then replaced by Evening Compass, which expanded into a twice-nightly news broadcast during the tense moments of Boston's busing crisis. On the air from 1973 to 1975, Evening Compass found an audience through its in-depth coverage of school desegregation in Boston, which began in 1974. The Ten O'Clock News stood out as an in-depth news program. It strove for a balance between local and national stories, between politics and the Arts. The last The Ten O'Clock News program was broadcast on May 30, 1991.

See also: http://main.wgbh.org/ton/programs/6329_01