Ford Hall Forum Recordings
This page includes audio, video, and transcripts of Ford Hall Forum’s lectures, programs, and the New American Gazette radio series. The majority of the lectures date from 1981-2013 with the exception of one recording from 1923 and a small number from the 1960s and 1970s.
For a full list of the collection, including non-digitized items, browse the Ford Hall Forum Collection Finding Aid
Many additional recordings are held by the Boston Public Library, WGBH, and Northeastern, please consult their Archives for more information.-
New American Gazette: Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 speech at the Ford Hall Forum, "The Future of Desegregation," audio recording and transcript, 3/5/1989
Martin Luther King and Barbara Jordan
Three weeks before he was jailed for leading peaceful protesters in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. King addressed the Ford Hall Forum in March 1963. His address, "The Future of Desegregation," coincided with the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation. Dr. King called for renewed Federal efforts at desegregation, while noting that "the law cannot change the heart, but it can restrain the heartless." The forum was rebroadcast as part of the New American Gazette program and includes an introduction by Barbara Jordan.
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The New American Gazette: George McGovern and Robert Kuttner, audio recording, 10/23/1989
George S. McGovern and Robert Kuttner
The 1972 Democratic Presidential candidate looks back at the 1960s and asks whether the 1990s will be a period of sweeping social reforms and strong domestic programs. Comparing and contrasting the New Frontier and the Great Society with the current Administration's goals, the former South Dakota Senator shares reminiscences and anecdotes from political life.
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The New American Gazette: Pei Minxin, Shen Tong, Ding Xueliang and Yasheng Huang discuss, "The Future of the Democratic Reform Movement in China", at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 10/19/1989
Pei Minxin, Shen Tong, Yasheng Huang, and Ding Xuelliang
Fours students involved in the demonstrations for democratic reform in China discuss the future of the movement after the government crackdown in Tiananmen Square. Shen Tong and Yasheng Huang deliver first hand accounts of the events at Tiananmen Square, while Pei Minxin and Ding Xueliang provide insights on US support for the demonstrators.
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The New American Gazette: Laura Palmer at the Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 1/25/1989
Laura Palmer
The New American Gazette visits the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington through the eyes, ears and hearts of its visitors. Laura Palmer, author of Shrapnel in the Heart, discusses her evocative, heart-wrenching collection of more than 100 letters left at Washington's Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the stories of the wives and children, lovers and friends who wrote them.
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The New American Gazette: Paul Szep and Mike Peters; "Satire: The Ungentle Art," at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 10/15/1989
Paul Michael Szep and Mike Peters
Two Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonists, Paul Szep of The Boston Globe and Mike Peters of The Dayton Daily News, examine the ungentle art of satire and discuss their work in today's world: where to find inspiration, how to choose a target and how the public reacts.
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The New American Gazette: Mubarak Awad, "Palestinian Struggle for Human Rights" at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 11/4/1988
Mubarek E. Awad
Mubarak Awad, a leader of the Palestinian non-violent human rights movement, spoke at the Ford Hall Forum about the Palestinian resistance to the occupation of the West Bank and suggests new initiatives to the seemingly intractable problems of the Middle East.
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The New American Gazette: Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks and Leola Brown Montgomery at the Ford Hall Forum, transcript, 2/12/1988
Ford Hall Forum, Coretta Scott King, Leola Brown Montgomery, and Rosa Parks
This episode of the New American Gazette featured the remarks of Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, and Leola Brown Montgomery from the Conference on Women and the Constitution. The conference was convened by former First Ladies Betty Ford, Pat Nixon, Rosalyn Carter and Lady Bird Johnson on February 12, 1988 to celebrate the US Constitution and the contributions that women have made to the country’s founding document. Coretta Scott King, an activist and civil rights leader, urged women to become the moral vanguard for a more compassionate, humanitarian world society. Sharing experiences from the struggle for civil rights and desegregation, Rosa Parks and Leola Brown Montgomery discussed their groundbreaking accomplishments in seeking justice and equality for all people. The radio program is introduced by Barbara Jordan. Digitally restored, 6/2018.
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The New American Gazette: Barney Frank and Warren Rudman; "Election 88 A Review and Forecast," at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 11/10/1988
Barney Frank and Warren B. Rudman
Two seasoned politicians, Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) and Senator Warren Rudman (R-NH), debate the winning factors, missing ingredients, lucky breaks and decisive moments of what should be a tight Presidential race. The forum was broadcast on the New American Gazette radio program.
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Doris Kearns Goodwin's speech, "The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys : an American saga" at the Ford Hall Forum, audio recording and transcript, 7/28/1988
Doris Kearns Goodwin
From the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, best-selling biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin, discusses her book, "The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys : an American saga." Goodwin goes behind the lace curtains of two families which gave rise to Camelot in America -- the Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys.
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The New American Gazette: Gloria Hull and Peggy McIntosh discuss Education For a More Inclusive Society at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 10/13/1988
Akasha Gloria Hull and Peggy McIntosh
How can education reflect the reality of a multicultural world shared by women and men? UCSC Professor Gloria T. Hull and Wellesley College Professor Peggy McIntosh discuss education for a more inclusive society.
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New American Gazette: “Archbishop Desmond Tutu & Reverend Beyers Naudé,” at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 9/8/1988
Beyers Naudé and Desmond Tutu
A discussion on apartheid by Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Afrikaner and Global Secretary of the South African Council of Churches, Reverend Beyers Naudé. The program features parts of the recordings from Naudé's 1985 forum and Tutu's 1988 appearance.
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The New American Gazette: Sandra Day O'Connor and Mary King at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 2/11/1988
Sandra Day O’Connor and Mary E. King
This episode of the New American Gazette features the remarks of Sandra Day O'Connor and Mary E. King at the Conference on Women and the Constitution. It was convened by former First Ladies Betty Ford, Pat Nixon, Rosalyn Carter and Lady Bird Johnson on February 12, 1988 to celebrate the US Constitution and the contributions that women have made to the country’s founding document. O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, discussing some of the significant leaders and milestones in the struggle of American women for equal protection and opportunity under the U.S. Constitution. Author and activist Mary King urges women to seek political self-determination by asking, "Where to from here?" She further contends that the women's movement and the civil rights movement merged to form a powerful bond.
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New American Gazette: “First Amendment Award Honoring Pete Seeger,” at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording and transcript, 5/15/1988
Pete Seeger and Charlayne Hunter-Gault
Folk singer Pete Seeger receives the Ford Hall Forum’s First Amendment Award. He sang songs while discussing the Great Peace March and the value of the First Amendment. The forum was recorded in 1988 and later broadcast on the New American Gazette radio program on January 8, 1989. The program was introduced by host Charlayne Hunter-Gault.
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The New American Gazette: Bella Abzug at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 5/13/1987
Bella S. Abzug
Taped at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, New York's formidable former Congresswoman, Bella Abzug, explores the rise and decline of women in American politics. She then offers a feminist vision of a truly just and humane society for the future.
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The New American Gazette: Veronica DeNegri, Robert Lifton, and Danny Glover discuss, Hope and Healing in a World of Horror, at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 10/29/1987
Veronica DeNegri, Robert Jay Lifton, and Danny Glover
The New American Gazette marks the 40th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (December 10th) with a special program on hope and healing in a world of horror. Chilean political exile and torture victim Veronica DeNegri provides a gripping first hand account of the anguish and heroics of human rights victims and the struggle for democracy. Psychiatrist Robert Lifton examines the lasting psychological effects and implications of these traumas. Introduce by Barbara Jordan and moderated by actor Danny Glover who also reads selections by poet Pablo Neruda.
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The New American Gazette: Marian Wright Edelman discusses, "Unprotected and at Risk: State of Childhood in America at the Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 10/23/1987
Marian Wright Edelman
Children's Defense Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman describes the state of childhood in America, where one quarter of our nation's children live below the poverty line. Challenging the richest nation in the world to reexamine its spending priorities, she offers strategies for change.
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The New American Gazette: The New American Gazette: Denise Levertov and Danny Glover at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording and transcript, 10/29/1987
Danny Glover and Denise Levertov
An archived edition of the New American Gazette that combines forums by poet Denise Levertov discussing “Poetic Vision and the Hope for Peace,” and one by actor Danny Glover entitled “Hope and Healing in a World of Horror.” Levertov and Glover read several poems and Levertov discusses how poetry can be used to achieve peace. Both forums were rebroadcast as part of the New American Gazette radio program. Each program is introduced by host Andrew Young.
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The New American Gazette: Henry Hampton at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 10/29/1987
Henry Hampton
Hampton, the executive producer of "Eyes on the Prize," shares his insights on lessons learned from the American civil rights movement. Originally recorded in 1987 and rebroadcast as part of the New American Gazette.
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The New American Gazette: Seamus Heaney at the Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 5/10/1987
Seamus Heaney
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, THE NEW AMERICAN GAZETTE presents acclaimed Irish poet Seamus Heaney in a program that resonates with the sound of poetry. Mr. Heaney introduces listeners to the craft of the poet and reads works by some of his favorite poets including Wadsworth, T.S. Eliot, W. B. Yeats and Lewis Carroll. This Ford Hall Forum took place on 5/10/1987 and was broadcast as part of the New American Gazette radio program.
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The New American Gazette: David McCullough at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 10/22/1986
David G. McCullough
The noted historian and host of PBS' "The American Experience" reveals the warmth and wisdom of one of our least known Presidents, Harry S. Truman. Using anecdotes, letters and personal histories, David McCullough unveils sane surprising insights into the man behind the President. Digitally restored, 6/2018.
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David Gergen, Arthur Miller, and Martin F. Nolan discuss, The Rights and Responsibilities of a Free Press at the Ford Hall Forum, audio recording and transcript, 11/16/1986
Arthur R. Miller, Martin F. Nolan, and David Gergen
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The New American Gazette: Pat Robertson at Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 11/13/1986
Pat Robertson
Reverend Pat Robertson unveils his vision for America in the 1990s as he discusses politics, the economy and Christian responsibilities to the challenges ahead. The former Presidential candidate maintains that "the flood tide of political and social problems that face America today are the direct result of moral decay."
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Judge William Webster's speech, "Issues of Integrity in Law Enforcement" at the Ford Hall Forum, audio recording, 10/16/1986
William H. Webster
Webster speaks as part of the John William Ward Memorial Lecture.
