NBA Hall of Famer and Renaissance man Kareem Abdul Jabbar screened his Documentary “On the Shoulders of Giants” Friday, Feb 9, 2011. The historical and inspirational documentary depicting the story of the all-black Harlem Renaissance Big Five (the Harlem Rens) Basketball team, established in February of 1923, by Robert "Bob" Douglas in agreement with the Harlem Renaissance Casino and Ballroom.
After the team was not allowed admittance to the ABA in 1925,
the Rens continued to dominate the hardwood for the next 3 decades. One of their most remarkable seasons was during their 1932-33 regular season; the Rens compiled a record of 120-8, during that season. Including a streak of 88 straight victories against the nation’s best black and white teams,
a mark that has never been matched by any other professional basketball team to date. They were also the first basketball team (white or black) to win the World Professional Basketball Tournament in 1939.
It is believed that these unknown phenomenal athletes reinvented American basketball during the most racially charged horrid times to play in the sport. The documentary also details their courage and tenacity, as well as all the prejudices that this team of basketball giants endured during their careers. The team disbanded when they did not gain admission to the NBA in 1948.
The special screening drew hundreds of high school students from all over the city to the Schomburg Centerfor Research in Black Culture at 135th and Lenox (Malcolm X Blvd).
Eleventh grader Kareem Malcolm stated: “ I connected to the players in the film because I’m a ball player and because I’m black” Malcolm also said that he was in fact named after the Sky hook originator Abdul Jabbar.
The enthusiastic students were given the opportunity to view the histories of the Harlem ‘Ren’ players such as John (Wonder Boy) Isaacs, William (Pop) Gates and Charles (Tarzan) Cooper. Players whom Kareem referred to as “Precursors to the brave men and women who went on to start the civil rights movement, 20 years later.”
The special screening also included a panel discussion featuring speakers such as NBA Commissioner David Stern, Director Spike Lee, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and current Schomburg Director Howard Dodson. All of the speakers are also featured in the film.
The event was co-sponsored by the Association of Teachers of Social Studies.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar is executive producer of ‘On the Shoulders of Giants.’
In addition, the film was Produced and Directed by Deborah Morales and narrated by Jamie Fox, the documentary includes appearances by, Dr. Maya Angelou, Dr. Cornel West, Dr. Richard Lapchick, Samuel L. Jackson, Jerry West, Bill Russell, Charles Barkley, Carmelo Anthony, Julius (Dr. J) Irving, and other NBA Legends. The music featured in the documentary is provided by Will.I.Am (Black Eyed Peas), Chuck D (Public Enemy), Herbie Hancock, and the original score is by Grammy-winning composer Bill Cunliffe.
In this journalist's opinion, all people should see this documentary just to witness the hope, faith and determination of this phenomenal team!
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