Revolutionary is a term that is considered a double-edged sword. On one hand, the term brings honor and endearment. However, it can also be considered a label that brings controversy. Activists, who spend their careers challenging government injustices aspire to influence society in such a way, that their work would one day be considered revolutionary. Craig Scott is an activist who has committed very controversial acts in the name of morals and justice. He chose to use his experience in theater to produce a film on his life titled, Can A Nigger Do Shakespeare? This film is the catalyst that he plans to use to share his story with the world.
Craig began his acting journey at the Baltimore School of the Arts. Being inspired by legendary playwright Shakespeare, Scott put his all into developing his acting craft. It was in this pursuit that he found a passion for fighting against domestic injustices. Stating that it was his interest in politically inspired stage plays piqued is desire to seek more knowledge.
Mr. Scott started his activism work during his college days. Quickly learning of the hypocrisy of the school he attended, Scott began publicly calling out investments and business practices of prominent individuals and ultimately placing so much pressure on his university, they revoked his scholarship despite meeting the academic requirements. Most students would have been satisfied with raising that level of awareness to their cause. However, for Craig, that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Eventually, Craig’s activists activities turned into all out revolution and lead to his conviction of bank robbery. A federal judge sentenced Craig and another accomplice to 12 years and three months in prison for his role in the theft of $117,000 from a bank. Craig’s actions were heavily inspired by prominent civil rights activists such as Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X. When asked by media members about the motivations for his actions, Mr. Scott stated: “I must appeal to the conscience of the people . . . to help save this dying institution known as the American criminal justice system,” Scott told the judge. “The government is not concerned with the truth, but simply with the convictions of black men.”
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