Chisholm documentary is great viewing

Chisholm '72--Unbought and Unbossed is a terrific film by Shola Lynch that premiered tonight on PBS's P.O.V. Congresswoman Chisholm ran for president of the U.S. in 1972, and the film follows her campaign, but also includes lengthy clips from interviews done with her when she was older. Chisholm ran for president at a time when neither blacks nor women were considered "serious candidates"--well, nothing much has changed, I know--and much of her energy went into trying to convince the members of the black male caucus to support her. They didn't. And neither did many leading feminists, who went with McGovern.

Chisholm won a court order that forced the networks to include her in televised debates. She also carried 151 delegates to the Democratic Convention, whom she released after the first round of votes.

Watching the documentary made me angry, and it also made me miss Chisholm, who died just over a month ago. It is hard to imagine that there will ever again be such an outspoken person run for president, or maybe for anything. She was afraid of no question, no matter how hostile. If Congresswoman Chisholm were still with us and were to run today, the results would be no different than they were in 1972: People would still be demanding that she get out of the way so that the "real" candidates could run.

Lynch is to be commended for honoring this extraordinary woman.