Sharon Hanks
A documentary sponsored by Grand Valley State University that explores the struggles of African Americans' migration from the poor South to the North in search of jobs in Muskegon foundries keeps winning accolades.
"Up from the Bottoms: The Search for the American Dream" has won the prestigious Paul Robeson Award at the 35th Newark Black Film Festival, the longest running black film festival in the country. Co-producers Jim Schaub and his brother, Rod Schaub, of Clear Vision Films in Muskegon will be among those heading to Newark, N.J. on Aug. 4 to receive the award.
Narrated by actress Cicely Tyson, the 56-minute film features the oral histories of more than 15 men and women, now in their 80s, who recall their World War II-era migration from the South to the more prosperous Muskegon. Many arrived in search of work at a foundry in Muskegon Heights or another one located on north part of Muskegon which became known as The Bottoms.
"I think what it's done in Muskegon is to spark a dialogue on racial issues," says Jim Schaub, a GVSU communication systems technician and adjunct film instructor. "It made people aware of why some in the African American community have the attitudes they do because they went through rough times."
The individuals recount the racism they encountered in Muskegon. They were forbidden from drinking water at "white only" fountains, allowed only to roller skate on Thursday nights because the other evenings were reserved for whites, and prohibited from sitting at a counter to enjoy ice cream. The film includes a soundtrack with music from Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis.
"Up from the Bottoms" also was recognized as "Best Film/Video" on matters relating to the black experience/marginalized people at the recent XXV International Black Cinema in Berlin, Germany. Last December, it won the 2009 Best of African Diaspora Film Festival in New York.
The documentary will be shown in about 75 Midwest theatres in August, Schaub says, with another premier planned for this Saturday at the 8th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival in Chicago. A complete list of past and future showings, purchase details, film trailers, photos and other information can be found at the documentary's website.
Besides GVSU, other film sponsors were the Michigan Humanities Council, the Community Foundation for Muskegon, and Alcoa Howmet.
Source: Jim Schaub, GVSU adjunct film instructor and communication systems technican
Sharon Hanks is innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. Please send story ideas and comments for the column to Sharon at [email protected]. She also is owner of The Write Words in Grand Rapids.
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