A Boston (R)Evolution

Examine a racially complicated American city as it confronts both its past and future. Boston’s acting mayor, a black woman once bussed as a child to hostile neighborhoods, breaks 200 years of white male mayors and ushers in the historic 2021 mayoral race.

A diverse group of community members — including AfriCOBRA imagemaker Napoleon Jones-Henderson — discusses their affection for 1983 Boston mayoral candidate Mel King. Archival footage shows King’s campaign — from voters to interviews — and the power that it had on the Black community in Boston.

A discussion about African American history in Boston. Professor Kabria Baumgartner considers Boston as the "city of contradictions:" a leader in the abolitionist movement, while also a city that embraced segregation in schools and beyond. Professor Paul Watanabe encourages the need to include Black history in conversations about American history, particularly as it pertains to Boston.

In Fall 2021, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George address their Boston supporters upon winning the Mayoral Primary Election while Andrea Campbell concedes. Kim Janey discusses her loss, her primary election night experience and how she will keep fighting for Boston’s future.

Discussion about race and ethnicity as it relates to the 2021 mayoral race. From a reference to the “smoky room” of old political campaigns, to the advantages and disadvantages of having multiple candidates of one race, as well as the groundbreaking election of Ayanna Pressley who changed the rules of the game and became the first Black woman congressional rep from Massachusetts.

Kim Janey speaks at Boston's first substantial Souls to the Polls event, sponsored by a historic Black church, applauding community members for getting out to vote for Michelle Wu. Wu discusses her commitment to racial justice as well as the need for solidarity between the Asian-American and the Black communities. Older community members express their support for Wu.