My Name Is Pauli Murray

Before they died, Pauli Murray wrote and recorded their autobiography. This film shares that voice to tell the moving story of a person who was way out in front of profound changes in Black civil rights, women's equality, and gay liberation. This is a love story for democracy and equality.

I'd heard Pauli's name for the first time when I watched RGB. So, I committed it to memory at that time, researched more about Pauli, and wondered when someone would create a documentary on Pauli's contributions. Finally! It is very well put together, educational, and tactful with Pauli doing a large portion of the narrating. I'm sure Pauli would be proud.

This documentary portrays a woman of extraordinary drive, compassion, reason and intelligence. Yet she been an unknown to me until this superbly-constructed documentary becaame available. Kudos to the creators for finding her and making her come alive. How many unrecognizable heroes are out there? I need to open my eyes and find the beautiful and the brave around me.

This is a beautifully filmed documentary about a woman of whom I'd never heard. What a life! This was a story that needed to be told for all of us who care about human rights and social justice.

The documentary format has been through a transformation in the last few years and there are tropes and conventions that, if used too frequently or without care, can become wearisome. The worst that can be said of this documentary is that it manages to avoid doing those things. The best thing about it is undoubtedly it's subject matter - the life of Pauli Murray. I think it would not be unreasonable to state that, even if this film were poorly constructed and clumsily sequenced, we should watch it regardless because we would learn about the extraordinary life of Dr. Murray. The fact that it is compelling, beautiful and intelligently presented makes it worth 90 minutes of everyone's time. So, seek it out and watch it. Pauli Murray deserves it - and so do you.