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My History Education…

JusMee

David Walker (September 28, 1796 – August 6, 1830) was an influential American abolitionist, writer, and anti-slavery activist. Born to a free mother and an enslaved father, he was free himself due to the principle of partus sequitur ventrem. 

In 1829, while residing in Boston, he published “An Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World,” which called for black unity and resistance against slavery. 

His work highlighted the injustices of slavery and urged individuals to act according to their religious and political beliefs. 

The pamphlet caused significant controversy, particularly in the South, leading to laws restricting the circulation of “seditious publications.” Walker’s advocacy for the rights of black individuals made him a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement.

His legacy continued through his son, Edward G. Walker, who became one of the first two black men elected to the Massachusetts State Legislature in 1866. 

David Walker’s literary contributions were instrumental in forming the early abolitionist movement in the United States. 

His passionate appeal for unity among black individuals and defiance against slavery struck a chord with many, including both black and white citizens, who opposed this institution. 

Despite facing significant criticism and censorship, Walker remained a determined advocate for the rights and liberation of African Americans. 

His legacy serves as both a reminder and a source of motivation for activists, as his writings poignantly highlight the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice today.

While slavery may no longer be overtly visible in contemporary society, its remnants can still be detected within the MAGA movement. 

This movement is actively working to reverse the significant advancements in the civil rights struggle throughout American history, jeopardizing the hard-won progress toward equality and justice.

The MAGA movement is actively trying to alter and reframe historical narratives by engaging in book banning, enacting legislation that undermines fundamental rights, and promoting an agenda that fosters deep divisions within the country—more pronounced than those experienced during the antebellum period. 

For example, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has been a vocal proponent of embracing Confederate ideals over those of democracy. 

Meanwhile, President-Elect 47 appears to be working towards implementing policies that echo the principles of the Confederacy and or a dictatorship challenging the very foundations of democratic governance.

I would like to share a heartfelt appeal to our nation’s colored citizens. David Walker’s powerful words resonate deeply, emphasizing the crucial need to raise our voices against injustice and advocate for what is just and fair, even when confronted with significant challenges and opposition. 

We should never allow ourselves to be muted by fear or indifference; instead, we must gather our courage, stand together as a united force, and passionately vocalize our convictions, ensuring that our messages resonate clearly and powerfully in the world around us.

Walker’s bold and unwavering actions in confronting his era’s entrenched social and political norms ignited essential conversations about the need for change. They carved a lasting and powerful legacy in American history. 

His dedication to justice and equality resonated with others, inspiring future generations to challenge the status quo and work toward a more equitable society.

His steadfast commitment to racial equality is a powerful reminder of the ongoing journey toward justice and the relentless fight that continues today.

I don’t recall ever encountering the name David Walker in any history books or during my school years. Despite his significant contributions and impact, he has been overlooked in the narrative of our past. 

Walker was a prominent abolitionist and a passionate advocate for African Americans’ rights, yet his story is often absent from discussions about the fight for freedom and equality. 

It’s essential to recognize figures like him, who played a vital role in shaping history, rather than allowing their legacies to be buried and forgotten. 

It’s very perplexing. You want to shield your children from the harsh realities of history by prohibiting any literature that reveals the painful and tragic events that were inflicted upon a marginalized group. 

This includes banning books that discuss the systemic injustices, discrimination, and violence that shaped their experiences. You don’t want it taught in classrooms.

By restricting access, you aim to create a protective bubble, believing that ignorance will preserve their innocence and spare them from the weight of such brutal truths. 

Truth be told… by doing so, you inadvertently deny them the opportunity to learn about the past, understand the complexities of human behavior, and empathize with others’ struggles.

In addition to shielding your children…you are complaining about rising food prices and inflation. You blame the current administration, which has done more for you than you may realize.

This attitude is a part of the problem. You need to take the time to think, educate yourself, or take responsibility for your actions and inactions. 

The bottom line is that the atrocities of the incoming administration coming to you will be well-deserved.  

I want to convey my frustration regarding your apparent lack of awareness. Your ignorance created an environment that subjects the rest of us to challenging and distressing situations, which we don’t deserve. 

Your insensitivity has consequences for you, and it profoundly affects our lives as well. Your actions will create situations leading to unfair and unjust experiences for those around you. 

I wish you were more mindful of how your actions impact others. A bit of insight could help prevent the unnecessary difficulties that will be inflicted upon us by the incoming want-to-be dictator you voted for. 

In fact, the rest of us who didn’t vote for the dictatorship cannot afford to remain silent about the disturbing actions the incoming administration will take. 

We must raise our voices and take a decisive stand against any injustices that may arise in our communities and beyond. 

We must not allow these wrongs to go unchallenged. Our words and actions should resonate with conviction, reflecting our unwavering commitment to justice and equality.

Standing together, we can ensure that our collective determination illuminates the issues at hand and inspires change.

I want positive change, not a return to a time of unrest.

These beliefs shape my values and worldview. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and perspectives, and I respect that you may hold different views. 

However, I would appreciate it if you could take a moment to reflect on my perspective. I intend not to persuade you to agree; I hope to foster understanding and meaningful dialogue.

Because…

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.

Barack Obama

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BLACK HISTORY
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The Tragic Reality: America’s Ban On Black History!

JusMee

Black History Month
Children with teacher preparing for Black History Month

It is nothing new that America–a country founded on the principles of equality and justice–has a history of banning books. 

In fact, a quick Google search will reveal that this practice is alive and well in the 21st century. 

More often than not, banned books deal with difficult topics such as race, gender, and sexuality.

One would think there would be no need to ban books in a country where library shelves are lined with books on these topics. However, the reality is that these books are often banned to silence voices that need to be heard.

This blog will explore the tragic reality of America’s ban on black history and its impact on the country.

The long, sad history of America’s ban on black history

Black History Month at school
Black History Month at school

In the early 1800s, America was a young nation struggling to find its identity. One of the things that made America unique was its diversity. 

People from all over the world had come to America in search of a better life. This included people of African descent who were forcibly brought to America as slaves. ‘

Despite the contributions of black Americans to the country, they were treated as second-class citizens. They were denied basic rights and were subjected to racial discrimination. 

This was especially true during the Jim Crow era when black Americans were discriminated against in every aspect of life.

It wasn’t until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s that black Americans began to gain some of the rights they deserved. 

Even so, black America continues to face challenges today. Racism is still a problem in America, and black Americans are still disproportionately affected by it.

 In 2018, black Americans were 3.5 times more likely than white Americans to be killed by police. And black Americans are twice as likely as white Americans to be unemployed.

Many factors contribute to these disparities, including a lack of access to education and resources, discrimination in the workplace, and a history of racism and discrimination. 

But the fact remains that racism is still a very real problem in America, and black Americans are still bearing the brunt of it.

Racism is still a problem in America, and black Americans are still disproportionately affected by it. Despite the progress made in recent years, racism is still a very real problem in our country. African Americans are still more likely to be stopped and searched by the police, sentenced to longer prison terms, and live in poverty.

This is not to say that all black Americans experience these things, but it is still a fact that racism is a very real problem in our country. To truly move forward as a nation, we must first acknowledge the problem and then work together to find a solution.

Why is black history still banned in America?

In America, black history is often relegated to a single month of celebration. While it is important to celebrate the accomplishments of black Americans, this limited focus does not allow for a comprehensive understanding of the role that black Americans have played in the history of the United States.

Black history is still banned in America because the history of the United States is still largely told from a white perspective. 

This is evident in how American history is taught in schools, how mainstream media sources cover black history, and how monuments and statues are erected to honor white historical figures.

Banning black history in America perpetuates the idea that black Americans are lesser than their white counterparts. This is not only false, but it is also dangerous. It is time for black history to be given the attention it deserves so that all Americans can benefit

The tragic reality of black history in America today

Sadly, the history of black Americans is one of violence, oppression, and struggle. For centuries, blacks have been subjected to racism, slavery, and discrimination. Even today, black Americans face educational, employment, and income disparities.

The tragic reality of black history in America today is that it is often forgotten, misunderstood, and misrepresented. African American history is often taught as a series of important dates and events without any context or understanding of the lived experiences of black people in America.

This is the tragic reality of black history in America today. 

But despite all the challenges, black Americans have made significant progress. We have overcome adversity to become strong and resilient people. And we will continue to fight for equality and justice for all.

 This lack of knowledge leads to many misconceptions about black history, which in turn contributes to the systemic racism that continues to plague our country today.

We must learn and teach the true history of black America to better understand what it means to be black in America today. Only then can we begin to dismantle the racism that has been so deeply ingrained in our society for so many centuries.

We must speak out and demand that black history be taught in our schools. We need to show our elected officials that we will not tolerate a country that tries to erase our history.

Let them know we are proud of our black Heritage and will fight for it. If we don’t do something now, our children and grandchildren will never know the struggles and sacrifices that were made for them. We must show them that we are strong and will not give up.

The time is now. We have to stand up and be heard. We have to fight for what is right. We must let them know that we are proud of our black Heritage and will fight for it.

Conclusion

BLACK HISTORY

While it is understandable that people would want to protect their children from the struggles of other groups, banning books does not solve the problem. It only perpetuates the cycle of ignorance and discrimination. 

To create a truly inclusive society, we must start by acknowledging the struggles of those different from us. The Minority 

Additionally, banning books is a serious issue because it goes against the freedom of speech. 

People should be able to read whatever they want, and books should not be banned because they highlight the struggles of a group of people who are different from you… the white people. 

If you agree, please like, follow, comment, and subscribe to this blog.

 

JUSMEE TALKIN IN 2023

 

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Interracial Marriage: Richard & Mildred When Love Happens!

JusMee

 

Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving Photo ban on interracial marriages
Mildred Jeter and Richard LovingPhoto: Getty Images

The Ban on interracial marriage. During the seventeenth and early eighteenth century;

the growing number of interracial marriages (also known as miscegenation) between Blacks and whites led to the passage of this new law.

The first anti-miscegenation lawenacted was in the colony of Maryland in 1664 and additional colonies quickly followed suit.

These marriages were prohibited and penalties included the enslavement, exile or imprisonment of the white perpetrators.

These laws grew and evolved over the years and attempts were even made to modify the Constitution to ban interracial marriage in all states.

It would take three hundred years for this law to be overturned.

In 1967, Richard Loving, a white man, and Mildred Jeter, a Black woman, were married in the District of Columbia.

Mildred and Richard Loving had been married just a few weeks when, in the early morning hours of July 11, 1958, Sheriff Garnett Brooks ;

and two deputies, acting on an anonymous tip that the Lovings were in violation of Virginia law, stormed into the couple’s bedroom.

When the sheriff demanded to know who Mildred was to Richard, she offered up the answer: “I’m his wife.”

When Richard gestured to the couple’s marriage certificate hanging on the wall, the sheriff coldly stated the document held no power in their locale.

Virginia law in fact forbade black and white citizens from marrying outside of the state and then returning to live within the state. 

Richard ended up spending a night in jail, with the pregnant Mildred spending several more nights there. The couple eventually pleaded guilty to violating the Virginia law.

The commonwealth of Virginia…

Asserted that its ban on interracial marriages were in place to avoid a host of resulting sociological ills, and that the law was not in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. 

On June 12, 1967, the high court agreed unanimously in favor of the Lovings, striking down Virginia’s law.

And thus allowing the couple to return home while also ending the ban on interracial marriages in other states.

The court held that Virginia’s anti-miscegenation statute violated both the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. 

Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote the opinion for the court, stating marriage is a basic civil right and to deny this right on a basis of race is “directly subversive of the principle of equality;

At the heart of the Fourteenth Amendment” and deprives all citizens “liberty without due process of law.”

Conclusion

The ban on interracial marriage was a law that reflected America’s history of racial discrimination.

Most states outlawed interracial marriage until the 1960s when the Supreme Court ruled them unconstitutional.

 

Thanks for Reading

 

—Biography.com Editor

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A Time To Reflect…BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

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a time to reflect
Vector Illustration

A time to reflect is Black History Month on what has been accomplished. Still, it is also a time to recognize the challenges that remain. 

African Americans have made significant contributions of science and technology to politics, sports, and history. 

The following are outstanding black Americans who have helped shape our country and world.

Matthew Henson: Arctic Explorer

Matthew Henson was born in Maryland just after the Civil War and had a hard-luck childhood. 

At age 11, Henson lived with an uncle in Washington, D.C., after the death of his parents.

 He traveled by foot to Baltimore, where he hoped to work on a ship. He succeeded, and he became a cabin boy on a freighter.

 After six years of sailing the ocean, Henson returned to Washington and took a store clerk in a furrier’s shop.

And then…

Henson met Navy lieutenant Robert Edwin Peary at the store. Subsequently, Peary offered him a job as his assistant on a trip to Nicaragua. 

Henson soon became a permanent member of Peary’s crew.

 When Peary announced plans to reach the top of Greenland in 1891, he invited Henson along for the journey. 

Throughout the 1890s, 

Peary and his team returned to Greenland several times.

Henson was Peary’s go-to man because of his carpentry, mechanical, and dog-driving skills.

Peary would always make several attempts to reach the North Pole with Henson at his side over the years despite harsh weather.

 Since time was running out for them in 1908 (Peary was 50. Henson 40), they decided to try one more time. 

Difficulties in communicating… 

Previously, there had been communication difficulties with the native Eskimos. To communicate with them, Henson learned their language.

 By gaining the Eskimos’ confidence and trust, Henson paved the way for the expedition’s success (as did a unique ice-cutting boat built especially for the expedition). 

He reached the North Pole. 

Henson reached the Pole before Peary. But Peary trudged the last few miles to plant the American flag. 

Peary appeared resentful of Henson for having arrived ahead of him. Their strained relationship persisted even after the return trip.

The Return to the United States.

Following Peary’s return to the United States, they hailed him for his accomplishments. Technically…Henson had gotten to the North Pole first… He did not receive the same attention.

 President Taft appointed Henson to the civil service, giving him a more comfortable life. 

In 1912…A time to reflect!

He published an autobiography, and a subsequent biography revealed Henson’s role in the North Pole expeditions. 

He received the Congressional Medal in 1944 and the Presidential Citation in 1950. When Matthew Henson died in 1955, they recognized him as the co-founder of the North Pole.

Marie M. Daly: American biochemist

April 16, 1921-October 28, 2003 

She is best known for becoming the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States.

Daly holds a bachelor’s degree from Queens College and a master’s degree from New York University. 

 Graduate of Columbia University, Ph.D. in chemistry.

After obtaining a Ph.D. in chemistry from Columbia University, she taught and conducted research, becoming the first black woman to do so in the United States. 

Dr. Daly’s groundbreaking research helped clarify how the human body functions. She died in New York City on October 28, 2003. Read More

 

Stay tuned for more stories of other extraordinary African Americans that played significant roles in building this country.

A time to reflect…Hope you enjoyed reading, and I hope to see you again soon!

BLACK AMERICAN CALLED JAMES!

 

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Black History Month …a time to commemorate!

JusMee

While Black History Month is a time to commemorate what has been accomplished, it is equally important to recognize what needs to be done. 

African Americans have made significant contributions in every field, from science and technology to politics, sports, and history. 

Some of the incredible black Americans who helped shape our country and our world are listed here.

Debi Thomas 

She was born in 1967 in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Throughout her childhood, she dreamed of becoming a doctor. 

 As an engineering major, she worked toward what has always been her dream: to become an orthopedic surgeon.

She won two national championships at Stanford and a world figure skating title in her first year.

Figure skating titles

Also, as a Stanford pre-med student, 

  • Thomas won the 1986 U.S. National and World Figure Skating titles, 
  • Becoming the first and only African American to hold those titles.
  • Her achievement earned her a place in the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000

Winter Olympics…

To train for the 1988 Winter Olympics, she postponed school for a year.

Subsequently, in Calgary, she became the first Black athlete to win an Olympic medal skating to the music of Bizet. 

 As a figure skater and a surgeon, she is active in her community.

Reference:

CNN/Sports Illustrated.

Samuel Milton Nabrit

A Black biologist, educator, and activist were born in Augusta, GA, to Rev. Dr. J.M. Nabrit Sr., and Gertrude West Nabrit. 

He was one of eight children who received a college education; his brother James Nabrit became president of Howard University. 

Education…

Nabrit attended schools in Macon and received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Morehouse College in 1925.

 In 1928, he received a Master’s degree from Brown University, and in 1932 he got a doctorate in biology from Brown University. 

Expertise 

A few years after becoming dean of Atlanta University’s graduate school of arts and sciences in 1947, he became chairman of its biology department in 1932. 

He was a founding member of the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine and served as president of the National Institute of Science.

 The year 1950 was… 

Dr. Nabrit was a research fellow at the University of Brussels. 

The scientific papers Nabrit published during this period remained influential for decades. 

As of 1955…

As Texas Southern University’s second president, he served until 1966.

From 1956 to 1962… 

President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Dr. Nabrit to the National Science Board.

In 1966, 

President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Dr. Nabrit to the United States Atomic Energy Commission. 

He founded the Southern Fellowship Fund to assist African American students pursuing doctoral degrees one year later. 

Dr. Nabrit joined Brown University’s Board of Trustees in 1967. 

In 1985…

Brown University established the Nabrit Black Graduate Student Association in his honor.

 From 1967 to 1981…

 Dr. Nabrit was chairman of the Atlanta-based Southern Fellowship Fund, which provided grants of $4 million to minority faculty members.

Lastly, Debi Thomas and Samuel Nabrit left their marks on American history by emphasizing Black history.

Reference:

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