Description: Christy George reports that Ernie Branch teaches karate to urban kids. Interview with Branch, who talks about the value of karate. Branch says that hard work, dedication, and concentration are all important in karate. Branch holds a class with a group of kids. Interviews with the children in Branch's class about why they like karate and about what they would like to be when they grow up. Interviews with parents Haroldine Haley and Michael Langelow about the benefits of the karate classes. Branch's karate classes are funded by the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MHFA).
0:59:58: Visual: Footage of minority youth in a karate class. Shots of individual youth as they perform their exercises. Shot of Ernie Branch (karate instructor). Christy George reports that Branch is a volunteer; that Branch is also a father and a former marine. V: Footage of Branch counting out loud as the youth do their exercises. Shots of individual youth in the class. Branch circulates among the class members. Footage of Branch being interviewed. Branch says that young kids have not yet decided if they want to be "good guys" or "bad guys." Branch says that the "good guys" do not offer any incentives; that the "bad guys" do offer incentives. Branch says that kids must learn that short term greed does not pay off in the end. Branch says that he tries to teach kids that hard work, dedication, and concentration will pay off. Branch says that kids need to learn how to think. George reports that Branch teaches karate to kids; that karate is a form of self-defense; that karate teaches confidence, structure, and self-respect. V: Branch instructs the members of the class to sit down. They sit down. Shots of individual members of the class. A young African American boy performs exercises in front of the class. Footage of Branch being interviewed. Branch says that major sports like basketball and football do not appeal to all kids. Branch says that some kids who fail in other sports find success in karate. Branch says that there is no failure in karate; that kids can progress at their own rate of speed; that kids receive individual attention. Footage of the members of the class being interviewed by George. George asks what karate teaches them about not fighting. King Branch (age eleven) says that karate has taught him that people will make trouble for you if you make trouble for them. King Branch says that he does not want to be the one who starts a fight; that he might be the one who gets beat up. Footage of Nathaniel Pomales (age eleven) says that it is important to remember hand blocks so that others cannot hit you. George remarks that karate requires a lot of concentration. Pomales says that he keeps it all in his head. Footage of Camille Langelow (age nine) saying that she has learned discipline and how to stand up for herself. Footage of James Haley (age nine) saying that karate has taught him to avoid bad behavior; that he usually has bad behavior. Footage of Andrew Cherry (age ten) saying that karate has taught him to avoid fights; that karate has taught him to ignore what others say about him. George reports that two of the children in Branch's class have special needs; that they are overactive and have trouble concentrating. George notes that these students have no problem in Branch's class. V: Shot of Branch instructing the members of the class as they do their exercises. Footage of Haroldine Haley (mother of James Haley) sitting with James Haley. Haroldine Haley says that she used to have trouble getting James Haley to do his homework. Haroldine Haley says that she told James Haley that he could not go to karate if his homework is not finished. Haroldine Haley says that James Haley always has his homework done before karate now. George reports that Haroldine Haley and Michael Langelow (father of Camille Langelow) think that parents need to be more involved with their children. Footage of Michael Langelow sitting with Camille Langelow. Michael Langelow says that kids are being destroyed by drugs, gangs, and violence. Michael Langelow says that parents need to be responsible for their children. Shots of two members of the class performing exercises in front of the others. George reports that Branch's karate classes are funded by the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MHFA); that the MHFA finances low-interest mortgages for low-income housing. George reports that the MHFA has found that the best way to protect its real estate is to protect the tenants. George notes that the MHFA conducts classes and counseling in areas including substance abuse, single parenting, suicide prevention, and karate. V: Shot of Branch demonstrating hand movements for the class. Footage of Pomales saying that he wants to be a scientist and an astronaut when he grows up; of Cherry saying that he would like to be a basketball player. Footage of a young girl in the class saying that she would like to be a doctor. Footage of Camille Langelow saying that she would like to be a runner or another kind of athlete. Footage of King Branch saying that he would like to be a US Marine sergeant. Shots of the students in karate class. George says that not all kids have someone who cares about them. V: Footage of Ernie Branch being interviewed. Branch says that he cares about youth because they represent the future. Shots of the students performing exercises in unison. Branch corrects one of the girls in class.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/26/1990
Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports on the Profile in Courage Award, which was presented to Carl Elliot by Edward Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis at the John F. Kennedy Library. Elliot was a congressman from Alabama who voted to support civil rights in the 1960s. He was voted out of office and shunned by society as a result of his political beliefs. Vaillancourt reviews Elliot's record as a Congressman. Edward Kennedy and Elliot speak at the ceremony. Caroline Kennedy unveils a statue of John F. Kennedy on the grounds of the J.F.K. Library. Vaillancourt's report also includes footage of the civil rights movement from the Eyes on the Prize series. Vaillancourt reports that the Profile in Courage Award is named for the book, Profiles in Courage, written by John F. Kennedy. She notes that the award is given to elected officials who are not afraid to take risks in order to advance society.
1:00:11: Visual: Black and white footage of John F. Kennedy (former US President) addressing the nation in 1963. He encourages US citizens to support civil rights. Black and white footage from Eyes on the Prize of the civil rights movement. Shot of a white uniformed official grabbing American flags from the hands of African American civil rights protesters. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Carl Elliott (Profile in Courage Award winner) was a congressman from Alabama who voted with Kennedy to support civil rights. V: Shot of Elliott at the Profile in Courage awards ceremony. Vaillancourt reports that racial politics were a divisive issue in Alabama at the time. Vaillancourt notes that Alabaman elected officials included George Wallace and Bull Connors, who were active opponenets of civil rights. Vaillancourt notes that four young girls lost their lives in a racially motivated church bombing in Birmingham in 1963. V: Black and white footage of the civil rights movement from Eyes on the Prize. Shots of a march by opponents to civil rights; of George Wallace (former Governor of Alabama) addressing a crowd; of a tank rolling through the streets. Shots of police officers using fire hoses against civil rights demonstrators. Shots of a funeral procession. Vaillancourt notes that Elliott voted his conscience in 1963; that Elliott was voted out of office in 1964. V: Shot of Elliott at the awards ceremony. Footage of Edward Kennedy (US Senator) speaking at the ceremony. Edward Kennedy says that Elliott would merit his own chapter in an updated version of John F. Kennedy's book, Profiles in Courage. Edward Kennedy says that Elliott was a courageous man. Vaillancourt says that Elliott was honored today at the John F. Kennedy Library for sixteen years in public service. V: Shot of Elliott. Shot of an man addressing the audience at the ceremony. Elliott, Edward Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy (daughter of John F. Kennedy), and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (widow of John F. Kennedy) are among those seated on stage. Shots of the audience at the ceremony. Footage of Elliott addressing the audience at the ceremony. Elliott says that intelligence and competence are not affected by skin color. Vaillancourt stands in front the J.F.K. Library. Vaillancourt reports that the Kennedy family honored Elliott with the first Profile in Courage Award. V: Footage of Edward Kennedy addressing the audience at the ceremony. Edward Kennedy says that he hopes the award will encourage US citizens to value political courage in its elected officials. Edward Kennedy says that he hopes more elected officials will do what is right. Edward Kennedy shakes Elliott's hand. Shots of the media at the ceremony. Vaillancourt reports that Elliott supported legislation to help his poorest constituents; that Elliott helped to write the National Defense Education Act. Vaillancourt notes that Elliott sponsored Medicare and other federal programs. Vaillancourt reports that Elliott's constituents began to see Elliott as too liberal; that Elliott was voted out of office and shunned by local society. Vaillancourt reports that Elliott's law practice lost business; that Elliott now lives on his social security checks. V: Footage of Edward Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Caroline Kennedy rising to present the award to Elliot. Caroline Kennedy presents the award to Elliott. The media takes photographs. Shot of the award. Footage of Elliott addressing the audience at the ceremony. Elliott jokes that he never had access to poll numbers when he was an elected official. Vaillancourt reports that Elliott will receive a $25,000 stipend. Vaillancourt notes that the award is named for the book written by John F. Kennedy; that the award is meant to encourage elected officials to take risks. Vaillancourt adds that the award honors John F. Kennedy's call to public service. V: Footage of Caroline Kennedy unveiling a stutue of John F. Kennedy on the grounds of the J.F.K. Library. The audience applauds. Shots of the statue. Footage of Elliott addressing the audience at the ceremony. Elliott says that he was not "ahead of his time." Elliott says that he was "behind the times that ought to be." The audience applauds. Edward Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis rise to their feet.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/29/1990
Description: The film Common Ground is based on a book about the history of school desegregation in Boston. Christy George reports that a group of people who were involved in school desegregation in Boston watched the film together last night. Afterwards, they hold a discussion of the film. Former Mayor Kevin White says that the film provoked strong reactions in everyone. City Councilor James Kelly and Former School Committee Member Elvira "Pixie" Palladino speak out against busing. George Walker, a member of the Twymon family portrayed in Common Ground, speaks out against "closed communities." Jim Conway, a Charlestown resident, says that the film promotes a negative image of Charlestown. Lisa McGoff, a member of the McGoff family portrayed in Common Ground, and Cassandra Twymon, a member of the Twymon family portrayed in Common Ground, also speak at the meeting. McGoff says that the film concentrates on the negative events of the busing crisis. Twymon says that the film gives an accurate portrayal of her experiences as an African American student in a white school. George's report includes footage from the film. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Jan von Mehren talks to students about school desegregation and race relations
1:00:03: Visual: Footage from the opening credits of the film, Common Ground from CBS/WHDH and Lorimar. Audio of Kevin White (former Mayor of Boston) saying that the film represents a piece of history; that no one should regret looking at piece of history. Christy George reports that the film, Common Ground, looks at the history of court-ordered school desegregation in Boston. George notes that a group of people who were involved in school desegregation in Boston watched the film together last night. V: Footage of White saying that everyone felt strong emotions after watching the film. V: Footage from the film, Common Ground. V: Footage of James Kelly (Boston City Council) addressing the gathering at the screening on March 19, 1990. Kelly says that there was something sacred about Boston's neighborhoods. Kelly says that busing for school desegregation "was not worth it." Footage of Cassandra Twymon (from the Twymon family portrayed in Common Ground) addressing the gathering at the screening. Twymon says that she is sorry that some people are "embarrassed" about what they did to Boston's schoolchildren. V: Footage from the film Common Ground. V: Footage of Elvira "Pixie" Palladino (former Boston School Committee member) addressing the gathering at the screening. Palladino says that forced busing always has been wrong and always will be wrong. Footage of George Walker (member of the Twymon family portrayed in Common Ground) addressing the gathering at the screening. Walker says that people need to realize that "closed communities" do not work. Walker addresses Palladino by name. V: Footage from the film Common Ground. V: Footage of Jim Conway (Charlestown resident) addressing the gathering at the screening. Conway says that men did not walk around Charlestown with open cans of beer while the mothers were demonstrating against busing. Conway says that the producers' image of Charlestown is not accurate; that the nation will see that image in the film. Footage of Lisa McGoff (member of the McGoff family portrayed in Common Ground) addressing the gathering at the screening. McGoff says that she did not attend any anti-busing meetings in barrooms; that the meetings did happen. McGoff says that bad things did go on in Charlestown. V: Footage from the film, Common Ground. George reports that Common Ground is a risky series for network television to air; that CBS is devoting four hours of prime time to the series. George reports that the movie is based on a book that tells the story of Boston's busing crisis through the experiences of three families. George reports that the book focuses on the experiences of Rachel Twymon, a widow who believed in the importance of education for her children. George reports that the book also focuses on the experiences of Alice McGoff, who believed in the importance of neighborhood communities. V: Footage from the film, Common Ground. George reports that the book also focuses on the adolescent experiences of Cassandra Twymon and Lisa McGoff. V: Footage of McGoff addressing the gathering at the screening. McGoff says that she and Twymon were kids who were trying to understand the situation as it happened. McGoff says that the film only shows the negative events during the busing crisis. McGoff says that the students were "guinea pigs"; that the success or failure of school desegregation has little to do with them. V: Footage from the film, Common Ground. V: Footage of Twymon addressing the gathering at the screening. Twymon says that people acted like the African American students were going to take over the school. Twymon says that she only wanted "to do her time" in school and return home. Twymon says that she did not want to deal with the added stress put on her by the busing crisis. Twymon says that she is glad the movie will air; that the movie gives an accurate portrayal of her experience. V: Footage from the film, Common Ground. George reports that the movie ends on a note of hope; that the argument at the screening continued after the film ended. V: Footage of Palladino addressing the gathering at the screening. Palladino says that now is not the time for this film. Footage of Walker saying that minorities are always told that the present is not the right time. Walker asks when the right time will come. Footage from the film, Common Ground.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/20/1990