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Study Guide: The Sun Rises in the East

1. Summary of the Documentary: The Sun Rises in the East explores the history and impact of The East, a cultural and educational organization founded in 1969 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The documentary highlights how The East created a hub for Black liberation through education, arts, and economic empowerment. The film traces the rise of institutions such as the Uhuru Sasa Shule (Freedom Now School), which offered Afrocentric education, and cultural centers that celebrated Black art and identity.

2. Importance in the Black Liberation Movement: The East was a cornerstone of the Black Power and Pan-African movements in Brooklyn, fostering self-determination and community control over education. By emphasizing African heritage, cooperative economics, and artistic expression, The East empowered Black communities and influenced a generation of activists, educators, and artists. Their commitment to self-reliance laid the groundwork for future community-controlled institutions.

3. Key Figures and Organizations:

Jitu Weusi: A founding member of The East and a leader in the African American Teachers Association, Weusi was a driving force for Black-led education reform.

Al Vann: An educator and politician, Vann was instrumental in advocating for community control of schools.

Fela Barclift: Founder of Little Sun People, a preschool rooted in African-centered education.

Adyemi Bandele & K. Menusah Wali: Cultural leaders deeply involved in The East's arts and educational initiatives.

Bayard Rustin: Though not part of The East, his work in civil rights and education influenced the movement’s emphasis on self-determination.

Organizations from The East:

Uhuru Sasa Shule: Afrocentric school emphasizing African history and culture.

Little Sun People: Early childhood education program with an African-centered curriculum.

Dwana Smallwood Performing Arts Center: Promotes arts education and community engagement.

African American Teachers Association (AATA): Advocated for Black educators and community-controlled schools.

Richard Beavers Gallery: Supports contemporary Black artists and cultural expression.

4. Questions for Further Exploration:

How did The East’s model of Afrocentric education impact public school reform movements in the 1970s?

What role did cooperative economics play in sustaining The East, and how can those principles be applied today?

How did The East intersect with broader Black Liberation movements across the U.S.?

5. Books for Further Reading:

A View from The East by Kwasi Konadu - Link

The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual by Harold Cruse

Education at the Crossroads by Carter G. Woodson

From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

The Miseducation of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson

How We Get Free: Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective edited by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

Blues People by Amiri Baraka

Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther Party by Joshua Bloom and Waldo Martin

Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire

We Want to Do More Than Survive by Bettina Love

6. Related YouTube Videos:

"The Sun Rises in the East | Official Trailer" (YouTube)

"Jitu Weusi on Black Education" (YouTube)

"Bayard Rustin: The Forgotten Civil Rights Leader" (YouTube)

"School Colors Podcast: The Fight for Education Equity in Brooklyn" (YouTube)

"The History of the Uhuru Sasa Shule" (YouTube)

7. Prompts for Further Research:

Investigate the relationship between The East and the Black Power movement.

Research the history and impact of the CCNY takeover.

Explore the role of WBAI’s Education at the Crossroads in spreading Afrocentric education.

Compare The East with similar movements such as the Black Panther Party’s Oakland Community School.

Study the contributions of women leaders in The East.

8. Prompts for MidJourney Image Creations:

"Afrocentric classroom at Uhuru Sasa Shule, filled with students learning African history and art." (Tags: Afrocentric, classroom, education, black liberation)

"A bustling 1970s street scene in Bedford-Stuyvesant, with community murals and vendors celebrating Black culture." (Tags: Brooklyn, Black culture, street scene, 1970s)

"A vibrant community meeting at The East, with speakers addressing the crowd under a Pan-African flag." (Tags: community, activism, Pan-African, Black liberation)

9. Tags for Social Media: #TheEast #BlackLiberation #AfrocentricEducation #BrooklynHistory #JituWeusi #UhuruSasa #PanAfricanism #BlackHistory #CulturalRevolution