This great and living piece of American cultural history will be at the Moore Theater tomorrow....

What will you talk about on Saturday?
Social activism, the state of the union, the state of the world. Where we are as a society, where blacks are as a part of this society, and the things we all need to do to improve our situation.

What's wrong with America?
We have a preoccupation with the middle class and no agenda for the poor. That's among my main concerns. The plight of the poor never improves. So it's up to the poor to take charge of their destiny. They have to be radical, more aggressive for their interests and make it unacceptable that they have no political representation in mainstream politics.

Do you think radical politics is possible in the mainstream?
The mainstream is where the important discussions happen. Success in politics requires mainstream consciousness.

When did you become an activist?
It began with my mother, my community, with people I grew up with in Harlem—that's when my activism started. I was active with Paul Robeson, with W.E.B. Du Bois, with the trade unions. I was in World War II, and we had to deal with Hitler. Where ever oppression exists, I have stood on the side of the oppressed.

Are you working on anything new?
Yes, I'm producing a play and a motion picture.