Part 2 of the panel discussion about Solitary Confinement with Robert King, Albert Woodfox, and Julian Falconer that followed the film "Hard Time" by Ron Harpelle screened at Bay Street Film Festival's Docs on Bay series at Trinity Hall in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
This is part one of the panel Robert King, Albert Woodfox and Julian Falconer.
This is the full video of the presentation made by Albert Woodfox and Robert King at Lakehead University Department of History March 2nd.
Introduction to Robert King and Albert Woodfox at Lakehead University March 2, 2017.
Introduction to Robert King and Albert Woodfox at Lakehead University March 2, 2017.
Watch the film if you haven't already or just watch it again.
As a parent, you always try to expose your kids to experiences and people that will enrich their worldview, and make them better people. Marta and Matilde had a...n opportunity to meet and listen to Albert Woodfox and Robert King last night. Woodfox and King had both been imprisoned in the infamous Angola prison in Louisiana, where both were held in solitary confinement (King for 29 years and Woodfox for 44 years - he was only released last year). Both men became politicized in prison, and founded a chapter of the Black Panthers. Both men have been exonerated for the crimes they were falsely accused of committing. Both men were held as political prisoners.
Marta was mesmerized by their stories, and when I told her that when she was older, she would appreciate having had the opportunity to meet two Black Panthers when she was young, she said to me "Dad, I understand the significance of meeting them now. I don't need to be older to realize how important it is to hear what they have to say."
Matilde said nothing at all last night. She drifted in and out of the living room all evening. I thought she wasn't paying attention. But at the end of the evening, she handed Albert and Robert a poem she had written.
"To Robert and Albert:
You're as free as a bird, as fast as a herd.
You're as nice like a mice.
You're strong as a ox.
But inside you are awesome."
Apparently Matilde understood the significance of this meeting as well.
(Needless to say, Robert and Albert seemed to like the poem.)
So powerful to have Albert Woodfox and Robert King of the Angola 3 on the show this morning to share their story. They are seen here with Ron Harpelle, who did ...the doc on King called "Hard time." There will be a showing of the doc and a panel discussion on solitary confinement at 7 pm. tonight at Trinity Hall.
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So honoured to host Robert King and Albert Woodfox here in Thunder Bay. Listen to them live on cbc radio this morning.
Where to start? You could start at the beginning and see how barbed wire changed the way of life of native peoples, you could move on to see how barbed wire was... used in WWI or how it shapes the Middle East, but with media focused on immigrants, walls and crime, you might as well skip to 25:50 to get on top of today's issues.
But if you want to appreciate how we got here, why not take an hour and watch the whole thing. Find out about innovations in razor wire, how Canada used barbed wire in the Oka crisis, and how some families spend Mother's Day in the village of Majdal Shams on the Occupied Golan Heights. All of these stories are tied together with thin strands of wire that shape our dally lives. And don't forget to share.
We are working on brining King and Albert Woodfox to Canada in the new year. Anyone with connections in Montreal and Toronto is welcome to contact us.
He's finally free.....
Share Robert King and the Angola 3's story with your friends.
