Film Lens
The documentary focuses on Isaac Woodard's story, which is linked to the desegregation of the US Armed Forces and the Civil Rights Movement. It discusses the appalling injustice of Woodard's beating and blinding, which prompted significant legal changes in America. The film uses previously undisclosed FBI and Department of Justice files to retell this narrative, highlighting its impact on history.
Judge Richard Gurgel, the author, connects Woodard's experience to the broader struggle for civil rights after World War II. The film also examines the challenges faced by early civil rights lawyers, including the limited resources available to them before the establishment of the Civil Rights Division in 1957, which significantly improved the prosecution of civil rights cases.
Why Watch
- •See how Woodard's story changed US Armed Forces desegregation.
- •Meet Judge Richard Gurgel, a key figure in civil rights law.
- •Find out about the early struggles of civil rights lawyers.
Did You Know
•Isaac Woodard was beaten and blinded, leading to major legal changes.
•Before 1960, there were only seven lawyers handling civil rights cases in the US.
•The Civil Rights Division was created in 1957 to improve civil rights prosecutions.
•Judge Richard Gurgel was nominated to the federal bench by President Barack Obama in 2009.
Perfect For
Civil rights historyLegal advocacyAmerican history