In december of 1982, a group of Civil Rights activists from the US visited Northern Ireland, organized by the H Block Committee, an anti-British/loyalist group in Northern Ireland, named after the notorious H shaped jail cell blocks which saw 10 Irish republican prisoners died of the hunger strike a year before. This is the time of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. This fact finding mission was to support and show solidarity between African Americans and the Irish people under British colonial rule. The roadblocks figuratively, and philosophically are present - how do you reconcile the racism of Irish Americans against blacks in the states? How do you reconcile the MLK's teaching of non-violence with armed struggle of the Nothern Island? For these Civil Rights activists, the trip is a self-reflection and teaching moment as well. They are grilled by an Irish journalists on their knowledge of the situation at hand and understanding of the context of the Trouble, but warmly received by people of Belfest and Derry.
St. Claire Bourne, founder of Chamba Mediaworks and unsung hero of documenting African American life in the 60s and 70s, records everything matter of factly with the help of Jean Carey Bond, a journalist who accompanied the trip as one of the delegates. She narrates the film.
This short documentary is a gem. It speaks of the past solidarity that existed internationally and we need more of this in these crazy times. "If opression exists anywhere in the world, then the entire world is unsafe." Happy MLK day everyone.
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