A special 90-minute program, “New Bedford,” focuses on the African American community of New Bedford, Massachusetts and its response to the issues that led to the race riot/rebellion of July 8th and 9th, 1970. Host Ray Richardson provides a history of the event according to the press and compares the media’s interpretation of the riot with the statements and opinions of community residents. Between Friday, July 10, and Sunday, July 12, Say Brother visited the west and south end neighborhoods of New Bedford to discuss discrimination, the direction the community is moving, finding non-factory jobs, the problems unemployment presents to mothers, the difficulties of the welfare system, police harassment, and housing. Due to the graphic language of those interviewed for the program, and due to the fact the program was aired in its entirety against the wishes of WGBH management, Say Brother Producer Ray Richardson was fired after the broadcast. Original air date estimated. Produced by Ray Richardson. Directed by Russell Tillman.
Say Brother is WGBH’s longest running public affairs television program by, for and about African Americans, and is now known as Basic Black. Since its inception in 1968, Say Brother has featured the voices of both locally and nationally known African American artists, athletes, performers, politicians, professionals, and writers including: Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, Thomas Atkins, Amiri Baraka, Doris Bunte, Julian Bond, Stokely Carmichael, Louis Farrakhan, Nikki Giovanni, Odetta Gordon, Henry Hampton, Benjamin Hooks, Jesse Jackson, Hubie Jones, Mel King, Eartha Kitt, Elma Lewis, Haki Madhubuti, Wallace D. Muhammad, Charles Ogletree, Babatunde Olatunji, Byron Rushing, Owusu Sadaukai, and Sonia Sanchez. Series release date: 7/15/1968
