Ida Keeling is making Black history even in 2011, setting a world record for sprinting at the age of 95. Now excuse me while go I take my puppy outside for a quick jog. Mrs. Keeling is making me look lazy!
2.27.2011
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 27
As a young dancer (and amateur figure skater, lol), I had (and still have) only a handful of professional young Black women role models in the field. So, the incomparable Debi Thomas is one of my heroes. She brought a strength and athleticism to the ice that, in my opinion, is unparalleled and on February 27, 1988, she become the first African American to win a medal in the winter olympics. Watching her is still inspiring and even now I cheer for her when I check out these old videos. Go ahead girl!!!
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 26
On February 26, 2964, the legendary boxer known as Cassius Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali as part of his conversion to Islam. Check out the video above which includes interviews with Ali about his conversion.
This is a great interview with Cassius Clay before he converted to Islam in which he talks about his birth name.
This classic interview also includes brother Malcolm X.
2.25.2011
O Daedalus, Fly Away Home
(For Maia and Julie)
Drifting night in the Georgia pines,
coonskin drum and jubilee banjo.
Pretty Malinda, dance with me.
Night is juba, night is congo.
Pretty Malinda, dance with me.
Night is an African juju man
weaving a wish and a weariness together
to make two wings.
O fly away home fly away
Do you remember Africa?
O cleave the air fly away home
My gran, he flew back to Africa,
just spread his arms and
flew away home.
Drifting night in the windy pines;
night is laughing, night is a longing.
Pretty Malinda, come to me.
Night is a mourning juju man
weaving a wish and a weariness together
to make two wings.
O fly away home fly away
--Robert Hayden
Poet Robert E. Hayden passed from this life on February 25, 1980. Hayden was the first African-American to be named Poet Laureate (The Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress serves as the nation's official lightning rod for the poetic impulse of Americans. During his or her term, the Poet Laureate seeks to raise the national consciousness to a greater appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry. The Poet Laureate is appointed annually by the Librarian of Congress and serves from October to May.
Here are some wonderful links to articles about Robert E. Hayden:
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 24
Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first black woman to receive an M.D. degree on February 24, 1864. Check out this biography of her life and work.
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 23
On February 23, 1965, Constance Baker Motley was elected Manhattan Borough president. At the time, this was the highest elective office held by a Black woman in a major American city.
"Judge Motley was the first black woman to serve in the New York State Senate, as well as the first woman to be Manhattan borough president, a position that guaranteed her a voice in running the entire city under an earlier system of local government called the Board of Estimate.
Judge Motley was at the center of the firestorm that raged through the South in the two decades after World War II, as blacks and their white allies pressed to end the segregation that had gripped the region since Reconstruction. She visited the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in jail, sang freedom songs in churches that had been bombed, and spent a night under armed guard with Medgar Evers, the civil rights leader who was later murdered.
But her métier was in the quieter, painstaking preparation and presentation of lawsuits that paved the way to fuller societal participation by blacks. She dressed elegantly, spoke in a low, lilting voice and, in case after case, earned a reputation as the chief courtroom tactician of the civil rights movement."
(NYTimes)
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 22
On February 22, 1989, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince became the first rappers to win a Grammy for their single "Parents Just Don't Understand." If you haven't watched this video in awhile (or ever), you must now. It will make you smile:
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 21
At That Moment
When they shot Malcolm Little down
At that moment,
It had already happened.
--Raymond R. Patterson
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) was assassinated on February 21, 1965. The poem above, by Raymond Patterson is one that I often use with my students to help them understand the devastating impact of having "our own Black shining prince" taken from us so soon.
Here is the scene from Spike Lee's movie, Malcolm X which includes the voice of Ossie Davis reading his eulogy:
At That Moment
It had already happened.
2.20.2011
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 20
On February 20, 1929, writer Wallace Thurman's play “Harlem: A Melodrama of Negro Life in Harlem” (written in collaboration with William Jourdan Rapp), opened on Broadway. "Harlem" centers on the Williams family, who relocate in New York City to escape economic difficulties at the time of the "great migration" of Southerners to the North during the first two decades of the twentieth century. But instead of finding the city a promised land, they encounter many of the problems that often plagued the families of the migration: unemployment and tensions between generations heightened by difficulties in adjusting to city life.
"Harlem" received mixed reviews--ranging from "exciting" to "vulgar"--but was generally considered interesting. It was criticized by blacks who did not care for its focus on the seedier elements of life, like illicit sex, liquor, wild parties thrown to collect rent money, and gambling. R. Dana Skinner stated in a 1929Commonweal review of "Harlem" that he was especially upset by "the particular way in which this melodrama exploits the worst features of the Negro and depends for its effects solely on the explosions of lust and sensuality." Nevertheless, many critics felt it "captured the feel of life" and was "constantly entertaining.""Harlem" played for an impressive ninety-three performances in what was considered a poor theater season and was taken on tour to the West Coast, the Midwest, and Canada. (African American Literature Book Club)
2.19.2011
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 19
The U.S. military was segregated by race throughout World War II, and in the early months of the war black servicemen were given limited roles. Then, in 1941, the Army began training African-Americans as combat pilots (check out the incredible documentary video above).
In all, 992 black pilots completed training and joined the "black air force." On February 19, 1942, the 100th Fighter Squadron was activated and assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group -- better known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
The 332nd spent 14 months flying combat missions in Europe, destroying more than 400 enemy aircraft while operating more different kinds of warplanes than any other unit in the Air Corps. (The Airmen received their training at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Today, the institute is Tuskegee University and the World War II training base is being developed as a national historic park.) (Hawaii News Now)
The Tuskegee Airmen continue to work hard to keep their legacy alive, striving to pass along the torch they have carried to a new generation of Black pilots. Check out what the airmen have been doing recently:
The Tuskegee Airmen continue to work hard to keep their legacy alive, striving to pass along the torch they have carried to a new generation of Black pilots. Check out what the airmen have been doing recently:
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 18
Paul Revere Williams was born in Los Angeles, CA on February 18, 1894. Williams was one of the most well known 20th Century African American architects. Early in his career, Williams designed mostly houses, but in the 1950s and 1960s he designed some of the most distinctive public buildings in Los Angeles. Williams’s best-known building is probably the Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport, which he designed with William Pereira. (Black Past)
2.17.2011
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 17
2.16.2011
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 16
Roots. Reading Rainbow. Star Trek: The Next Generation. Need I say more? Actor, Director, Producer and literacy activist Levar Burton was born on February 16, 1957. Check out this great NPR interview with Mr. Burton where he talks about the end of Reading Rainbow after over 20 years of instilling a love of books in children around the world. As an avid Star Trek fan (nerd alert: my mom and I have seen every TNG episode multiple times), I have truly enjoyed Levar Burton's work for many years. So, today in Black History we celebrate the birth of a great actor and icon.
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 15
“Africa will write its own history, and it will be, to the north and to the south of the Sahara, a history of glory and dignity.”
--Patrice Lumumba
Activists from the United States and African nationalists disrupted US sessions in protest of the slaying of Congo premier Patrice Lumumba on February 15, 1961. To learn more about Patrice Lumumba, a leader and man of great integrity, check out this BBC article on his murder, this article from the Guardian, or the Friends of Congo website. There is also an incredibly moving film (one of my favorites):
2.14.2011
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 14
Dancer, actor, singer and choreographer Gregory Hines was born on February 14, 1946. His dance solo in the film White Nights (see above) has always been one of my favorites, but it only gives a taste of his extraordinary talent. This New York Times article, written at the time of his death, gives a brief snapshot of his life and work. As a dancer, he upheld a tradition of Black tap dance that sadly, is slowly disappearing. If you haven't seen the films below, I highly recommend that you check them out and remember the greatness of Gregory Hines.
Remembering Brother Malcolm...
 |
| Rodnell Collins, nephew of Malcolm X (right), speaks with Edmund Barry Gaither, director-curator of the National Center of Afro-American Artists (Photo Credit: Bay State Banner) |
2.13.2011
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 13
2.12.2011
No You Cannot Touch My Hair...
Except for the part about being the Gucci Mane and Lil Wayne, I would swear that this was me talking. That reminds me. This shirt rocks. Ahem...My birthday is coming up soon...(hint!) Lol.
The Collaborative @ The Piano Factory
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 12
"Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land."--James Weldon JohnsonOn February 12, 1900, the song which would become known as the Black National Anthem, was written and composed by James Weldon Johnson and his brother J. Rosamond and was presented at a birthday party for President Lincoln. Check out the video above of Ray Charles performing an upbeat rendition of the song with his own signature flavor. You can also check out more of James Weldon Johnson's work:
2.11.2011
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 11
There is a nice biography of his life on the Nelson Mandela Foundation website. Also, if you've been following recent news you probably know that Mandela has been ill, so the site also has another great link:
2.10.2011
J. DILLA TRIBUTE - Boston edition
TONIGHT - February 10, 2011
28 Kingston Street
Boston, MA
Cover: $5
"In honor of one of the greatest producers to bless the genre, Good Life has organized a tribute to the late, great James Yancey aka J. Dilla. The upstairs floor for a night dedicated to his entire catalogue of music. DJs Durkin, Brek One and Leah V provide the soundtrack."
The party will also be raising funds for The Lupus Foundation of New England. According to their website:
"Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue resulting in inflammation, particularly of the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels and brain. It develops most commonly in women between the ages of 15-45, and occurs more often in African-American, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asians. Men can get lupus too. Lupus is not infectious or cancerous. People with lupus may have many different symptoms affecting various parts of the body. Some of the most common symptoms are extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fevers, skin rashes and kidney problems. Lupus is characterized by "flares" or periods of illness and remission. Warning signs of a flare can be increased fatigue, pain, rash, fever, abdominal discomfort, headache or dizziness. Learning how to recognize these signs can help people maintain better health and reduce or ward off a flare. Currently, there is no cure for lupus but it can be managed effectively with drugs, and most people with lupus lead an active, healthy life." (Lupus Foundation NE)
Clearly, we need to do more work to find a cure for this devastating disease that has claimed the lives of too many too soon...
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 10
The right to vote is precious and often under-appreciated. There are a lot of people we have to thank for the fact that all citizens currently have the right to vote in the United States. Here is a bit about one of those people, a man from Massachusetts no less, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude:
"Paul Cuffee was born in Cuttyhunk, Massachusetts in a family of ten children. His father Kofi was a manumitted enslaved African and a member of the Akan tribe of Ghana. Paul Cuffee’s mother, Ruth Moses, was a Native American of the Wampanoag tribe from Martha’s Vineyard. Ebenezer Slocum, a Friend, purchased Kofi (later Cuffe Slocum) in the 1720s. Twenty-two years later John Slocum purchased Cuffee Slocum from his uncle and freed him in 1745. Although Paul Cuffe’s parents had been strongly influenced by Friends, there is no evidence that they belonged to a Quaker meeting.
Paul Cuffee saw education as a means of liberation, and he fought for equal rights in many ways. He was always eager to teach young men who wanted to learn the science of navigation and skills of a merchantman. In 1799 he established a school on his own property in Westport, Massachusetts that was open to all children regardless of their race. In 1800 he bought a gristmill in Acoaxet, and was a century and a half ahead of his time when he urged mills to include African Americans in the planning stages of organizations whose goal was helping blacks. He encouraged African Americans up and down the East Coast to think about their social and economic status. In 1780, when only men of European descent had the right to, he and other African Americans protested taxation on his father’s estate on the grounds of no taxation without representation." (Friends General Conference)
On February 10, 1780, Capt. Paul Cuffee and six other black residents of Massachusetts petitioned the state legislature for the right to vote.
I hope that folks here in Boston will remember Capt. Cuffee next week when we cast our ballots.
"Paul Cuffee was born in Cuttyhunk, Massachusetts in a family of ten children. His father Kofi was a manumitted enslaved African and a member of the Akan tribe of Ghana. Paul Cuffee’s mother, Ruth Moses, was a Native American of the Wampanoag tribe from Martha’s Vineyard. Ebenezer Slocum, a Friend, purchased Kofi (later Cuffe Slocum) in the 1720s. Twenty-two years later John Slocum purchased Cuffee Slocum from his uncle and freed him in 1745. Although Paul Cuffe’s parents had been strongly influenced by Friends, there is no evidence that they belonged to a Quaker meeting.
Paul Cuffee saw education as a means of liberation, and he fought for equal rights in many ways. He was always eager to teach young men who wanted to learn the science of navigation and skills of a merchantman. In 1799 he established a school on his own property in Westport, Massachusetts that was open to all children regardless of their race. In 1800 he bought a gristmill in Acoaxet, and was a century and a half ahead of his time when he urged mills to include African Americans in the planning stages of organizations whose goal was helping blacks. He encouraged African Americans up and down the East Coast to think about their social and economic status. In 1780, when only men of European descent had the right to, he and other African Americans protested taxation on his father’s estate on the grounds of no taxation without representation." (Friends General Conference)
On February 10, 1780, Capt. Paul Cuffee and six other black residents of Massachusetts petitioned the state legislature for the right to vote.
I hope that folks here in Boston will remember Capt. Cuffee next week when we cast our ballots.
vote
2.09.2011
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY - Feb. 9
"It just seems clear to me that as long as we are all here, it's pretty clear that the struggle is to share the planet, rather than divide it."
--Alice Walker
One day after Harry S. McAlphin became the first black journalist accredited to attend White House press conferences, Alice Walker was born in Eatonton, GA. For those unfamiliar with her work, I have included a couple of favorites below, but you can also check out her wonderful website. Side note: For my #naturalhair peoples, Ms. Walker has been rocking fierceness for years and years and is an inspiration in how to wear your crown throughout the decades.
Happy Birthday Alice Walker!
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