(Photo: Itoro Umontuen / The Atlanta Voice) In a line that stretches back to the likes of Barbara Jordan, Shirley Chisholm and Carol Moseley Braun, this moment, Stacey Abrams’s moment, is inextricably linked to the past, and to its black women political leaders who made her bid possible. And win or lose, come November 6, history books will now remember the former Georgia House Minority leader as history-making as well. Crystal A. deGregory Ph.D. is the inaugural director of the Atwood Institute for Race, Education, and the Democratic Ideal at Kentucky State University. For inasmuch as we are tempted to exceptionalize moments and achievements, as well as the people associated with them, we more fairly judge and better serve each other when we see ourselves, as standing in a much longer line of history. To be sure, black women have long served as powerful—though often overlooked—agents of change in American politics. And as a black woman, reared in the Deep South, … [Read more...] about Authentic and unapologetic, Stacey Abrams is well positioned to make history yet again
Unknown black history
‘Lynch him!’: New lynching memorial confronts the nation’s brutal history of racial terrorism
Democracy Dies in Darkness Sections Home Try 1 month for $1 Username Sign In Account Profile Newsletters & Alerts Gift Subscriptions Contact Us Help Desk Subscribe Account Profile Newsletters & Alerts Gift Subscriptions Contact Us Help Desk Accessibility for screenreader Retropolis by DeNeen L. Brown by DeNeen L. Brown Email the author April 24 at 7:00 AM Email the author MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A white mob yelling “Lynch him!” pulled Matthew Williams from the Negro ward of a hospital in Salisbury, Md., on Dec. 4, 1931. Williams, who had been shot in the leg, was accused of killing the white man he worked for after a pay dispute. Williams denied the allegation, but the 23-year-old was bound in a straitjacket and thrown out the hospital window. The mob stabbed him with ice picks and dragged his body three blocks to the courthouse in downtown Salisbury, a small city on Maryland’s … [Read more...] about ‘Lynch him!’: New lynching memorial confronts the nation’s brutal history of racial terrorism
Lecture reviews black history
Separating histories into categories can be dangerous, according to British-Nigerian historian and filmmaker David Olusoga. “The division that I’m most interested in — the one that I’ve spent the past couple of years thinking about — is the division between what we call black history and mainstream history,” Olusoga said. Olusoga was the featured speaker at last week’s Ross Horning Lecture, which is hosted annually by the Department of History at Creighton. This year’s lecture, which took place in a nearly full Harper Auditorium, was titled, “Remembering and Forgetting: Black History and the British Empire.” The Ross Horning Lecture Series is a way to remember the life and values of Ross Horning, who taught history at Creighton. Associate professor of history Scott Eastman said that the series of presentations are meant to serve as a reminder of the “enduring value of history and humanistic … [Read more...] about Lecture reviews black history
Jennifer McClellan column: Black History and Women’s History months: The importance of an inclusive narrative for Virginia
Last year — 2017 — marked the beginning of a renewed cultural reckoning where the social and economic challenges that women and minorities face were thrust into the spotlight. The rise of the national #MeToo movement and the racially charged events of Charlottesville forced us to ask some very hard questions as citizens and confront long-standing challenges: What does it mean to be an American? Confucius stated, “Study the past if you would define the future.” The issues currently gripping the nation are not new, but we now have an opportunity to understand their origins and ensure a brighter collective future. As we celebrate Black History and Women’s History months, we have a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the past and assess progress. Every February and March, there is heightened awareness around the experiences of African-Americans and women, but few people are aware that their significant contributions can be traced back 400 years to our … [Read more...] about Jennifer McClellan column: Black History and Women’s History months: The importance of an inclusive narrative for Virginia
Celebrating black heritage cuisine that helps honor the past
“All across America, heritage food is experiencing a renaissance,” writes chef J.J. Johnson in his new cookbook with Alexander Smalls and Veronica Chambers, “Between Harlem and Heaven.”“(Heritage food) brings together everything we’ve developed a passion for: sustainability, farm to table, eating local and thinking global. It’s the kind of food you once could expect to eat only in someone’s home.”In his book, Johnson explores the cuisine of the Afro-Asian diaspora, flavors and techniques he executed with skill at his former restaurants, The Cecil and Minton’s, both in Harlem. Johnson describes his philosophy as “a foodway that reflects the depth and breadth of the African diaspora.”“My grandfather is from Barbados. I used to go to the island as a kid,” writes Johnson. “Plantain, roti, curry: these are the foods that I used to eat. ... Not only could I draw a line from Barbados to West Africa to … [Read more...] about Celebrating black heritage cuisine that helps honor the past
Black church, community not forgotten in Greene County
Updated 3:51 pm, Friday, February 9, 2018 window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-5', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 5', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-7', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 7', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); Photo: AP Image 1of/7 CaptionClose Image 1 of 7 This March 28, 1984 photo shows the former Bethel AME Church shows the building's collapsed foundation in Waynesburg, Pa. William Davidson wrote a letter last year to Waynesburg council requesting an honorific for the church, which was demolished in 1984, just a year before its 100th anniversary. The foundation was beginning to … [Read more...] about Black church, community not forgotten in Greene County
Penca Books a chapter to highlight in W. Side’s literary history
Rafael Castillo, For the Express-News Updated 12:20 pm, Monday, January 8, 2018 Photo: KEVIN GEIL /SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 Writer Rudolfo Anaya addersses the regional NHJ meeting. The author made quite a splash when he signed books after the release of his classic “Bless Me Ultima” in 1972 at Penca Books in San Antonio’s West Side. less Writer Rudolfo Anaya addersses the regional NHJ meeting. The author made quite a splash when he signed books after the release of his classic “Bless Me Ultima” in 1972 at Penca Books in San Antonio’s West ... more Photo: KEVIN GEIL /SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Penca Books a chapter to highlight in W. Side’s literary history 1 / 1 Back to Gallery Bookstores have long been an anomaly along West Commerce … [Read more...] about Penca Books a chapter to highlight in W. Side’s literary history
Today in History for Friday, Jan. 5, 2018
Today is Friday, Jan. 5, the fifth day of 2018. There are 360 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: 1953 Samuel Beckett’s ‘Waiting for Godot’ premieres in Paris On Jan. 5, 1953, Samuel Beckett’s two-act tragicomedy “Waiting for Godot,” considered a classic of the Theater of the Absurd, premiered in Paris. On this date: 1066: Edward the Confessor, King of England, died after a reign of nearly 24 years. 1781: A British naval expedition led by Benedict Arnold burned Richmond, Virginia. 1895: French Capt. Alfred Dreyfus, convicted of treason, was publicly stripped of his rank. (He was ultimately vindicated.) 1905: The National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals was incorporated in New York State. 1925: Democrat Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming took office as America’s first female governor, succeeding her late husband, William, following a special election. 1933: The 30th … [Read more...] about Today in History for Friday, Jan. 5, 2018
Special issue of Nebraska History magazine tells state’s story in 150 photos
LINCOLN — The Nebraska State Historical Society has published a special issue of Nebraska History magazine that portrays the state in 150 images — representing one for each year of statehood.The 80-page issue is titled “150: A Pictorial History of Nebraska.” The cover features an 1851 drawing of Chimney Rock by William Quesenbury from a collection owned by The World-Herald.The magazine is available for $9.95 or free with a Nebraska State Historical Society membership. Even if a picture is worth a thousand words, summing up the complexities of the history of the state in a mere 150 images was a challenge, said David Bristow, magazine editor.“Our task was complicated by the fact that we weren’t merely trying to find the ‘best’ or most spectacular pictures — which would be hard enough — but that we wanted to use images to tell a complex story,’’ he said.The color and black-and-white images illustrate themes of land … [Read more...] about Special issue of Nebraska History magazine tells state’s story in 150 photos
What looks hot for 2018 arts? ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Angels in America,’ dancing with your DNA
This image released by Disney and Marvel Studios’ shows Chadwick Boseman in a scene from “Black Panther,” in theaters on Feb. 16. (Marvel Studios/Disney via AP) Inductee Jeff Lynne from the band ELO performs at the 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Barclays Center on Friday, April 7, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) The Valkyries prepare to leave for Valhalla to report on the fallen heroes they have gathered, in a scene from the San Francisco Opera’s production of Richard Wagner’s “Die Walkure,” Part I of his “Ring of the Nibelung” cycle of operas, Saturday, June 11, 2011 at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco. (D. Ross Cameron/Staff) bampfa_1919.2.8_1_1, 8/5/05, 2:42 PM, 8C, 5627×7273 (168+276), 100%, Repro 2.2 v2, 1/8 s, R75.5, G65.4, B83.8 Dave Holland’s quintet will perform June 3, 2010 at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center Show Caption of Expand … [Read more...] about What looks hot for 2018 arts? ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Angels in America,’ dancing with your DNA