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THURSDAY, February 28th

7:00 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)

Columbia City Theater

4918 Rainier Avenue S., Seattle

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Synopsis:

Prince Among Slaves tells the compelling true story of Abdul-Rahman, an African Prince who was captured in a regional conflict and sold into slavery, endured the horrific Middle Passage, ending up in the pioneering town of Natchez Mississippi in 1788.  Though highly educated and a member of the ruling class, Abdul-Rahman found himself bound and chained to the auction block and sold to an ambitious owner named Thomas Foster, for whom he  toiled on a Delta plantation for 40 years.  After four decades of enslavement, Abdul-Rahman reclaimed his freedom by attracting the support of powerful men such as Secretary of State Henry Clay, President John Quincy Adams, and Thomas H. Gallaudet. Traveling throughout the northern states in defiance of his owner's wishes, he  met Adams in the white House, was hosted by Free Black Anti-Slavery groups in Boston and New York, and  spoke to large audiences, all in the hope of raising enough money to buy his nine children's freedom.

The life of this early American hero is told through beautifully filmed reenactments directed by EmmyR Award-winner, Bill Duke, through contemporary artworks, archival letters and the diaries of Secretary of State Henry Clay, President John Quincy Adams, and Thomas H. Gallaudet as well as through on-camera interviews with distinguished scholars and experts. Artfully narrated by actor and hip-hop,/spoken word artist Mos Def, Prince Among Slaves is based on Dr. Terry Alford's biography of the same name. The film was recently awarded "Best Documentary of 2007" at the American Black Film Festival.

Thanks to Bridges to Understanding for this contribution to interreligious, cross-cultural understanding!

John Hale

jehale@earthlink.net