In Pursuit of Freedom for Three Hundred and Forty Four Years: Emancipation Anniversary by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, February 12, 1963

00:00:06 Benjamin E. Mays greets members gathered at the Interdenominational Theological Center.|00:01:20 Introduces his subject “In Pursuit of Freedom for Three Hundred and Forty Four Years.” Talks about Negros pursuing freedom.|00:01:54 Talks about the untruth of Negros being satisfied with bondage and they put forth no efforts to free themselves. Talks about instances of rebellions on slave ships before they reached America.|00:02:56 Talks about Negro slaves beginning to register their disapproval of being held in bondage as early as 1663.|00:04:31 Talks about how by 1694 lawlessness among the slaves had become so widespread that governor Andrews had complained that there was “insufficient enforcement of the code.”|00:06:53 Talks about how perhaps the most widely known attempts to free the slaves were the insurrection of Denmark Vesey of South Carolina and Nat Turner of Virginia.|00:13:51 Talks about the Negro pursuit of freedom since 1865. The first method was work of Negros in the legislatures of the southern states. Talks about lynching was respected and revered in the South.|00:16:53 Talks about how no Negro up until Booker T. Washington’s time had impressed American mind as he did.|00:18:29 Talks about how Booker T. Washington laid greater emphasis on training the hands to the skill work.|00:21:27 Talks about how Washington’s pursuit of freedom was modified by W.E.B. DuBois and NAACP.|00:24:29 Talks about another path toward freedom utilized by Negroes is the National Urban League.|00:25:17 Talks about how Marcus Garvey came to New York in the second decade of the 20th century.|00:31:02 Talks about the Black Muslims and similarities to Marcus Garvey movement.|00:37:37 Talks about how the non-violent protest movement led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a significant path in search of freedom.|00:42:32 Talks about how the political climate has changed and the universal availability of the ballot.|00:47:30 Presentation ends.|00:47:42 Dr. Harry V. Richardson asks out of appreciation for this message all stand and give thanks.|