American Masters

Monologue from "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" by August Wilson

"White folks don’t understand about the blues," says Ma Rainey in the play, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," set in a Chicago recording studio in 1927. This dramatic reading created for August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand is performed by Ebony Jo-Ann. The play premiered in 1984 at Yale Repertory Theatre and opened on Broadway the same year to win a New York Drama Critics Circle award.

Monologue from "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" by August Wilson

47s

  • Daniel K. Inouye: Life of Service: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Daniel K. Inouye: Life of Service

    12m 41s

    Explore the story of the U.S. Senator for Hawai’i who was injured in battle during World War II, resulting in the amputation of his right arm. Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his lifelong public service, Inouye championed the cause of justice and equality for all Americans, including people living with disabilities.

  • Daniel K. Inouye: Life of Service [ASL + OC]: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Daniel K. Inouye: Life of Service [ASL + OC]

    12m 41s

    This version contains on-screen ASL interpretation and open captions. Explore the story of the U.S. Senator for Hawai’i who was injured in battle during World War II, resulting in the amputation of his right arm. Inouye championed the cause of justice and equality for all Americans, including people living with disabilities.

  • Daniel K. Inouye: Life of Service [Extended Audio Description + OC]: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Daniel K. Inouye: Life of Service [Extended Audio Description + OC]

    15m 31s

    This version contains extended audio description and large open captions. Explore the story of the U.S. Senator for Hawai’i who was injured in battle during World War II, resulting in the amputation of his right arm. Inouye championed the cause of justice and equality for all Americans, including people living with disabilities.

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