We Did It All Ourselves

Directed by writer, political activist and filmmaker Fetzer Mills, Jr, this is an incredibly powerful and gut-wrenching story of black Americans struggling to gain the right to vote, and thus to also sit on juries, in two rural counties in western Tennessee. It is an extremely important story that needs to be told. From my (Don’s) perspective, it is hard to believe that these events happened in my lifetime. From the website – http://www.ndymediagroup.com/wedid/

“The film recounts the struggle of African Americans in Haywood and Fayette Counties of West Tennessee – fired from their jobs, driven from their homes, and black-listed by area merchants for daring to register to vote. Mills utilizes all the tools at his disposal to tell the story – photos, news clippings, archival footage, and the compelling accounts of the veterans of the struggle. The film’s original score is especially effective, a welcome companion and guide on an uplifting, emotional journey.”

“The white power structure in some counties reacted to the voting rights movement by evicting the tenant farmers, refusing to sell gas, food, fuel oil, and farm supplies to blacks who registered. Banks refused credit to registrants and insurance companies canceled policies. Evicted tenants lived in three tent cities on land donated by three independent black farmers. The tents were World War II army surplus. The tent cities began in 1959 and the last families did not leave the tents until 1962.”

For more information or to order a DVD of the film, go to the website (http://www.ndymediagroup.com/wedid/).

Song samples from We Did It All Ourselves –

1. Opening theme – Shame, Shame (http://www.donrichmond.com/wdiao_mp3s/shame_shame.mp3)
2. Movement (http://www.donrichmond.com/wdiao_mp3s/movement.mp3)
3. Garry Owen (http://www.donrichmond.com/wdiao_mp3s/garry_owen.mp3)
4. In the Line (http://www.donrichmond.com/wdiao_mp3s/in_the_line.mp3)
5. Closing theme – New World Symphony Largo (http://www.donrichmond.com/wdiao_mp3s/new_world_symphony_largo)