1971 SPECIAL REPORT: "SAMMY DAVIS JR."

Entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr., is interviewed this month by Black Journals executive producer, Tony Brown, and is seen performing at the Hilton Hotel in Hollywood. On the show, transmitted nationally on PBS, the Public Broadcasting Service, Davis discusses his past and present image as a black superstar working in the white-controlled entertainment industry. Recalling his early days in show business, Davis says, I dont my head would be where it is now if I had not gone through that 25 years ago Emulating the white stars, not trying to get my own identity, Todays black star has a responsibility to relate to his own people, Davis feels.


I dont read a script that I dont weigh and say I wonder what the brother on the corner is going to think about this I think we went through a period where we were just pleased to see a black guy there (on television) Now we've got to go on further. Davis, who was formerly married to a white woman, is asked about his views on inter-racial marriage. He responds: I think that you can be committed to your people, to the cause It doesnt matter who youre married to. Asked why he is sporting an Angela Davis button, he says: I dont share her political beliefs; I share her blackness.