I'll make me a world. The dream keepers

Part of a series on African American history. This program focuses on writers James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry, and ballet dancers Delores Browne and Raven Wilkinson. The discussion emphasizes their struggles to surmount racism in the U.S. prior to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Topics include Baldwin's period as an expatriate in Paris, where he wrote the controversial essay "Everybody's protest novel" (partly in response to Native son, by fellow expatriate Richard Wright), and his autobiographical novel Go tell it on the mountain ; Baldwin's return to the U.S. and his play Blues for Mister Charlie, an outgrowth of his increasing involvement with the civil rights movement ; Browne's studies with pioneering ballet teacher Marion Cuyjet, and her overseas tour with the New York Negro Ballet ; the achievements of Janet Collins and Arthur Mitchell, who respectively broke color barriers at the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Ballet ; Hansberry's award-winning play Raisin in the sun, which addressed issues confronting the average African-American family ; Wilkinson's experiences as a member of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, whose initial defiance of racist laws and attitudes was gradually eroded. The commentators, drawn from the worlds of theater, dance, art, literature, history, and criticism, discuss the past and present significance and ramifications of the subjects' accomplishments.