Monday, February 1, 2010

Pitt Screens Documentary About The Pittsburgh Courier

The University of Pittsburgh is kicking off Black History Month this evening with an invitation-only world premiere of a documentary, "Newspaper of Record", about The Pittsburgh Courier.

Filmmaker Kenneth Love says the weekly newspaper, published from 1907 to 1965, was extremely influential in the black community, with a national circulation of 400,000 and a readership of two million: "a giant in the struggle for racial justice."

During World War II, The Courier launched its highly visible “Double V” campaign, calling for an end to discrimination at home as well as defeat of enemies overseas.

Professor Patrick Washburn says in a filmed interview that The Courier prepared the black community to carry out their successful struggle for civil rights.

Love says smart politicians read the Courier, especially if running for office in districts with a large black presence.

Love expects the movie to appear on PBS in the future.

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