Video Resources

Invisible History: Middle Florida's Hidden Roots

A documentary film by Valerie Scoon, Professor and Filmmaker in Residence, FSU College of Motion Picture Arts. The film sheds light on the little-known history of plantations and the enslaved in Florida through a visually compelling story that explores the history of a people who contributed so much to what Leon County (FL) is today. [click the title to watch]

Florida Humanities Council Resources:

After the death of George Floyd in May 2020, the Florida Humanities Council convened a panel of scholars to discuss the Long History of Race Relations in Florida. The following videos described below were created as part of that program. Click on the link to access them.

https://floridahumanities.org/programs-publications/long-history-of-race-relations-in-florida/

Refusing to be Silenced: The Political History and Future of Black Women in Florida: The passage of the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. Despite the constitutional security granted by the amendment, Black women--and Black men--were not able to exercise voting privileges. This did not prevent Black women from engaging in political organizing and registering others to vote. When Black women were finally able to vote with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Black women began to enter national politics in force. In part three of this series, our panelists will help us explore the political history of Black women; their goals and activism; and discuss the future role of Black women in Florida's politics.

Faith and Folklore: Sites and Black Women's Stories in the 20th Century: Central Florida has become an area of rapid growth. From Zora Neale Hurston to Mary McLeod Bethune, Black women made significant contributions from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico. In part two of this series, our scholars will discuss the sites and stories unique to Black women in Central Florida.

Genesis: Sites and Black Women's Stories in Old (North) Florida: The history of Black women sits at an intersection of race and gender which is often ignored. While studies of Black history can compensate for part of this deficit, Black women's stories can still be pushed from mainstream conversations. In part one of this series, our scholars will discuss the physical locations and stories unique to Black women in Old (north) Florida.

"Black Lives Matter": The Current Struggle for Civil Rights and Racial Justice in Florida: The term “Black Lives Matter” started as a hashtag in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s 2012 shooting in Sanford, Florida. Since then, it has become a national movement that has garnered praise and controversy. This panel will explore the historical precedent for “Black Lives Matter” and the work of modern civil rights movements in Florida and beyond. “Black Lives Matter”: The Current Struggle for Civil Rights and Racial Justice in Florida is part of a conversation series, The Long History of Race Relations in Florida, convened by Florida Humanities in an effort to better understand the historical forces that influence Florida’s politics, culture, and economy.

"I am a Man": The Struggle for Civil Rights in America: Florida experienced the highest number of lynchings per capita out of any state in the country. This violence is often less understood in context with the global perception of Florida as a state with pristine beaches and perfect weather. “I Am A Man” explores the Sunshine State as a key battleground for the Civil Rights Movement. From the murder of Harry and Harriet Moore, to the Groveland Four, to the activism and protests in St. Augustine, Tallahassee, and Miami, African Americans in Florida fought—and occasionally died—to achieve justice and equality.

Reconstruction and the Jim Crow Era: Following the end of the Civil War, Florida joined the other former confederate states in rebuilding the nation. Similar to other states, the era of Reconstruction saw the promise of African American advancement in education, politics, and business. Despite these advancements, Jim Crow segregation also rose, eventually subverting the progress of African Americans and leading to increased violence throughout Florida. This presentation will explore the progress and peril African Americans experienced during the Reconstruction and Jim Crow eras. Reconstruction and the Jim Crow Era is part of a conversation series, The Long History of Race Relations in Florida, convened by Florida Humanities in an effort to better understand the historical forces that influence Florida’s politics, culture, and economy.

The Spanish Colonial and Slavery Eras in Florida: The Spanish colony of Florida was established in 1513 with the arrival of Juan Ponce de Leon. Subsequent interactions and conflicts between European settlers, indigenous groups, and peoples of African descent established the foundation of Florida’s history and culture. Florida’s status as a “backwater” colony made it an attractive destination for enslaved Africans, enabling them to establish settlements like Fort Mose and other colonies to celebrate freedom. This conversation explores the complex nature of these interactions and the influence of Spanish, African, and indigenous culture on Florida. This conversation will focus on the Spanish colonial period, from 1513 to 1763; and the slavery era from 1783 until Florida joined the United States as a territory in 1821.

WFSU Resources:

Retro Local: The Repeating History of FAMU Hospital

With the passing of the civil rights act in 1964, integration has been repeatedly used as a reason to close historically black Institutions. This story explores how the creation and closing of one African American hospital on the Florida A & M Campus impacted a local community.