Firing Line with William F. Buckley, Jr.
“Is America Hospitable to the Negro?” Guest: Jesse Jackson (Ep. S0019, recorded on 10/2/1971)
In her work on William F. Buckley and his long-running public affairs show Firing Line (1966-1970 syndicated, 1971-1999 PBS), Heather Hendershot argues that the show’s one-hour debate structure made it one of the few places on U.S. television in which Black leaders in the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements could make sustained arguments for their views and positions, creating a space for Black political thought to be expressed. Typically, Buckley was challenging their critiques of systemic racism in the U.S. and trying to provoke admission to socialist views and communist leanings. We see this here, as Buckley asks Jesse Jackson if he believes the U.S. to be the best country for Black advancement, or if “other kinds of societies” would be better. Jackson strategically counters by claiming to be “basically just a country preacher” unable to compare America to the societies of other countries, shifting the conversation back to addressing inequality and racism in the U.S.
Suggested Segment: 2:50-12:30