Podcast: How One Movie Shaped the Narrative of White Supremacy for a Century

February 8, 1915 was the anniversary of the debut of the film Birth of a Nation. It came out in theaters in Los Angeles on that date, but the influence of the movie has lasted for a century.

Birth of a Nation was directed by D.W. Griffith and based on a book called The Clansman by Thomas Dixon. In a word—Birth of a Nation is a white supremacist propaganda film. It glorifies the Ku Klux Kan and promotes the idea that life was better before the Civil War and emancipation.

I posted a Twitter thread about the film, but I was so fascinated by the history of it that I had to share it with you all.

Here are some links I mention in the podcast:

Jemar Tisby @JemarTisby

#OTD: February 8, 1915 The 3-hour long blockbuster silent film “Birth of a Nation” debuts in Los Angeles. It was a white supremacist propaganda film that takes place during Reconstruction. It depicts the Ku Klux Klan as the noble saviors of an embattled South and white womanhood.

Booker T. Washington’s Statement

No matter how many other artistic and historic features the play may have, its ultimate result will be to intensify race prejudice and thereby do great and lasting harm to both races.

Learn more about Birth of a Nation and the founding of the KKK in chapter six of TheColorofCompromise.com

Be part of the solution: HowToFightRacism.com