For Black History Month, we take a look in our archives at how public media has captured Black voices, activism, and culture in Nebraska.
Welcome to From the Archives! I’m Alexis Scargill, Media Archivist here at Nebraska Public Media. Each month, I’m highlighting treasures from our collection spanning more than 70 years of broadcast history in our great state.
We’ve made it to February and spring is in reach–even if it doesn’t feel like it. In recognition of Black History Month, I’m digging into the archives to surface some Nebraska history.
I love every decade of Nebraska Public Media’s productions and, as such, could never pick a favorite. But if you’re REALLY insisting (and let’s pretend you are), I have a particular fondness for the 1970s in public broadcasting. It was a beautiful time for experimental creative decisions, theme songs, and hairstyles. And in one episode of our series Rap About It, we get all three.
Rap About It was a monthly series that premiered in November 1974, reporting on “achievements and attitudes of Black Americans–from art and literature to politics, and from education to employment.” The show was produced and hosted by Mal Adams. In this clip, Adams gets an interview AND a haircut from longtime State Senator Ernie Chambers. You may know Ernie Chambers as the longest-serving state senator in Nebraska history, and you may even know about his barber skills, but how about his artistic prowess?
Video from: Rap About It; Senator Ernie Chambers (1975)
That interview took place at Goodwin’s Spencer Street Barbershop, which has its own Black history story to tell. Dan Goodwin Sr. and his wife Andrea Goodwin opened the barbershop in North Omaha in 1955. Goodwin, who passed away in January at the age of 93, was a prominent civil rights and community leader. His barbershop also served as one of the main locations of the Academy Award-nominated documentary A Time for Burning, which was added to the National Film Registry in 2005.
Nebraska’s Surprise Role in Anti-Apartheid Activism
One fascinating fact I learned when studying up on Nebraska history is the state’s role in ending South African apartheid. After a resolution State Senator Ernie Chambers introduced in 1980, Nebraska became the first state to formally divest from South Africa in protest of apartheid. Other states and, eventually, the federal government followed suit. Archbishop Desmond Tutu commended Nebraska for this action during a visit to Lincoln in 2000.
Transcript:
"It was quite, quite crucial because even if you were to have said that, in money terms, it might not have been particularly impactful--psychologically, it was quite, quite important. It was important for the victims to know that they had friends and it was important for the perpetrators to know that there are those who are saying, 'We're watching you.'"
Clip from: Nebraska Nightly; April 27, 2000
More Black Nebraska History Highlights:
A Street of Dreams
Produced by Camille Steed in 1994, this documentary tells the story of Omaha’s North 24th Street.
Nebraska History Moment: Malcolm X
Born in Nebraska, Malcolm X was the first Black Nebraskan inducted into the state’s Hall of Fame in 2024
Ernie Chambers: Still Militant After All These Years
Produced by Camille Steed in 1998, this documentary traces Ernie Chambers’ roots as a North Omaha community activist in the 1960s to his start in the legislature in 1971–and beyond.
Ernie Chambers - Through the Years
This hour-long program reflects on Ernie Chambers' career, the longest-serving legislator in Nebraska history.
What would you like to see from the archives?
I would love to hear from you! Send me your feedback at fromthearchives@nebraskapublicmedia.org. I’ll see you next month!