2004 Directed by Shola Lynch
In 1968, Shirley Chisholm becomes the first black woman elected to Congress. In 1972, she becomes the first black woman to run for president. Shunned by the political establishment, she's supported by a motley crew of blacks, feminists, and young voters. Their campaign-trail adventures are frenzied, fierce and fundamentally right on!
Workmanlike treatment of a subject that, amazingly, nobody had made a documentary about before -- the first black female candidacy for president. The best stuff, honestly, is the raw footage, and the eye-poppingly sexist coverage of her campaign, which doesn't need all the stuff wrapped around it. And if you can ignore the generic "seventies" music that rides over every scene transition you've got a great and involving story.
Once -- just once -- give us a feminism montage that isn't soundtracked to "I Am Woman."
black history month film challenge:
day 6 - a movie/documentary about a black civil rights leader or black led movement
WHITE PEOPLE R SO INTIMIDATED BY US
a pretty generic documentary about an extraordinary woman.
"When I die, I want to be remembered as a woman who lived in the 20th century and who dared to be a catalyst for change."
“I want to be remembered as a woman who fought for change in the 20th century.”
The most admirable thing about Shirley Chisholm is her understanding that despite all opinions to the contrary her fight for political power was power in and of itself. Her presence was revolutionary and while this does not make up for her failure to secure 1972’s Democratic nomination it shows that her fight was not in vain.
I think there’s a lot more to this story and like with so many incredible black figures of American history I hope to see Chisholm gain the recognition she earned.
A solid introduction to a campaign that would lay the groundwork for Jesse Jackson in 1984 and later Barack Obama in 2008. If you like political history, this is worth your time.
Film #3 of Scavenger Hunt 42
Task 19: A documentary about a woman or women
Well made documentary about an inspiring woman. Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman elected to Congress (representing a district in New York City) and, as chronicled in this documentary, the first African American to run for a major party's nomination for the candidacy of President of the United States.
What's really sad is this is the first time I'm truly learning about her. She was a courageous, admirable woman who opened doors and paved the way for future politicians. Sadly, the people from that election I'd heard of are only McGovern, Humphrey and Wallace -- and I'm a pretty well-educated person (spoiler, I have two BAs, an MA and an MS). We've really got to start doing better.
Shirley Chisholm is not the first Black woman to run for president, Charlene Mitchell was the first. She ran for Communist Party USA in 1968; Dick Gregory also ran that year for the Freedom & Peace Party. Sure, Shirley is the first Black person to run for a "major" party, but wording matters, most of the time she is credited as the first Black person to run for president: it's not true.
Anyways, this really isn't an admirable woman or documentary. I have zero desire to be in support or carry on the legacy of someone who thought Black Americans were dumb,overreacting & "too fearful of white people". Saying that Caribbean Americans are superior to us because their islands don't have white people on them. Fuck off.
“You can’t just wish me away. You can’t.”
Shirley Chisholm followed her dreams and didn’t let anything get in her way. Throughout the entirety of the campaign (and her life) she stood by her beliefs and spoke for those whose voices had been silenced.
I want to be like Shirley when I grow up.
“I want to be remembered as a woman who fought for change in the 20th century — that’s all I want”
"Why not dare to dream like so many others have dreamt before me?"
Shirley Chisholm's platform in 1972: universal healthcare, full employment, decent housing, racial equality, equal rights for women. That these policies are still considered radical today is sobering, as is seeing the way her campaign is derided by the Democratic establishment and marginalized by the mainstream media.
A well-made doc about a subject - and a campaign for President - who I wasn’t familiar with. What a courageous and forward-thinking U.S. Congressperson who truly seemed to be on the campaign trail not to win the Democratic nomination - she was not naive enough or ego-driven to ever believe that was possible in 1972 - but to start the ball rolling and help foster a consciousness in America where electing Barack Obama (36 years later) could become a reality.
Great to see her tell her own story, interviewed along with those who were on her campaign, or allies in her cause for the betterment of women, Blacks, and all of the country.
Film #16 among my 52 Films by Women 2022
In 1972, I was getting ready to vote in my very first presidential election. I was against the War in Vietnam. I was pro-education. And I was vehemently anti-Nixon. As such, I concentrated my campaign efforts and my vote on George McGovern. I scarcely gave Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm a thought. But as this documentary from writer-director Shola Lynch shows, the Brooklyn representative was a far ahead of her time, representing women, blacks, and all Americans during a time of turmoil domestically and abroad.
I was certainly impressed by Chisholm's zeal for change. She set the stage for Barack Obama to become POTUS #44. But she made more than a few errors…
