WSB-TV (Television station : Atlanta, Ga.)

Description

Reporter: Whipkey, Jim.In this WSB newsfilm clip from May 13, 1970, reporter Jim Whipkey interviews entertainer James Brown following Brown's attempts to help end a race riot in Augusta, Georgia.The clip begins showing a night scene and reporter Jim Whipkey standing outside of a store. Whipkey indicates that a curfew in Augusta has worked to prevent further rioting in the city. Whipkey explains that on Monday, May 11, 1971, "these streets were filled with rioters, looters, and burners." In response to the riot, Whipkey continues, the Georgia National Guard and local police patrolled the business district and white neighborhoods while local white and African American leaders "tried to work out their differences." Whipkey reports that the following night, Tuesday, May 12, saw more fires set and crowds dispersed. He explains that African American entertainer James Brown came to his hometown to encourage people to calm down and stop rioting. Whipkey indicates that Brown had a calming influence on the community.Next, Whipkey interviews James Brown. Brown encourages leaders and residents to show respect for each other and to try to work for a solution. He believes that people can find "a medium of reason where we can understand each other" and stresses the importance of cooperation, especially in a situation in which people are dying. The clip concludes with Whipkey again commenting on the situation. He reports that Brown has left the city and that the African American citizens have "cooled it." He reports the stark facts that "six men are...

Record Contributed By

Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Georgia