RISING THE HALL OF NEGRO LIFE - PROMO

RISING: The Hall of Negro Life is a documentary about the creation and meaning of a powerful exhibit at the 1936 Texas World’s Fair that ignited the civil rights movement in the United States.
The film uncloaks a hidden history about our collective past- never before told- making it both available and accessible to a 21st century audience.
The 1930s were a dark season in U.S. History. The Great Depression made poverty, destitution and hopelessness a cruel reality for many Americans. Amidst this time, Texas created and hosted a World’s Fair to introduce the world to the new and progressive vision of the state. Tucked away on the far Northwestern edge of this World's Fair was a medium size wood and stucco building named, ’The Hall of Negro Life and Culture.
Though non-descript on the outside, the interior was a triumphant declaration of the ‘story of the American Negro told by the American Negro.’ The exhibits and designs were a stunning presentation of art, music, literature, science, technology, agriculture and health….describing how black Americans were at the leading edge of powerful change and innovative accomplishment.
Clearly, these stories offered a counter-narrative to how blacks were depicted across all mainstream media, where buffoon images of ‘Stephin’ Fetchit,’ Jim Crow, and happy darkies singing ‘ol man River’ amidst watermelon rinds dotted the front pages and newsreels.
The Hall of Negro Life and Culture gutted these tropes , demanding the world take another look at black men and women.
100,000 visitors came from around the globe to see the Hall of Negro Life and Culture. The idea of blackness was challenged at emotional and intellectual levels. A new narrative about the ‘American Negro’ was being shaped- narrative of achievement and brilliance, moving away from the feelings of indifference and condescension.
But the story of this new narrative would only last for five months and a few days. The exhibits, the collections and much of the artwork vanished. But the spark remained. And that spark lit a fire changing the trajectory of a Nation. The documentary ‘Rising’ arises at an inflection point in our country where historical truths are being challenged and past realities are being nullified for political gain.
RISING: The Hall of Negro Life was directed and produced by Lindell Singleton and King Hollis. The film premiered on KERA/PBS.