CHISHOLM '72 - Unbought & Unbossed

[Sapphire Blue]

1972 was an extraordinary year. Richard Nixon was president, running for his second, ill-fated term. The voting age had just changed from 21 to 18, and millions of new voters were expected at the polls. The Vietnam War was in full swing, as were anti-war protests, a burgeoning women's movement, and the rise of the Black Panther Party. Into the center of this maelstrom — shocking the conventional political wisdom — stepped Shirley Chisholm, a determined, rather prim and unapologetically liberal black woman with a powerful message: Exercise the full measure of your citizenship and vote.

Announcing her candidacy for president on the evening news, Walter Cronkite quipped, "A new hat — rather a bonnet — was tossed into the presidential race today." As revealed in "CHISHOLM '72 — Unbought & Unbossed," a new feature documentary having its world broadcast premiere on public television's P.O.V. series, this first-ever run by a woman and person of color for presidential nomination was no laughing matter. Nor was it a polite exercise in symbolic electioneering. The New York Democratic congresswoman's bid engendered strong, and sometimes bigoted opposition, setting off currents that affect American politics and social perceptions to this day. Shirley Chisholm died at the age of 80 on January 1, 2005, at her home in Florida.

http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2005/chisholm/about.html




'I'd like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts,' she said. 'That's how I'd like to be remembered.'"

http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2005/chisholm/update.html



(To purchase or rent the film: http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2005/chisholm/about_buy.html)

Shirley Chisholm had guts!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[burythehatchet]

1. and even today, I believe our true leadership is in

the CBC

[Sapphire Blue]

3. Indeed, it is!

[malaise]

8. I still have my copy

of her book with the same title. Shirley's folks were Caribbean people - from Barbados. She was one tough cookie.

Add.

[Sapphire Blue]

14. ...

:toast: to Shirley Chisholm - Unbought & Unbossed!

[malaise]

29. What many people don't know is that

a generation of Caribbean people moved into Harlem and Brooklyn after World War I. Some attended Howard U, others Tuskagee and some just came seeking employment as teachers, nurses, etc. What they all had in common was the Garvey Movement and Booker T Washington's ideas. To a man and woman they joined the liberal wing of the Democratic party.

My paternal great aunt was one of them and all of her generations still have strong ties to the New York Democratic party. I met many of the old Dems in my great aunt and her children's homes.

[Homer Wells]

2. Kicked and Recommended n/t

[Sapphire Blue]

4. Thanks, StephenB48!

:hi:

[H2O Man]

5. Nominated.

She told the truth. I admired that.

[Sapphire Blue]

6. Thank you, H2O Man!

:hi:

[Wilms]

7. Wow, Sapphire. She's been on my mind, lately.

Thanks.

[Sapphire Blue]

11. She's been on my mind a lot lately, too, Wilms.

You are very welcome.

[Jcrowley]

9. Damn

It's good to bring that into view.


See ya' there

K&R

[Sapphire Blue]

12. Thanks, Jcrowley!

:hi:

[bonito]

10. She gives us a timeless message

Via you, Great post!

[Sapphire Blue]

13. ..

:toast: to Shirley Chisholm!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. Now SHE's an example of the kind of woman candidate we could use today

Actually, an equally feisty and honest male candidate would be a refreshing change from the norm.

[kath]

27. Boy, you said a mouthful - I'd love to have ANY feisty and honest candidate.

One that doesn't stick his or her finger in the wind before they commit to ANY sort of opinion.

[stevedeshazer]

16. I wish she had lived to see what's happening today

Shirley had guts.

K & R

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. You've been reading my posts today.

Or, great minds...

[Sapphire Blue]

18. Did you post something about her?

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. Yup.

First black American to run for office.

[Sapphire Blue]

21. Was it an OP or a reply?

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. Not a big deal.

Looked it up to respond to someone who claimed that Hilary Clinton would be the first woman to run for president. And again in another thread.

Not a big deal.

[Sapphire Blue]

24. Seems the youngsters here need some history lessons!

:hi: I wanted to give your post a K&R if it was an OP!

[xultar]

19. Oh how I wish she were here today. I wish she were running today!

[nicknameless]

23. She was great.

Thanks so much for posting this.

:patriot: Shirley Chisholm

[Sapphire Blue]

26. Yes, she was!

:hi: You're quite welcome.

:toast: to Shirley Chisholm.

[Crunchy Frog]

25. That's who I supported.

Of course, I was only 9. It was the first election that I was even aware there was an election.

[pecwae]

28. She was my candidate!

I adored her! I was 19, had just delivered my first child and Shirley was my first real political experience. She was genuine, from the heart, served the people first and I loved her magical, commanding voice. I always heard poetry when she spoke.

Thank for for this, SB. It brings back fond memories.

[xultar]

30. A kick for Shirley Chisholm. RIP dear heart. I love you.

[Skidmore]

31. Great lady.

Shirley Chisolm and Barbara Jordan...

They don't make integrity the way they used to, do they?

I long for leaders like them. Authentic voices who knew the people and their needs.

[troubleinwinter]

32. The first time

I was old enough to vote (had to be 21 in those days!), I voted for Shirley Chisholm in the primary. What a wonderful moment.