On the Shoulders of Giants (2011)
May 23rd, 2011 by Mr. C
Directed by Deborah Morales
Written by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
This documentary was written by one of the greatest NBA players of all time (and college,too), Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He would tell us a story about the greatest basketball team that you’ve never heard of, The Harlem Renaissance better known as the HARLEM RENS! This documentary would also serve as a reminder of what our young united america thought about people of color.
The film would open up with 4 guests on the hot stove & Kareem on the sideburner offering up his point of view when the baton was passed to him! The question was posed to the 4 distinguishable guests: Bill Russell (Celtic legend), Jerry West (Laker great), Jerry Reinsdorf (Chicago Bulls owner), & Marques Haynes (Harlem globetrotter legend).
Who was the greatest basketball team of all time? Russell argued for his Boston celtic teams. West would throw in the 1980-85 L.A. Lakers, Reinsdorf would mention Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, & Haynes would say his Globetrotters. Kareem was also partial to his 1980’s Lakers and then segued into the statement.. “But now, I want to tell you the greatest team that you’ve never heard of !”
And in a millisecond, Chuck D’s rap vocals with familiar public enemy boom bap beats paired with Wynton Marsalis’ jazz chops would ignite the film! Jamie Foxx & Abdul Jabbar would bring much life to the basketball courts while narrating the movie! Besides the plethora of informative facts, the stunning visuals of the black & white still photographs from the film really leaped out from the screen telling an electrified tale of their own even from their static only presence. Stills & animation would provide the backdrop to stories of lynchings, burned bodies, church burnings, racism, & segregation of african americans. Maya Angelou appeared in the film & provided a quote:
“If you’re LIGHT you’re all right, if you’re BROWN stick around, and if you’re BLACK get back..get back” – Maya Angelou
In the NY area, this would inspire black americans to unite and provide the inspiration to give birth to the Harlem Renaissance movement. Black culture, music, arts, literature, history, entertainment, & sports would be the manifestations of this renaissance. Bob Douglas would be the man with the master plan in creating the Harlem Renaissance Casino & ballroom on 138th st. & 7th avenue in Harlem! Douglas would also add a few basketball backboards & rims to his ballroom and soon thereafter, his basketball team of all blacks, the Harlem RENS would be the brainchild to one of the greatest basketball teams ever assembled! Ren players, fats jenkins (point guard), pop gates (great ball handler), zack clayton, wee willie smith, john isaacs (great ball control), Tarzan cooper, puggy bell, & shag burnett would be the foundation for this juggernaut of a team! Harlem didn’t have pro teams in other sports, but did have a pro basketball team with players that came from the heart of african american culture in harlem, new york! The Rens were the heart & soul of basketball at that particular era & they had a certain flare & style that was unique to harlem.
The style of basketball from the Rens can be defined as more of a passing game & less of a one man dribbling monster like we know it today. The goal was to always have the ball ahead of the players & keep the ball moving like a hot potato. Give & go! The Harlem Rens would be compared to warrior jazz musicians on the court that encompassed lots of improvising & rhythm. The bass would provide a strong foundation to the band much like the power forward on the team.
Meanwhile, the original celtics from the 1930’s were an established all white team who were very important in the development of strategy in basketball history. Without providing you with too much details, the Celtics and the Rens would eventually tango to discover who the real champions are & find out how much they really had in common. Bob douglas would also take his team on the road enduring struggles of traveling, meals, & accomodations for the colored. Staying in jails would prove to be safer.
Bob Costas: “The Rens embodied dignity in the face of oppression.”
A quote from the movie: “Terrorized. Traumatized. Stigmatized..which made african american role models not just important but essential to the black community.”
The Harlem globetrotters would eventually surface as another team created to cater to the white audience. Their traits were to be docile, less threatening, & to provide comedy on the court as opposed to the Rens who were hardcore players. The globetrotters were created to be non threatening to the whites. You will be surprised to hear where they are really from!
The Harlem Rens were pre Jackie Robinson era & much respect should be shined on them for the pains, burdens, & sufferings they had to deal with to fight for social equality in hostile settings with basketball as the vehicle! Black americans knew what they had, though! They achieved a serious milestone with the success of their Harlem Renaissance team! That along with the Joe Louis victory against Max Schmeling provided much pride & something to cheer for against their hating & ignorant counterparts!
This documentary cracked open the history books and gave me a lesson on a great basketball team that I never knew about while more importantly, provided me with a refresher course on a disgraceful part of american history which showed the struggles of african americans and their sources of inspiration to slowly overcome. Showing this film in history & social studies classes to our kids in high school might prove to be a good idea.
Guests from the film include: Dr. Cornel West of princeton, grant hill, chuck d, samuel l jackson, hubie brown, rev jesse jackson, charles barkley, clyde drexler, herbie hancock. david stern, lou carnesecca, John Wooden, & much,much more! Soundtracks from the movie includes music from Chuck D, Herbie Hancock, Will I am, & Wynton Marsalis!
This makes me want to visit the original site of the Harlem Renaissance Casino & Ballroom on 138th street & 7th avenue to see what remains of this once magnificent structure! You would imagine that the Harlem Renaissance Casino & Ballroom should of been flagged as a natonal landmark, but…??? I can also taste the history of the Apollo Theatre in Harlem as well!
Tags: basketball, deborah morales, documentary, harlem renaissance, harlem rens, kareem abdul jabbar, on the shoulders of giants, sports
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