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Rosa Parks is best known to Americans as a national treasure — the little old lady who sat down on a bus and “ended racism.” What we lose in that depiction is what happened before and afterward, which is to say most of the story of Park’s lifetime of activism. Soledad O'Brien, the award-winning journalist and producer, has just executive produced the first ever full-length documentary on the Civil Rights icon, titled “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks.” based on the book by Jeanne Theoharis, and directed by Yoruba Richen and Johanna Hamilton. The film tells a much fuller story of the woman best known for her role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The film is also being used to create a curriculum for K-12 students. Laura welcomes back Soledad for this revealing conversation on Parks, her legacy, and what the media got wrong. Why is it essential to dispel the myths and to fully understand the role that strategic organizing played in the actions of Rosa Parks, and the implications for her life, and ours today?

“Who knew Rosa Parks was a fan of the Black Panthers? Who knew Rosa Parks was as much of a fan of Malcolm X as she was of Dr. King? What does it say about this vision we had of Rosa Parks, where everybody knows her and yet even Hollywood celebrities can't identify this woman who's called the mother of the movement.”

“I talk about mistakes I made all the time. I don't mind. I'm happy to, I did them. They exist on tape somewhere. It's okay, let's fix it. Let's get better from it. I think we just need more introspection.”

Guest: Soledad O’Brien, CEO of Soledad O'Brien Productions; Award-winning Journalist, Producer & Philanthropist; Executive Producer, The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks

Full Show Notes are located HERE. They include related episodes, articles, and more to dive deeper.

Chapters (full conversation)

00:00:00 Introduction to the program.

00:01:37 How did the new documentary about Rosa Parks story come together? They discuss some highlights from her untold story especially as an activist. She embraced change by any means necessary. Shockingly you'll learn that the 'mother of the movement' was destitute and often ignored. What it means when we only get a partial picture of a person's body of work in the civil rights movement.

00:12:05 They discuss the challenges of being a journalist in these times. What is good journalism especially when covering the run up to an election? With regard to Maggie Haberman's book "Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump, and the Breaking of America", what does the role of 'access' play, and who does it serve? Ask yourself 'what's the framing?'

00:17:55 They discuss covering politics in these times and share advice as two seasoned journalists. The difference between spinning a story and overtly lying. Why it's important to highlight hypocricy.

00:20:09 They discuss the book the documentary is based on and the telling of a more complex story beyond the headlines. How was it possible that she was the mother of the movement, yet destitute. How women were left out of the narrative when it came to the work in the civil rights movement.

00:23:50 The discussion pivots to the topic of 'city and community development projects,' and the challenges in these times with regard to race relations. How do you make sure your city is serving you?

00:28:00 Activism is a long game! There's a curriculum that accompanies the documentary film. The author of the book the documentary is based on, and others are taking the documentary and the greater story of Rosa Parks to public schools across the country. What's next for Soledad O'Brien and her production company?

Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders, along with Sabrina Artel, Jeremiah Cothren, Veronica Delgado, Janet Hernandez, Jeannie Hopper, Gina Kim, Sarah Miller, Nat Needham, David Neuman, and Rory O’Conner.

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