January Movie of the Month: Rosewood (1997)

 

Rosewood directed by John Singleton; Warner Bros 1997

This January 2023 marks the 100th Centennial of The Rosewood Massacre. In memorial of the next two week's events sponsored by The University of Florida and The Southern Poverty Law Center. As a Gainesville, Florida native, this event is historical for my community. Please show your support for our memorial.

Rosewood Survivor Interviews

Director John Singleton Interview 

Voices of Civil Rights 

The Summers of 1917-1923 in the United States, marked a very turbulent time in racial relations. African Americans were seeking permanant settlements across the country and this was a direct challenge to the White American Status quo, where land ownership remained under White control and labor was the only alternative for African descendants. From race riots in Chicago, St. Louis, Houston, New York City, to massacres in Greenwood, Ocoee, and Rosewood, violence and lynchings became the American experience for African Americans across the country. Lynching became an American passtime, especially on July 4th, where White Communities across the South & North would gather together for a lynching to celebrate American Independence Day. The American Horror story of being Black in America, effectively, creating two Americas, one for the Whites, and another filled with fear for the Black Africans. Thus, Black Floridians must not forget the long history of this struggle for land ownership in this state, which goes back prior to the massacres of the 1920s, but to the Black cities of Angola, Fort Mose, Minatti, Pilaklikaha, and Tobasa. The struggle for Black African self determination in Florida has been fought for a long time. However, in this article, we will remain in commemoration of those who lost their lives 100 years ago, across the state of Florida.

The Ocoee Massacre

Outside of Florida: St Louis Massacre, Greenwood Massacre

St. Louis Massacre

Greenwood Massacre

Sources:

1. Rosewood; Warner Bros Entertainment 1997

2. 100th Commemoration Celebration; Univ. of Florida, Southern Poverty Law Center, Holland & Knight, City of Gainesville, Florida: January 8-14, 2023

3.60 Minutes- Rosewood Survivor Interview & Greenwood Massacre

4. Director John Singleton Interview on Rosewood; Television Academy Foundation 2017

5. Voices of Civil Rights: Rosewood

6. Ocoee Massacre; Eyewitness News 9 2011

7. The Purge: St. Louis Massacre; Hezakya News (distributor)

8. Six Black Free Towns; Jaxsons & WJCT 2023