Did you know that the first open-heart surgery was performed by a Black doctor, Daniel Hale Williams? Not many people did in 1968, the year this eye-opening film, narrated by Bill Cosby, was first released. Many still don't today. "Black History: Lost, Stolen or Strayed" reviews the numerous contributions of African-Americans to the development of the United States. From the perspective of the turbulent late 1960s, the fact that their positive roles had not generally been taught as part of American history, coupled with the pervasiveness of derogatory stereotypes, was evidence of how Black people had long been victims of negative attitudes and ignorance. Viewing this film today offers students and adults an opportunity to explore their own perspectives - to examine how things have changed in their lives and those of their parents, as well as how troubling stereotypes still persist four decades later.
Credits
Black History: Lost Stolen, or Strayed Cast
Name |
Character |
Sidney Poitier
He was 41, now 97 years old
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Katharine Hepburn
She was 61, 96 years old when she died
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Shirley Temple
She was 40, 85 years old when she died
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Bill Cosby
He was 31, now 87 years old
|
as Narrator |
Spencer Tracy
He was 68, 67 years old when he died
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Stepin Fetchit
He was 66, 83 years old when he died
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Isabel Sanford
She was 51, 86 years old when she died
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Katharine Houghton
She was 23, now 79 years old
|
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Butterfly McQueen
She was 57, 84 years old when she died
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Roy Glenn
He was 54, 56 years old when he died
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Black History: Lost Stolen, or Strayed Crew