Atlanta’s Segregated Theaters

Legalized segregation was a system of discrimination put in place by whites in power, used to oppress Black Americans. Segregation during Jim Crow touched nearly every aspect of life in the American South, including movie theaters and the content of the films played therein. Film and media Scholar Nsenga Burton and Matthew Bernstein, professor of film and media studies at Emory, explore the history of film and theaters during segregation in Atlanta. Plus, WABE’s Blues and Jazz Classics host, H. Johnson, tells his story of how segregation impacted him as a movie-lover.

This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen.

For more information, visit wabe.org/theboom