Bill Moyers Journal (2007-2010); James H Cone; Bernice Johnson Reagon

November 23, 2007

With recent news events bringing the noose and the lynching tree into the national discourse, Bill Moyers interviews theologian James Cone about his book, THE CROSS AND THE LYNCHING TREE, and how these powerful images relate to the symbol of the cross and how they signify both tragedy and triumph. Dr. Cone is the Charles A. Briggs Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York. He is best known for his groundbreaking works: BLACK THEOLOGY & BLACK POWER (1969) and A BLACK THEOLOGY OF LIBERATION (1970). He is also the author of the highly acclaimed GOD OF THE OPPRESSED (1975) and MARTIN & MALCOLM & AMERICA: A DREAM OR A NIGHTMARE? (1991). Then, the JOURNAL looks back at a 1991 interview with performer, activist, songwriter and scholar, Bernice Johnson Reagon, who has for over 40 years been singing, preaching and teaching traditional African American music and its cultural history. "When we sing, we announce our existence," Reagon explains to Bill Moyers in the interview THE SONGS ARE FREE. "Singing is running this sound through your body. You cannot sing a song and not change your condition." Award(s) won: EMMY Nomination Outstanding Interview BILL MOYERS JOURNAL -- Award-winning public affairs journalist Bill Moyers hosts this weekly series filled with fresh and original voices. Each hour-long broadcast features analysis of current issues and interviews with prominent figures from the worlds of arts and entertainment, religion, science, politics and the media.