Press Release
Date: January 26, 2003
From: American Historical Association
400 A Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
202-544-2422 - fax: 202-544-8307
www.historians.org.
Subject: 2003 John E. O'Connor Film Award
Contact: Miriam E. Hauss
Tel. (202) 544-2422 ext 103, Fax (202) 544-8307
www.historians.org/annual/press
Washington, D.C. — The 118th Annual Meeting of the American Historical Association. Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.
On the evening of Friday, January 9, 2004, Jonathan D. Spence, Professor of Asian History at Yale University and President-elect of the American Historical Association, announced the winner of the 2003 John E. O'Connor Film from the AHA at the 118th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
James McPherson, Professor of American History at Princeton University and President of the American Historical Association, presented Producer Constance Curry and Director Chea Prince with the award.
John E. O'Connor Film Award
In recognition of his exceptional role as a pioneer in both teaching and research regarding film and history, the American Historical Association has established this award in honor of John E. O'Connor, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University at Newark. The award seeks to recognize outstanding interpretations of history through the medium of film or video. Essential elements are stimulation of thought, imaginative use of the media, effective presentation of information and ideas, sensitivity to modern scholarship, and accuracy. The production should encourage viewers to ask questions about historical interpretations as well as make a contribution to the understanding of history. Members of the award committee are Mary Jo Maynes, University of Minnesota, chair; John Chambers, Rutgers University; and Vanessa Schwartz, University of Southern California.
The Intolerable Burden (2002)
Produced by Constance Curry, Blue Stream Productions, and directed by Chea Prince.
The power of The Intolerable Burden comes from stories told by Civil Rights pioneer Mae Bertha Carter and her children, the first black children to enter the formerly all-white schools in Drew, Mississippi in 1965. The film vividly demonstrates historical agency and the personal and institutional impact of historical events, as blacks and whites from the Delta reflect on their experiences with de-segregation and re- segregation. The Carter children's subsequent divergent paths suggest the benefits and costs of the burden of their experience.
Today, the city of Drew is a stagnant backwater producing many despondent young black men who frequently drop out of school and land in Parchman Penitentiary a few miles to the North; the film makes it clear that Drew is a microcosm for what is happening in many other places — a depressing but realistic ending to an otherwise inspiring film.
Thanks to all of you who have inquired about getting a copy of the film.
The website is below and have also put press release about History
award. As you can see the price is geared towards university
libraries, but if you call Dylan McGinty at the number at bottom of
webpage, tell him you area friend, and that you would like to order a
copy at the $50 rate that is being offered to individuals through June.
Will let any of you who are interested in teaching know if I am coming
to your area to show the film. I know for sure I will be in San Jose,
March31-April 3. Thanks, Connie.
frif.com/new2003/into.html.
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