Tonight—Chisholm ‘72: Unbought and Unbossed

Jessica Clark

The Public Square at the Illinois Humanities Council is excited to host the Chicago premier of the documentary film, Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed. Additionally, author-activist Amy Richards will join us for a post-screening panel discussion. Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman elected to Congress, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and a presidential candidate in 1972. This film is a remarkable recollection of a campaign that broke new ground in politics, and truly reached out to "the people." Chisholm championed the causes of marginalized Americans including the poor, youth, people of color, gays, and women. Chisholm saw the presidential race itself as an opportunity to draw people to politics who traditionally did not participate. In her words, "I ran for the presidency, despite hopeless odds, to demonstrate sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo." In celebration of Shirley Chisholm's incredible life, The Public Square at the IHC invites the public to join us after the film for a panel discussion and audience Q & A that will address questions concerning coalition building, grassroots activism and social change. Chicago Historical Society Clark St.& North Ave. This event is FREE. Seating is limited. Registration is highly recommended and can be made with The Public Square at the IHC at http://www.thepublicsquare.org/ticketform.html or 312.422.5580.

Jessica Clark is a writer, editor and researcher, with more than 15 years of experience spanning commercial, educational, independent and public media production. Currently she is the Research Director for American University’s Center for Social Media. She also writes a monthly column for PBS’ MediaShift on new directions in public media. She is the author, with Tracy Van Slyke, of Beyond the Echo Chamber: Reshaping Politics Through Networked Progressive Media (2010, New Press).
The text is from the poem “QUADRENNIAL” by Golden, reprinted with permission. It was first published in the Poetry Project. Inside front cover photo by Golden.
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