Documentary
United States of America
My Name Is Pauli Murray is a documentary film directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen. The film chronicles the life and legacy of Pauli Murray, a pioneering Black lawyer, civil rights activist, feminist, and ordained minister who made significant contributions to the fight for gender and racial equality in the United States.
The film features never-before-seen footage, home movies, and audio recordings of Murray, as well as interviews with scholars, activists, and notable figures, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor. Through these materials, the filmmakers explore Murray's role in shaping some of the most important legal and social movements of the 20th century, including the fight for voting rights, school desegregation, and reproductive justice.
The film also delves into Murray's personal life, including their experiences as a non-binary person during a time when gender and sexual diversity were largely unrecognized by mainstream society. Murray's own struggles with gender and racial discrimination are presented in the context of their fierce advocacy for justice and equal rights for all.
Overall, My Name Is Pauli Murray celebrates Murray's groundbreaking achievements and seeks to elevate their legacy as a crucial figure in the ongoing struggle for social justice in the US and beyond.
