Sharon Hanks
A documentary sponsored by Grand
Valley State University that explores the struggles of African
Americans' migration from the poor South to the North in search of jobs
in Muskegon foundries keeps winning accolades.
"Up from the Bottoms: The Search for the American Dream"
has won the prestigious Paul Robeson Award at the 35th Newark Black
Film Festival, the longest running black film festival in the country.
Co-producers Jim Schaub and his brother, Rod Schaub, of Clear Vision
Films in Muskegon will be among those heading to Newark, N.J. on Aug. 4
to receive the award.
Narrated by actress Cicely Tyson, the 56-minute film features the
oral histories of more than 15 men and women, now in their 80s, who
recall their World War II-era migration from the South to the more
prosperous Muskegon. Many arrived in search of work at a foundry in
Muskegon Heights or another one located on north part of Muskegon which
became known as The Bottoms.
"I think what it's done in Muskegon is to spark a dialogue on racial
issues," says Jim Schaub, a GVSU communication systems technician and
adjunct film instructor. "It made people aware of why some in the
African American community have the attitudes they do because they went
through rough times."
The individuals recount the racism they encountered in Muskegon. They
were forbidden from drinking water at "white only" fountains, allowed
only to roller skate on Thursday nights because the other evenings were
reserved for whites, and prohibited from sitting at a counter to enjoy
ice cream. The film includes a soundtrack with music from Stevie Wonder
and Miles Davis.
"Up from the Bottoms" also was recognized as "Best Film/Video" on
matters relating to the black experience/marginalized people at the
recent XXV International Black Cinema in Berlin, Germany. Last December,
it won the 2009 Best of African Diaspora Film Festival in New York.
The documentary will be shown in about 75 Midwest theatres in August,
Schaub says, with another premier planned for this Saturday at the 8th
Annual African Diaspora Film Festival in Chicago. A complete list of
past and future showings, purchase details, film trailers, photos and
other information can be found at the documentary's website.
Besides
GVSU, other film sponsors were the Michigan Humanities Council, the
Community Foundation for Muskegon, and Alcoa Howmet.
Source: Jim Schaub, GVSU adjunct film instructor and communication
systems technican
Sharon Hanks is innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth
Media. Please send story ideas and comments for the column to Sharon at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
She also is owner of The Write Words in Grand Rapids.