Watch My Name Is Pauli Murray

My Name Is Pauli Murray is a captivating documentary film that celebrates the life, work, and legacy of Pauli Murray, an extraordinary Black queer activist, lawyer, feminist, and writer whose contributions to American civil rights, gender equality, and social justice have been largely overlooked in history. The film, which is directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen, features a combination of archival footage, photographs, and personal letters, as well as interviews with Murray's family , colleagues, friends, and irers, including the scholar and biographer Patricia Bell-Scott who helped to bring Murray's story to light.

The documentary begins by tracing Murray's early years in Durham, North Carolina, where they were born in 1910 as Anna Pauline Murray, the youngest of four children. Murray grew up in a segregated and oppressive society, but they also had a strong sense of justice and a thirst for knowledge, which led them to pursue higher education despite numerous obstacles.

Murray's intellectual curiosity and academic brilliance soon garnered recognition, and they were awarded a Rosenwald Fellowship that allowed them to attend law school at Howard University. However, Murray's experience at Howard was marked by both discrimination and activism, as they challenged the sexism and racism of their professors and fellow students while also participating in the school's renowned legal clinic.

After graduating from law school, Murray continued to fight for civil rights, working with the NAA and other organizations to challenge segregation, discrimination, and other forms of injustice. Murray's legal acumen and strategic thinking were instrumental in many important legal cases, including the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision that desegregated American schools.

However, Murray's activism was not limited to the legal sphere. They also explored their gender identity and sexuality, authoring groundbreaking works on the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality that challenged societal norms and paved the way for later feminist and queer movements.

The film also explores Murray's personal life, including their close relationships with women and their struggles with mental health issues that were exacerbated by racism and discrimination. Through it all, Murray's resilience, creativity, and vision shine through, inspiring viewers to recognize and honor their legacy.

My Name Is Pauli Murray is a powerful and inspiring documentary that illuminates the life and work of a truly remarkable figure in American history. Through its vibrant storytelling and insightful analysis, the film challenges viewers to confront their own assumptions, biases, and prejudices and engage with the ongoing struggles for justice and equality in our own time.