Episode 24: Marlon Riggs

Marlon Riggs was a groundbreaking filmmaker and activist who was born on February 3, 1957, in Fort Worth, Texas. As the child of civilian military employees, Riggs spent much of his childhood moving between Texas, Georgia, and West Germany. His experience of ostracism and name-calling as a biracial student at Hephzibah Junior High School in Georgia would have a profound impact on his life and work.

Despite these challenges, Riggs excelled academically and athletically, becoming student body president at Ansbach American High School in Germany and graduating with honors in history from Harvard University in 1978. While at Harvard, Riggs realized that he was gay and sought to study the history and representation of homosexuality in American culture, petitioning the History Department for an independent study on the subject.

Riggs began his career in film by working for a local television station in Texas before moving to Oakland, California, where he lived with his partner, Jack Vincent, for 15 years. It was in Oakland that Riggs developed his unique voice as a filmmaker, exploring issues of race, sexuality, and identity in groundbreaking documentaries such as "Ethnic Notions" (1986), "Tongues Untied" (1989), and "Black Is...Black Ain't" (1995).

Riggs's work challenged traditional notions of documentary filmmaking, blending elements of poetry, music, and performance to create a powerful and emotionally resonant style. He was a vocal advocate for the representation and empowerment of marginalized communities, particularly black gay men, and his films were instrumental in sparking conversations about race, sexuality, and representation in American culture.

Tragically, Riggs died in 1994 at the age of 37 due to complications from AIDS. However, his legacy continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers and activists, and his work remains a vital part of the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality in the United States.