The sound of gunshots is almost as frequent as the train’s horn. The dim streetlight marks the shift from a city into a warzone. No one is safe, no one is sorry, but every mother begins to worry. Children and adults alike work the streets in a land where success is measured by how much one consumes. A land with little hope, no jobs, and … Continue reading From Pauper to Prisoner
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Upon his swearing in at the beginning of the Kentucky General Assembly session in 1936, Anderson recognized his dual roles of serving the people of Louisville while also serving the Black community as a watchdog against discriminatory legislation and practices. Anderson was a crusader against segregation and racial discrimination, but he was also a pragmatist that recognized the politics and racial tolerance of Kentucky at the time. This allowed him to make several substantial legislative accomplishments during his tenure in office. Continue reading Kentucky’s First Black State Legislator
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During Black History Month, we take time to recognize the stories of those who are often ignored in the history books. Recognizing the achievements of the Black diaspora allows us to respect their achievements and address the whitewashing of history. While we spend our time celebrating the likes of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, we ignore the achievements of a Black folks with similar accomplishments. … Continue reading Vicente Guerrero and Afro-México
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Introduction In the vibrant tapestry of nature, where each species bears a unique name, an unsettling truth emerges within the realm of ornithological nomenclature. A dive into the categorization and naming of our planet’s bird species reveals a dark shadow cast by historical sources of structural racism. The names we assign to these winged creatures, while scientific in nature, are not without social significance. The … Continue reading Feathered Prejudice: Audubon’s Legacy and Hidden Racism in Bird Names
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“The Negro soldier is the heaviest blow yet dealt to the rebellion.” – Abraham Lincoln There are times in history when uncontrollable forces shift quickly and radically underneath one’s feet, and people are forced to make consequential decisions. The impact of these imperfect decisions radiate over generations, affecting not only that moment in history but shifting patterns in the tapestry of history for centuries to … Continue reading The Black Man’s Role in the American Civil War
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As Israel’s assault on Gaza continues, so does the growth of Black-Palestinian Solidarity across America. The similarities between Israel’s IDF and U.S. police forces cannot be ignored for many Black Americans, and Palestinians in Palestine and diaspora see a connection between their own struggles against Israel’s U.S. funded apartheid and police violence in America. Continue reading Solidarity in Struggle: The Black and Palestinian Campaigns for Justice
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“A people without knowledge of their history is like a tree without roots.” –Marcus Garvey Colonized people are not only stripped of their rightful economic and political power; independent thought and indigenous history are also stolen from them or erased. In fact, mental colonialism is a prerequisite to forced political and economic dependency. Unjust abuse of power must be justified before it can be sustained. … Continue reading Confronting Miseducation: The History and Purpose of Black History Month
It is often the case that when the average American is asked about Thurgood Marshall, the only thing that comes to mind is “the first Black Supreme Court Justice”. However, the story of Marshall’s upbringing and thrilling legal career is a deeper and more meaningful account. His life leaves a long legacy of excellence and a never-ending battle for civil rights. Born July 2nd, 1908, … Continue reading The Incredible Life of America’s First Black Supreme Court Justice
Introduction Ralph Bunche was a man of many firsts. The first Black valedictorian at UCLA. The first Black American to earn a Ph.D. in political science. And the first Black recipient of the Nobel Prize. While impressive, the accolades of the man known as the “Father of Peacekeeping” pale in comparison to the impact he had on the world. As an architect of the United … Continue reading The Life & Legacy of Ralph Bunche
Decades before desegregation and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Black Americans struggled to travel throughout the nation with ease, safety, and comfort. However, due to pervasive racism in the form of Jim Crow laws, segregationist policies, informal community traditions, and prejudiced individuals, the threat of physical danger and harassment constantly loomed for traveling Black Americans. The Negro Motorist Green Book, first … Continue reading The Green Book: How Traveling Black Americans Navigated Jim Crow
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