I just got off the phone with Dr. Peggy Bertram (co-author of the Uncrowned Community Builders series) who was kind enough to take a few minutes to discuss a presentation that she is giving today. The presentation revolves around a fascinating lost screenplay that she came upon back in 1999. It turns out that the screenplay was written by Drusilla Dunjee Houston, a newspaper writer in 1915, in response to one of the most controversial films of all time – The Birth of a Nation, written by Thomas Dixon, Jr (novel and play) and directed by D.W. Griffith*. The film was originally titled “The Clansman”.
According to Bertram, the film set back black and white relations and dialogues to an extent that was so damaging that to this day the nation has not recovered from it. While there was outrage from the black community over the film, Houston’s lost screenplay turns out to be the only written protest by an African American woman that called out all of Dixon’s works during the span of his 1901 to 1935 writing career. The discovery of Houston’s screenplay retort is a stunning find, and one that is finally gaining momentum thanks to Bertram’s stalwart fortitude.
Bertram’s steadfast work to uncover the life of Houston has taken her throughout the country in search of living family members who might know of personal stories and other lost writings. To this day, Bertram (photo: inset) is shocked that the discovery of this lost screenplay has not garnered more attention, especially by such institutions as the Library of Congress. Fortunately, that is all about to change, as there is finally significant interest and support coming from both local (UB) and national groups (more to come). Bertram feels that the screenplay has not been received by some factions due to the controversial nature of the subject matter, at a time where the nation is still reeling from race riots. Could there be a better time?
The Houston screenplay takes The Birth of a Nation to task, there is no doubt. The work also attacks Dixon on a personal level, for he was held on a pedestal for the creation of such a “powerful” novel and play. The film ended up fueling the flames of segregation and setting this nation back to a scary and shaky place. When one considers the time when Houston wrote the screenplay, then it is clear that she was putting her own life in danger. To see the screenplay denied the light of day must have been demoralizing to say the least.
Dixon never acknowledged his awareness of the screenplay, but it was duly “buried” along with many other pro-black writings that surfaced at the time. To think that the KKK was revitalized and even glamorized due to the film release of The Birth of a Nation goes to show just how immense the impact was.
To this day, Houston’s story has not been told, but Bertram hopes to change that. She is doing this by embarking upon a series of speaking engagements, one of which is scheduled to take place at 11:30 this morning. Bertram is also setting out to write a biography of Houston’s life. At the same time, she will write an introduction to the screenplay, which will go hand-in-hand with her efforts to see the work immortalized by film.
*D.W. Griffith co-wrote the screenplay (with Frank E. Woods), and co-produced the film (with Harry Aitken)
I am aware that this is late notice, but there will be other talks and presentations to come:
This morning’s presentation is Free & Open To The Public.
“A Black Woman’s Response To The Movie, The Birth of a Nation”- Drusilla Dunjee Houston.
(The 1915 Film Directed By, D.W. Griffin, whose controversial racist depiction of Black Americans and the celebration of the Ku Klu Klan gave rise to civil rights protests across the nation.)
Narrator/Presenter- Dr. Peggy Brooks-Bertram
WHEN: Thursday, February 19, 2015; TIME; 11:00 AM
For post prevention conversation, appetizers & beverages (including wine), there will be a small fee
Presentation will begin at 11:30 AM.
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, Parish Hall, 695 Elmwood Avenue (Corner of Elmwood Ave & West Ferry)