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The legacy of 1950 Nobel Peace Prize winner Ralph Bunche
(the first person of color to win the
prize), who died in 1971, has faded from public
consciousness in the 30 years since his death.
Given the historical significance of his life as a
diplomat and scholar, and his impact on the
shape of twentieth-century political life, this neglect
is particularly lamentable. Thus, William
Greaves's compelling documentary, narrated by Sidney
Poitier, chronicling Bunche's
achievements acquires even more importance. Ralph Bunche
was a national icon in the
decades after World War II. Among his many
accomplishments, his role as the
behind-the-scenes mediator, in 1949, of armistice agreements
between
Israel and its four Arab neighbors
marks the only time in the long history of this Middle
Eastern conflict that agreements of this kind were
signed by all parties. His critical contribution to the
de-colonization of Africa and the rest of the Third World, and his pioneering
work
in UN peacekeeping operations and conflict resolution techniques are
revealed in fascinating detail.
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