Intense Performance! Voices Of East Harlem At Sing Sing Prison 1972. Fists Raised!

This performance has the intensity of the best of the performances in Summer Of Soul. The scene from my award-winning feature-length documentary Sing Sing Thanksgiving with BB King, Joan Baez and The Voices Of East Harlem. The concert that we put on in the prison in 1972 was attended by 1200 inmates.

Sing Sing Prison is a maximum-security prison located in Ossining, New York, about 30 miles north of New York City. The prison was constructed in 1826 and has been in operation ever since.

At that time Sing Sing was known for its harsh conditions and overcrowding. The prison housed around 2,400 inmates but it was designed to hold only 1,800. Sing Sing was also known for its history of executions using its electrocution chair. Between 1891 and 1963, a total of 614 prisoners were executed.

"The Voices of East Harlem" was a vocal ensemble of 20 based in East Harlem, New York, that was active from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s. They are often associated with the soul and R&B genres and performed at various significant events, such as the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival.

The group, consisting mainly of African-American and Puerto Rican youth was formed by community activists who aimed to use music as a means to keep young people out of trouble.

The Voices of East Harlem were active during a period of significant political and social upheaval in the United States. The 1970s was marked by the civil rights movement, anti-Vietnam war protests, and the beginnings of the women's rights movement. The group was part of the black arts movement and was seen as a voice for the struggles and hopes of their community.

Their songs often contained themes related to social justice, equality, peace, and community empowerment, reflecting the political and social consciousness of the era. Tracks like "Right On, Be Free" exemplify their desire for freedom, peace, and equality.
While they didn't align with either political party, their music and performances were inherently political in nature, given their focus on social issues and representation of marginalized communities.

Raising a clenched fist in the air as is seen in this clip has been a powerful symbol of resistance and solidarity throughout history. In the context of the early 1970s, when black people raised their fists, it was often associated with Black Power.

The Black Power movement advocated for black self-determination, economic independence, black pride and the end of racial oppression. The raised fist was a nonverbal way to convey these sentiments, demonstrating unity, defiance, and resistance against racial inequality and injustice.

One of the most iconic instances of the raised fist symbol being used was during the 1968 Olympics, when athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their gloved fists during the U.S. national anthem as a protest against racial discrimination. Their silent gesture spoke volumes and was understood around the world as a protest against racial injustice. Such a gesture in response to a song could convey similar sentiments.

The Black Power movement represented a radical shift in the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for a strong racial identity, self-determination, economic independence. It emphasized the idea that black Americans should have the autonomy to decide their own destinies culturally, politically and economically. It sought to foster a sense of racial pride and to counteract the negative stereotypes and social stigmas associated with being black in America. This involved a celebration of black culture, heritage and identity.

The movement advocated for black economic independence and self-sufficiency. This involved establishing and supporting black-owned businesses and economic structures within the community. It also emphasized the importance of African Americans having representation in political institutions, calling for voting rights and equal political power.
Some branches of the movement endorsed the right of Black Americans to defend themselves against racial violence. This aspect was often associated with groups like the Black Panther Party.

I post this video with the hope that I will interest advertisers. I want to thank the current advertisers who include: Black Vietnam veterans. Civil rights advocates groups. List of civil rights attorneys. Civil and political rights law firm near me. Discrimination lawyer. Founder of NAACP. Civil rights advocacy groups. Black veterans organizations.
David Hoffman Filmmaker

Видео Intense Performance! Voices Of East Harlem At Sing Sing Prison 1972. Fists Raised! канала David Hoffman