Weekend TV : Shows Pay Tribute to Black History Month; Rock, Skinheads Topics on Teen Programs

Several TV programs pay tribute to black history month this weekend.

“Going Home: Alvin Ailey Remembered” honors the choreographer, who died last year, at 9 tonight (28). The program includes eulogies from New York City Mayor David Dinkins and poet Maya Angelou.

African-American astronauts are the subject of the documentary “Black Stars in Orbit,” Sunday at 4 p.m. on Channel 28. The hourlong program examines the contribution of blacks to the nation’s space program--both those who have circled the Earth and those behind the scenes.

While ABC is airing its miniseries on the Kennedys Sunday from 9 to 11 p.m., Channel 28 at 10 p.m. will repeat the “Kennedy vs. Wallace: A Crisis Up Close” installment of the historical series “The American Experience.” This program recalls the tense situation created in 1963 when then-Gov. George Wallace of Alabama defied a court order and the will of both President John Kennedy and Atty. Gen. Robert Kennedy and resisted the integration of the University of Alabama.

Also on tap Sunday is CBS’ telecast of “The Color Purple,” with Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey, 8 p.m. (2)(8).