African American issues

A documentary airing tonight on PBS tells the story of the five young black and Latino men wrongly convicted of the 1989 assault and rape of a white female jogger in Manhattan's Central Park. Ken Burns made the film with his eldest daughter, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon.

Lloyd Schwartz discusses Ruby Elzy.

Film Critic Henry Sheehan reviews the new film “Men of Honor,” starring Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great African-American singer, actor and political activist Paul Robeson. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews his recording of "Songs of Free Men" (Sony's Masterworks Heritage series).

Commentator Maureen Corrigan reviews the new memoir by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., "Colored People."

Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the new collection of writings by African-American author Richard Wright.

Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews "The Adventures of Amos and Andy," writer Melvin Patrick Ely's look at the comedy series, and the controversy it caused.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new CD collection of songs by the late Roland Hayes. Hayes was the first major black concert singer, and paved the way for performers such as Marion Anderson. (It's issued by the Smithsonian).

Television critic David Bianculli reviews Part 2 of "Eyes on the Prize," the award-winning documentary series on the civil rights movement in America. Part 2 picks up in 1964 where Part 1 left off.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews clarinetist John Carter's new album, "Shadows on a Wall." The album concludes Carter's 5 album musical saga of the African-American experience. Kevin says the series doesn't recreate history, but it DOES reimagine it.