The Man™ is Keeping You Down Monday Night
June 25 is Exploitation Week at Monday Movie Night! Join me for two fine documentary films highlighting the joys of having dark skin in the era of Lyndon B. Johnson.
This week offerings include:
Migrant (NBC, 1970, color, 53 minutes)
Although modern agriculture practice exploded early in the 20th century, there was still no more cost-effective means of harvesting some produce than hand labor. Migrant farmworkers were hired for little pay, lived in wretched conditions and were essentially run out of town as soon as strawberry season was over. NBC takes an in-depth look at the job you are too white to do.
The Poor Pay More (National Educational Television, 1967, b&w, 60 minutes)
Q: Why would a store charge more for a 17” solid state TV console with hi-fidelity sound in a black neighborhood than a white neighborhood?
A: Because they could.
Learn about the high cost of “buying on time” for struggling ghetto families in the late 60’s. Limited options and ignorance of long-term costs made inner-city people exceptionally susceptible to high credit rates and impossible terms. The idea of “buy now, pay later” has been a long-standing tool of the Man™ to get richer faster and keep a brother down in the process.
Last Monday’s screening was crowded enough to result in standing room only, so I’d recommend arriving a little early if you don't want to sit on the planters. Dress warmly, unless you can drink enough to keep you warm in the Portland night air. Spend a couple of hours under the stars as you view some of the finest documentary and educational films salvaged from the 20th century. The show begins at sunset, on the patio of Mississippi Station in North Portland. Local media historian and author Tom Robinson will introduce each 16mm print from his collection and play it on an EIKI projector older than you are. This may be your only chance to ever see these original films the way they were meant to be seen, on a real projector, on a real screen, and drunk.
Monday Movies at Mississippi Station
3943 North Mississippi Ave.
Portland, OR 97227
503.517.5751
Screening begins at sunset (approximately 9PM).
This is a free event. Full bar and menu.
For a complete calendar of upcoming movies, go to http://www.myspace.com/mondaymovie.