Statement: Hermene Hartman

In this very special moment of history, labeled from post racial to The Barack era, it is important to know how we arrived. Modern day history for Black America will be bookmarked by Dr. King and President Obama. Their names evoked emotion and mark historical eras. The program is recorded interestingly at the DuSable Museum with a live audience. 

There is a lot in between. Much followed after King and much followed before Obama. There was Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Panthers there was integration, and there was marching for voter rights.  It is important to note this history and to record it. It is important for all of us - America, Black America, modern America, Hip-hop America. 

Through modern technology, TV footage and old-fashioned conversation, NBC will present a very special TV hour special   - Finishing the Dream.  The civil rights movement will be discussed in a town hall meeting with news footage of the civil rights event on topical issues and then a panel discussion follows by those who witnessed, and lived through those moments. It will be a living room to kitchen table discussion brought alive with news anchors Lester Holt and Marion Brooks. 

Promised is lively, informative, insightful , discussion as memories and recollections are recalled. Rev. Jackson is a central   historical figures as he has bridged these generations from start to finish, as he recaps history in the making as he made it, and experienced it.   He has been and remains a major player. Father Michael Pfleger’s life was redirected when he marched with Dr. King in Marquette Park.

Dr. Finney’s comments on housing in Chicago’s especially the Woodlawn community and the King marches came to play a policy role in what became his life’s work. A history that was politically outlandish was the role of the Black Panther’s in Chicago. The government literally got away with murder on the west side in the civil rights turmoil. 

This program will bring a new history to light for some, a forgotten one for some, revelations for some and a memory for others. Finishing The Dream will be an interesting program, a must see as it captures the reality of the Civil Rights movements that brought social and political change to the American scene.

I am happy to be a participant.

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