William M. Trotter

Today PBS announced their winter/spring 2017 television lineup of projects, and one of the most intriguing projects is a documentary titled Birth of a Movement. The documentary focuses on the adverse affects racially controversial film The Birth of a Nation had on African Americans, as told from African American newspaper editor and activist William M. Trotter. D.W. Griffith‘s The Birth of a Nation was hailed as one of the greatest film's of all time by white Americans as it reinforced negative stereotypes about people of color. In 1915, William M. Trotter waged a battle against The Birth of a Nation. He was very vocal about his criticism of the film and has launched a nationwide movement to denounce the work. Birth of a Movement will feature contributions from the likes of Spike Lee; Reginald Hudlin; Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; and DJ Spooky Numerous clips from The Birth of a Nation will also be displayed throughout the documentary. The documentary premieres February 6, 2017 at 10pm, be sure to watch. For more info visit www.pbs.org Susan Gray is the director of a Birth of a Movement. Her films include: Public Enemy, a documentary profiling four former members of the Black Panthers Party, that was broadcast on Showtime, throughout Europe, and shown in major film festivals in competition around the world; and Across the River with Hedrick Smith, a PBS documentary exploring positive programs in Washington D.C.’s Anacostia neighborhood.

William M. Trotter

PBS Documentary ‘Birth Of A Movement’ Denounces Controversial Film ‘Birth Of A Nation’