Wiki History!

Why is knowing history important? If we don't know history, are we really doomed to repeat it?  Doug and Robin (siblings and historians) read excerpts from a famous classical Greek scholar about the "refuge and strength" of history and discuss the historical context of modern events.  Doug will also reveal surprising behaviors of current politicians over a cup of espresso. Learning history can be fun--really!--and this discussion will prove it.

Does the end of Black history month mean the end of learning Black history? Do we still need Black history month? How can we continue to learn Black history AFTER Black history month has ended? Doug and Robin (siblings and historians) discuss these questions over a cup of espresso.

Why love history? Does history matter?   Welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Hi, I’m Robin the host and one of many history lovers at this great and groundbreaking podcast show.  Right now, you are at an exciting place to remember African American history, a peaceful place to reflect on the African American experience and a bold place to keep MAKING history every single day.     I’m so glad that you’re here so we can share in this journey together. History should be a shared experience. So, let’s get started.   Hello, habari gani, nangadef! As promised, I will explain these greeting a bit later in the show.     People often ask me why I love history. They say “it’s so boring!” “it’s pointless” and my personal point of debate: “it’s all lies anyway.”   Hmmm…I would love to say that none of those comments are true.  But let me just say that they’re not completely wrong either.  Or at least they don’t have to be.   In elementary and high school, I actually hated history.  Yes, it’s true that I was not always the history lover that I am today.  But, when I was younger I found history to be boring and I definitely didn’t get the point of learning about dead people and past events.   Then I discovered something: History isn’t about past events and dead people. It’s about events and people. As one of my favorite historians put it, “History is not about the past. No one ever lived in the past. They lived in the present. The difference is that it was THEIR present. Not ours. They were caught up in the living moment exactly as we are today. And with no more certainty of how things will turn out we have.”   History does talk about past events—but all (or the vast majority) of those events were people driven. They didn’t happen in isolation. People made them happen.  And those people are just like us today: Making events happen today.   So, why do people think that history is boring, pointless, or untrue? It’s mostly in the presentation. History is usually taught as a series or names, dates and death counts. That’s a pity because history is so much more. It is a story, it’s our story.    That’s why I love history; I have always been captivated by a good mystery, moved by a tender love story, excited by a dramatic adventure story or inspired by a story of victory or triumph.   Judging by the number of people at the movies or people browsing bookstores, I’m not the only one who loves a good story.   So ANYONE with a reasonable amount of curiosity or interest in people can love history. There is no end to the amazing stories. And history being made today and every day.   About history being a bunch of lies…well people can take a bit of “creative license” when retelling a story. But they can and do cross the line. There are definitely untruths in history and that is especially relevant for people of color. African American history has been retold in ways that, at best, diminish our contributions and, at worse, eliminate not only our contributions but also our very presence and significance in those stories. And that’s the very reason why we should learn history—so we can tell the truth. That’s the very purpose of rememberinghistory.com—to tell the truth of African American history, including the contributions, the victories, the defeats, the challenges, the struggles—whole range of the human experience.   On that note, let’s get started with the history or…the stories.   Let’s start with a few birthdays.       May 9 is the shared birthday of two history makers—white men, actually—who played an important role in African American history.  We will talk about one today and the other will be a surprise for next week’s show. You might think it strange to open today’s show by honoring a white person.  This is a show about African American history, after all. Well, this man’s work has been very influential in the African American community and actually on a global scale. I’m talking about the German philosopher, economist, historian, political theorist, sociologist, journalist and revolutionary socialist. I’m talking about Karl Marx who was born on May 9, 1818.   What importance does he have in African American history? Karl Marx believed in a classless, stateless egalitarian society, stating in his landmark book, The Communist Manifesto “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.” The Communist Party was the only political movement on the left in the late 1920s and 1930s to place racial justice and equality at the top of its agenda. In fact, As the Great Depression unfolded, the Communists launched intensive campaigns against lynching, evictions, whites-only trade unions, job discrimination in jobs and police brutality.    In the 1960s and 70s, the Communist Party in the US fought for civil rights, protested the war in Vietnam and demanded equal rights for African Americans and women. This was attractive to many Africans and African Americans. Many African and African American activists and leaders have also focused on fighting economic inequality as a primary cause.  And many Black civil rights activists, writers and scholars received support from the Communist party and joined the party though some eventually left it. Paul Robeson. Richard Wright. WEB Dubois. Langston Hughes. Ralph Ellison. Chester Himes.  I’m not trying to convince anyone to adopt Communism, but I do encourage having an open mind and learning the history. That’s what we’re here for.   If you questioned the relevance of Karl Marx in African American history, you definitely will NOT question the significance of the next person.  He was born on May 19, 1925.  Do you know who I’m talking about now? Of course, you do. Malcolm X or El-hajj Malik el-Shabazz as he was known at the time of his assassination at the age of 39. Malcolm (as I remember him) was a complex person who continued to evolve in extraordinary ways throughout his short life.   As a dynamic, charismatic and highly intelligent speaker and activist throughout the 1960s, Malcolm changed the way that Black people thought of themselves and their community. He started as a minister and national spokesman with the Nation of Islam. In 1964, after a life-altering pilgrimage to Mecca, he returned to the United States to found the Organization of Afro-American Unity. This Pan-Africanist organization was designedto fight for the human rights of African Americans. Malcolm was sadly assassinated in 1965. He is most remembered as fighting for the rights of African Americans “by any means necessary” but the quote that I think represents him more is when he said, “A race of people is like an individual man; until it uses its own talent, takes pride in its own history, expresses its own culture, affirms its own selfhood, it can never fulfill itself.” Happy birthday, Brother Malcolm!   May, 2018 marks the opening of a new museum.  Museums are a great way to learn history and I just love how museums are becoming more interactive and engaging.  No longer are they places to just see pictures hanging on a wall—no disrespect to pictures by the way—but museums are places to become immersed in period of time, an issue, an event or even a person’s life.  The museum that I’m thinking about does all of those things and more.  What is it? Here’s a hint: It is in Montgomery, Alabama and it showcases (rather, honors) more than 4,000 people.  Give that some thought and stay tuned for next week’s show when I tell you all about this amazing new museum.       Here’s an important date: May 17, 1954.     Brown v. Board of Education was decided by the United States Supreme Court on May 17, 1954.  This was one of the most important cases EVER decided by the Supreme Court. It declared that segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14thAmendment of the United States Constitution. Argued by the renowned 46-year old civil rights attorney, Thurgood Marshall, who would successfully win 29 out of 32 cases that he would argue before the nation’s highest court.  Many people were excited about the Court’s decision to desegregate the public schools “with all deliberate speed” (that comes directly from the Court’s decision) but Southerners fought against integration in many ways. Some counties closed down schools rather than be forced to integrate. Others created different criteria to prevent integration. Some states even created all-white academies—some of them still exist today. The Pupil Placement Law segregated students by subjective standards like family background or special ability. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court  upheld these Pupil Placement Laws. Dr. Martin Luther King said that the Pupil Placement Law was almost as far-reaching in limiting integration as the Brown decision was in limiting segregation. Yet I gotta say that the Court’s decision was absolutely an absolute victory and a bold step in the fight for civil rights. Still segregation remained entrenched. Two years after the Brown decision, no Black child had attended school with a white child in 8 of the 11 former Confederate states.  Ten years after the decision, only 2.3 percent of Black children were attending school with white children. And today the resegregation of gripping school districts around the country. You can find more information on this topic at the rememberinghistory.com website.  You’ll see another example of how history does not stay in the past.     Now, we will end this section by remembering James Cone, the eminent religious scholar, philosopher and activist. Dr. Cone died on April 28, 2018.  James Cone is widely regarded as one of the most influential theologians in the United States. He wrote many landmark books including Black Theology & Black Power, A Black Theology of Liberation, God of the Oppressed, The Spirituals & The Blues and The Cross and the Lynching Tree. His books and speeches questioned the traditional teachings of the Bible, and made Christianity understandable and relevant to oppressed people.  He is memorably quoted as saying, “I wanted to speak on behalf of the voiceless black masses in the name of Jesus whose gospel I believed had been greatly distorted by the preaching and theology of white churches.” Dr. Cone will be greatly missed but also greatly remembered. In fact, I’m gonna remember his teaching in next week’s podcast show. So, I hope you’ll come back for the next show.   But no. we’re not done with this show yet!  Last week, I greeted you with Habari gani  and Nangadef.   Some Rememberinghistory.com  listeners will remember the Swahili greeting Habarigani from the December show when we celebrated Kwanzaa.  But what is Nangadef?  That is a greeting that I recently learned when I visited Senegal. Nangadef is a greeting in the Wolof language that asks “how are you?”  The traditional response is to say “Mangifi” meaning I’m fine. Why do I bring this up? I’m reflecting on my trip or rather, trips, to Senegal.  Travelling is a great way to learn about another culture, language and history. There was lots of all of this in Senegal!  One of the main reasons that I went was to visit the island of Goree.  Goree was an important part of the TransAtlantic slave (or, rather, people) trade for more than 400 years. This is where many people where held—after they had been captured—to be transported to Europe and the Americas where they would be enslaved. More than 20 million people passed through the ominous “door of no return” for the three-month journey that ultimately ended with their enslavement in America, Brazil, the Caribbean, England or another country. Twenty million people!  And, I learned that another 6 million people died either on the island of Goree or on the journey across the ocean.  I saw the small, dark rooms where the men, women and children (yes, men, women and children—not slaves!) were held for months awaiting the terrible journey. The rooms were overcrowded, small, dark and damp. People were let out of the room only one time per day to use the bathroom. I also saw the chains and leg-cuffs that were put on the people and the punishment room. It was chilling. I stood at the Door of No Return where people left the island and boarded the ships headed to enslavement in different parts of the world. Strangely, the island itself was beautiful: the water was clear and blue, the ocean air was crisp and fresh and the sun was shining. But this was the last view that (at least) 20 million people saw before going below deck and emerging in a new country to be sold into slavery.  Goree is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and I highly recommend visiting this important place. While I have read a lot about the transatlantic trade in people and the Isle de Goree specifically, I felt an emotional response when I actually visited the island. And I learned so much. So, I’m reflecting on the importance of travel as a way of learning and experiencing and FEELING history. Of course, there is a lot more to Senegal than the Island of Goree. And my guide took me to great places like the cemeteries where both Muslims and Christians are buried, bustling markets where local people are selling their products—not tourist products—but products for every day living like groundnuts, groundnut oil, shea butter, clothes, fresh meats and lots more. We passed on the animal reserves—I’ve got nothing against animals—but we had decided instead to visit the University of Dakar, which has 60,000 students. We weren’t able to sit in on a class but we visited some libraries, bookstores and an incredible exhibit by Cheikh Anta Diop who was a Senegalese historian, anthropologist, physicist, and politician. Dr. Diop studied the human race's origins and pre-colonial African culture. I’ve read his book, Precolonial Black Africa and The African Origin of Civilisation.  Those are both excellent perspective-changing books. And you can find them on the rememberinghistory.com website.     Finally, we visited Layen Mausoleum, which is dedicated to Saidi Limamou Layen, the founder of the Layen Muslim brotherhood. It is magnificent and remarkable for many reasons. Besides all of the gold and intricate designs on the walls and floors, women had to be dressed completely in white from head (including a white head covering) to foot. People were there to help you dress properly. When I saw myself dressed in that way, I was shocked. Not in a bad way though. I had never seen myself in this manner and it was mind-expanding.  No, I don’t always want to dress in that manner. But I realized that travelling can help you to see yourself and the world in a different way. And I was grateful for the experience.  So, my reflection for this week is that travelling can be educational AND fun.  And it is a great way to learn history. Try to leave the resorts and the beach, get off the bus, go for a walk, ask questions and be open-minded. Just take it all in.   Music It’s story time! Storytelling is a great part of the African American experience, given to us from African cultural traditions. I am pleased to present this story (or fable) written by master storyteller, Eshu. The theme is purpose. Let’s begin with taking a few deep, cleansing breaths to help us focus on this story and its important lessons. Take a moment to get comfortable. Now, breathe in through your nose then out through your mouth. Let’s begin. This story is called Anansi and his Sons. Written by master storyteller, Eshu Bumpus who has generously allowed us to use these stories. You can find more of his stories at folktales.net. Anansi and his Sons When Anansi's first son was born and Anansi and his wife, Aso were ready to name the child, the baby spoke up and said, "I have brought my own name with me. It is See Trouble." Their second son also announced his name in this way. He was Road Builder. Each of his six sons in turn announced their names in this way. There was River Drinker, Game Skinner, Stone Thrower and Cushion. Once, Anansi had to go on a long journey. On his trip, he found a big, bright, shiny ball. He was bringing it home, when he fell into the lake and was swallowed by a big fish. Anansi decided right then that he would give the bright shiny object to whoever rescued him. As time passed, and Anansi did not return home, his family became worried. See Trouble looked ahead to see Anansi inside the big fish. He told his brothers. Right away, Road Builder cleared a path through the forest for his brothers to follow. When they got to the lake, it was the thirsty brother's turn. River Drinker drank up all the water in the lake. There was the big fish at the bottom. Game skinner went right to work. He cut open that fish to let Anansi out. Anansi was still holding that bright, shiny object he had found. Suddenly a giant bird flew down and grabbed Anansi. It took him way up into the sky. Stone Thrower grabbed a rock and threw it. He hit the bird just right to make it let go of Anansi. Down, down Anansi fell, but he didn't get hurt because Cushion put himself in the way. Anansi landed softly. Anansi wanted to give the bright, shiny object to the son who had rescued him, but he couldn't decide who had done the most to help him. He gave the bright, shiny thing to Nyame, who put it up in the sky until someone could figure out which son deserves it the most. It is still there in the sky. You can see it tonight. The End. I hope that you enjoyed this story. It was short but powerful and enlightening. This story is about unity (or Umoja in the Swahii language) and how we can all contribute our skills, thoughts and feelings to help each other. Separately, we can be lost. Together, we can not just survive but thrive and grow. By the way, if you DID enjoy that story and discovered that history is not boring or pointless and that it can actually be interesting and inspirational, you might like to learn more—there IS lots more!Rememberinghistory.com is committed to bringing this information to you in a fun, educational and memorable way. I’m talking now about our Black History Kits. These kits are designed to teach history through videos, games (like crossword puzzles or word searches), fun quizzes, recipes and, yes, books, too.  These exciting kits will guide you step by step through learning different parts of African American history (like the slavery and reconstruction periods, Black power and activism and great achievements) as well as experiencing Black culture through making delicious recipes, listening to great music and reading African folktales.  Learning history should be fun. And these Black history kits ARE fun, educational and unforgettable.  There is lots to choose from for adults, kids and families.  I hope that you’ll look at them on the rememberinghistory.com website. And mention this podcast for a free gift! Now it’s time to come to wind things down. Let’s end by taking a few deep breaths to help you absorb and relax. In through your nose then out through your mouth. Again, in through your nose then out through your mouth. Last time, and let’s make this a big inhalation through your nose, then slowly release your breath through your mouth. That’s great. If you like, you can stay for a 2-minute guided meditation to help you relax. Learning history is fun and interesting and important. But it can also cause tension or stress and bring about difficult emotions. So, I welcome you to stay for the relaxation meditation that will begin immediately after this show. No pressure. And, if you don’t have time right now, you can always find this short meditation and other meditations on the rememberinghistory.com website. Thank you for joining us today at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history AND we’re making it. Every day! Bye for now. *****MUSIC*****    

This is Robin Lofton and I want to welcome you to rememberinghistory.com where are remembering history and we’re making it. Hello, habari gani, nangadef! I’ll explain that one a bit later. Right now, you are at a safe place to remember African American history, a quiet place to reflect on the African American experience and a powerful place to make history every single day.   I’m so glad that you’re here so we can share in this journey together. History should be a shared experience. So, let’s get started.   This is the month that we, at rememberinghistory.com, remember and acknowledge the activists who are working for a better world, we reflect on the importance of activism in the African American community and we resolve to keep up the work of the activists—past and present—to make changes in our communities, our country and yes even our world.   In April, we remembered the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (one of the world’s foremost activists) who, sadly, was assassinated on April 4, 1968. This year, 2018, marks the 50thanniversary of his death. His legacy definitely endures. However, the goals and visions that he had for a better world have definitely NOT been realized.  Poverty, injustice, economic, political and social inequality, violence, group supremacy. They are still a part of the American experience—the global experience, in fact—so we still have LOTS of work to do. And I’m so impressed with the constant, fearless of work of activists that are working and fighting to make a better world.   Music   Do you like movies?   I don’t really care for movies. But there are exceptions. I’ve noticed that there are more movies about history and cultural experiences.  And I really enjoy those kinds of movies. I’ve noticed, in particular, that there are more movies about African American history (or American history, actually) like Marshall, Loving, Twelve Years a Slave (based on the amazing book), Hidden Figures (again, based on the amazing book) and lots of others.  They always make me think a lot—then I start doing research. And I learn so much.  I was asked to make a presentation about the movie, Selma. Remember that movie about the Bloody Sunday march—it happened on March 7, 1965, on the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma, Alabama. (Yeah, that name should be changed; he was a Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan.) My presentation was simply to introduce the movie then we would watch the film and the audience would have a discussion about the importance of the march itself and voting rights in America.   To prepare for this presentation, I watched Selma. I had already seen the movie but I watched it again just to be more familiar with it. I had forgotten what a powerful movie that it was so I was kinda seeing it again for the first time.  Several things struck me about the movie.   First, the importance of the activists in the film. Yes, there was Dr. King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, John Lewis and SNCC (the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee).  Yes, they were important and powerful.   But I was also impressed with people who showed up for the march for voting rights, the people who went to register to vote in Alabama like Annie Lee Cooper but was turned away by the registrar. By the way, Oprah Winfrey plays this role stunningly in the opening scene of the movie. I remember hearing so many people gasp when the registrar demanded that she name all of the judges in Alabama!  There was Jimmy Lee Jackson, a 26-year old woodcutter, army veteran and father.  Yes, he was a Black man. He had repeatedly tried to register to vote for many years and had been repeatedly denied.  In the movie and in real life, he (along with his mother and grandfather) participated in a night march to protest the arrest of another activist—James Orange—who was being held in the county jail. During that night march, the local police attacked the marchers and chased them through the night, beating them. Jimmie Lee and his mother and grandfather ran into a café to hide but police found them and continued beating them. As Jimmie Lee tried to help his mother who had been hit with a billy club, a state trooper shot him repeatedly in the stomach. Bleeding and in terrible pain, Jimmie Lee ran outside where troopers continued to beat him until he collapsed. Jimmie Lee died 8 days later in the hospital. That part was one of the most moving and difficult scenes of the movie. By the way, it is commonly thought that the Bloody Sunday march was about voting rights. This is a misconception. The march was actually held to protest the shooting and murder of Jimmie Lee Jackson by the Alabama police. (Unfortunately, we’ve had a lot of those marches in the past few years too.)   Let’s discuss another activist from the movie: Reverend James Reeb.   After the Bloody Sunday march, Dr. King had asked all people of conscience from around the country to come to Selma for another march across the bridge.  People of all faiths, races and ethnicities answered his call. Rev. Reeb was one of the people who didn’t hesitate to go to Selma to march for voting rights.  Rev. Reeb was a 38-year old Unitarian Universalist minister from Boston. And, yes, he was white. He was also a member of the SCLC. And he insisted that his four children go to integrated schools and his church was also integrated. He went to Selma—answering Dr. King’s call—to march. For various reasons, the march didn’t happen on the scheduled day. That night, Rev. Reeb and several other ministers when out to dinner at an integrated restaurant. On their way home, Rev. Reeb was attacked by white supremacists. He was viciously beaten and died several days later. The movie showed his murder—for which no one was ever convicted—and it was another excruciating scene to endure. Reverend Reeb was a courageous and principled person who believed in equality, justice and the nonviolent fight for justice and equality.   One activist who was mentioned in the movie but not shown for her courage and activism was Viola Liuzzo.  She was a 38-year white woman,  civil rights activist and mother of five from Detroit. Viola was also a member of the NAACP. She was not on the front lines of marches but played a supportive role by transporting people to and from marches, making lunches and even babysitting. She participated in the 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery.  After marching to Montgomery, she drove other participants home and was driving with 19-year old Leroy Moton back to Selma. Leroy was a black man who had also participated in the march. On a dark and lonely road, the Ku Klux Klan chased her and shot her in the head. The Klan thought that Leroy was dead so they left the scene.       I know that a movie can’t show everything but I wished that they could have given more than a nod to Viola Liuzzo—she was a courageous activist, principled woman and a loving wife and mother. She deserves to be remembered. Well, that IS what we’re doing here today. We’re remembering the brave activists: Jimmie Lee Jackson, Reverend Reeb, Viola Liuzzo and many others who fought for justice and equality. And they made the world—our world—a better place.   Why do I bring up these stories?  Because this is April and we are focusing on activism and activists.  Not every story can be told and there are so many from the Civil Rights Movement that will NEVER be told, but these people risked everything to make demands of their government, in this case to demand the right to vote for themselves and for others. And they demanded justice for Jimmie Lee Jackson.   The word that comes to my mind: Respect.   Music   So, it’s time to look at the history calendar for this week.  I have two calendars that I use: One is called The Peace Calendar printed by the SyracuseCulturalworkers which is a progressive publisher committed to peace, sustainability, social justice, feminism and multiculturalism. The other is calendar is called A History of Racial Injustice, printed by the Equal Justice Initiative.  EJI is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. Both groups are doing excellent work. Just to give them a shout out, you can purchase their calendars and other products at the rememberinghistory.com website. And, of course, you can make a donation to them to support their work. You’ll find the link at rememberinghistory.com. Hey, we gotta work together!     History is full of things that are interesting and uplifting as well as the disturbing and downright horrific and this week is no different.   Let’s start with the interesting: In the United States, this is National Library Week! So, this is a great time to visit your local public library and perhaps even thank a librarian. Where I live very few public libraries are still open, which is such a shame. As a child, I cherished the days that I spent reading and exploring in my neighborhood library.  So, this is a good week to visit a library—actually, every week is a good week to visit a library. One library that I absolutely love is the African American Museum and Library in Oakland. This is a fantastic combination of historical exhibits with a fully functioning and very comfortable library. Yes, the focus is on the African American experience so the AAMLO (as it is called) offers speeches, jazz and blues concerts, activities for children and an excellent selection of books on African American history and culture. Highly recommended. Go to rememberinghistory.com for more information and links.   Next, we’ll look at this week’s uplifting event in history. April 10 is the birthday of Dolores Huerta--an American labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers.  Born in 1930, Dolores Huerta began her career teaching elementary school. After teaching elementary school, Huerta left her job and began her lifelong crusade to correct economic injustice:[2] She is quoted as saying, “I couldn't tolerate seeing kids come to class hungry and needing shoes. I thought I could do more by organizing farm workers than by trying to teach their hungry children.”   Ms. Huerta is a strong and persistent advocate for the rights of migrant farmworkers, directing the UFW during the historic national grape boycott from 1965 to 1970. That famous boycott led to the signing of a collective bargaining agreement for farmworkers. She also fights for consumer rights and women’s rights. As an advocate for farmworkers' rights, Huerta has been arrested twenty-two times for participating in non-violent civil disobedience activities and strikes, Huerta has been arrested 22 times and suffered severe beatings from law enforcement.  She remains[when?] active in progressive causes. This is an uplifting story about a courageous woman from humble beginnings who fought bravely for causes that improved the lives of one of the most vulnerable groups in the United States, the migrant farmworkers.  Her story is inspirational, uplifting, educational and still continuing. If you would like more information about Dolores Huerta, there is new documentary, called simply, Dolores, that aims to put Huerta where she belongs – alongside Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez, and Gloria Steinem as one of the most important US activists and organizers of the 20th century. You can find the DVD or link to the download on the rememberinghistory.com website.     On to the disturbing. April 12 is National Equal Pay Day (in the United States). This important day was founded in 1996. That’s not disturbing. The disturbing part is that, in 2017, Women’s average pay in the United States is still only 79 percent of men’s pay for the same work! While I’m happy about the many advances that women have made, there is clearly more work to be done before we can start patting ourselves on the back or, even worse, getting complacent.  So, perhaps we shouldn’t celebrate or commemorate National Equal Pay day until we actually have equal pay. It is possible! Or as Dolores Huerta said, “si, se puede!” (She coined that term long before Barack Obama.)   Finally, to end with the downright horrific. April 14, 1906. A white lynch mob hangs and shoots to death Fred Coker (aged 20), William Allen (aged 25) and Horace Dunn (aged 20), three black men, before a crowd of 5,000 in a town square in Springfield, Missouri. They had been arrested for robbery and rape though they had strong alibis showing that they did not commit the crimes. The remaining African American population was forced to flee their homes out of fear of continued mob violence. Lynching was a form of racial terrorism used by whites to keep blacks under their thumb once slavery ended. Over 4,000 African Americans (AMERICANS) were lynched from 1877 to 1950. You can get more information on lynching in history and the modern forms of violence against African Americans on the Equal Justice Initiative website—www.eji.org. BTW, you might feel that it does not make sense to mention people who were lynched, especially when it was so long ago—more than a hundred years ago in the cases that I just mentioned.  But I feel that it IS important. These were people. Individuals. And they were killed because of racism—hatred from the mob that killed them AND hatred from the criminal justice system that failed to punish the murderers and from the society that found it acceptable to kill people because of their race.  During those times, the NAACP would put up a sign outside of its window whenever they were notified that a person had been lynched.  The sign said simply, “A man was lynched today.”  We must not forget that it happened or ever diminish its importance no matter how long ago it was. Finally, this does make me think about the African Americans that we hear about very often that are killed by police, security guards or private citizens, the justice system that refuses to punish the offenders AND the society that finds it acceptable.  Gotta think about it. This has been a busy week in African American history and we have just scratched the surface. I hope (like I said about movies earlier) that YOU will dig deeper, do more research and learn more.  There is always more to learn. If you want more guidance or support in your efforts, you might want the services of a history coach. A history coaching service is available at the rememberinghistory.com website to help guide you through the material, answer questions, provide materials, make suggestions for your research or study approach, and support you every step of the way. History is important but it is not always pretty or easy. And no one needs to approach it alone at rememberinghistory.com. The coaches are there to help and happy to work with you in whatever way suits you. *****MUSIC***** At the beginning of this show, I greeted you with Habari gani. You might know that greeting from the Swahili language. The regular Rememberinghistory.com  listeners will remember it from the December show when we celebrated Kwanzaa.  I also greeted you with Nangadef.  That is a greeting that I recently learned when I visited Senegal. Nangadef is a greeting in the Wolof language that asks “how are you?” The traditional response is to say “Mangifi” meaning I’m fine. Why do I bring this up? I’m reflecting on my trip to Senegal.  Travelling is a great way to learn about another culture, language and history.  There was lots of this in Senegal!  One of the main reasons that I went was to visit the island of Goree.  Goree was an important part of the TransAtlantic slave (or, rather, people) trade for more than 400 years. This is where many people where held—after they had been captured—to be transported to Europe and the Americas where they would be enslaved. More than 20 million people passed through the ominous “door of no return” for the three-month journey that ultimately ended with their enslavement in America, Brazil, the Caribbean, England or another country. Twenty million people!  And, I learned that another 6 million people died either on the island of Goree or on the journey across the ocean.  I saw the small, dark rooms where the men, women and children were held for months awaiting the terrible journey. The rooms were overcrowded, small, dark and damp.  People were let out of the room only one time per day to use the bathroom. I also saw the chains and leg-cuffs that were put on them and the punishment room. It was chilling. I stood at the Door of No Return where people left the island and boarded the ships headed to their enslavement in different parts of the world. Strangely, the island place was beautiful: the water was clear and blue, the ocean air was crisp and fresh and the sun was shining. But this was the last view that (at least) 20 million people saw before going below deck and emerging in a new country to be sold into slavery.  Goree is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and I highly recommend visiting this important place. While I have read a lot about the transatlantic people trade and the Isle de Goree specifically, I felt an emotional response when I actually visited the island. And I learned so much.   So, I’m reflecting on the importance of travel as a way of learning and experiencing and FEELING history.  Of course, there is a lot more to Senegal than the Island of Goree. And my guide took me to great places like the cemeteries where both Muslims and Christians are buried, great markets where local people are selling their products—not tourist products—but products for every day living like peanuts (or groundnuts), peanut oil, shea butter, clothes, fresh meats and so much more. We passed on the animal reserves—I’ve got nothing against animals—because we decided to visit the University of Dakar, which has 60,000 students. We weren’t able to sit in on a class but we visited some libraries and bookstores. Another campus is being built and I’m excited to return and visit it. Finally, we visited a Muslim mausoleum which was interesting for many reasons. One main reason was that women had to wear white head coverings and long white skirts. People were there to help you dress properly. When I saw myself dressed in that way, I was shocked. I had never seen myself in this manner and it was eye-opening and mind-expanding.  No, I don’t always want to dress in that manner. But I realized that travelling can help you to see yourself and the world in a different way. And I was grateful for the experience.  So, my reflection for this week is that travelling can be educational AND fun.  Try to leave the resorts and the beach, get off the bus, go for a walk, ask questions and be open-minded. And take it all in. Music It’s story time! Storytelling is a great part of the African American experience, given to us from African cultural traditions. I am pleased to present this story (or fable) written by master storyteller, Eshu. The theme is purpose. Let’s begin with taking a few deep, cleansing breaths to help us focus on this story and its important lessons. Take a moment to get comfortable. Now, breathe in through your nose then out through your mouth. Let’s begin. This story is called The Name of the Tree. Written by master storyteller, Eshu at folktales.net.       The Name of the Tree  Once there was a terrible drought in the land of the animals. A kindly king came from over the mountain and planted a special tree. He told them that this tree would bear fruit all year round in any kind of weather. All they had to do to get the fruit was to speak its name. The name of the tree was Oowungalema. The animals thanked the kind old king and he returned to his own land, which was far over the mountain. The animals then sounded the Great Drum to call everyone for miles around. When all were gathered at the tree, the lion asked Anansi to speak the name of the tree. "I thought you were going to remember the name!" said Anansi. "I don't remember the name!" said the lion, "Someone must know it!" They asked everyone who had been there when the old king planted the tree, but not one of them could remember the name of the tree. They decided to send someone to ask the king for the name. They were all very hungry, so they decided to send someone fast. They sent the hare. The hare ran as fast as he could through villages, across the river, through the bush, over the mountain and straight to the court of the kindly old king. The king told him, "The name of the tree is Oowungalema." The hare ran back, repeating the name to himself as he went along. On the way home, he stopped at the river to rest and take a drink. The water was nice and cool. It felt good after all that running. The hare splashed around for a while to cool himself off, then he got out of the water and started back to the tree. When he got back, the animals all cheered. "Now we can have the fruit! " they shouted. Hare went up to the tree to speak the name, "Oomagamoomoo, no, oobapadoopa, Noomooogamooga" Try as he might, the hare just couldn't remember the name. "We have to send someone else." Lion said at last. So the springbok was sent. She ran all the way to the king over the mountain and tried to keep the name in her head all the way home, but coming through the forest, she tripped over a root and bumped her head. The name was lost again. Next they sent Leopard, but on the way back he started chasing a monkey who was teasing him. He forgot the name as well. Many others tried and failed until finally, the tortoise asked if she might go. Most of the animals laughed because the tortoise is so slow. "Give her a chance!" Anansi said, "She may succeed where the rest of us have failed." The tortoise went to her mother and asked, "What do you do if you must remember something very important?" Her mother told her to keep repeating it no matter what happens. So the tortoise set out on her journey. When she reached the king over the mountain, he said, "The name of the tree is Oowungalema." Tortoise kept repeating it over and over to herself all the way home. When the monkeys teased her in the forest, she only said, " Oowungalema." When she passed by the river and the sound of the water made her thirsty, she looked at the water and said, "Oowungalema." And when she got near her house and her children came running to her, she only said, "Oowungalema." Finally, the tortoise came to the tree. All the other animals were anxiously waiting. The lion spoke, "Tortoise, please speak the name of the tree." Tortoise said, "Oowungalema." At last, the animals were able to eat the fruit. Everyone was grateful to the tortoise who kept to her purpose where every one else had failed. The end. What did you think? Well, I liked this story—of course, I selected it because I like it—but I think that really showed everyone can get distracted away from their purpose. They get caught up in the busyness, thinking that their accomplishing their mission. Then what happens? They realize that they don’t remember how to say Oowungalema (like in the story), or they haven’t done their homework, done their regular fitness, spent time with their partner, written their business plan, done their meditation or whatever mission they set out to do. Or they sit around complaining about injustice, grousing at the latest silly thing that President Trump has said, or they watch CNN obsessively. But they don’t stick to their mission as ACTIVISTS.  It’s easy to get distracted; to forget one’s purpose or mission. And I think that this story shows it well. And even offers a solution to prevent it from happening.  I liked it and I hope that you did too. But I would love to hear your ideas about the story at the rememberinghistory.com website. By the way, if you DID enjoy that story and found the history calendar events when we discussed great activists like Delores Huerta, Jimmie Lee Jackson and African American historical events and achievements, you might like to learn more—because they is lots more! Rememberinghistory.com is committed to bringing this information to you in a fun, educational and memorable way. I’m talking about our Black History Kits. These kits are designed to teach history through videos, games (crosswords), fun quizzes, recipes and books. These multi-dimensional kits will guide you step by step through learning different parts of African American history (like the slavery and reconstruction periods, Black activism and great achievements) as well as experiencing Black culture through making delicious recipes, listening to great music and reading African folktales.  Learning history should be fun. And these Black history kits ARE fun, educational and unforgettable.  There is lots to choose from for adults, kids and families.  I hope that you’ll look at them on the rememberinghistory.com website. And mention this podcast for a free gift! Now it’s time to come to wind things down. Let’s end by taking a few deep breaths to help you absorb and relax. In through your nose then out through your mouth. Again, in through your nose then out through your mouth. Last time, and let’s make this a big inhalation through your nose, then slowly release your breath through your mouth. That’s great. If you like, you can stay for a 5-minute guided meditation to help you relax. Learning history is fun and interesting and definitely important. But it can also cause tension or stress and bring about emotions like anger or fear. And you might feel the need to relax and release some of the tension or difficult emotions.  So, I welcome you to stay for the relaxation meditation will begin immediately after this show. No pressure. No guilt. Everyone makes his, her or their own decision. And, if you don’t have time right now, you can always find this short meditation on the rememberinghistory.com website. I’m Robin at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history AND we’re making it. Every day! Bye for now. *****MUSIC*****        

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani,   I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com and I’m so glad that you’ve come back for this great and groundbreaking show. We’ve been doing something a bit different from our usual podcast show when we talk about different issues affecting the African American community, and discuss the great contributions of African Americans to their communities, the country and world. Today we are celebrating the last and final day of Kwanzaa. Wow, what an experience but it’s coming to an end. And we will focus on an issue that is deeply rooted in African and African American culture: faith (or as we say in Swahili: Imani).   I’ll begin—as usual--by bidding you the traditional greeting of Kwanzaa in the Swahili language: Habari gani! If you’re just joining us, you’re very glad to have you with us and I would strongly urge you to listen to the 7 previous podcasts that introduce Kwanzaa and explain each of the days of Kwanzaa.   We learned yesterday that Kuumba or creativity is linked to finding and living your purpose (called Nia). They are both founded on knowing your historical and cultural identity. Your creativity is YOUR unique way of making the world into a better place; a place that is more beautiful, more beneficial and more productive than when you were born. If you have any questions, please contact us at rememberinghistory.com website or the Wiki History Podcast page on Facebook. Stay with us today—everyone is welcome around the Kwanzaa mat (the mkeka)—but please take time to listen to the previous shows.   Let’s prepare ourselves to begin to Kwanzaa celebration for the seventh and final day. Take a deep cleansing breath before the celebration begins or find another way to quiet and focus your thoughts and energy. Perhaps you want to stand and do a few stretching movements. Just take a moment to get centered and ready to begin the celebration. Remember Kwanzaa IS a celebration but please also show respect for this solemn ritual.   Day 7: Imani (faith)   Habari gani! Your response: Imani!   One more time: Habari gani! Imani!   Now please give me the Swahili greeting. (pause) Imani!   The 7th day of Kwanzaa falls on January 1st. That’s right on New Year’s Day.   The last day of Kwanzaa...the first day of the New Year...has been a time of serious appraisal for African people. Also known as the "Day of Meditation" or "Day of Assessment," it is a period of self-reflection related to things done and things yet to be done. Following in this tradition, it is a time to ask yourself AGAIN the following three questions that we started with on Day 1: "Who am I?" - "Am I really who I say I am" - "Am I all I ought to be?" In addition, this is also a day when many Kwanzaa participants choose to pay particular homage to the ancestors...those of the community as well as those of the family.   This seventh day of Kwanzaa is Imani! Again, it means faith. What does faith mean in the context of Kwanzaa?   Dr. Karenga thought of Imani as believing in ourselves, our people, our parents and teachers, our leaders and the righteousnessness and victory of our struggle. It also stresses the importance of our vision for a better community and for a better world.   In the context of African spirituality, faith begins with a belief in the Creator (God) and in the positivity of the creation. Recognizing that all African spiritual traditions believe that we are formed in the image of the Creator, we are capable of self-mastery and development in the context of positive support, the ability to self-correct, care for and be responsible for each other. This allows us to also believe in our ability to create a just and good society. Faith in ourselves is essential.       We must also believe in the value and validity of our struggle for liberation, equality and justice and for a higher level of living. Many people link this to the belief in our capacity to carry out our role in history with dignity. This role is to start a new path and history for other oppressed people and establish a new paradigm for humanity.   This faith gives us the strength to invent, innovate and reach inside ourselves to find our true selves. We must not imitate others, particularly people who do not have our best interests at heart. We have the strength to struggle and ultimately prevail.   In the final analysis, we must have faith in ourselves and the people who support us. With love and understanding, we can step back onto the stage of human history as a free, proud and productive people.   Faith in our Creator (for many African Americans, this would be Jesus Christ) is well-established in the African American community. From the Negro spirituals, AME church, the Church of God in Christ and numerous other churches, faith is our source of strength and our ability to endure and overcome any hardship. And most of our popular leaders have usually emerged from the church. However, it is also been a source of “enslavement” by limiting our options and requiring that we endure and suffer through what should never be endured or suffered. Still, faith in our Creator will undoubtedly remain strong in the African American community as it is rooted in African spiritual traditions.   In modern times, many African Americans are linking their spiritual faith with their cultural heritage. The celebration of Kwanzaa has been the result. And this has enhanced our historical and cultural identity as well as our political expertise and strength. Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X (later el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz), Minister Louis Farrakhan, Reverend Al Sharpton, Reverend Jesse Jackson are modern leaders rooted in faith-based activism. Other leaders who came before them were Bishop Richard Allen who was born into slavery, later purchased his freedom and founded the AME church. Then there was Bishop William J. Seymour who founded the modern Pentacostal church and preached a radical Christianity. I can never forget James Cone who dedicated his life to confronting racism in the United States through his experiences in ministry, education, and authorship. He published the landmark book, A Black Theology of Liberation. Finally, Alexander Crummell was an American scholar, an Episcopalian minister, and founder of the American Negro Academy, which was the first major learned society for African Americans. Alexander Crummel was also an early advocate of African-American self-help and self achievement. There have been many others. And they walked the line between spirituality and progressive politics.   Let’s end here but I want to mention—again—the landmark book by James Cone called Black Theology of Liberation. This is a great book for anyone who thinks that they must choose between spirituality and racial progress. He also wrote God of the Oppressed and Black Theology & Black Power. All were perspective changing books for anyone stuck in the belief that it’s all about the struggle or that we as a people must wait for our “pie in the sky.”   Now let’s prepare to light the Kwanzaa candles:   First, the Black candle (in the middle) is lit. Red candle to the far left is lit Green candle to the far right is lit Then another red candle farthest to the left is lit. Then another green candle farthest to the right is lit. Then final red candle is lit. Last of all will be the green candle.   Take a moment to enjoy the beautifully illuminated candleholder (the kinara). Let’s enjoy the beauty of all seven candles on the kinara.   Now let’s read a story about the concept of Imani, the concept of faith. This final story will be read by my husband, Jonas.   Damon and Pythias (While not an African Folktale, has always been one of my favorite stories and it demonstrates the principle very well.) There was once a king who was thought of as a tyrant. His people hated him. He really wasn't such a bad person, but he had very bad advisors and they did cruel things in his name. They made him believe that he couldn't trust the people. So since he never listened to the people, he never found out what his advisors were doing. Whether he was a bad person or not, he was a bad king. In the town near the king's castle, there was a group of rebels. They decided that the only way to change things was to get rid of this king. They though that if they killed the king, his death would be a warning to the next king. So they held a meeting to see who would volunteer to assassinate the king. Among these rebels was a young man named Pythias. He said that he would volunteer, but that he had to wait for two days, just until his sister was married. Their father was dead and he was the only one who could perform the ceremony so that she could be properly married. They told him that they couldn't wait for two days, because the king was going to be out of the castle that following day on a hunting trip and it would be the only chance to get to him. So finally, Pythias agreed to do it. He was hiding in the forest the next morning with bow and arrow ready, but someone saw him and warned the king before he got a chance to shoot. Pythias was captured and brought before the king. The king's advisor suggested that they bring Pythias to the town center and execute him in front of everybody as an example of what would happen to rebels. Pythias did not regret what he had done. And he accepted his fate, but he pleaded with the king to give him one day to take care of his family business and see his sister properly married. The king laughed and said, "I will let you go if someone else is willing to take your place and die in your place if you fail to return." Now Pythias had a best friend named Damon. Even though Damon was not a rebel, he was a true friend to Pythias. There was nothing they wouldn't do for each other. So Pythias called out to the crowd and asked for someone to find Damon. When Damon was brought there, the king asked if he was willing to take Pythias' place on the gallows until he returned. Much to the amazement of the king, Damon agreed. The king couldn't believe his ears. But since he had made a promise, he had to keep his word. Pythias was released and Damon was chained in his place. Pythias rode as fast as he could, gathered his family together and performed the wedding ceremony. He took care of all his business and was heading back to the town center, when his horse fell and broke its leg. Pythias still had miles to go and he was on foot. Meanwhile, the king, who never believed that Pythias would come back, was telling Damon what a fool he was. "I have never seen anyone so foolish in all my life!" the king said, "He won't come back." "You have never seen true friendship." Damon answered. The king was sure that no man would voluntarily come back to his own execution. But Damon was equally sure that his friend would not leave him to die. Pythias had until midday to return. If he was not back by then, Damon would be killed. Pythias was running until he could hardly breathe, but he didn't slow down. Finally, he saw a man riding by and begged him for a ride. "Please!" he pleaded, "I must return to the town center or my best friend will be executed in my place." Pythias quickly told the man his story and the answered, "It is quite a story you tell. I would never forgive myself if I didn't see it through to the end." Pythias jumped onto the back of the man's horse and they raced to the town center just as the rope was being put around Damon's neck. "Wait!" shouted Pythias, "I am here!" The king was shocked! "I told you he would return." said Damon proudly. "In all my life I have never seen such friendship," said the king, "And now that I have seen it, I could never destroy it. I will let Pythias go free on the condition that you accept me as a friend as well." Damon and Pythias and the king became the best of friends. And with true friends at his side, the king began to see what bad advice he had been taking all those years. He sent away his former advisors and with the advice of Damon and Pythias, he became a just and fair king. If you like, you can discuss this story and what it meant to you. No pressure or demands. This is a time of sharing for those who wish to share. And a time of listening for those who prefer to listen. Now let’s fill and pass the unity cup (kikomba cha umoja). Everyone take a sip. Since this is the final day of Kwanzaa, so we will change from our previous days. At this time, we will stand and hold hands and say:   Harambee! Seven times-- one time for each day of the Kwanzaa ceremony.   Harambee means “let’s pull together!” in Swahili.   Ready?   Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! Harambee!   Now let’s blow out all the candles.   This concludes the celebration of Kwanzaa.     Just a final note, Kwanzaa (or the principles of Kwanzaa) can be celebrated throughout the year, not only in December. Although it is connected with the harvest, it can be recognized every day. That’s actually a good idea; you can focus on one principle each day and how you can incorporate it into your life and pass it on to other people in your life.   Let’s just repeat them now:   Umoja (unity) Kujichagulia (self determination) Ujima (collective work and responsibility) Ujamaa (cooperative economics) Nia (purpose) Kuumba (creativity) Imani (faith)   Congratulations on completing Kwanzaa. And a special thanks to Eshu for his fantastic Kwanzaa stories that you can find at www.folktales.net. And a special thanks to my dear husband Jonas and amazing son for reading some of the Kwanzaa stories on this podcast show.   Let’s come to a close now.   Thanks so much for joining us at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history AND we’re making it. Every day. Bye for now. Harambee!!                    

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani,   I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com and I’m so glad that you’ve come back for this great and groundbreaking show. We’ve been doing something a bit different from our usual podcast show when we talk about different issues affecting the African American community, and discuss the great contributions of African Americans to their communities, the country and world. Today is a very special day because we are continuing with our celebration of Kwanzaa! We are already on day six of this uplifting and inspirational celebration. Today we will focus on the concept of Kuumba, which means creativity.   I’ll begin—as usual--by bidding you the traditional greeting of Kwanzaa in the Swahili language: Habari gani! If you’re just joining us, you’re very glad to have you with us and I would strongly urge you to listen to the 6 previous podcasts shows.   We learned yesterday that Nia or finding and living your purpose is founded on knowing your historical and cultural identity. And that your purpose should be a goal that contributes something great to your community or the world. It must be something larger than yourself and larger than the pursuit of money. I think of it as a “magnificent obsession.” If you haven’t heard the previous Kwanzaa podcasts, I strongly recommend that you do so. If you have any questions, please contact us at rememberinghistory.com website or the Wiki History Podcast page on Facebook. Stay with us today—everyone is welcome around the Kwanzaa mat (the mkeka)—but please take time to listen to the previous shows.   Let’s prepare ourselves to begin to Kwanzaa celebration for the sixth day. Sometimes I take a deep cleansing breath before the celebration begins to quiet and focus myself. Perhaps you want to stand and do a few stretching movements. Just take a moment to get centered and ready to begin the celebration. Remember Kwanzaa IS a celebration but please also show respect for this solemn ritual.   Day 6: Kuumba (creativity)   Habari gani! Your response: Kuumba!   Let’s do it again: Habari gani! Kuumba!   Now please give me the Swahili greeting. (pause) Kuumba!   The 6th day of Kwanzaa falls on December 31st and it is an extra special day! As it is New Year’s Eve, the day is an especially festive day because it marks the last day of the calendar year.   On this special final day of the year, the home is specially decorated with traditional Kwanzaa colors of black, red and green. Special dishes are made for the family and guests. On December 31, families and communities hold a karamu which is a special feast, including readings, remembrances and a festive meal. The karamu feast may consist of traditional African dishes, as well as those featuring ingredients that Africans brought to the United States...sesame seeds, peanuts, sweet potatoes, collard greens and spicy sauces, for example. This celebration may be held at a home, church or community center.   The sixth day of Kwanzaa is Kuumba! Again, it means creativity. Everyone has a different vision of creativity so let’s ask what does creativity mean in the context of Kwanzaa?   Dr. Karenga thought of Kuumba as always doing as much as we can in the way that we can in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than when we inherited it.   Kuumba follows logically from the principle of Nia. (Nia means purpose which we discussed it yesterday). Kuumba is the commitment to expressing your creativity within the context of your purpose (your magnificent obsession). It is the commitment to leave the community and your world in a better position than when you came into them.   This principle was deeply rooted in ancient Egyptian culture. Creativity was considered both an original act of the Creator (or God) and a restorative act of God. There was a spiritual and ethical commitment and obligation to constantly renew and restore the legacy of the ancestors and the great works of history. This was considered as Ma’at, which we discussed in the first day of Kwanzaa called Umoja or unity. Each pharaoh saw his or her reign as a reaffirmation and renewal of the good, the beautiful and the right.   Creativity is viewed much differently in modern western culture, including African American culture. In that context, it is viewed as a method of personal and individual expression. Perhaps the missing element is the Nia, which links creativity to a larger purpose serving humanity. However, Kuumba is rooted in African philosophy and, therefore, is a part of African American heritage. Regaining and reconnecting with our historical and cultural identity is an essential step toward expressing our Kuumba and finding our Nia. These principles are, indeed, closely connected, both being dependent on learning and teaching African (and African American) history, culture and traditions.   For more information, return to the resources on purpose by WEB Dubois and Franz Fanon.   Now let’s prepare to light the Kwanzaa candles:   First, the Black candle (in the middle) is lit. Next we will light the red candle then a green candle. Then another red candle then a green candle. Finally we end with a red candle.   Take a moment to enjoy the beautifully lit candleholder (the kinara).   Not let’s read a story about the concept of Kuumba.   Just a short note. This story involves a *Griot (Pronounced Gree-Oh). A griot is a name for the traditional Storyteller and Historian in parts of West Africa. Let’s begin:   Anansi Writes a Song A lion named Simba was ruler of a small kingdom called Korro. A traveling griot* came to his village to give a performance. He played the Kora and sang stories about great men and women and the deeds they'd done. He sang about things going on all across the wide world. The king and everyone around enjoyed the music very much. When he was finished, the bard asked king Simba for a small token in exchange for his performance. Simba went into a rage! "You dare ask me for a gift!? You should be honored to have me listen! You should give me a gift!" Simba was so angry that he ordered his servants to give the griot fifty lashes. The griot returned home and told his friends what happened to him at King Simba's court. They were shocked and angry to hear of the meanness of the king. Anansi was among the friends of this griot and he decided to write a song to let everyone know how they felt about Simba. It went like this. Simba the Lion, king of Korro, He is fat and very flabby. Simba the Lion, king of Korro, He's a fool whose mane is shabby. Simba the Lion, king of Korro, his face is ugly, his teeth are few. Simba the Lion, king of Korro, He wrote the song with a very catchy tune and people all over the countryside began to sing it. Women sang it while they were cleaning clothes at the river. Children sang it during their games. Men sang it while digging yams. It was heard at dances and festivals. Soon it was known all over Africa. When the king heard the song, he sent for the griot he had mistreated and asked him, "Who has written this song about me?" "It was Anansi who wrote the song, but everyone sings it," responded the griot. "I will give you much money if you tell him to stop the song." Simba promised. But the griot refused saying, " A thing once it is done cannot be undone. You did not have to have me beaten, but you did. And now you cannot undo it. Anansi did not have to write the song, but he did. Now the song is alive among the people. It cannot be taken back." Anansi's song about Simba is still sung to this day. Simba the Lion, king of Korro, He is fat and very flabby. Simba the Lion, king of Korro, He's a fool whose mane is shabby. Simba the Lion, king of Korro, his face is ugly, his teeth are few. Simba the Lion, king of Korro. The End. KUUMBA — Creativity   If you like, you can discuss this story and what it meant to you. No pressure or demands. This is a time of sharing for those who wish to share. And a time of listening for those who prefer to listen. Now let’s fill and pass the unity cup (kikomba cha umoja). Everyone take a sip. Pause and reflect on the concept of Kuumba (creativity) and how you can bring more beauty and benefit to your world in your own special or unique way. Try to think of your special gifts and how they can be used to uplift humanity. Then blow out the candles. This concludes Day 6 of the Kwanzaa celebration. Again I want to thank Eshu Bumpus for providing this story about creativity. This story was written by Eshu who is an accomplished storyteller and expert on Kwanzaa. You might know that storytelling has strong roots in African culture as a method of teaching and transforming as well as entertainment. Eshu has a website called www.folktales.net. Thank you for participating in Day 6 of Kwanzaa with us. Remember to visit us on our Facebook page called Wiki History if you need more information or want to share your Kwanzaa experiences with us. We hope to see you tomorrow at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri. (Kwanzaa YEH-Noo ee-wah nah heh-REE). Happy Kwanzaa!

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com and I’m so glad that you’ve come back for this great and groundbreaking show. We’ve been doing something a bit different from our usual podcast show when we talk about different issues affecting the African American community, and discuss the great contributions of African Americans to their communities, the country and world. Today is a very special day because we are continuing with our celebration of Kwanzaa! We are already on day five of this uplifting and inspirational celebration. Today we will focus on the concept of Nia which means purpose.   I’ll begin by bidding you the traditional greeting of Kwanzaa in the Swahili language: Habari gani! If you’re just joining us, you’re very glad to have you with us and I would strongly urge you to listen to the 5 previous podcasts: the introduction to Kwanzaa podcast, the first day of Kwanzaa podcast (called umoja or unity), and the second day of Kwanzaa podcast (called kujichagulia or self-determination), day 3 of the Kwanzaa podcast which is called Ujima and yesterday, we did day four of Kwanzaa, which is called Ujamaa.   We learned yesterday that cooperative economics of Ujamaa) is a commitment to shared social wealth and working not only to help people that are disadvantaged or impoverished, but actually ending poverty itself. We learned that Julius Nyerere (who was the first president of Tanzania) was a strong advocate of Ujamaa or African socialism for his people and he was much beloved by them. Remember they called him Mwalimu, which is a name for a beloved and respected teacher. And you might remember that Dr. Martin Luther King fought against poverty and materialism, which he said created a sick society. He was a true radical. If you haven’t heard the previous Kwanzaa podcasts, I strongly recommend that you do so. If you have any questions, please contact us at rememberinghistory.com website or the Wiki History Podcast page on Facebook. Stay with us today—everyone is welcome around the Kwanzaa mat (the mkeka)—but please take time to listen to the previous shows.   Let’s prepare ourselves to begin to Kwanzaa celebration for the fifth day. Sometimes I take a deep cleansing breath before the celebration begins but I always find some way to quiet and focus myself. Perhaps you want to stand and do a few stretching movements. Just take a moment to get centered and ready to begin the celebration. Remember Kwanzaa IS a celebration but please also show respect for this solemn ritual.   Day 4: Nia (Purpose)   Habari gani! Your response: Nia!   Let’s do it again: Habari gani! Nia!   Now please give me the Swahili greeting. (pause) Nia!   The fifth day of Kwanzaa is Nia! It means purpose. That’s a rather vague concept so let’s ask what does purpose mean in the context of Kwanzaa?   Dr. Karenga thought of Nia as building our communities together, maintaining them, and restoring them to greatness.   Nia is essentially a commitment to the collective vocation of building, developing and defending our national community, its culture and history in order to regain our historical initiative and greatness as a people. This requires an understanding that our role in human history has been and remains a significant one and that we, as an African people share in the grand human legacy that Africa has given to the world. We have the legacy of not only being the fathers and mothers of humanity but also the fathers and mothers of human civilization. It’s unacceptable that we who are the fathers and mothers of human civilization have been playing the role of cultural children of the world. The principle of Nia brings awareness to our purpse in light of our historical and cultural identity.   Inherent in this discussion of deriving purpose from our historical and cultural identity is the focus on generational responsibility. Franz Fanon (remember him from our discussion of self-determination/kujichagulia) poses this responsibility in competing terms by saying “each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission and then fulfill or betray it. He suggests that this “mission” should be framed within the larger context of the needs, hopes and aspirations of the people. He goes further to state that each of us is morally and culturally obligated to participate in creating a context of maximum freedom and development of the people.   Finally, Nia suggests that personal and social purpose do not conflict but rather complement each other. The highest form of personal purpose is, in the final analysis, a social purpose. And a social purpose is a personal purpose that translates into a vocation and commitment which involves and benefits the collective whole AND gives fullness and mean to a person’s life in a way that individualistic and isolated pursuits cannot.   According to the Nia concept, true greatness and growth can never occur in isolation or at another’s expense. African philosophy teaches that we are first and foremost social beings who reality and relevance are root in the quality and kinds of relationships that we have with others. WEB Dubois (a scholar who wrote the Souls of Black Folk) stressed education of social contribution and rejected vulgar careerism rooted in the sole pursuit of money. This reiterates that purpose is not to simply create money markers but to cultivate men and women capable of social and human exchange on a larger and more meaningful scale, men and women of culture and social conscience, men and women of vision and values that expand the human project of freedom and development rather than diminish it.   Wow, there is a lot of relevance and reflection for African Americans! Understanding our purpose from the perspective of a historical and cultural identity requires us to KNOW our historical and cultural identity. Yet this has been denied to us since the day that we were brought to the United States. African history is not taught in elementary or high school. It is available at the college level but, by that time, African American children have already learned many myths about the continent. These myths make African American children embarrassed or ashamed of their African roots. And this disinformation is difficult to override after it is learned.         So, the African American community is challenged with teaching African history, its greatness and glory and its cultural traditions to the next generation. Because with the historical and cultural identity, finding and pursuing one’s true and higher purpose is difficult and confusing.   It is important to pursue the highest and loftiest purpose that uplifts and develops the community and world. And this need not conflict with one’s personal (or career) goals. However, this can conflict with western philosophy that focuses on the materialistic and “me-first” goals of the individual over the development of the community. Yet this philosophy remains deeply present in the African American community though it is often disparaged. But, when considered with the other communitarian principles of Kwanzaa, it shows that our fates are connected. When one African is suffering, all Africans are suffering. And when any African American is suffering, all African Americans are suffering. African Americans have shown their understanding in this principle through their courage and efforts during the slavery period, the struggle for civil rights and the Black empowerment—political and economic--movements.  But the development of a purpose that is a true expression of one is based on knowing one’s historical and cultural identity. And African Americans are learning and teaching this as never before in our history. On that high note, let’s move to the next part of the Kwanzaa celebration of Nia.   But quickly let me just mention that I strongly encourage everyone to read Franz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth and The Souls of Black Folk by WEB Dubois. These are books to read again and again and keep in your library. Then pass them on to your children.   Now, let’s light another green candle.   We will light a lot of candles today so let me just say the order:   Black candle (in the middle) is lit first. Then the Red candle to the far left is lit Next the Green candle to the far right is lit Then the red candle farthest to the left is lit. Then (today) another green candle farthest to the right is lit. (pause)   Take a moment to enjoy the beautiful lit candleholder (the kinara).   Not let’s read a story about the concept of Nia.   The Name of the Tree  Once there was a terrible drought in the land of the animals. A kindly king came from over the mountain and planted a special tree. He told them that this tree would bear fruit all year round in any kind of weather. All they had to do to get the fruit was to speak its name. The name of the tree was Oowungalema. The animals thanked the kind old king and he returned to his own land, which was far over the mountain. The animals then sounded the Great Drum to call everyone for miles around. When all were gathered at the tree, the lion asked Anansi to speak the name of the tree. "I thought you were going to remember the name!" said Anansi. "I don't remember the name!" said the lion, "Someone must know it!" They asked everyone who had been there when the old king planted the tree, but not one of them could remember the name of the tree. They decided to send someone to ask the king for the name. They were all very hungry, so they decided to send someone fast. They sent the hare. The hare ran as fast as he could through villages, across the river, through the bush, over the mountain and straight to the court of the kindly old king. The king told him, "The name of the tree is Oowungalema." The hare ran back, repeating the name to himself as he went along. On the way home, he stopped at the river to rest and take a drink. The water was nice and cool. It felt good after all that running. The hare splashed around for a while to cool himself off, then he got out of the water and started back to the tree. When he got back, the animals all cheered. "Now we can have the fruit! " they shouted. Hare went up to the tree to speak the name, "Oomagamoomoo, no, oobapadoopa, Noomooogamooga" Try as he might, the hare just couldn't remember the name. "We have to send someone else." Lion said at last. So the springbok was sent. She ran all the way to the king over the mountain and tried to keep the name in her head all the way home, but coming through the forest, she tripped over a root and bumped her head. The name was lost again. Next they sent Leopard, but on the way back he started chasing a monkey who was teasing him. He forgot the name as well. Many others tried and failed until finally, the tortoise asked if she might go. Most of the animals laughed because the tortoise is so slow. "Give her a chance!" Anansi said, "She may succeed where the rest of us have failed." The tortoise went to her mother and asked, "What do you do if you must remember something very important?" Her mother told her to keep repeating it no matter what happens. So the tortoise set out on her journey. When she reached the king over the mountain, he said, "The name of the tree is Oowungalema." Tortoise kept repeating it over and over to herself all the way home. When the monkeys teased her in the forest, she only said, " Oowungalema." When she passed by the river and the sound of the water made her thirsty, she looked at the water and said, "Oowungalema." And when she got near her house and her children came running to her, she only said, "Oowungalema." Finally, the tortoise came to the tree. All the other animals were anxiously waiting. The lion spoke, "Tortoise, please speak the name of the tree." Tortoise said, "Oowungalema." At last, the animals were able to eat the fruit. Everyone was grateful to the tortoise who kept to her purpose where every one else had failed. The end. If you like, you can discuss this story and what it meant to you. No pressure or demands. This is a time of sharing for those who wish to share. And a time of listening for those who prefer to listen. Now let’s fill and pass the unity cup (kikomba cha umoja). Everyone take a sip. Pause and reflect on the concept of Nia (or purpose) and what you feel is your TRUE purpose in life. Try to think of it as something that is bigger than just you, something that can move and uplift humanity. Then blow out the candles. (pause) This concludes Day 5 of the Kwanzaa celebration. Again I want to thank Eshu Bumpus for providing this story about collective work and responsibility. This story was written by Eshu who is an accomplished storyteller and expert on Kwanzaa. Eshu has a website called www.folktales.net. Thank you for participating in Day 5 of Kwanzaa with us. Remember to visit us on our Facebook page called Wiki History if you need more information or want to share your Kwanzaa experiences with us. We hope to see you tomorrow at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri. (Kwanzaa YEH-Noo ee-wah nah heh-REE). Happy Kwanzaa!          

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com.   I’m so glad that you’ve come back for this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history and culture. And today is a very special day because we are continuing with our celebration of Kwanzaa! We are already on day four of this uplifting and inspirational celebration. Today we will focus on Ujamaa.   So, I’ll bid you the traditional greeting of Kwanzaa in the Swahili language: Habari gani! If you’re just joining us, you’re very welcome but I would strongly urge you to listen to the 4 previous podcasts: the introduction to Kwanzaa podcast, the first day of Kwanzaa podcast (called umoja or unity), and the second day of Kwanzaa podcast (called kujichagulia or self-determination) and day 3 which is called Ujima.   We learned yesterday that collective work and responsibility (or Ujima) is a commitment to active and informed togetherness on matters of common interest. And we learned a powerful lesson that African freedom is indivisible, meaning that if any African anywhere is oppressed then all Africans are oppressed. If you haven’t heard the previous Kwanzaa podcasts, I strongly recommend that you do so. If you have any questions, please contact us at rememberinghistory.com website or the Wiki History Podcast page on Facebook. Stay with us today—everyone is welcome around the Kwanaa mat (the mkeka)—but please take time to listen to the previous shows.   Let’s prepare ourselves to begin to Kwanzaa celebration for the fourth day. Sometimes I take a deep cleansing breath before the celebration begins but I always find some way to quiet and focus myself. Remember Kwanzaa is a celebration but please remember to show respect for the solemn ritual.   Day 4: Ujamaa (cooperative economics)   Habari gani! Your response: Ujamaa!   Let’s do it again: Habari gani! Ujamaa!   Now please give me the Swahili greeting. (pause) Ujamaa!   The fourth day of Kwanzaa is Ujamaa! It means cooperative economics. That’s a strange and curious term but what IS cooperative economics?   Dr. Karenga (remember he founded Kwanzaa) said that cooperative economics means to build our own businesses, control the economics of our own community and share in all its work and wealth.   It sounds like a complicated term but it is actually quite simple. Ujamaa (cooperative economics) is a commitment to the practice of shared social wealth and the work necessary to achieve it. Cooperative economics is built on the fundamental communal concept that social wealth belongs to the masses of people who created it and that no one should have more than his or her fair share. It is the principle and practice of shared wealth. I really like that the Kwanzaa principles are not just theoretical but require action and practical effects.   One famous African president strongly believed in Ujamaa. He was Julius Nyerere, the first president of Tanzania, following colonialism. Much loved by Tanzanians and the British, Nyerere (known to most people as Mwalimu, meaning teacher) was an African socialist who strongly believed in Ujamaa. He said, “Ujamaa is based on the assumption of human equality, on the belief that it is wrong for one person to dominate or exploit another , and on the knowledge that every individual hopes to live in a society as a free person able to lead a decent life, in conditions of peace with his or her neighbor.” Mwalimu (President Nyerere) told us that ujamaa is above all human centered, concerened foremost with the well-being, happiness and development of the human person.     Ujamaa also stresses self-reliance in the building, strengthening and control of the economics of the community. Mwalimu said that we must depend on ourselves and our own resources. Closely related to self-reliance is the respect for the dignity and obligation of work and appreciation for the value of work. Inherent in this belief is harnessing our resources and putting them to the best possible use. All of this is for the community and society at large.   A strong (though possibly not obvious) element of ujamaa is generosity. Generosity is thought to generate its own reward. An African proverb (in the book of Ani) says “small gifts return greater and what is replaced brings abundance.” And the Book of Ptah-Hoptep teaches “be generous as long as you live. What goes into the storehouse should come out. for the bread is made to be shared.”   This is an ancient African ethic of care and responsibility which forms the concept of shared wealth. This ethic is expressed in one of the earliest books—called the Book of Coming Forth by Day—which defines generosity as “one who has given bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, clothes to the naked and a boat to those without one.” In fact, many of the ancient writings in Egypt and other parts of Africa express the ethic of responsibility and shared social wealth. In modern philosophy, the concept of shared social wealth is not simply to be generous to the poor and vulnerable but ultimately to end their poverty and vulnerability so that they too can live a decent, un-deprived and meaningful life.   As African Americans, we can also think of ways to be generous. How can we help our communities? How can we work to end poverty? What is our vision of a shared social wealth?   Volunteering and donating money are both admirable and necessary to help others. But how can we envision an end to poverty in the African American community and on a global scale? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while fighting for social justice, was also working for economic justice and an end to poverty.             Most people are not familiar with Dr. King’s attack on poverty as an evil pervasive in American society. His dream of a more free and democratic America and world morphed into a nightmare owning to the persistence of racism, poverty, militarism and materialism. (These are Dr. King’s words!) This is the Radical King that was committed to looking beyond race and instead looked to concentrations of economic power and pockets of economic weakness or deprivation. So, we can think and envision a world in which poverty no longer exists rather than accept that it is simply a fact of life. Like Mwalimu (Julius Nyerere) and Dr. King, we can envision a world based on shared wealth. For more information, refer to the book, The Radical King by Cornel West. This book shows the radical, intellectual and visionary that was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essential and eye-opening book.     Remembering Julius Nyerere in Tanzania. History, Memory, Legacy by Marie-Aude Fouéré If you’re interested in learning more about Julius Nyerere—and I hope that you are—this is a great introduction to this lesser known post-colonial African leader.   The Book of Going Forth by Day Yes, it’s a real book!   Let’s end the discussion about cooperative economics and move to the next step in the Kwanzaa celebration.   It is now time to light another red candle to the right.   It is now time to hear a Kwanzaa story about cooperative economics.     If you like, you can discuss this story and what it meant to you. No pressure or demands. This is a time of sharing for those who wish to share. And a time of listening for those who prefer to listen. Now let’s fill and pass the unity cup (kikomba cha umoja). Everyone take a sip. Pause and reflect on the concept of ujamaa (cooperative economics) and how you can work to help people suffering in poverty or other disadvantages. Try to envision a world without poverty. Yes, it’s possible. Then blow out the candles. This concludes Day 4 of the Kwanzaa celebration. I just want to thank Eshu Bumpus for providing this story about collective work and responsibility. This story was written by Eshu who is an accomplished storyteller and expert on Kwanzaa. You might know that storytelling has strong roots in African culture as a method of teaching and transforming as well as entertainment. Eshu has a website called www.folktales.net. I am so grateful that he has agreed to allow us to present his stories on this Wiki history podcast. Thank you for participating in Day 4 of Kwanzaa with us. Remember to visit us on our Facebook page called Wiki History if you need more information or want to share your Kwanzaa experiences with us. We hope to see you tomorrow at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri. (Kwanzaa YEH-Noo ee-wah nah heh-REE). Happy Kwanzaa!                

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com.   I’m so glad that you’ve joined us for this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history and culture. Remember boring stuff is NEVER allowed at the Wiki History podcast show so get ready for exciting stuff today—the third day of our Kwanzaa celebration.   So, I’ll bid you the traditional greeting of Kwanzaa in the Swahili language: Habari gani! If you’re just joining us, you’re very welcome but I would strongly urge you to listen to the 3 previous podcasts: the introductory podcast show, the first day of Kwanzaa podcast (called umoja or unity), and the second day of Kwanzaa podcast (called kujichagulia or self-determination).   We learned yesterday that self-determination (or kujichagulia) is a commitment to learning about yourself, your history and culture and the practice of your history, culture and just being you. Listening to our podcast show will help so I really recommend it. If you have any questions, please contact us at rememberinghistory.com website or the Wiki History Podcast page on Facebook.   Let’s prepare ourselves to begin. Sometimes I take a deep cleansing breath before the celebration begins but I always find some way to quiet and focus myself. Remember Kwanzaa is a celebration but please remember to show respect for the ritual.   Day 3: Ujima (collective work and responsibility)   Habari gani! Your response: Ujima!   Let’s do it again: Habari gani! Ujima!   Now please give me the Swahili greeting. (pause) Ujima!   Yes, the third day of Kwanzaa is Ujima! It means collective work and responsibility. But what IS collective work and responsbility?   Dr. Karenga says that Ujima means “to build and maintain our community together and to make our Brother’s and our sister’s problems, our problems and to solve them together.”   Examining ujima (or collective work and responsibility) shows that it is a commitment to active and informed togetherness, particularly on matters of common interest. It is also recognition and respect of the fact that WITHOUT collective work and responsibility, progress is impossible and freedom unthinkable. This makes us think about a collective identity and a collective future.   Ujima, as a principle and practice, means that we accept responsibility for (collective responsibility for) our failures and setback as well as our victories and achievements. This shows that African freedom is indivisible. As long as any African is oppressed, exploited, enslaved or wounded, all African people are. Clearly, this rejects the concept of individual freedom. Instead it shows the need for humanism though not an abstract or escapism type of humanism. Ujima supports humanism that begins with commitment to and concern for other human beings.   Finally, ujima can be seen in terms of the challenge of culture and history. Labor—on the personal level and collective level—is at the center of history and culture because it is the fundamental way that we create ourselves, define ourselves, develop ourselves and confirm ourselves as people.   The challenge that we are faced with is how to restore that which was damaged or destroyed in our history and culture. And we must remember that we are each a cultural representative of our people and have no right to misrepresent them or willfully do less than is demanded of us by our history and culture.   Collective work and responsibility remains a strong mindset in the African American community. Yet it is also misunderstood, probably because of the immersion in African American culture in the broader western culture of individualism in the United States. This could also be an example of the destructive effects of slavery. Not only did African slavery destroyed tens of millions of lives but it also destroyed great cultural achievements, created technological and cultural arrest, thereby eroding and limiting the human possibility that Africa could have offered to the world. This is often forgotten or diminished.   There have been groups within the African American community that have lived and operated under the principle of Ujima. The Black Panther Party is a prime example in its internal operations but also in its commitment to uplift the community through various different—and successful—programs. The Nation of Islam also focused and continues to focus on collective work and responsibility in the Black community. These groups and many others within the Black community have shown the strength and commitment to put the collective above the individual, knowing that the individual benefits best in this environment. Also the recognition that progress is impossible with the collective effort is taking hold and staying at the forefront of African American consciousness.   For more information, read   The Black Panther Party: Service to the People Programs. The book discusses the different and revolutionary social programs started and operated by the Black Panther Party. Its Free Breakfast Program served as a model for national programs. Other initiatives included free clinics, grocery giveaways, school and education programs, senior programs, and legal aid programs. These programs addressed the persistent social and economic injustices in the United States. This is a great introduction to the social injustices but also shows that people, working and planning together, can make huge progress.   Let’s end the discussion about collective work and responsibility and move to the next step in the Kwanzaa celebration.   It is now time to light the green candle farthest to the right.   It is now time to hear a Kwanzaa story about collective work and responsibility.   The Great Drum  The lion sent out a message for all the animals to come to a very special meeting.  Messengers went far and wide to spread the news of this meeting. As soon as the animals heard the message, they hurried right away to the council circle. It was about three weeks before they were all gathered. The lion was very disappointed.  "We have got to find a way to get everyone together more quickly!" shouted the lion.  Anansi had an idea. "What we need," he explained, "Is a great drum, one that can be heard all over the forest. When the great drum is sounded, everyone will know right away and come swiftly to meetings."  Everyone agreed that this was a fine idea. The animals were divided into groups, each group taking on a different part in the construction of the drum. The first group cut down a large tree.  The second group trimmed off all the branches. The next group hollowed out the tree.  Then sculptors worked to decorate the drum. They worked hard through many days. On their way home at the end of each day, they would sing;  Life is labor, We are tired and hot, We work so hard, Because we work for our people. Everyone worked except the monkey. While the others labored, he found a nice shady spot to hide and eat berries all day long.  When they were on their way back to the village, Monkey would join them as though he had been working with them all along.  Monkey sang: Life is labor, I am tired and hot, I work so hard, Because I work for my people. Anansi watched and knew exactly what Monkey was doing, but Anansi said nothing.  When the Great Drum was finished, it had to be brought to the council circle. The problem was that the Drum was very heavy and no one wanted to carry it. It was then that  Anansi spoke up.  "Since no one wants to carry the Great Drum and we have all worked so hard already, I suggest that the laziest person among us carry the Drum."  All the animals thought this was a good plan. Each of them looked around, trying to think who among them was laziest. Who hadn't they seen working? First one looked at Monkey, then another and soon all eyes rested on the monkey.  Monkey stepped out into the center of the circle and announced, "I just want to make one thing perfectly clear. I will not carry that drum!"  All the animals laughed. Anansi said, "No one mentioned your name, Monkey. All we said was that the laziest person should carry the Drum."  People were wondering to themselves, who was laziest among them. But the monkey did not have to wonder. He knew very well who was laziest. He came forward and made it clear when he spoke.  So it was agreed that the monkey had to carry the Great Drum to the council circle. The end.         If you like, you can discuss this story and what it meant to you. No pressure or demands. This is a time of sharing for those who wish to share. And a time of listening for those who prefer to listen. Now let’s fill and pass the unity cup (kikomba cha umoja). Everyone take a sip. Pause and reflect on the concept of ujima (collective work and responsibility) and how you can work together with others to resolve problems. Of course, this is just a suggestion. Ujima has many layers and any of them can give cause for reflection. Then blow out the candle. This concludes Day 3 of the Kwanzaa celebration. I just want to thank my son Benjamin Eshu Bumpus for providing this story about collective work and responsibility. This story was written by Eshu who is an accomplished storyteller and expert on Kwanzaa. You might know that storytelling has strong roots in African culture as a method of teaching and transforming as well as entertainment. Eshu has a website called www.folktales.net. I am so grateful that he has agreed to allow us to present his stories on this Wiki history podcast. Thank you for participating in Day 3 of Kwanzaa with us. Remember to visit us on our Facebook page called Wiki History if you need more information or want to share your Kwanzaa experiences with us. We hope to see you tomorrow at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri. (Kwanzaa YEH-Noo ee-wah nah heh-REE). Happy Kwanzaa!                  

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com.   I’m so glad that you’ve joined us for this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history and culture. rememberinghistory.com or at this Wiki history podcast show. Remember boring stuff is NEVER allowed at the Wiki History podcast show so get ready for exciting stuff today—the second day of our Kwanzaa celebration.   So, I’ll bid you the traditional greeting of Kwanzaa in the Swahili language: Habari gani! If you’re just joining us, you’re very welcome but I would strongly urge you to listen to the introductory podcast show on Kwanzaa and the show about the first day of Kwanzaa called Umoja, which means unity.   We learned yesterday that unity (or umoja) is the foundational principle AND practice of the Kwanzaa celebration so it’s important to learn about unity. Listening to our podcast show will help so I really recommend it. If you have any questions, please contact us at rememberinghistory.com website or the Wiki History Podcast page on Facebook.   Definitely stay with us today but, when you get a chance, I think that you will learn a lot about what Kwanzaa is, who started it and why it was founded in 1966 and the importance of unity on which all the other principles are based. Always good to have background information. Knowledge is power.   Let’s prepare ourselves to begin.   Day 2: Kujichagulia (or self-determination)   Habari gani! Your response: Kujichagulia!   Let’s do it again: Habari gani! Kujichagulia!   Now please give me the Swahili greeting. (pause) Kujichagulia!   Yes, the second day of Kwanzaa is Kujichagulia! It means self-determination. But what is self-determination?   Dr. Karenga said self-determination is: To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.   This is a particularly important concept for African Americans. But first let’s go a little more deeply into examining the principle.   Self-determination (I will use the English word) is both a commitment and a practice. It demands that we, as an African people, define, defend and develop ourselves instead of encouraging others to do this for us. It requires that we learn, accept and embody our history and culture and commit to shape our world in our own image. It is also a call to bring our own unique perspective to the world and speak its truth to the world.   Self-determination is a fundamental part* of freedom and of being a free people. For that reason, we also want the world to reflect our truth and perspective, our image AND our interest. Before we are able to reflect this to the world, we must as individuals, develop a strong sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance.   The great Franz Fanon (who wrote the groundbreaking book, The Wretched of the Earth), has said that each person must ask himself or herself three questions:   Who am I? Am I really who I say I am? Am I all that I ought to be?   Yes, those are not easy questions, but they are important even essential to self-awareness and self-acceptance as a prelude to self-determination. They are not simply questions of personal identity, but more profoundly, they are also questions of history and culture. They are questions of understanding and accepting a collective identity.   Returning to the three questions.   Who am I? To answer this question requires the individual to know and live one’s history and to practice one’s culture.   Am I really who I say I am? To answer this question requires the individual to have an employ a level of cultural authenticity, discerning between what is merely appearance and what is fundamental, what is culturally rooted and what is foreign.     Am I all that I ought to be? To answer this question requires the individual to use ethical and cultural standards to measure individuality and personhood. To examine the quality of one’s thought and practice in the context of who they are at this time and who they want to be now and in the future.   These are not easy questions or self-examinations but they are important exercises to attain a full level of self-realization. They are important for exercising your rights to freedom. Freedom is not free and self-examination is one cost of it.   For African Americans, this is particularly important because self-determination was denied to us in the United States. As enslaved persons, we were denied EVERY type of power or right to live as free persons and to pursue a self-determined path. That also involved the denial of our African history, language, and culture. After the end of slavery, African Americans were STILL denied this right and power. We were given labels rather than being allowed to name ourselves. We were denied a proper education, the right to vote, the right to own property, to travel, to marry whom we chose, and many other fundamental rights to determine and shape our lives and our future. That is why the celebration of Kwanzaa is so important as it helps us to remember and connect with our heritage. And Carter G. Woodson founded Black History month (today called African American history month) for the same reason. He said, “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.”   But the commitment to self-determination was ALWAYS present in Black people even after we first landed in America. (This is not a surprise since this concept is an integral part of African cultures.) So, we fought for freedom. We have fought for equality. And we fought to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves. (Dr. Karenga was right about that.) But the struggle continues. For rights and powers individually and collectively. Learning our history and culture is an important. Practicing our culture is important.   So that ends the discussion of self-determination (or kujichagulia—I felt the need to use the Swahili word, exercising my right to use my language of choice). Please remember to ask yourself: Who am I? Am I really who I say I am? Am I all that I ought to be? Ask yourself every day. And I strongly encourage you to read The Wretched of the Earth by Franz Fanon. He was a true warrior for freedom and self-determination of the African people. His book is life-changing.   It is now time to light the red candle farthest to the left.   It is now time to hear a Kwanzaa story about self-determination.   The Three Tests Once, long ago three tigers came to Africa. They went to the country of the animals and made this terrible announcement. "From now on, this land will be ruled by the Tigers. We are, after all, the strongest, fastest and wisest of all animals. Therefore, we are the only fit rulers." they claimed. A little mouse spoke up from the crowd, " But we have a council where we make our decisions together, we don't need or want any ruler." One of the tigers let out a roar so loud and fierce that the poor mouse started running and didn't stop until he was in the land of the humans. To this day, he lives in the houses of humans. Her cousin, the field mouse misses her terribly. The other animals didn't like the idea much either, but they looked at those tigers' big claws and sharp teeth and were afraid to speak. These tigers were even bigger than the lion. "We will collect taxes and we'll also change the name of this country. From now on, this will be Tigerland and you will call yourselves servants of the tigers." they said. Finally, Anansi spoke. "Great tigers, it is clear that you are strong, fast and wise, but just so that everyone will know for sure that you are stronger, faster and wiser than anyone else, let us have a contest." Anansi suggested. The tigers liked the idea, so Anansi continued. "Let us prepare ourselves, then tomorrow we will choose someone to compete against each of you." So the tigers left and the animals held a private meeting to discuss what to do. The next morning, the animals were ready. The tigers came to the council circle. The strongest tiger spoke first. "Who will compete against me?" he asked. "I will." said the tiny voice of the field mouse. The tiger laughed until he cried. "This will not take long." he said. "Who will race me?" roared the swiftest tiger. "I will." said the tortoise. "This is no contest at all!" shouted the tigers. Hare told the third tiger, " I must bring you to the home of the owl. She is the wisest of all creatures." "We will see," said the tiger. First was the contest of strength. The field mouse brought the tiger to a large clearing. They each stood at one edge of the clearing with one end of a rope. Between them was placed hundreds of big thorn bushes. When she gave a signal of two short tugs on the rope, the tiger was to start pulling. The loser would get dragged across the thorns. The tiger laughed at the little mouse and said that he was ready. She gave the signal, and the tiger began to pull. What he didn't know was that behind the field mouse, standing in the forest was a great bull elephant holding onto the rope. So while the tiger pulled on one end, the elephant pulled on the other. The tiger got dragged all the way through the thorn bushes yelling, " Ouch! OOOCH! Ouch! Ouch!" all the way. "If this is how strong the mice are, I would hate to see what the other animals can do!" he shouted.  Next was the race. The tortoise brought the fastest tiger to a five-mile stretch of road in the forest. At each mile marker, one of tortoise's cousins was hiding. (To the tiger they would all look alike.) When the race began, Tiger went zooming away, leaving the tortoise in his dust. As he was coming to the first mile marker, the tiger was laughing to himself. "How could a tortoise think he could outrun me?" he said. Just then, Tortoise came out from his hiding place behind the mile marker. "What took you so long, Mr. Tiger?" he asked politely. Tiger was shocked. "How did you get here so fast?!" he screamed. Tortoise didn't answer. He just slowly plodded off toward the next marker. The tiger zoomed past him and ran at top speed to the second mile-marker, only to find Tortoise sitting there waiting. "I really thought tigers were faster than this." he said, sounding very disappointed. "I'll beat you yet!" shouted the tiger as he sped to the next marker. At this third marker, Tortoise was sitting down playing a game of Mankala with Anansi and laughing about how easy the race was. Tiger couldn't believe his eyes. At the fourth marker, Tortoise was asleep, snoring loudly. Tiger sped by him so fast that he left the tortoise spinning like a top. Finally, tiger was racing toward the finish line. Tortoise was nowhere in sight. Tiger was running at full speed. Nothing could stop him now. Yet, as he got closer to the line, he noticed a little round thing sitting there. It must be a rock he told himself. But as he got closer, he saw that little head and those four little legs and he knew. Tortoise was already there! "It's impossible!" he screamed. But no matter how much he screamed, it didn't change the fact that Tortoise had won the race.  Now the hare was bringing the third tiger to the home of the wise old owl. But the hare kept complaining of stomach pains and said that he couldn't walk very well. "Can't you get someone else to show me the way?" said the tiger angrily. "I'm the only one who knows the way," whispered Hare, "It's a secret." Tiger was irritated. " Then you'll just have to ride on my back," he said. They rode on for a little while, but the hare kept letting himself slide off the tiger's back, so they weren't making much progress. "If you bring me to my house, I can get my saddle." Hare suggested, "That way, I won't slip off." So the tiger brought the hare home and let Hare put a saddle on him. "And if you let me use these reins," Hare continued, "I can steer you left or right without talking so much. I have a sore throat you know." Tiger agreed. Then the hare went into his house and came out wearing spurs and carrying a whip. "Wait a minute!" said Tiger, "What's all that for?!" "Oh I just wear these spurs for show." Hare said. " And the whip is so I can keep the flies off you while you're giving me a ride." "Okay," said the tiger, "But be careful." So they rode on, but not to the owl's home. They went right to the council circle. All the other animals were gathered there. When Hare came in sight of the other animals, he dug his spurs into the tiger's sides and snapped that whip against the tiger's backside and yelled "GITTY UP HORSEY!" That tiger went jumping and howling through the crowd looking about as foolish as a fool can look. All the animals laughed and laughed. The other tigers were so embarrassed that they pleaded with the hare to stop. The hare got off the tiger's back and took his saddle and reins. Those tigers agreed never to come back to Africa again. That's why, to this day, there are no tigers in the forests of Africa. And everyone got along fine in the land of animals with everyone as equals, no kings, no queens, no rulers. The End.       If you like, you can discuss this story and what it meant to you. No pressure or demands. This is a time of sharing for those who wish to share. And a time of listening for those who prefer to listen. Now let’s fill and pass the unity cup (kikomba cha umoja). Everyone take a sip. Pause and reflect on the concept of kujichagulia (self determination) for a moment. Perhaps consider the three questions: who am I? Am I really who I say I am? Am I all that I ought to be? Then blow out the candle. This concludes Day 2 of the Kwanzaa celebration. I just want to thank Eshu Bumpus for providing this story about self-determination. This story was written by Eshu who is an accomplished storyteller and expert on Kwanzaa. You might know that storytelling has strong roots in African culture as a method of teaching and transforming as well as entertainment. Eshu has a website called www.folktales.net. I am so grateful that he has agreed to allow us to present his stories on this Wiki history podcast. Thank you for participating in Day 2 of Kwanzaa with us. Remember to visit us on our Facebook page called Wiki History if you need more information or want to share your Kwanzaa experiences with us. We hope to see you tomorrow at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri. (Kwanzaa YEH-Noo ee-wah nah heh-REE). Happy Kwanzaa!                  

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com.   I’m so glad that you’ve joined us for this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history and culture. I find history to BE inspirational, instructional and entertaining. And African American history and culture fit the bill in all of these ways. Personally, I hate boring stuff. So boring stuff is not allowed at rememberinghistory.com or at this Wiki history podcast show.   Did you remember the traditional Swahili greeting of habari gani? If you remembered, great. If not, it’s okay. Perhaps next time! Today we will celebrate the first day of Kwanzaa! If you’re just joining us, you’re welcome and I would strongly urge you to listen to the introductory podcast show on Kwanzaa. Stay with us today but, when you get a chance, I think that you will learn a lot about what Kwanzaa is, who started it and why it was founded in 1966. Always good to have background information.   I’m sure that you remember that there are 7 days of the Kwanzaa celebration, beginning on December 26th and ending with a special celebration on January 1st.   Before we begin, remember that you will need the Kwanzaa mat (the mkeka), the candleholder (kinara) and 7 candles (the *)—1 black candle, 3 red candles and 3 green candles, and the unity cup (the kikomba cha umoja).   I’m just taking a few extra minutes since this is the first day to make sure that you have the Kwanzaa objects needed for today’s celebration. But, you learn by doing, so let’s just do it!   Habari gani! Your response: Umoja!   Let’s do it again: Habari gani! Umoja!   Now please give me the Swahili greeting. Umoja!   Yes, the first day of Kwanzaa is Umoja! Umoja means unity. But what does unity mean?   According to Dr. Karenga, unity means “to strive for a principled and harmonious togetherness in the family, community, nation and world African community.”   Let’s think more deeply about the concept of unity. It is the first and foundational principle of Kwanzaa. Without unity, all the other principles will suffer. It is both a principle and a practice of harmonious togetherness, not simply being together. Unity has always been a cardinal virtue of both African societies. It was a foundation of ancient Egyptian life as the concept of Maat, which was harmony and balance on the natural cosmic and social level. It was also represented as a goddess called Maat. Among the Dinka (who today live in southern Sudan), unity is known as cieng, which is both morality and harmonious living together. In both of these ancient societies, one could not live a good life without living in harmony with the family and other members of the community.   Unity is also a practice, meaning to engage in positive interactions with others. Taking it a step further, the practice of unity is a form of active solidarity. So people develop a dependable togetherness that is born, based and sustained in action. Yet it’s important to remember that unity is a moral principle not a political device or slogan.   Unity as a principle and practice begins in the family. There must be harmonious living between brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. Families must share and act in unison. The family must reject harshness and practice gentleness, stress cooperation and avoid conflict. They must also be very attentive to things that would divide or create threats to togetherness. The family must be, as in African culture, the focal point of unity, not simply of siblings and genders, but also generations. Respect for the elders is one of the most important expressions of the family unit. Participation of elders in the daily life of the family benefits the young and old and links all the living, the departed and the yet unborn as a unit.     To conclude before lighting of the black candle is that unity requires equality, reciprocity and friendship. It also creates equality, reciprocity and friendship within families, communities and nations. Remember unity (or to use the Swahili term, Umoja) because is the foundation on which all the principles of Kwanzaa rely.   Unity holds a very special place in African American culture. When we were enslaved in America, we protected and supported each other even as we faced cultural, linguistic and religious conflicts. After slavery ended, we worked together to organize our labor and economic efforts, which were met with strong and violent resistance from the white community. But the concept of unity, which we brought with us from the continent, remained an integral part of our individual and collective consciousness. And its force was never welcomed in the United States.   The American government saw that unity among African Americans was dangerous. And there have been concerted efforts to undermine unity in the African American community. From the FBI’s attempts (under J. Edgar Hoover and others) to infiltrate Black organizations like the Black Panther Party, discrediting Black leaders like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X to injecting drugs like crack cocaine into our neighborhoods and separating Black families through imprisonment or job shortages, the attack on unity has been pervasive and persistent. Yet unity still persists in the African American community though it has taken different forms. And it is still as important as ever if we, as African Americans, are going to survive and succeed as individuals and as a people.   Because this concept is so important, I want to recommend three books. (Usually I recommend only one.) But you can find them all at rememberinghistory.com and on the Wiki History Facebook page.                     The first is:   The Cultural Unity of Black Africa: The Domains of Matriarchy & of Patriarchy in Classical Antiquity by Cheikh Anta Diop   This is a great book about the different cultures and ethno-linguistic groups on the African continent. Excellent history and examination of the cultural, economic and political situation in Africa. And Dr. Diop is a scholar in African history who has written numerous groundbreaking (and myth-busting) books on ancient and modern African history.   The Solution: How Africans in America Achieve Unity, Justice and Repair by Jay Morrison. This book provides the history of how African Americans have experienced unity, rejected it and how we’ve dealt with threats to unity. It also provides practical steps for individuals and communities to achieve and maintain unity.   3. The Willie Lynch Letter and The Destruction of Black Unity   This book by Willie Lynch describes how unity was attacked among the enslaved Africans. It is a chilling book that showed nothing happened by chance, coincidence or bad luck. No need to remember these three books now. You can find them on the website or Facebook page. It is now time to light the first candle. You will light the black candle in the middle.   It is now time to hear a Kwanzaa story about unity.               Anansi and his Sons When Anansi's first son was born and Anansi and his wife, Aso were ready to name the child, the baby spoke up and said, "I have brought my own name with me. It is See Trouble." Their second son also announced his name in this way. He was Road Builder. Each of his six sons in turn announced their names in this way. There was River Drinker, Game Skinner, Stone Thrower and Cushion. Once, Anansi had to go on a long journey. On his trip, he found a big, bright, shiny ball. He was bringing it home, when he fell into the lake and was swallowed by a big fish. Anansi decided right then that he would give the bright shiny object to whoever rescued him. As time passed, and Anansi did not return home, his family became worried. See Trouble looked ahead to see Anansi inside the big fish. He told his brothers. Right away, Road Builder cleared a path through the forest for his brothers to follow. When they got to the lake, it was the thirsty brother's turn. River Drinker drank up all the water in the lake. There was the big fish at the bottom. Game skinner went right to work. He cut open that fish to let Anansi out. Anansi was still holding that bright, shiny object he had found. Suddenly a giant bird flew down and grabbed Anansi. It took him way up into the sky. Stone Thrower grabbed a rock and threw it. He hit the bird just right to make it let go of Anansi. Down, down Anansi fell, but he didn't get hurt because Cushion put himself in the way. Anansi landed softly. Anansi wanted to give the bright, shiny object to the son who had rescued him, but he couldn't decide who had done the most to help him. He gave the bright, shiny thing to Nyame, who put it up in the sky until someone could figure out which son deserves it the most. It is still there in the sky. You can see it tonight. The end.   If you like, you can discuss this story and what it meant to you. No pressure or demands. This is a time of sharing for those who wish to share. And a time of listening for those who don’t wish to share. Now let’s fill and pass the unity cup. Everyone take a sip. Pause and reflect on the concept of unity (umoja) for a moment. Then blow out the candle. This concludes Day 1 of Kwanzaa. I just want to thank Eshu Bumpus for providing this story about Unity. This story was written by Eshu who is an accomplished storyteller and expert on Kwanzaa. You might know that storytelling has strong roots in African culture as a method of teaching and transforming as well as entertainment. He has a website called www.storytelling.net . I am so grateful that he has agreed to allow us to present his stories on this Wiki history podcast.) Thank you for participating in Day 1 of Kwanzaa with us. We hope to see you tomorrow at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri. (Kwanzaa YEH-Noo ee-wah nah heh-REE). Happy Kwanzaa!              

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Hi, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com.   We hope that you enjoyed the November podcasts that discussed African Americans in the military, focusing mostly on Black veterans. We heard some great stories, some sad stories and some inspirational stories. And remember the quote by WEB Dubois: We return. We return from fighting. We return fighting. I’m still moved whenever I read that quote. African Americans had it hard after they returned home from various wars. They weren’t welcomed as the heroes they were, who had fought for freedom and democracy around the world. But WE can recognize their courage and service and we should do so throughout the year. These stories and podcast shows are just one way but it’s important that they are remembered for their service. I know that some of the stories were a bit heavy, but I hope that the lessons were learned and that the inspiration was felt.   I’m so glad that you’ve returned for this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history and culture. I find history to BE inspirational, instructional and entertaining. And African American history and culture fit the bill in all of these ways. Personally, I hate boring stuff. So boring stuff is not allowed at rememberinghistory.com or at this Wiki history podcast show.   Speaking of the show, the Wiki history podcast show for December will focus on a very special theme: The celebration of Kwanzaa! Yes, this is the month that many Black people—African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans and continental Africans—celebrate Kwanzaa. And that’s what we are going to do this month.   The format of the show will also be a bit different too. Today’s show will introduce the celebration of Kwanzaa, what it’s about, who started it, when was it founded, WHY it was started, then I’ll briefly introduce the 7 days of Kwanzaa.   Each of the next 7 shows will be dedicated to celebrating one of the 7 Kwanzaa days. These shows are for the whole family—all of the rememberinghistory.com shows are good for the whole family—but these Kwanzaa shows can be enjoyed during the Kwanzaa season. There will be great information but, more interestingly, there will be a Kwanzaa story that explains the daily Kwanzaa theme. It will be great for families to discuss the Kwanzaa theme, what it means and how individuals and families can incorporate this theme into their lives.   So, you see, this is very different from our usual Wiki history podcast format. It’s more interactive and celebratory. By the way, I would love to know your thoughts about these podcasts after you have listened to them. It can help us to improve these podcasts to make them more meaningful and impactful (I love that word!) for you.   Before we begin, just a bit of housekeeping.   During this podcast, you will hear about the rituals, the objects and different words in Swahili related to Kwanzaa. You will HEAR about them, but I completely understand if you want to actually SEE them, too. You can find visuals and words on the Wiki History Podcast Page on Facebook. You will find pictures, animated videos and a community of history lovers. There is also a place for comments, which I hope that you will leave for us because we really appreciate them and we do respond. Also, if you enjoy this show, please let others know about it. They might like it and find it inspirational too. Let’s change the way that we think of history—one friend at a time.   And the Rememberinghistory.com staff is committed to presenting the stories and contributions of African Americans but we also want to encourage you to make history today. We hope that this show does that but also we have the Making History Today! newsletter that teaches people how to change the world! It’s actually easier than you might think but it’s a great newsletter that you can subscribe to at the Rememberinghistory.com website and Facebook page. Don’t be shy; go right ahead and subscribe and get started changing the world and making history!   Let’s begin talking about Kwanzaa! Tis the season!   Habari gani!   Habari gani!   That’s a traditional greeting in the Swahili language. And it is always the way of starting the Kwanzaa celebration for the day.   We’re gonna begin the discussion in a slightly different way. Before we talk about what Kwanzaa is, let’s talk about what Kwanzaa is not.   Kwanzaa is NOT political. Kwanzaa is NOT religious. And Kwanzaa is NOT related to Christmas.   Kwanzaa IS a wonderful week-long celebration of African culture and spirituality. (It is NOT associated with any religion.) It was designed to help African Americans remember the history, richness and rituals of African culture, particularly the African mindset of showing gratitude for the harvest, honoring the ancestors and remembering the family unit. Kwanzaa celebrates all of this.   Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by Dr. Ron Karenga who was an active part of the Black nationalist movements of the 1960s and 1970s. He designed it as one of the first specifically African American holidays. During the 1960s and 70s, there was a movement by African Americans to reconnect with African culture and history—things that were systematically stripped away from us during slavery and then diminished and disregarded for years. So, Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration. No, it is NOT political. It is NOT religious. It is NOT related to Christmas. It is cultural and educational.   Today, Kwanzaa is celebrated by about 30 million people worldwide—in the United States, in Canada, the Caribbean and several European countries.   Kwanzaa (which means “first fruits”) begins on December 26th and ends on January 1st (New Years Day).   It’s important to remember that Kwanzaa is a celebration of African heritage. So, start with decorating your home, making your home beautiful with pictures, posters, art, statues or anything else that uplifts your spirit and beautifies your home. Place African crafts, baskets, cloth patterns, sculptures, banners and pictures throughout your home. Focus on the Kwanzaa colors of black (which represents the African people), red (which represents the blood or struggle of the African people) and green (which represents the land and future of the African people). Most important thing: create a space in a prominent area for the Kwanzaa table or altar. You will use that every day throughout Kwanzaa.   What will you need   You need 3 things:   Kwanzaa mat (mkeka). You can use the Kwanzaa flag, Pan-African flag or a tablecloth with 1 or all of the Kwanzaa colors. A candleholder (kinara) with 7 candles mishumaa saba. 1 black candle, 3 red candles and 3 green candles. Unity cup kikombe cha umoja—any simple or elaborate cup or goblet.   That’s it. Yes, of course, there is a lot more that you can add but these are the basics. And you will use these items on every day of the Kwanzaa celebration.   So, let’s get to it:   Each of the 7 days of Kwanzaa has a theme on which you will focus during the ceremony. Let’s go through the theme first then we’ll go through the activities. By the way, I’m gonna give you the daily theme in Swahili first then in English. It really doesn’t matter which language you use. Personally, I like using new languages but just use whichever feels better to you.   Day 1. Umoja!   Harbari gani! On the first day of Kwanzaa, we recognize Umoja or the concept of Unity.   Dr. Karenga (remember he founded Kwanzaa) thought of Umoja (Unity)—working for and maintaining harmony and togetherness in the family, the community, the nation and the world.   The first day of Kwanzaa is celebrated on December 26. It begins with lighting the Black candle at the center of the kinara. Lighting the Black candle marks the beginning of the festive Kwanzaa season. Someone will then make a statement, tell a story or even say a poem about the concept of Unity. This part is very flexible. You can sing a song, play an instrument, perform a dance or do anything that illustrates the concept of unity. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the Black candle is blown out and the ceremony for the day is ended.   (Day 2): Kujichagulia!   Harbari gani! December 27 is the second day of Kwanzaa. On Day 2, we celebrate Kujichagulia or self-determination.   Dr. Karenga thought of self-determination as defining who we are, creating who we are, and acting and speaking for ourselves.   On this second day of Kwanzaa, first the black candle is lit then the red candle (farthest to the left) is lit. Then someone will make a statement or tell a story about the principle of self-determination in his or her own life. Again, this part is very flexible. You can be as creative as you like. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled then passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the Black and Red candles are blown out and the ceremony for the day is ended.   (Day 3): Habari gani! Ujima!   Remember that everyone will greet each other with habari gani.   December 28 marks the third day of Kwanzaa. On Day 3, we celebrate Ujima or collective work and responsibility.   Dr. Karenga thought of Ujima as building and maintaining our community together, sharing our joys and problems and solving our problems together.   Next we light the candles in the following order:   Black candle (in the middle) is lit Red candle to the far left is lit Green candle to the far right is lit   Then someone present will then make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of collective work and responsibility. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended.   (Day 4): Ujamaa!   Harbari gani! December 29 marks the fourth day of Kwanzaa. On day 4, we celebrate Ujamaa or cooperative economics.   Dr. Karenga thought of the concept of Ujamaa as building and maintaining our own businesses, and supporting the businesses of others and growing and profiting from them together.   On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, you will light another red candle. So the order is:   Black candle (in the middle) is lit first. Red candle to the far left is lit Green candle to the far right is lit Finally the red candle farthest to the left is lit.   Then someone will make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of cooperative economics in their life or as it affects others. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended   (Day 5): Nia!   Harbari gani! December 30 marks the fifth day of Kwanzaa. On day 5, we celebrate the principle of Nia or purpose.   Dr. Karenga thought of nia as focusing on building our communities together, maintaining them, and restoring them to greatness.   On the fifth day of Kwanzaa, you will light another green candle. So the order is:   Black candle (in the middle) is lit first. Red candle to the far left is lit Green candle to the far right is lit Then the red candle farthest to the left is lit. Then another green candle farthest to the right is lit.   Then someone will make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of purpose. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled with juice. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended.   (Day 6): Kuumba!   Harbari gani! December 31st marks the 6th day of Kwanzaa and it is a very special day! On the 6th day, we celebrate the principle of Kuumba or creativity. As it is New Year’s Eve, the day is an especially festive day because it marks the last day of the calendar year.   Dr. Karenga thought of kuumba or creativity as working hard to make our communities more beautiful and functional for today and for future generations.   Then we light the candles:   First, the Black candle (in the middle) is lit. Red candle to the far left is lit Green candle to the far right is lit Then another red candle farthest to the left is lit. Then another green candle farthest to the right is lit. Then final red candle is lit.     On this special final day of the year, the home is specially decorated with traditional Kwanzaa colors of black, red and green. Special dishes are made for the family and guests. On December 31, families and communities hold a karamu which is a special feast, including readings, remembrances and a festive meal. The karamu feast may consist of traditional African dishes, as well as those featuring ingredients that Africans brought to the United States...sesame seeds, peanuts, sweet potatoes, collard greens and spicy sauces, for example. This celebration may be held at a home, church or community center.   Then the unity cup is passed around. All members who are present should remember their ancestors while the Unity cup is shared.   (Day 7): Habari gani! Imani!   The last and final day of Kwanzaa falls on January 1st, New Year’s Day.   The focus on the seventh day of Kwanzaa is on Imani or faith.   Dr. Karenga thought of Imani as believing in ourselves, our people, our parents and teachers and our leaders. Believing in the importance of our vision for a better community and for a better world.   Next the candles are lit:   Always begin with the Black candle in the center then alternate back and forth between the red and green candles until all are lit.   Then someone will make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of creativity. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled with juice. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended.   The last day of Kwanzaa...the first day of the New Year...has been a time of serious appraisal for African people. Also known as the "Day of Meditation" or "Day of Assessment," it is a period of self-reflection related to things done and things yet to be done. Following in this tradition, it is a time to ask yourself the following three questions: "Who am I?" - "Am I really who I say I am" - "Am I all I ought to be?" In addition, this is also a day when many Kwanzaa participants choose to pay particular homage to the ancestors...those of the national community as well as those of the family.   Everyone concludes the entire ceremony saying "Harambee!" (which is a reminder to “let’s pull together!”) seven times—one time for each day of the Kwanzaa ceremony.               So, lots of information just now. Just to recap.   Step 1: Everyone stands around the Kwanzaa table. Bid each other the traditional greeting of Habari gani. Answer by saying the theme of the day. Take this opportunity to practice your Swahili. Answer: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) or Imani (faith)   Step 2: Light the candles for the day. Always start with the black candle in the middle then alternate between the red and green candles.   Step 3: Someone present will make a statement, tell a story, say a poem, sing a song or just discuss the daily theme in his or her life. Get creative here and just express yourself in any way that works best for you.   Step 4: Fill the Unity cup and pass it around the table. Everyone will take a sip from the cup.   Step 5: Put the candles out. You’re finished.   These steps are continued for the seven days of Kwanzaa. At the end of the 7th day, everyone shouts “Harambee!” seven times. Harambee means “let’s pull together!”   So, that is the celebration of Kwanzaa. You see that it can help individuals and families to remember and feel the connection with their African roots, culture and heritage. There is a lot more that you can do as part of this celebration. Do it YOUR way but don’t be shy about expanding yourself and reaching for new experiences.   And, as I promised in the beginning, you can get more information about Kwanzaa from Maya Angelou. She and award-winning filmmaker, MK Asante made a movie about Kwanzaa called The Black Candle. It is the first movie ever made about Kwanzaa and was filmed in the United States, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. The film discusses Kwanzaa’s growth during the Black Power movement through the modern day experience as a global pan-African movement. This is an excellent film for all ages and can help to understand the context, meaning and importance of Kwanzaa to families and communities. The Black Candle has been described as more than a film about a holiday: it’s a celebration of a people! Highly recommended. You can get more information about The Black Candle on the Wiki History Podcast page on Facebook and you can rent the film on iTunes.   Speaking of excellent films about Kwanzaa, the rememberinghistory.com team has created an animated video about Kwanzaa—what it is, what it means and how to celebrate it. You can find it on the rememberinghistory.com website and the Wiki Podcast page. It’s short, educational and lots of fun. Your whole family will enjoy it.   So, that’s all for this introduction. I know that I mentioned a lot of words in Swahili. Again, you can find them at the Wiki History Podcast page on Facebook. You will also find pictures of the items like the kinari (the candleholder), the unity cup (kikumba cha umoja) and lots of other helpful items. Most importantly, you will find a lively group of African American history and culture enthusiasts who enjoy meeting new people and discussing these topics. Everyone is welcome!   Finally, I just want to remind you that 2017, the Wiki History podcast show is dedicated to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Located in Washington, DC, the National Museum of African American History & Culture opened in 2016. This kind of museum was long overdue but it finally happened and it is a place that everyone should visit and explore. Museums are a great way to bring history to life and to keep it alive for future generations. Wiki History is honored to be a part of this important process. For every person that listens to this podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will donate $1 to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.   Are you ready to learn about Kwanzaa and hear some great Kwanzaa stories? Great! Go ahead and listen to Day 1 of Kwanzaa!             If you have any questions about Kwanzaa or want to share your stories of how you celebrate Kwanzaa or even why you choose NOT to celebrate Kwanzaa, please contact me at robin@rememberinghistory.com. I love hearing your thoughts and stories. Also, as promised, when you contact me and leave your email address, I will send you a special e-gift for Kwanzaa (yes, Kwanzaa also can involve gift-giving!)   On that high note, a very joyous Kwanzaa from everyone at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it! Every day. Ha  

Welcome back! That last section was pretty heavy. The racial terror and violence inflicted on Black veterans who had fought for their country are difficult subjects to hear and infuriating to learn about. But it’s even more infuriating that these stories are not taught in schools or discussed on the Veteran’s Day or Memorial Day holidays. Yet these stories need to be told and remembered. Why? It’s history. Not the glamorous and happy history but still it is a part of American history AND the African American experience. It honors the Black soldiers who fought, endured and persevered through the wars, the discrimination and the violence. Again, it reminds me of the quote by WEB DuBois: We return. We return from fighting. We return fighting.   Second, this dishonorable behavior by white Americans who were determined never to accept or respect the contributions of African American soldiers is instructive. We can learn something from their behavior: Why did they act as they did? What were they thinking? What were they afraid of?   Some historians have responded to these questions by focusing on the trigger of their behavior. They didn’t like the thought of a Black veteran wearing his uniform with pride, unity and confidence. This conflicted with the white supremacist picture and structure that they had worked hard since the slavery period to develop. A skilled and confident Black serviceman in uniform is a different person than an uneducated and enslaved person in rags. The former terrified white people. The latter appeased them.     Think of Black Navy veteran Joe Nathan Roberts who, in June 1947, was studying at Temple University as a result of the GI Bill. He went to visit family in Georgia when a group of white men became upset because he refused to call them “sir.” Later that night, Mr. Roberts was abducted from his parents’ home and shot to death. African American veterans had definitely changed and this was disturbing to the white population, particularly in the south.   Then the federal government made a bold move to help veterans. They passed the GI bill. And that permanently changed life in America.   What is the GI Bill?   The GI Bill was officially known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. It was a law that provided a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans (who were commonly referred to as G.I.s). It was an important race-neutral piece of legislation for veterans. However, we will see that African American veterans did not receive the full benefits of this historic legislation.   Benefits included dedicated payments of tuition and living expenses to attend high school, college or vocational or technical school, low-cost mortgages, low-interest loans to start a business, as well as one year of unemployment compensation. It was available to all veterans who had been on active duty during the war years for at least 90 days and had not been dishonorably discharged—exposure to combat was not required. By 1956, roughly 7.8 million veterans had used the G.I. Bill education benefits, some 2.2 million to attend colleges or universities and an additional 5.6 million used the GI bill for some kind of training program.   Historians and economists judge the G.I. Bill as a major political and economic success—especially in contrast to the treatment of World War I veterans—and a major contribution to America's long-term economic growth.   Although the G.I. Bill did not specifically advocate discrimination, it was interpreted differently for blacks than for whites. Historians have argued "the law was deliberately designed to accommodate a “Jim Crow” or segregation-based society. Because the programs were directed by local, white officials, many Black veterans were refused benefits. For example, of the first 67,000 mortgages insured by the G.I. Bill, fewer than 100 were taken out by non-white vets.   Why is this part of the story important to remember? Because it helps explain the ongoing challenges of African-Americans to build wealth and achieve intergenerational mobility.    How the GI Bill played out is one of those reasons. Whites were able to use the government guaranteed housing loans that were a pillar of the bill to buy homes in the fast growing suburbs. Those homes subsequently rose greatly in value in coming decades, creating vast new household wealth for whites during the postwar era.  But black veterans weren't able to make use of the housing provisions of the GI Bill for the most part. Banks generally wouldn't make loans for mortgages in black neighborhoods, and African-Americans were excluded from the suburbs (and other predominantly white neighborhood) by a combination of racially restrictive covenants (that were still legal) and informal racism.  In short, the GI Bill helped fostered a long-term boom in white wealth but did almost nothing to help blacks to build wealth or to help Black veterans to re-adjust after their military service. We are still living with the effects of that exclusion today -- and will be for a long time to come.  THIS is why it is so important to discuss this GI bill of 1944. What happens in the past can definitely have an effect in the present: The GI bill is a great example of that. But the GI bill did have its benefits for Black veterans too. The GI bill did have a very positive effect in one area: Education. The passage of the G.I. Bill in 1944 set off an explosion in higher education. It provided veterans with generous financial aid for tuition and living expenses. By 1947, 49 percent of all college students were veterans and nearly half of the 16 million eligible veterans had used the G.I. Bill for higher education or job training when it ended in 1956. It has been passed again to extend it for veterans of later wars.) The G.I. Bill changed the structure of the United States, creating access to education for millions of Americans and helping to spawn the modern middle class. But this increased opportunity was not universal even in education. Many African-American veterans could not attend college because of their sub-standard Jim Crow primary and secondary educations. Those with high school diplomas were largely limited to overcrowded and under-funded historically black colleges and universities that often lacked the liberal arts education available at predominantly white institutions. While these veterans were often only able to choose among overcrowded black colleges, the influx of subsidies for black students forced many white universities to open their doors to nonwhites, helping begin the great integration of higher education. Of course, many of the southern universities remained solidly segregationist. Eventually, the supreme court (with the help of federal troops) forced them to integrate.    So, the GI Bill (The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944) had a positive impact on veterans following World War II and fortunately it was passed again for subsequent wars. In some ways, it contributed to creating or solidifying an American middle class—by helping people to buy homes, receive unemployment benefits and attend high school and college. In fact, President Bill Clinton called it one of the most important pieces of economic legislation that was ever passed in the United States. But it’s clear that the benefits were unequal. African American veterans (and other non-white veterans) were not able to reap the benefits of the GI bill. The social structure that kept whites on top and blacks on the bottom had not been resolved in such a way that Black veterans were able to fully access the benefits of the bill in the way that white veterans were able to. But access to education was certainly one way in which African Americans were able to benefit. And they took full advantage of that opportunity. That benefit had an impact on generations of African Americans. But the financial benefits offered by the bill that would help with mortgages and assist in home ownership were largely inaccessible to African Americans. And that also had an impact on generations of African Americans. We’re gonna come to a close now. This podcast is getting rather long. But the story of African Americans in the military needs to be told. We’ve only touched on it. I haven’t even mentioned the Black heroes—both men and women—who served with great distinction and honor in the military. They deserve to be remembered. And I haven’t mentioned the servicewomen and men who TODAY are serving courageously and protecting freedom and democracy around the world. They deserve a podcast show too.         Remember that the African American experience in the United States is not all doom and gloom. It’s also victory and achievement. Courage and honor. Greatness and glory. In spite of everything, African American veterans and civilians have achieved so much in this country and contributed so much to building and protecting the United States.   Remembering history means remembering everything including the good, the bad and the ugly. Let’s end with the following quote: On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind.   So, what can WE do?   At rememberinghistory.com, we want to learn the history but we also want to take action. We can we do so that no veteran (Black or otherwise) is ever left behind?   It’s a good question but I don’t have all the answers. I have some ideas though.   I want to hear your thoughts and ideas. But I also want to see you at the next show where you can hear practical tips for helping our veterans. They did for us. Now it’s time to do for them. We don’t want any of our service women or men left behind.   So, let’s confront this tough task in the next show. It should be interesting and I hope actionable. It is time to take real action to respect, protect and support our veterans and their families. So that brings us to the end of today’s podcast show.   I realize that I mentioned lots of names, places, events, experiences and other information that you might want more information about. The rememberinghistory.com team has you covered. You can get more information, see the people and places, read the “What You Can Do” list, see great pictures and even find good a book list at the Wiki History podcast page on Facebook. You can also find the newsletter called Making History Today! which discusses practical ways that you can actually MAKE history through education, the arts, political activism or whatever interests you.   Finally, I just want to remind you that 2017, the Wiki History podcast show is dedicated to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Located in Washington, DC, the National Museum of African American History & Culture opened in 2016. This kind of museum was long overdue but it finally happened and it is a place that everyone should visit and explore. Museums are a great way to bring history to life and to keep it alive for future generations. Wiki History is honored to be a part of this important process. For every person that listens to this podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will donate $1 to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.   Come back soon to Remembering History where we ARE remembering history and we’re making it. Every day! And, like Matthew Henson, get ready to sit on top of the world! Bye for now!            

Black Veterans Podcast #1   Welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin Lofton, the Chief In-house Historian and host of this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history. I find history to BE inspirational, instructional and entertaining. And African American history fits the bill in all of these ways. Personally, I hate boring stuff. So boring stuff is not allowed at rememberinghistory.com or at this Wiki history podcast show.   Speaking of the show, today’s podcast show is about African American servicewomen and men and veterans. I think that this is a great time to learn about Black veterans. Why? Because it’s November. In the United States, we celebrate Veterans Day on November 11, which is also Remembrance Day or Armistice Day in other parts of the world.   Yes, this is the month in which we celebrate the service of the brave men and women in the United States military. It is truly an honor and a pleasure to remember them but I often feel that this is not enough. One month and the sincerest thank you are not enough to compensate them for their courage, their commitment and their sacrifice. So, I’m inclined to thank them every day. To show appreciation every day.   How can we show real appreciation to our African American veterans for what they have endured?   Several ways. First, we can learn the history. We can learn what they have endured as servicemen and women. And it goes far beyond their service on the battlefield. Second, we can remember their contributions, their heroism and their undying commitment to fighting for freedom. Third, we can ask what we can do for THEM today. We can give back to these people who gave us so much.   And that is what this Wiki history podcast show is going to do this month.   I just want first to mention that, during this podcast, you will hear about people, places, events and issues. You will HEAR about them, but I completely understand if you want to actually SEE them, too. You can find pictures of them on the Wiki History Podcast Page on Facebook. You will find pictures, animated videos and a community of history lovers. There is also a place for comments, which I hope that you will leave for me because I really appreciate them and I do respond. Also, if you enjoy this show, please let others know about it. They might like it and find it inspirational too. Let’s change the way that we think of history—one friend at a time. And the Rememberinghistory.com staff is committed to presenting the stories and contributions of African Americans but we also want to encourage you to make history today. We hope that this show does that but also we have the Making History Today! newsletter that teaches people how to change the world! It’s actually easier than you might think but it’s a great newsletter that you can subscribe to at the Rememberinghistory.com website and Facebook page. Don’t be shy; go right ahead and subscribe and get started changing the world and making history!   Let’s begin with the history right now.   Did you know that African Americans have served in every major American war since arriving in the American colonies? From Crispus Atticus in the Revolutionary War up to modern times, African Americans have always had a strong presence in the U.S. military. Yes, even in the two world wars, African Americans were a dominant force. The Vietnam War saw the largest number of African American soldiers in combat. And also the youngest group of soldiers, but of course this was true for soldiers of other ethnicities as well.* More recently, African Americans have served in the Persian Gulf wars and in Iraq* and Afghanistan.     I think that the African American experience in the military was perfectly summarized by historian and scholar, WEB Dubois when he said:   We return. We return from fighting. We return fighting.   We return. We return from fighting. We return fighting.   What did Dr. Dubois mean by this statement? He wrote it in May, 1919 following the World War I. This meaning has changed over time but it reflects the difficulties that African American servicemen and women faced in the past and continue to be confronted with. But the point is that African American servicemen and women and veterans are still confronted with different issues than their white counterparts. Today it is frustrating and infuriating. In the past, it was fatal.   Let me explain. From the end of the Civil War through the end of the second world war, African Americans who served their country were confronted with violence and terror. During the period between 1877 and 1950, more than 4,000 African Americans were lynched. (By the way, this important research was done by the Equal Justice Initiative—and was the most comprehensive research done to date. They should definitely be commended for this unprecedented survey of the lynching of African Americans, showing that there was a virtual reign of terror happening against Americans during that period.) Yes, more than 4,000 African Americans were killed during that period. And research showed that no one was more at risk of experiencing violence and targeted racial terror than Black veterans. White soldiers absolutely did not face this kind of treatment following their military service.   On this point, Bryan Stevenson (executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative) said, “We do so much in this country to celebrate and honor folks who risk their lives on the battlefield. But we don’t remember that black veterans were more likely to be attacked for their service than honored for it.” Wow!   Let’s look back to the armistice following world war I. Black soldiers returning home were greeted with a wave of intense hostility and discrimination. Whites were suspicious and angered at the thought of Black soldiers enjoying certain freedoms, civil rights and possibly liaisons with white women in Europe. And the black soldiers had experienced freedoms in Europe and they were ready to assert those rights when they returned back to the United States. The stage was set for an intense conflict. It began in the summer of 1919, which became known as the Red Summer.     Anti-black riots erupted in 20 cities throughout the United States. A Louisiana newspaper editor wrote, “This is the right time to show them what will and what will not be permitted.” At least 13 African American veterans were killed by lynch mobs. Countless more endured beatings, shootings and whippings. The Red Summer is still remembered by older Black veterans and their families. It was a rude awakening to the fact that even though African Americans had fought valiantly, died courageously and contributed constantly to the war effort, they were not going to enjoy the civil rights and freedoms that they had fought for in Europe. And white citizens were quick to remind them that the white supremacist social structures still existed.   Just the sight of a Black veteran wearing a soldier’s uniform put that soldier at risk of serious bodily harm or death. In fact, the only provocation was often a black man’s insistence on wearing his soldier’s uniform in public. Again, Bryan Stevenson explains it. “Just the sight of a black soldier, just the suggestion that he might take on that empowered, adult, mature identity—that could get him killed.”   And it did. In Hickman, Kentucky in December 1918 just weeks after the end of WWI, recently-discharged African American soldier named Charles Lewis was standing on the street in his uniform when a white police officer began harassing him and claimed that he fit the description of a robbery suspect. Mr. Lewis insisted that he was a good soldier and would not commit robbery. He was arrested. At midnight, a mob of masked men broke into the jail, seized Mr. Lewis and hanged him. They left his body (still in uniform) hanging for all to see. A newspaper headline the following morning was titled, “Nip it in the bud.”   Then there is the story of World War II veteran, Isaac Woodard. On February 12, 1946, Isaac Woodard wore his uniform on a Greyhound bus travelling from George to North Carolina. When he protested mistreatment from the white bus driver, South Carolina police beat him so severely that he was permanently blinded. Although the NAACP protested the attack and demanded prosecution for the offenders, no one was ever convicted. Mr. Woodard later stated, “ We went overseas and did our duty and now we’re home and have to fight another struggle that I think outweighs the war.”   He wasn’t alone in his experience. Civil rights activist, Hosea Williams, had been captured by Germans during the second world war. After his release, he stated, “I want to tell you the Germans never were as inhumane as the state troopers of Alabama.” That says a lot.   So while Black and white Americans fought for freedoms and democracy abroad, white Americans were willing to accept, condone or remain silent on the issue of racial terror, violence and oppression targeted towards African Americans--particularly African American VETERANS—in their own country.   But this racial terror did not start in the 20th century. It began much earlier. As I said, African Americans have been fighting in wars since the American Revolution. But the real terror began following the Civil War.   More than 200,000 African Americans fought in the Civil War. Originally, the Union army was reluctant to allow Black soldiers to fight at all, claiming that that the Black soldiers would feel entitled to respect and rights after the war ended. They served as soldiers, spies, nurses and in supportive roles. In fact, Sojourner Truth served as a spy during the Civil War. The movie, Glory, showed a major battle at Fort Wagner that the 54th Regiment (an all-Black unit) courageously fought but, unfortunately, never won for the Union. But this was just the beginning. Afterwards, many Black soldiers were allowed to join the Union army and President Lincoln credited them with the Union’s victory.   However, following the war at the start of the Reconstruction era in 1877, African American soldiers lost the rights that that had fought for. They were no longer slaves but they were still living in a society founded on white supremacy.   They were prohibited from handling or carrying weapons, they were assaulted, driven from their homes and killed by lynch mobs.   Nevertheless, 380,000 African Americans enlisted in the segregated Army to fight during the First World War.   Why would they do that?   Many had a sense of “patriotic unity” and they hoped that it would increase their social status in the United States. Mississippi Senator James Vardaman warned that this would happen. In a speech on the senator floor in 1917, he stated, “The return of black veterans to the South would inevitably lead to disaster because once you impress the negro with the fact that he is defending the flag and inflate his untutored soul with military airs, he will believe that his political rights must be respected.” In his crude and demeaning way, the senator was right. After Black soldiers returned from Europe where they experienced freedom and more equality, they did expect the same type of treatment when they returned home. But all that they discovered was a society holding on its white supremacist foundation and willing to maintain it through terror and violence. That’s how the Red Summer began. Hundreds of Black men, women and children were killed by mobs and police violence throughout the country. Black veterans were specifically targeted. They were shown no appreciation or respect for their service.   I don’t know if you have heard of the Harlem Hellfighters. They were the 369th infantry regiment who fought in the first world war. They fought so courageously and effectively that France awarded them the country’s highest military honor. Yes, they were an African American unit. Shown the highest respect in Europe but at home they were shown neither respect nor honor.   And this continued following the Second World War in which more than a million African Americans enlisted. Despite all of the violence, discrimination and America’s commitment to maintaining a social structure that kept Blacks in an inferior position, more African Americans than ever enlisted to fight for freedom and democracy abroad. And African Americans continued to fight with skill and honor. I hope that you have heard of the Tuskegee Airmen who served in World War II. Yes, there were many others—if we have time, I’ll discuss them but you can also find them on the Wiki History Podcast page on Facebook.             Yet, as in the first world war, discrimination was active and virtually mirrored the segregated, white supremacist society at home. Black soldiers worked in inferior positions, cleaning the officer’s quarters and latrines or were given highly dangerous, front-line combat missions that were considered too dangerous for white soldiers. Punishments for Black soldiers were often excessively harsh. Black soldiers at military bases in the segregated south were forbidden from eating in restaurants though the restaurants would serve German prisoners of war. White supremacy remained the norm in military life as in the civilian world.   After the war and the return of the Black veterans to the United States, the terror and violence resumed and even increased for Black veterans. Any African American in uniform was at high risk for violence and killing.   You might ask why the soldiers would wear the uniforms if that would put them at increased risk of violence. Great question.   But I see that there was pride in their military service and what they contributed to fighting tyranny and protecting democracy around the world. The soldiers walked with confidence and a newly discovered feeling of entitlement. They had experienced freedom in other parts of the world. They wanted—demanded—those rights when they returned home. The proud and confident black soldier scared many white people and threatened the white supremacist social structure. So, yes, the violence increased. But the African American veterans were changed forever and this changed the entire Black community forever. The modern civil rights movement was imminent, brought in part by these confident and uplifted Black veterans of the second world war. I’m thinking about Hosea Williams (he was the one who preferred the experience as a POW in a German prison to facing Alabama state troopers). And Medgar Evers who became a powerful leader in the NAACP. The black soldiers and veterans changed their communities and the country.   But the fight was not over yet. The United States federal government passed the GI bill—and it “attacked” African American veterans and their families on a different front. This will take us directly into the second part of this great and groundbreaking podcast show.   If you like, you can take a break here. Then continue on to the next podcast that discusses the GI Bill and its effect on African American veterans, their families and communities. But please don’t stop here because you don’t want to miss that exciting and disturbing part about how Black veterans struggled in the past and how they AND their families are still struggling.   But if you choose to stop--Hey, it’s a free country--I just want to remind you of the Wiki History Podcast Page where you can find more information and pictures of the people discussed in this podcast. Also, you will find interesting discussions, questions, videos, games and a whole community of history lovers just like me and you. So please stop by the facebook page and join the fun. Also, I will give you a sneak peek into the podcasts for December. Rememberinghistory.com and Wiki podcast page will discuss Kwanzaa! Yes, it’s that season again and we will discuss the 7 fantastic days of that great and festive celebration.   Finally, please remember that for everyone who listens to these podcast shows, the rememberinghistory.com staff will donate $1 to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. It’s a great museum—long overdue—but it’s here now and we must support it and other efforts to preserve and honor African American history.   So that’s all for now. You can’t see me but I’m standing and saluting our Black servicewomen and men on active duty AND our Black veterans. Let’s remember to honor them this month and every month.   See you soon at rememberinghistory.com where we our remembering history AND we’re making it every day. Bye for now!    

Welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin Lofton, the Chief In-house Historian and host of this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history. I find history to BE inspirational, instructional and entertaining. And African American history fits the bill in all of these ways. Personally, I hate boring stuff. So boring stuff is not allowed at rememberinghistory.com or at this Wiki history podcast show.   Speaking of the show, today’s podcast show is about Black explorers and adventurers. I think that this is a great time to learn about Black explorers. Why? Because it’s October. In the United States, October is the month that many people celebrate Columbus’s birthday. Yes, it’s a federal holiday celebrated on the second Monday in October. But it’s important to know many individual states are celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ day instead of Columbus’s birthday. And I think that we all know the reason for that.   Here at rememberinghistory.com, we are celebrating Black explorers as we have for the past several years by discussing a few Black explorers and their inspirational stories. However, this year, we’re doing something a bit different. We are going to examine WHY people explore, why exploration is so important, and then we’re gonna ask for your thoughts about what exploration means to you and where you might like to explore one day.   During this podcast, you will hear about people, places, events and issues. You will HEAR about them, but I completely understand if you want to actually SEE them, too. You can find pictures of them on the Wiki History Podcast Page on Facebook. You will find pictures, animated videos and a community of history lovers. There is also a place for comments, which I hope that you will leave for me because I really appreciate them and I do respond. Also, if you enjoy this show, please let others know about it. They might like it and find it inspirational too. Let’s change the way that we think of history—one friend at a time.   So, why is exploring important? First let’s look at what exploring actually is.   To explore means to travel to an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it.   Throughout the centuries, exploring has taken different forms. Yet there was always the aspect of a “new and unfamiliar” place. In days past, many people explored new areas to find new riches and wealth like gold or other precious minerals. Others explored new areas to acquire land that they could homestead and farm. Still others were interested in the peoples of new and unfamiliar lands for reasons such as enslavement, slave trading or promoting “civilization.”   Wow, these past purposes of exploration were not so noble or endearing. Exploitation was the focus. And we know the damage and destruction that was done to indigenous peoples and their land. Gee, this makes me think of the quote “I fear the evil that men do in the name of evil but God save us from the evil that men do in the name of good.” Lots of death and destruction in the wake of many early explorers. Columbus included. But did you know that there were several Black explorers who traveled with Columbus like the Nina brothers Juan (he actually helmed La Nina), Francisco who was a sailor and Pedro who was actually with Columbus when he landed in Trinidad. Another Black explorer, Juan Guarrido, accompanied Vasco de Gama in his search of the Fountain of Youth. Juan Guarrido was also part of the Cortez-led invasion of Mexico, which led to the conquest of the Aztecs in 1519. (Okay, that’s not a great legacy for an explorer but he is also credited with harvesting the first commercial wheat crop in the Americas.)   Modern exploration is MUCH different from exploring in days long past. (Unless perhaps you’re thinking of exploration for oil, rubber or other precious commodities.)   Modern explorers focus more on the educational and observational aspects of exploring. Today’s explorers really want to learn about a new place or to discover the existence of the new place. Take Matthew Henson for example. He is credited as being the first African American to reach the North Pole. (Some say that he was actually the first person from anywhere to reach the North Pole!)   But Matthew Henson was an able and experienced sailor, navigator and craftsman. He learned the Inuit language and culture, married an Inuit woman and learned to build igloos and drive dogsleds in the Inuit way. I remember an iconic quote from Henson saying, “I think that I am the first man to sit on the top of the world!”           And, of course, there was William Henry Sheppard who explored the Congo river area in Central Africa. Born a free man in Virginia in 1865, he attended a “colored” school where he learned to read and write then actually took classes with Booker T. Washington at Hampton College. After becoming a Presbyterian minister, he developed a burning desire to become a missionary in Africa. He was finally allowed to go to the Congo river basin in what is today called the Democratic Republic on Congo. He settled in a village called Luebo.   He met the Bakuba people and learned their methods of survival and culture. He studied their crops, textiles and music. He studied the way that the Bakuba people worshipped their ancestors. He learned to hunt and killed snakes and large game to help feed the villagers. He even killed a hippopotamus and learned to dry the meat to trade and share with the villagers.   Sheppard learned to speak the Kuba language, which helped him to discover parts of the Congo region where no American or European had ever gone. Sheppard and his local Bakuba guide would go from village to village buying eggs at different markets. For three months, he would buy and eat eggs and preach the gospel at every village where he stopped. For years, he stayed and studied the culture and, because of his excellent language skills and respectful manner, he was welcomed into the villages by the local leaders. William Henry Sheppard was definitely an explorer!   As a boy, Sheppard had often said of Africa, “When I grow up, I shall go there.” And that’s exactly what he did!   Barbara Hillary also went there! Not to the Congo but to the North Pole. Then to the South Pole. Many people told her that she was too old and that she would die from the cold and hardships. That the North Pole was no place for a 75-year old woman from New York who had reduced breathing capacity about a bout with lung cancer. But she went there anyway. At the age of 75, she went to the North Pole. Then at 79 years old (in her case, 79 years young), she went to the South Pole! She always said that age was just a number. To get out a challenge yourself. That was exactly what she did.       Another explorer who wouldn’t let age stop her was Sophie Danenberg who at age 34 became the first African American woman to climb Mount Everest. Through the urging of a childhood friend, she started mountain climbing while living in Illinois.   Danenberg's first major climb was at Mount Rainier in Washington State in 2002.  Over the next two years, she scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Baker in Washington state, and Mount Kenya, 2003.  In 2005 she scaled five more major peaks including Denali and Mount Tasman.   But 2006 proved to be her big year!   Sophie received a surprise phone call to inform her that she was permitted to join the expedition that was going up Mount Everest. And she only had one week to prepare! Yes, it was a struggle. On the mountain of mountains, she developed bronchitis, frostbite and a clogged oxygen mask. Yet but she persisted and prevailed. And, on May 19, 2006, she became the first Black woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.   Sophie was the first Black person but definitely NOT the last. With privately raised funds and sheer focus and determination, men and women from the African continent have scaled Mount Everest. Notably, Saray Khumalo from South Africa climbed Kilimanjaro, Mera Peak, LoBuche East, Elbrus and Aconcagua—all in four short years. She has faced Everest but, unfortunately, nature stood in the way. In 2014, she was deterred by deadly avalanche that killed 16 sherpa. The following year, an earthquake prevented her from climbing Everest. But Saray Khumalo will not be forever deterred and she’s already started raising the money for her next excursion—this time to the summit!—going up Everest, encouraged by a quote from Nelson Mandela: It always seems impossible until it’s done! Saray climbs for herself but also for others: she has raised money to building libraries and schools in South Africa and to provide lunches for school children. And, by the way, another South African, SibuSiso Vilane, became the first Black man to climb Mt. Everest in 2003 and has actually climbed all seven major peaks and completed the 3 Poles Challenge (you know, North Pole, South Pole and Everest).     But explorers have not stopped with Mount Everest. That’s the highest peak offered on this planet but other Black explorers went beyond the limits of planet Earth. Where did they go? They went into space! African American astronauts are a group of extreme explorers and have gone “where no man (or no ONE) has gone before!” (Sorry I just couldn’t resist that Star Trek quote!)   Let’s quickly meet them:   *Colonel Frederick Gregory—an accomplished pilot and test pilot BEFORE joining NASA. He spent more than 18 days in space and he was the first African American to pilot and command a space shuttle mission.   *Mae Jemison was a scientist and medical doctor before joining NASA. She spent 190 hours in space as a mission specialist and conducted groundbreaking experiments in space on weightlessness and motion sickness. In 1992, she became the first African American woman to go to space.   *Major General Charles Bolden was an experienced marine aviator and test pilot before joining NASA. He went on 4 flights and served as commander and pilot on the different flights. Major General Bolden spent more than 28 days in space.   *Colonel Guion Bluford, Jr.—a fighter pilot and engineer before joining NASA. In 1983, Colonel Bluford became the first African American to go to space, logging in more than 28 days in space as a mission specialist.   *Stephanie Wilson was an aerospace engineer before joining NASA as an astronaut. She has spent more than 42 days in space as a mission specialist and was responsible for robotics for spacewalking support. Ms. Wilson is still in active duty with NASA.   *Joan Higginbottam was an electrical engineer before joining NASA. She logged in more than 12 days in space where she operated the space station remote manipulator system.   *Robert Satcher was a surgeon, chemical engineer and professor at Feinburg School of Medicine before joining NASA. He was a mission specialist logging in 10 days and 2 walks in space. *Robert Curbeam was a Naval flight officer, pilot and engineer before joining NASA as an astronaut. He worked as the spacecraft communicator and spent 37 days in space, including 45 hours on 7 walks in space. And yes THAT is the record for time spent walking in space!   *Lieutenant Colonel Michael P. Anderson was a physicist before joining NASA as an astronaut. He spent more than 593 hours in space as a mission specialist, payload commander and lieutenant colonel in charge of science experiments.   *Captain Winston E. Scott is an engineer, pilot and (today) Dean of the Florida Institute of Technology before joining NASA. Captain Scott logged in 24 days in space, including 19 hours spent on 3 WALKS in space.   *Alvin Drew was a physicist and aeronautical engineer before joining NASA. He spent more than 25 days in space as a mission specialist and CAPCOM officer. He also did 2 walks in space for 12 hours!   *Leland Melvin was a materials science engineer before joining NASA. He has since logged in more than 23 days in space as a mission specialist.   *Bernard Anthony Harris was a biologist, medical doctor and pilot before joining NASA. He logged in 18 days in space as mission specialist and payload officer. In 1995, he became the first African American to do extra-vehicular activities, meaning that he actually WALKED in space.   Wow, we could make an entire show of the African American astronauts who have graced the NASA program AND ventured into outer space.   I want to give a special salute to two astronauts who died during their explorations:   *Major Robert Lawrence, Jr. was a skilled pilot and scientist. He was the First African-American astronaut; the first to be selected for astronaut training in 1967 in the Manned Orbital Laboratory program, which predated NASA. Major Lawrence was killed in a jet accident.   *Ronald McNair—was an optical physicist when he was selected by NASA. McNair was killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster mission in 1986.   Before we move on to another interesting group of explorers, I do want to mention one more astronaut: Jeannette Epps. She has not yet gone into space but her time is coming. In 2016 NASA announced that Ms. Epps will launch on her first spaceflight in May 2018. She will be a flight engineer on Expedition 56, remaining on board for Expedition 57. Ms. Epps will become the first African-American crew member on the space station!   Let’s cheer her on in May of 2018. Great to watch a first flight AND a great step forward for African Americans and women everywhere!   But African American explorers didn’t only just aim higher and higher. They also set their sights on what lies beneath. In this case, they aimed—and conquered—the Mammoth caves in Kentucky.   We’re gonna stop here in this podcast show. We’ve covered a lot of great explorers; people who explored the North and South poles and the Congo. We just discussed people who have explored outer space and even walked in space! I think that we’ve gone high enough for now. In the next podcast show, we’re gonna explore another dark and untouched part of THIS planet. And we’re gonna continue our discussion about why we explore and why exploring is so important. I hope to see you at Part II of this great and groundbreaking discussion.   Also, please remember that you can “meet” many of these people on Facebook at out Wiki History Podcast page. Or at least you can see them. Pictures really do say a thousand words and seeing these people can help to bring them to life. You will also find our newsletter that helps you to learn history and teaches ways that you can MAKE history. Remember, we’re all history makers. We all have something to contribute. These stories show that ordinary people can do extraordinary things and live extraordinary lives.   So, I look forward to seeing you at Part II of the Black explorers podcast show at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it every day. Bye for now!                                                                           Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin Lofton, the Chief In-house Historian and host of this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history.   This is part II of the podcast show on Black explorers. In the previous show, we discussed the importance of exploration and how exploration has changed over the centuries. And we discussed people who had aimed high (Mount Everest high) and even higher (outer space). Those were such interesting and inspirational stories. I hope that you’ve listened to part I of this series. I promise that you’ll be ready to stand and salute these brave men and women. But for now, I think that we should continue with the discussion of Black explorers.   Remember at the end of the show, I introduced the next group of explorers. They didn’t aim to go higher and higher. They were focused on discovering a part of this planet that had been ignored and feared: the Mammoth Cave system in Kentucky. Let’s get straight to their fascinating stories and then we’ll end with a discussion of why exploring is important and why it’s important to learn the stories of these great explorers.   The Mammoth caves make up the longest known cave system in the world, with more than 400 miles explored. Did that stop or scare these explorers? Not for a minute. In fact, many African Americans (some former enslaved persons) extensively explored this grand, gloomy and peculiar place.   Let me just mention a few of these courageous and skilled cave navigators.   Although human activity has been recorded in the Mammoth caves for more than 6,000 years, Stephen Bishop was one of the lead explorers and guides in the complex and yes dangerous subterranean cave system. In fact, he is the person who coined the “grand, gloomy and peculiar” term to describe the Mammoth Caves.   Stephen Bishop came to the Mammoth caves in 1838. He was African American, 17 years old and enslaved. Yet because of his great exploration and guiding skills, he did enjoy some freedoms and privileges in the Mammoth caves—and avoided the grueling physical work and suffering endured by other enslaved people. In fact, he was first introduced to the Mammoth caves by a white explorer. This developed Bishop’s love of exploration—and he spent the next two decades exploring the Mammoth caves.   Although he was introduced to the caves by other explorers, Stephen Bishop went far beyond those explored and toured areas. Bishop discovered miles of new routes that no human eye had ever seen. And he opened the gateway for modern exploration of these vast and incredible caves. Bishop also worked to draw a map from memory of the different passages in the caves. It was published in 1844 and was the defining map of the caves for over 40 years!   Yes, he made history: Stephen Bishop was the first to cross the “Bottomless Pit” which was a series of deep vertical shafts. Other explorers had stopped at the Bottomless Pit, refusing to cross over that dangerous abyss. Quite understandable but Bishop was not scared or stopped. He continued past the Bottomless Pit and into areas that had been completely unexplored. And he later safely guided others over the Bottomless Pit and into new regions of the caves. Bishop also explored and guided others into areas of the Mammoth Caves called Fat Man’s Misery (I can only guess why it was given that name!), Cleveland Avenue and the Mammoth Domes. Those are some of the most famous areas of the caves, made famous and popular by Stephen Bishop. Other popular attraction discovered by Stephen Bishop He discovered strange blind fish, snakes, silent crickets, and the remains of cave bears.     He absolutely loved the Mammoth caves and had a real drive for exploration. Still it was hard work and he crawled through tight winding passageways, discovered an underground river, scaled huge rocks, and dared to walk on a rickety nature-made ladder across the "Bottomless Pit."   In 1856, Stephen Bishop received his freedom but unfortunately died the following year at the age of 37.   Stephen Bishop might have been born into slavery, but he was never a slave. He was an explorer! And today he is a legend!   Another Black explorer who came to the Mammoth caves in 1838 was Nick Bransford. However, Bransford didn’t become a full-time explorer for nearly 20 years after moving to the caves. He started full-time guiding in 1857, after the death of Stephen Bishop.   Nick Bransford was an enslaved person (born during the period of slavery). Like Bishop, he was leased out and sent to the Mammoth caves to work. And interestingly there were records showing that he was valued at $800, which was substantially more than for other enslaved persons. This was most likely because of his skills as an explorer and guide.   Bransford later purchased his freedom by selling eyeless fish that he captured in the underground rivers within the caves.   The Mammoth Caves attracted many formerly enslaved people. Ed Bishop for example. No relation to Stephen Bishop. He came to the Mammoth caves in 1886.   Among his greatest achievements was to guide the German cartographer, Max Kamper, into the Mammoth Caves. For 8 months, he and Kamper remained at the cave, visiting all the known sections. But Ed Bishop also discovered new sections that he presented to Max Kamper. One such newly discovered point (located on the Violet City Lantern route) was named Bishop’s Pit in 1908, in honor of Ed Bishop. Together Bishop and Kamper produced a map representing more than 35 miles of passages in the cave. Ed Bishop was widely recognized for his knowledge of the cave and as a teacher for the guides.   Ed Hawkins discovered a monumental series of vertical shafts. The passage leading up to these incredible shafts was later named Hawkins Pass. A great honor to this great explorer. And, yes, visitors can still see these shafts. Just take the Wild Caves Tour!         The last person that we’ll discuss who was important at the Mammoth Caves was Will Garvin. He was a private in the army, serving in a Colored Troop during the Civil War. Will Garvin was never an enslaved person. Following the Civil War, he began exploring and guiding in Mammoth caves where he made his mark for discovering an area later call the Corkscrew. This was actually a maze through collapsed rubble that linked the upper levels of the cave system to the lower levels near the water table. This area also provided an exit from the cave so visitors wouldn’t have to retrace their steps.   Some people say that Will Garvin also discovered the Colossal Caverns. This area was so treacherous that it even wasn’t opened to the public until 1972 (some 70 years after its discovery). It is one of the caves still protected within Mammoth Cave National Park.   But Will Garvin also made another important discovery—or had an important experience. This is really interesting.   He was the first person to experience the optical illusion called the Statue of Martha Washington. As he was exiting the cave, he saw a spectral silhouette of a woman who looked just like Martha Washington! I know strange things can be seen in the caves but this was one of the strangest! And it is still occasionally seen on certain tours in the historic section!   So, that concludes the discussion about Black explorers at the Mammoth Caves. And it concludes the presentation of Black explorers.   Now I just have one question:     Why do we care about these explorers?   Because they faced their challenges with honor, courage, and determination.   Whether it was Mount Everest, the Mammoth caves, the mighty Congo River, the North and South poles or outer space, they went there (using the words from Henry Sheppard in the Congo!) And they went boldly!   Everyone has an Everest. Everest can take many forms: going to school, applying for a job, fighting injustice, writing a book, public speaking or fighting an addiction. We all have our Everests. We are ALL explorers. The personal accounts in this podcast are stories of REAL people. And we can have a story too. We just have to find our challenge and face it. Victory is inevitable.   So we have much to learn from explorING and from exploRERS. Like many other people, I have done my share of exploring. And I think that the main thing that explorers discover is actually something within themselves. It is strength, courage, determination, creativity, persistence and other qualities that helped them to endure hardships, face their fears and rise to new heights. As Barbara Hillary said, when she reached the North Pole at the age of 75, there are no limits to what we can do and we can all challenge ourselves to do great things.   On that high note, I think that this is a great place to conclude this podcast. I hope that you have found it fun, educational and inspirational. I definitely have!   One interesting thing that I noticed about all of these great explorers is that they had so many different interests. Of course, they were completing committed to their explorations and their time, energy and focus were always in that direction. But they were multi-dimensional people in every respect. Matthew Henson—who went to the North Pole—was also a survivalist and linguist who loved the Inuit culture.   William Henry Sheppard –who explored the Congo—was also an avid art collector.   Mae Jemison—the first African American woman in space—loves African history and dance and speaks four languages: Swahili, Russian and Japanese in addition to English.   Others are voracious readers, cartologists, scuba divers, marathon runners, musicians, public speakers, sculptors and so many different interests. So, it’s important to remember that we can have many interests—some might be consistent with your dharma (life’s purpose) but others might conflict. Yet these interests make us complete people.   And, since I mentioned Mae Jemison, I read a story about her. After she had finished her medical studies and returned from the Peace Corps, she received a phone call. It was from NASA. She had submitted an application to NASA years before. On the phone call, they asked her: “Are you still interested in becoming an astronaut?” She answered simply “yeah”. That answer opened up a whole new world to her and within 2 years she went to outer space. Lesson here: Say “yes!”.   All of these explorers said yes to new experiences even when others were telling them to say no. But saying yes opened them to becoming great explorers.   Finally, Charles Bolden, the astronaut who was the first African American to become head of NASA, showed how there are no limits except what we can envision. He said,   "You know, the universe is a big place. I'm a practicing Christian, so in my faith, I learn about omnipotent, omnipresent God, which means he's everywhere. He's all-knowing. He does everything. And I just cannot bring my little pea brain to believe that a God like that would pick one planet of one of millions of suns and say that's the only place in the vast universe that I'm going to put any kind of life. And so the problem is I haven't been far enough away." [29]   I realize that I mentioned lots of names, places, events, experiences and other information that you might want more information about. The rememberinghistory.com team has you covered. You can get more information, see the people and places, read the “What You Can Do” list, see great pictures and even find good a book list at the Wiki History podcast page on Facebook. You can also find the newsletter called Making History Today! which discusses practical ways that you can actually MAKE history through education, the arts, political activism or whatever interests you.   Finally, I just want to remind you that 2017, the Wiki History podcast show is dedicated to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Located in Washington, DC, the National Museum of African American History & Culture opened in 2016. This kind of museum was long overdue but it finally happened and it is a place that everyone should visit and explore. Museums are a great way to bring history to life and to keep it alive for future generations. Wiki History is honored to be a part of this important process. For every person that listens to this podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will donate $1 to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.   Come back soon to Remembering History where we ARE remembering history and we’re making it. Every day! And, like Matthew Henson, get ready to sit on top of the world! Bye for now!    

How Leaving the United States made me a better American   Hi and welcome to the July issue of Making History Today, the newsletter for people who want to change the world. I’m Robin, the editor of this great and groundbreaking newsletter. I’m so happy that you are receiving Making History Today and listening to this podcast.   As the editor in chief, I have the privilege every month of writing a few words about a current event or an important issue that I think will be helpful, interesting or even intriguing to the Making History Today community. This month, I made an interesting observation about myself. It’s something that I notice every year. Mostly in July. You see every July, I return to the United States for a vacation. That’s when it happens. I notice the same thing. I notice a change in myself and in the United States.   But let me back up a bit and tell you the whole story. It’s not long but it’s important because then you’ll understand that when I left the United States, I actually became a better American. And that’s the subject of my editor’s note for the July issue of Making History Today.   In 1994, I moved to the Netherlands. It was not supposed to be a permanent move to leave the United States. I was going to study at a Dutch University for my Masters degree in European Law. I was planning a year-long adventure of living abroad, learning another language and travelling around Europe. My program was scheduled to end in May 1995 and then I would return to my life and law practice in California.   I DID complete my program in May of 1995.   But I didn’t return to live in the United States.   What happened?   A lot.   I had developed a different worldview. And my view of America had definitely changed.   Let me begin by saying that I love the United States. I always have. I can still get misty-eyed when reading the Declaration of Independence. I read the U.S. Constitution for the sheer joy of it. I love the cultural diversity of the country, the can-do attitude and the everything-is-possible belief. I could make a long list of the great things in and about the United States. But what I experienced in Europe during that study abroad year was a game changer for me.   I met so many new and interesting people from around the world—each of us defined PRIMARILY but NOT SOLELY by our nationality. But as an African American woman, I never thought of myself as fully, mainstream American but more as “on the fringes” American.   Yet when I spoke with people from Spain, Poland or South Africa, I realized how fully American that I really was or am. At first, this was a shocking realization. Then it became a teachable moment, an epiphany—it became my opportunity to grow and learn how other people live, think and experience life. That’s when I discovered how fully American that I really am. And—perhaps more importantly—that Americans are not living as fully as we can.   What do I mean?   I mean that Americans (myself included) accept certain things as “acceptable” or “just how things are”. Or that this is the best way to do something. Or we simply can’t imagine something different. And these are things that we should NEVER accept.   Here’s an example: I became sick while I was in the Netherlands. I was a student and didn’t have much money and no Dutch health insurance. I needed to spend the night in the hospital and have tests. I was worried that I couldn’t afford all of that. The hospital never even asked to see my insurance information. (In contrast, the hospitals and pharmacies that I have visited in the United States spend lots of time asking about insurance, deductibles, exemptions and a host of other financial information that has NOTHING to do with medical treatment!) The Dutch hospital was clearly more interested in my treatment rather than my ability to pay. Everyone spoke English. And I was treated with professionalism and kindness.   Months later, I was sent a bill that was less than $500, (and this was for an overnight stay in the hospital and a complicated test). I sent the bill to my American health insurance provider who refused to pay any part of it.)   This was not the only experience that I have had with the medical systems in different European countries. They all have provided excellent service at a fraction of the costs of the American system. Most non-Americans simply don’t understand how the American system can cost so much money.   The same is true for the educational system, particularly at the university or graduate school level. I paid about $1,000 for my post-graduate program at a fantastic law school in the Netherlands. This is a fraction of the costs of American schools.   But everything is not just about costs. It is much more.       I’ve witnessed what people expect from their government such as transparency and accountability. Real debate and progressive discussion happens on issues like GMOs, stem cell research, gun control, race and ethnicity, women’s rights, abortion, LGBTQ rights and same sex marriage. Yes, there are far-right and far-left parties but they aren’t dominating the mainstream (even though they might want to do so) and they’re not controlling politicians to make or support laws that serve only the privileged and powerful few. Lobbying and political action is regulated and transparent. Pharmaceuticals are regulated. Even television is different. Whenever I visit the United States, I become acutely aware that advertising is dominated by food and pharmaceuticals. Not the same in the various European countries that I have lived in.   Of course, European countries have their problems and issues. Having lived in Sweden, England, Belgium and the Netherlands, I have been frustrated sometimes with the amount of regulation (mostly the paperwork!) and the higher taxes. But I have been more impressed with the access to health care, excellent and affordable schools and the civil liberties.   Europeans ask me why so many people are imprisoned in the United States, why so many people are allowed to have guns, how people can afford the health care and why Americans have such limited paid medical, maternity and family leave. They ask me why stem-cell research is so controversial, why abortion is such a heated issue, why there is so much gun violence and why American universities are so expensive.   I don’t have answers to these questions except to say that Americans view health care, affordable education or employment security as privileges. Europeans view them as rights. Americans accept the death penalty, life sentences and mass incarceration as a standard response to crime. Most European countries don’t have the death penalty or the high incarceration rate of the United States. Yet European countries have lower crime rates than the United States. You know, the United States houses 22 percent of prisoners around the world though it makes up less than 5 percent of the world’s population. Today I find that shocking. When I lived in the United States, it seemed “normal.”   Yet I do consider myself more American than ever before. And my increased “Americanism” is leading me to demand more from my government than ever before. I want America to be that “more perfect union” that it can be. This could be what happened other African Americans travelled or even lived abroad. People like James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Chester Himes and Josephine Baker moved to Europe and experienced a different world from the oppressive racism, random violence and segregation in America where they were born. WEB Dubois went to live in Ghana and learned the real greatness and grandeur of African history and culture in contrast to the “dark continent” view of Africa that he learned in school. And Paul Robeson studied in England and visited the Soviet Union. He said in Moscow, "Here I am not a Negro but a human being for the first time in my life, I walk in full human dignity."   This was also true for many African American soldiers who fought in the first and second world wars experienced better treatment, higher social status and more rights and liberties while living abroad. And yes it was very difficult to return to the racist society in America who was not grateful for their service and sacrifice but was determined to strip them of their rights and put them back on the bottom of the social order.       Yet many African Americans did return to their birth country. And, like the Black veterans, they were different people. Having seen how the world can really be, they returned to demand that America live up to its own rules and standards—as stated in the constitution—and to create a better country for all of its people.   I also needed to leave my country before I understood that things could be different. They should be different. I needed that view from the outside. Moving abroad gave me that awareness.   I remember James Baldwin once said,   “I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”   I do too.   And I feel that America can become a better place AND I can be a better American. That means holding American society and government to higher standards.   Americans CAN have affordable health care, employment security, maternity and paternity leave, safer and less violent communities, programs that support the more vulnerable and less abled segments of society, racial equality and justice, a clean environment, a strong infrastructure, social and economic fairness and meaningful political participation.   But we will have to work for it. Demand it. And sacrifice for it.   Change at the most fundamental level will require airing out dirty laundry for the world to see. But I’ve learned that people already see our dirty clothes hanging in the wind. And I am now more aware than ever that the emperor is not wearing any clothes.   But I’m also ready to wash America’s dirty laundry and point out the emperor’s nakedness.   Awareness, for me, is the first step towards change. I feel that makes me a better American: awareness and a willingness to work for change. Incidentally, that is one of the reasons why this Making History Today newsletter is so important: it’s a vehicle to channel the activist feelings and drive to change America and, actually, change the world.     I’m gonna wrap this up with another quote from James Baldwin:   Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.   Yes, living abroad has helped me to see the problems and develop the strength to face them. I want America to become that more perfect union that it can be—and I’m prepared to work for it.   So, am I saying that the only way to become a better American is to leave it? Definitely not. There are lots of ways. In my next Editorial note of Making History Today, I’m gonna discuss a few other ways—some require big changes but others are small changes. I’ll present a few and I would like to hear your journeys too. You know, we can’t change our country or our world until we can change ourselves. See you in November!      

The Importance of African American history: Believe in fairy tales! Hi and welcome to the Wiki History lecture series called History is Power! Produced by rememberinghistory.com where history is power. Today, we’re going to discuss the importance of knowing African American history. We begin by asking why is history important? Great question. Perhaps the answer can be found in this famous journal entry, which says, Next time I go to a movie and see a picture of a little ordinary girl become a great star, I’ll believe it. And whenever I hear someone read fairy tales to my little boy, I’ll listen.  I know that dreams do come true.  I know because I am now playing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the big leagues!  I always dreamed about playing for the Dodgers, but honestly, I always had my doubts. I used to tell myself: “Something will happen. It just isn’t in the books for you to play in the majors. You’re a Negro. Negroes haven’t been in the big leagues. Some day they will be. But you won’t be the lucky guy. Can you guess who wrote this entry? Jackie Robinson. In 1947--following his first major league game with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie Robinson was the first Black person to play major league baseball. He made history. And he went on to win the league’s MVP award in 1949. During his career, he would play in 6 World Series. He concluded this entry by saying, Being up here is absolutely wonderful. That’s why I’m a believer in fairy tales now. You see, it actually happened to me! It was said that Jackie Robinson endured more racial insults and threats of violence than anyone in American history. But we know that Jackie Robinson made history. And history is power. Yes, we can learn a lot from history—that can inspire AND empower US, too. With this inspiration and empowerment, WE can make history. And THAT is our goal at rememberinghistory.com. We are remembering history AND we’re MAKING it. You’re gonna hear about many African Americans that made great accomplishments, contributions and changes in every field—law, medicine, art, literature, science, engineering, the environment, sports, American society and even the world! We will learn that they faced lots of obstacles, problems, rejections and sometimes even violence. But most importantly we will learn that—despite all of their challenges-- they still made history. Nothing came easy for Jackie Robinson or any of the other African Americans that you’re gonna hear about. Yet through their resolve, perseverance, focus, determination and hard work, they made a difference for themselves and for others. They MADE history. You see, just like Jackie Robinson said: fairy tales can come true. It happened for him. And it can happen for you, too. History teaches that it can happen. History also teaches HOW things happened and why. And that nothing ever had to happen in the way that it did. So we need to know the African Americans who came before us; what happened before us—the successes, the defeats, the victories and the challenges. We need to know the African Americans who helped to build and transform the United States and, indeed, who helped to shape our world. Some names will be unfamiliar from the past: Dr. Carter G. Woodson who wrote the Negro National Anthem later called the African American National Anthem (yes, there is one!) and who founded Black History Month. Ida B. Wells who fought against the horrible (but at-the-time common) practice of lynching. And, of course, the mathematical genius, Benjamin Banneker, who made great discoveries in astronomy and developed theories about relativity. Did I mention that Benjamin Banneker was born in 1731, a descendant of enslaved parents? And, like Jackie Robinson, the road was not easy yet they endured. Others did too. There was James McCune Smith, who moved to Scotland to earn his medical degree because no American universities would accept a Black man. He graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1837 becoming the first African American to receive a medical degree. Dr. Smith then returned to the U.S. where he had a distinguished medical career in private practice, opened two pharmacies, and trained young Black doctors. And there is Marcelite Harris who, in 1997, became the first woman to achieve the rank of major general in the US Air Force. Yes, she became the highest ranking woman in the United States Air Force and the country’s highest ranking African American woman in the Department of Defense! However, she had to apply THREE TIMES before her application for training was accepted. And did you know that Michael Jordan was cut from the basketball team in his sophomore year?! Most of us know what he went on to achieve! You see; nothing came easy for any of them. But these people were not afraid to be first. Or to stand out. Or even to stand alone. They weren’t afraid to fail. They never gave up. Neither should we. We can learn a lot from them. We can begin by asking ourselves: What was it like to be alive during their time? What it was like to walk in their shoes? What motivated them? What were they afraid of? What didn’t they know?   But remember that history is not just the study of the past. It is interesting because nobody ever lived in the past. People have only lived in the present. Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, and Harriet Tubman didn’t think of themselves as living in the past. They were living in the present. The difference is that it was THEIR present. Not ours. They were caught up in the living moment exactly as we are today. They didn’t know how things would turn out. Neither do we today. Jackie Robinson didn’t know what would happen when he joined the Dodgers and stepped on the field that day in 1947. Dr. Smith did not know what would happen when he moved to Scotland to study medicine or when he returned to America in 1837. And Major General Marcelite Harris never knew if she would ever be accepted into the Air Force or that she would receive so many medals and honors but she kept trying. But we can use their stories and strength (their fairy tales) to be empowered, inspired, and moved to make our own fairy tales. We know the history. And history is power. History teaches us that we can believe in fairy tales. And that we can make history. This website will span 400 years of the African American experience: from slavery to freedom to equality to justice. The stories and lessons will empower and inspire you. We will learn about Black explorers, educators, civil rights, the Black experience in the military, Black holidays and celebrations, the struggle for equality through marches and protests and many more fascinating subjects. Take a look at rememberinghistory.com for the complete schedule. We’ll also discuss CURRENT events and TODAY’S heroes and history makers. That’s gonna keep us busy and intrigued as well but we MUST recognize and honor them too. People like Marva Collins, a great educator who founded an elementary school for Black kids who were labeled as “uneducatable”. But she developed a school and system to help these children to learn and become successful adults. Another current hero is Mae Jamison who is an engineer, physician and NASA astronaut. She became the first African American woman to travel in space. Did I mention that she also speaks four languages?! You’ll have to listen to the podcast show to find out which ones! She has been described as one of the most impressive people that you’ll ever meet. And, we absolutely cannot forget Colin Kaepernick, who was a skilled and talented quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers taking them to the Superbowl and NFC championships. He has not been signed to ANY NFL team since he started the “take a knee” movement, which focuses police violence and racial injustice against African Americans. He is a brave and committed role model and leader that deserves our respect. All of these people are deserve our respect because they fought and defeated the odds and lots of obstacles. They are making a difference and making history.   You see, these are great stories and there are so many of them to listen to, enjoy and learn from. So, we hope that you will join us at rememberinghistory.com. And that you will read our newsletter called Making History Today where you can learn how to make a difference in your community and even the world! And we do hope that you will make comments, ask questions and join this wonderful community of history lovers and aspiring history makers on the website or on Facebook. Or both! No limits! Keep believing in fairy tales! They do happen. We hope to see you soon at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. Every day. Bye for now!    

Hi everyone, I’m so glad that you are reading this issue of Making History Today and listening to this podcast. I’m Robin Lofton, editor-in-chief, of Making History Today! and I like to add that I’m also one of the in-house history lovers and aspiring history makers. That’s what this newsletter is all about and what Rememberinghistory.com is committed to. In this September issue of Making History Today!, I’m gonna address an issue that many people have approached me about: How can I work as an activist that focuses on the United States when I’m not actually LIVING in the United States? You might be surprised but this is a common concern for many (estimated 9 million) American citizens living around the globe.   This issue is very VERY important to me. You see, I am an American expat living in Belgium. I was born and raised in San Francisco then went to college at UCLA and law school at University of Pennsylvania. I left the United States in 1994 to get my Master of Law degree at the Rijksuniversiteit Maastrict in the Netherlands. But I had only planned to stay in Europe for a year then to return back home the United States. Well, it’s 2017, I’m still living in Europe. Lots of stuff has happened like marriage, children and other work and study opportunities so I’m still here. That’s a long story and maybe I’ll share that with you in another issue.   I’m gonna be honest with you though that for most of my time in Europe, my activism was limited to watching CNN and being the resident “American” among my non-American friends. That basically meant that people asked me questions about the United States like “why don’t most Americans speak more than 1 language?” “Why does U.S. health care cost so much? And my personal favorite “Why do Americans need so many guns?” I answered for all 325 million of my fellow Americans. That was the extent of my activist activities. I was an armchair activist or a slacktivist like I mentioned in the July issue of Making History Today!. That’s pretty sad, huh?                 But, over the years, things began to change. I began to pursue my love of history again—I’d always been interested in history—and I started writing about history, which was how Rememberinghistory.com was born. Over the years and 3 presidents (Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama), I began to grow more interested in politics and was able to see the United States from a distance. Suddenly, I began to see the problems more clearly: outrageously expensive health care, gun violence, economic disparity, rising levels of racism, sexism and xenophobia and a long list of others. (No, everything isn’t bad but these things definitely exist there!)   And with the election of Donald Trump in November, 2016 as the 45th president of the United States, everything became clear: the time had come to move from only studying and learning history to MAKING history. To taking action.   With that commitment, it has not been difficult working as an expat activist. And it has been so rewarding. So I am glad that people are asking me how to work effectively as an activist when living abroad.   What can you do? To be brief, you can do A LOT.   Let me get more specific:   Connect with the local political party: Democrats Abroad is a worldwide organization and it is definitely following the major issues in the United States and issues that affect Americans living abroad (such as taxation). But mostly they are focused on issues happening within the United States. You can work directly with them as a volunteer on projects that you’re interested in. Or you can get on their mail list and work on your own following their suggestions such as calling members of congress. They have a great campaign right now in which you take a picture of yourself calling your member of congress and reading a certain script. They send the picture to the main office with the hashtag #NotTooFarAwayToCall. By the way, you don’t have to be a member of the Democratic Party to join Democrats Abroad. (BTW, Republicans Abroad also has groups for U.S. expats.     Connect with PAGE, which is Progressives Abroad, Global Exchange. This is a worldwide group of progressive-minded people who want to get involved in U.S. politics. There are offices in many cities around the world. Each office is independently operated by a local expat. This organization is much smaller than Democrats Abroad and they are also more independent. Each group will decide which issues that it wants to focus on and pursue. If there is no group in your city, then you can work on your own or start a group. The global office of PAGE provides weekly guidance and regular support. This is a dynamic, exciting and diverse organization and they are very committed to making change in the United States and around the globe. Remember, you can work with an established group or on your own. Either way, you get lots of exposure to issues and practical ideas that you can implement. What else can YOU do? Write letters. Send tweets. Send postcards. These can—and should—have a simple message: Support the DREAM Act. Protect the rights of immigrant families. Provide universal health care. They don’t need to be THIS simple but just make sure that your message is clear and easily read. And it should be polite too. Make phone calls. Your congressional representative is required to keep records on every phone call that the office receives. So, get your message or script ready and make your call. You can call every day. Leave a message on the voice mail or leave it with the receptionist. This applies to calling the President as well. By the way, you can call anonymously if you like. Volunteer locally on issues that are important to you. I’m interested in migrants and refugees. So, yes, I focus on the United States by sending my postcards, making phone calls, and sending email messages and tweets about the DACA program and the DREAM Act to my Congressional reps and President Trump. But I also volunteer to serve meals to refugees in Brussels and I make donations to organizations that are supporting or providing services to refugees in Belgium and the United States. These organizations need your help in many different ways.       Be that resident American. As I said earlier, people would often as my opinion about issues or events happening in the United States. I speak up about these issues. I don’t try to “hide our dirty laundry” by making things look different than they are. I answer in a straightforward way if I am knowledgeable about the issue (such as immigration) or I respond about my personal experience with the issue, for instance, the health care system. Today, I speak up. You can too. That’s great activism. Start a Facebook page or campaign. You can connect with so many people through Facebook by starting a general page about politics, a specific political issue or about what President Trump is doing on a daily basis. This page can be informative, activist or both. But you can attract other people who share your viewpoint so you can work together to make your views known. Attend a march. There are marches happening around the world. Join the march and meet with people who share your views. One point here is that I encourage you to march as a means to unify people not to divide or incite people. There’s a big difference. Keep aware and informed. I know this might sound trite and obvious but it is SO important to stay informed about what’s happening in your home country and globally. (Remember it’s all connected.) If you want to have an impact, you gotta know what’s goin’ on. (Sorry, don’t mean to sound like Marvin Gaye!) But you DO need to know what’s goin’ on. At a minimum, watch the news channels like CNN or MSNBC or the BBC. But find also find your favorite non-traditional news (dare I say alt-news?) website, YouTube Channel or other news channel, radio station or online source, commentary sources and even the newspaper. Read regularly. Stay up to date. Personally, I follow what’s happening in the United States government so I have signed up for free updates at GovTrack.us and I have signed up for updates on the websites of my congressional representatives. So, I’m notified whenever they vote on ANYTHING—like a piece of legislation, federal and states judges. And I know when they will speak on an issue and what they said. These days, it is quite easy to stay informed. You just have to choose your sources and keep the information (and there will be lots of it!) organized and accessible.   Speaking of organization. You must organize yourself. Make a plan. I discovered when I got started in activism that there are actually lots of issues that I care deeply about. So many, in fact, that I simply don’t have the time to work on all of them. I can do 2 or 3 on a regular basis then temporarily address 1 more if a crisis develops. That’s all. Prioritize your issues so that you can focus your efforts and energy to make the greatest impact. Make an advocacy plan. If you don’t know how to make a plan for your activist activities, the advocacy coaches at rememberinghistory.com are here to help.   So, that’s all for now. You see, there are many different ways that you can make an impact as an activist even when you aren’t living in the country where your efforts are focused. American expats can be effective as activists working on U.S. issues. You will be effective and you will definitely be busy. But remember to have a plan. That probably should have been the first thing that I mentioned! And this works not just for Americans but for any expat activists. You’re not too far away to care or to make a difference. If you have any questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact me at robin@rememberinghistory.com or at the 2 Make History Today Facebook page. So, I’m signing off now. Thanks for listening and thanks for reading Making History Today! Bye for now.    

Marching Podcast #1   Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it every day! March is the month in which we focus on—surprise!—marching! Marching is one of the most common and I would say most effective ways to protest. And Americans have been protest marching since the country was founded.     Americans have marched for many reasons. American marched to protest the Stamp Tax—actually that march took place even before the United States officially existed. Americans have marched to protest wars like the War of 1812 and the Vietnam War. We have marched to protest racial inequality. We have marched to ensure the right to vote for women and people of color. We have marched to bring attention to and protest against police violence and gun “carry” laws. Americans have marched to show unity and solidarity with immigrants, refugees and other vulnerable and disenfranchised groups. Americans have been marching for almost 250 years and there is no reason to think that we will ever stop marching. In fact, I hope that we don’t stop marching because it is the hallmark of a democracy that people can “speak out” against their government’s action.   Of course, Americans aren’t the only people who march. I’m reminded of Gandhi marching against British rule in India. I’m also reminded of Black South Africans who marched against the violent and racist regime of apartheid. I can’t forget the suffragettes in England who marched to demand the vote for women AND for other social and economic rights for women. And, on a smaller but still important scale, I remember the students at Oxford in 1973 were marching and chanting: “What do we want? A student union! When do we want it? Now! What are we wearing? Dirty jerseys!” This was a major act of civil disobedience by Oxford students in violation of a strict and centuries-long dress code. And yes they DID get their student union. And India got independence from Britain. And apartheid was ended in South Africa. And English women got the right to vote. Marching works!       Yes, marching is a worldwide phenomenon to demand, to oppose, to protest and to bring attention to a problem and evoke emotion in people. Marching is effective. Marching is powerful. Marching makes history. So, this month (March), rememberinghistory.com salutes all of those brave, strong and committed people who get out and march. And just as people need marches, marches need people. And the people who brave the elements, the security forces, the wrath and power of the government, and the criticism of friends and family members to get out and march deserve our respect and our gratitude. So, this episode is dedicated to marchers and marches around the world.   In this first show about marching, we will look at some marches from the past. Some of the marches are VERY famous and iconic. Others are not-so-famous or widely-known. However, the common thing about all of these marches is that they were very effective in what they were trying to achieve. That takes us directly to our second podcast show this month which will discuss how to conduct a march effectively and how to participate in a march safely. Marches are often started by ordinary citizens just like you—individuals who CARE about an issue and want other people and their government to know about it and DO something about it. These were people who cared enough to get involved. And they made history. You can also make history and the next podcast show can help to you organize a march or participate in one.   One last bit of housekeeping then we’ll get straight to learning about marches in history:   First, if you enjoy this show, you can get more information at the Wiki history podcast page on Facebook. You will find pictures, short videos and a community of history lovers. There is also a place for comments, which I hope that you will leave for me because I really appreciate them and I do respond. Also, if you enjoy this show, please let others know about it. They might like it and find it inspirational too. We can all remember history AND we can all make history!             Finally, I just want to remind you that in 2017, the Wiki History podcast show is dedicated to the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington DC. Museums are a great way to bring history to life and to keep it alive for future generations. Wiki History is honored to be a part of this important process. For every person that listens to this podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will donate $1 to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. I also donate personally and I hope that you will too.   That’s enough for now. Let’s get started with this great and groundbreaking Wiki history podcast show. Today’s show is called “marches that made history.”   When I was remembering or reading about important marches, I found myself torn between marches that were huge—100,000 people or more—and marches that were relatively small—some were less than 50 people. We will discuss a march that had only ONE person. Which marches had the most impact? Which marches got media attention? Which marches changed laws and society? Which marches are still remembered?   What I discovered was nothing short of remarkable. Size didn’t matter! The number of people participating in the march was not as important as the organization, focus and determination of the marchers. Of course, participation is important—I really want to stress that—but I want to stress even more that the determination of the marchers was more important than any other factor. Their determination to affect change, to persist in the face of adversity, to be united in their cause, and to be committed to this form of nonviolent protest. With that said, let’s begin our journey down the memory lane of marching!   We will open with a small march that left a mark on the city of Oakland and perhaps beyond: The Twelve-Man March   This march was organized to bring awareness to the reality and the dangers of racial profiling. This was a great march: here’s what they did:  On July 19, 2013, twelve African American men marched to Oakland’s city hall.  All the men wore business attire: suit, tie, dress shoes, etc. All the African American men presented as businessmen.  They peacefully marched to city hall holding signs condemning racial profiling and the negative portrayal of African American men in the media.     In speeches at Oakland’s famous Ogawa Hall, the protesters cited the killing of Trayvon Martin in Florida and Alan Blueford in Oakland. Both were African American, young, and unarmed when they were killed. Alan Blueford killed by law enforcement. Trayvon Martin by a self-proclaimed neighborhood watch officer.  No one was convicted in either killing.  Racial profiling was the cause that identified (incorrectly and unjustly) these young men as dangerous criminals. Racial profiling had also been involved in other kinds of harassment of African Americans by law enforcement officers.   This was a small, but powerful and focused march that that brought awareness to racial profiling and presented a powerful vision of African American men that is rarely shown to the public.   Let’s jump back in time for a moment—and for some of the most famous marches. We’re going to the 1960s. This was a huge decade of social change and it witnessed LOTS of marches.   Of course, there was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom held on August 28, 1963. Did you know that was the FULL name of the march? The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where Dr. Martin Luther King gave his iconic “I have a dream speech.” There were an estimated 250,000 people in attendance—people of all races, ethnicities, genders and religious backgrounds. The focus of the march was to encourage President Kennedy to sign a civil rights bill that prohibited discrimination in employment, housing, education and the use of public facilities.   Also in the 1960s, staying with the same theme were the Selma to Montgomery marches. These were a series of three marches to demand the passage of a voting rights act. The marchers walked along Route 80 from Selma, Alabama to the capitol in Montgomery. On March 7, 1965, as the marchers peacefully crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, state troopers and county possemen attacked the unarmed marchers with billy clubs and tear gas after they passed over the county line. It was a violent and aggressive act by law enforcement that was witnessed by the entire country and even internationally. This event became known as Bloody Sunday.         The second march took place March 9. Troopers, police, and marchers confronted each other at the county end of the bridge, but when the troopers stepped aside to let them pass, King led the marchers back to the church. The third march started March 21. Protected by 1,900 members of the Alabama National Guard under federal command by President Johnson, and many FBI agents and Federal Marshals, the marchers averaged 10 miles (16 km) a day along the highway. The marchers arrived in Montgomery on March 24 and at the Alabama State Capitol on March 25.[11] With thousands having joined the campaign, 25,000 people entered the capital city that day in support of voting rights. The route is memorialized as the "Selma To Montgomery Voting Rights Trail," and is designated as a U.S. National Historic Trail. The Voting Rights Act was passed in that same year.   Another march that turned violent was an Anti-Vietnam War march, held on November 15, 1969. More than a half-million people marched on Washington, DC to protest the US sending troops to fight in Vietnam. This was just one of many marches opposing the Vietnam War—some were peaceful, some were not. But they all were impassioned and determined. (Just a separate note here: some people claimed that the Vietnam War was one of the first wars to ignite public protest and marches. Not true. The first major movement against an American war was to protest the War of 1812. These marches often did become violent, threatening President Madison and members of Congress.)   Leaving the 1960s, the Reagan presidency (1981 to 1989) ignited another wave of marches and protests.   One of the largest and most memorable (for its uniqueness) was the Solidarity Day march. Do you remember that march? I do even though I was a teenager at the time! On September 19, 1981, more than 260,000 people marched in Washington DC in support of the air traffic controllers. President Reagan had just summarily fired 12,000 air traffic controllers who had gone on strike for better wages and safer working conditions (for instance, to limit their working hours). But the larger goal of the march was to protest Reagan’s budget cuts and tax policies. Labor unions—particularly the AFL-CIO—and civil rights organizations met at the Washington Monument to show solidarity against the president’s policies.   The next year, 1982, witnessed one of the biggest marches in US history against the building and proliferation of nuclear weapons. Held on June 12, 1982, more than a million people marched in New York City to protest President Reagan’s proposed budget that expanded the military budget to allow for the research and building of nuclear weapons—while cutting the budgets for health care and education. These marches remained peaceful—by both marchers and law enforcement—but tensions and passions ran very high during these events.   And who could ever forget the National March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian rights? Held on October 11, 1987—still during Reagan’s presidency—the “Great March” as it was dubbed was attended by 200,000 people—of all orientations—demanding federal money for AIDS research and treatment and an end to discrimination against homosexuals. This march was held during the “AIDS epidemic” which was disproportionately affecting the gay and lesbian communities but the federal government had not responded with federal funds or legislation to protect this segment of American society.   The next major march on this issue was the March on Washington for LGBT rights and LIBERATION. Held on April 25, 1993 (just 6 years after the previous march on Washington for Gay and Lesbian rights), an estimated million people marched to demand a civil rights bill against discrimination, to demand more funding for AIDS research and for reproductive rights.   Two years later, Washington DC experienced its next million-person march called the Million Man march. Held on October 16, 1995, more than a million people marched in Washington DC. This march had a different goal than the others—it was not primarily making demands on the government (for legislation for example) or telling the government to stop something (like the Vietnam War or funding nuclear weapons). The million-man march—more accurately could be called the million black man march. It focused on bringing solidarity and unity to the African American community. It was a serious march and also a fun and festive black family day of picnics, music and fun.       The new millennium witnessed a new kind of marching. Single city marches expanded into multi-city, even multi-national marches--all coordinated on a single day or weekend. In other words: marching went global!   The invention of the Internet/World Wide Web and later social media helped to expand the reach and inclusion and coordination of marchers and protesters focused on a single goal.   One of the biggest of these modern marches was the march against the Iraq war. This march was held on February 15 and 16 in 2003 and occurred in cities across the United States (including New York, Seattle and Los Angeles). More than 10 million people attended. This march is known as the largest march in world history and it demanded that President Bush stop the invasion of Iraq.   Another large, multi-city march was held the following year on April 25, 2004 in cities across the United States. It was the march for women’s lives and was the largest pro-choice march ever held in the United States--attended by 1.5 million people both women AND men.   Wow, so the marches got larger but more focused. More diverse, inclusive and sophisticated. This is activism at its finest and these marches all made a difference. And the marchers made history.   While the early marches (like the Vietnam War marches) might seem like they were unsophisticated and simple, that is simply untrue. People were focused and passionate. They coordinated their efforts and took to the streets—sometimes facing the wrath of law enforcement. The people on that fateful bridge in Selma* had very little protection from law enforcement or recourse for the violence taken by the police or military. These marchers put their lives on the line. (And lest one thinks that this cannot happen today, just look at the DAPL marchers* in North Dakota, facing private military forces and being deprived of basic necessities in their protest march for clean water and respect for their sacred lands.)           Without the Internet and social media back in the 1960s, people relied on phones, meetings and word of mouth. I remember in college that I would see posters that advertised marches about issues like the environment, rights of minority groups and health care. Marching has definitely evolved over the decades (actually centuries!) but they continue to be an essential tool to let our government know what we think and to make demands for our rights.   And marching continues to bring us together as a people. Think of January 21, 2017. The Women’s march following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th U.S. president took place in numerous cities and countries (including my resident city of Brussels, Belgium). And it brought us all together to remember that we are “ONE” people and that we must support each other during bad times and good. It was one of the most unifying events that I have ever witnessed, seeing women AND men and everyone else standing together as one. It reminded of that saying, “A people united can never be defeated.”   I want to conclude this Wiki history podcast show by discussing one more march. It is a notable march though you probably won’t read about it in many history books. It is not notable because it involved thousands of people because it didn’t. It is not important because it involved multiple cities or countries. It isn’t notable because so many famous people participated in it. But it IS important and it IS notable. This march definitely made history.   This march involved one man with an important cause. His name was William Lewis Moore. Moore was a white man, a former graduate student at Johns Hopkins and postal worker who became an activist supporting rights for mentally ill persons and later supporting civil rights for African Americans. (In fact, he became a member of CORE—the Congress of Racial Equality). William Moore participated in a series of one-man marches in support of civil rights. On his first march he walked to Annapolis, Maryland, the state capital. On his second march he walked to the White House. His third march started in Chattanooga, Tennessee and was headed to the state capitol in Jackson, Mississippi. He was carrying a letter that he planned to hand-deliver to Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett urging racial equality and an end to segregation. During his march, he wore a sandwich board sign that said “Equal rights for all and Mississippi or bust!” Moore said: "I intend to walk right up to the governor's mansion in Mississippi and ring his doorbell. Then I'll hand him my letter." ***** Unfortunately, on April 21, 1963, 70 miles into his march to Mississippi, Moore was found dead by the roadside, having been shot twice in the head at close range. No one was ever convicted of his murder. In his bag, he had the letter that he had planned to deliver. In part, it said, "the white man cannot be truly free himself until all men have their rights." He asked Governor Barnett to "Be gracious and give more than is immediately demanded of you...." Moore was 36 years old at the time of his murder. You can find additional information about William Moore, including pictures, on the Wiki History podcast page on Facebook.   This might be a downer to end with but I do want it to have an impact. This was a march by one brave man who stood for racial equality and wanted to take his views directly to the governor of Alabama. That took courage! He deserves to be remembered for his bravery and activism. That’s what rememberinghistory.com is all about!   So, that’s all for today’s podcast show. Marches are great! I hope that this trip down the memory lane of marches and marching has left you feeling as inspired as I am. From the biggest multi-city, multi-national marches to the 12-man march in Oakland and William Moore’s one-man march in Alabama, individuals can have an impact and make a difference. And marching is one way to make a difference AND make history.   In the next podcast show, you will learn HOW to march and the elements of an effective protest march. Learning history IS important but MAKING history is essential. And you’re gonna learn how to do JUST that in the next show. Remember to go to the Wiki History Podcast page for more information about great marches and great marchERS. And that for everyone who listens to these great and groundbreaking podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will make a contribution to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.   And let’s all remember the words of William Moore, "Be gracious and give more than is immediately demanded of you."   See you next time at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history AND we’re making it. Every day. Bye for now.  

Great American Marches in History   Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it every day! March is the month in which we focus on—surprise!—marching! Marching is one of the most common and I would say most effective ways to protest. And Americans have been protest marching since the country was founded.     Americans have marched for many reasons. American marched to protest the Stamp Tax—actually that march took place even before the United States officially existed. Americans have marched to protest wars like the War of 1812 and the Vietnam War. We have marched to protest racial inequality. We have marched to ensure the right to vote for women and people of color. We have marched to bring attention to and protest against police violence and gun “carry” laws. Americans have marched to show unity and solidarity with immigrants, refugees and other vulnerable and disenfranchised groups. Americans have been marching for almost 250 years and there is no reason to think that we will ever stop marching. In fact, I hope that we don’t stop marching because it is the hallmark of a democracy that people can “speak out” against their government’s action.   Of course, Americans aren’t the only people who march. I’m reminded of Gandhi marching against British rule in India. I’m also reminded of Black South Africans who marched against the violent and racist regime of apartheid. I can’t forget the suffragettes in England who marched to demand the vote for women AND for other social and economic rights for women. And, on a smaller but still important scale, I remember the students at Oxford in 1973 were marching and chanting: “What do we want? A student union! When do we want it? Now! What are we wearing? Dirty jerseys!” This was a major act of civil disobedience by Oxford students in violation of a strict and centuries-long dress code. And yes they DID get their student union. And India got independence from Britain. And apartheid was ended in South Africa. And English women got the right to vote. Marching works!       Yes, marching is a worldwide phenomenon to demand, to oppose, to protest and to bring attention to a problem and evoke emotion in people. Marching is effective. Marching is powerful. Marching makes history. So, this month (March), rememberinghistory.com salutes all of those brave, strong and committed people who get out and march. And just as people need marches, marches need people. And the people who brave the elements, the security forces, the wrath and power of the government, and the criticism of friends and family members to get out and march deserve our respect and our gratitude. So, this episode is dedicated to marchers and marches around the world.   In this first show about marching, we will look at some marches from the past. Some of the marches are VERY famous and iconic. Others are not-so-famous or widely-known. However, the common thing about all of these marches is that they were very effective in what they were trying to achieve. That takes us directly to our second podcast show this month which will discuss how to conduct a march effectively and how to participate in a march safely. Marches are often started by ordinary citizens just like you—individuals who CARE about an issue and want other people and their government to know about it and DO something about it. These were people who cared enough to get involved. And they made history. You can also make history and the next podcast show can help to you organize a march or participate in one.   One last bit of housekeeping then we’ll get straight to learning about marches in history:   First, if you enjoy this show, you can get more information at the Wiki history podcast page on Facebook. You will find pictures, short videos and a community of history lovers. There is also a place for comments, which I hope that you will leave for me because I really appreciate them and I do respond. Also, if you enjoy this show, please let others know about it. They might like it and find it inspirational too. We can all remember history AND we can all make history!             Finally, I just want to remind you that in 2017, the Wiki History podcast show is dedicated to the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington DC. Museums are a great way to bring history to life and to keep it alive for future generations. Wiki History is honored to be a part of this important process. For every person that listens to this podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will donate $1 to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. I also donate personally and I hope that you will too.   That’s enough for now. Let’s get started with this great and groundbreaking Wiki history podcast show. Today’s show is called “marches that made history.”   When I was remembering or reading about important marches, I found myself torn between marches that were huge—100,000 people or more—and marches that were relatively small—some were less than 50 people. We will discuss a march that had only ONE person. Which marches had the most impact? Which marches got media attention? Which marches changed laws and society? Which marches are still remembered?   What I discovered was nothing short of remarkable. Size didn’t matter! The number of people participating in the march was not as important as the organization, focus and determination of the marchers. Of course, participation is important—I really want to stress that—but I want to stress even more that the determination of the marchers was more important than any other factor. Their determination to affect change, to persist in the face of adversity, to be united in their cause, and to be committed to this form of nonviolent protest. With that said, let’s begin our journey down the memory lane of marching!   We will open with a small march that left a mark on the city of Oakland and perhaps beyond: The Twelve-Man March   This march was organized to bring awareness to the reality and the dangers of racial profiling. This was a great march: here’s what they did:  On July 19, 2013, twelve African American men marched to Oakland’s city hall.  All the men wore business attire: suit, tie, dress shoes, etc. All the African American men presented as businessmen.  They peacefully marched to city hall holding signs condemning racial profiling and the negative portrayal of African American men in the media.     In speeches at Oakland’s famous Ogawa Hall, the protesters cited the killing of Trayvon Martin in Florida and Alan Blueford in Oakland. Both were African American, young, and unarmed when they were killed. Alan Blueford killed by law enforcement. Trayvon Martin by a self-proclaimed neighborhood watch officer.  No one was convicted in either killing.  Racial profiling was the cause that identified (incorrectly and unjustly) these young men as dangerous criminals. Racial profiling had also been involved in other kinds of harassment of African Americans by law enforcement officers.   This was a small, but powerful and focused march that that brought awareness to racial profiling and presented a powerful vision of African American men that is rarely shown to the public.   Let’s jump back in time for a moment—and for some of the most famous marches. We’re going to the 1960s. This was a huge decade of social change and it witnessed LOTS of marches.   Of course, there was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom held on August 28, 1963. Did you know that was the FULL name of the march? The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where Dr. Martin Luther King gave his iconic “I have a dream speech.” There were an estimated 250,000 people in attendance—people of all races, ethnicities, genders and religious backgrounds. The focus of the march was to encourage President Kennedy to sign a civil rights bill that prohibited discrimination in employment, housing, education and the use of public facilities.   Also in the 1960s, staying with the same theme were the Selma to Montgomery marches. These were a series of three marches to demand the passage of a voting rights act. The marchers walked along Route 80 from Selma, Alabama to the capitol in Montgomery. On March 7, 1965, as the marchers peacefully crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, state troopers and county possemen attacked the unarmed marchers with billy clubs and tear gas after they passed over the county line. It was a violent and aggressive act by law enforcement that was witnessed by the entire country and even internationally. This event became known as Bloody Sunday.         The second march took place March 9. Troopers, police, and marchers confronted each other at the county end of the bridge, but when the troopers stepped aside to let them pass, King led the marchers back to the church. The third march started March 21. Protected by 1,900 members of the Alabama National Guard under federal command by President Johnson, and many FBI agents and Federal Marshals, the marchers averaged 10 miles (16 km) a day along the highway. The marchers arrived in Montgomery on March 24 and at the Alabama State Capitol on March 25.[11] With thousands having joined the campaign, 25,000 people entered the capital city that day in support of voting rights. The route is memorialized as the "Selma To Montgomery Voting Rights Trail," and is designated as a U.S. National Historic Trail. The Voting Rights Act was passed in that same year.   Another march that turned violent was an Anti-Vietnam War march, held on November 15, 1969. More than a half-million people marched on Washington, DC to protest the US sending troops to fight in Vietnam. This was just one of many marches opposing the Vietnam War—some were peaceful, some were not. But they all were impassioned and determined. (Just a separate note here: some people claimed that the Vietnam War was one of the first wars to ignite public protest and marches. Not true. The first major movement against an American war was to protest the War of 1812. These marches often did become violent, threatening President Madison and members of Congress.)   Leaving the 1960s, the Reagan presidency (1981 to 1989) ignited another wave of marches and protests.   One of the largest and most memorable (for its uniqueness) was the Solidarity Day march. Do you remember that march? I do even though I was a teenager at the time! On September 19, 1981, more than 260,000 people marched in Washington DC in support of the air traffic controllers. President Reagan had just summarily fired 12,000 air traffic controllers who had gone on strike for better wages and safer working conditions (for instance, to limit their working hours). But the larger goal of the march was to protest Reagan’s budget cuts and tax policies. Labor unions—particularly the AFL-CIO—and civil rights organizations met at the Washington Monument to show solidarity against the president’s policies.   The next year, 1982, witnessed one of the biggest marches in US history against the building and proliferation of nuclear weapons. Held on June 12, 1982, more than a million people marched in New York City to protest President Reagan’s proposed budget that expanded the military budget to allow for the research and building of nuclear weapons—while cutting the budgets for health care and education. These marches remained peaceful—by both marchers and law enforcement—but tensions and passions ran very high during these events.   And who could ever forget the National March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian rights? Held on October 11, 1987—still during Reagan’s presidency—the “Great March” as it was dubbed was attended by 200,000 people—of all orientations—demanding federal money for AIDS research and treatment and an end to discrimination against homosexuals. This march was held during the “AIDS epidemic” which was disproportionately affecting the gay and lesbian communities but the federal government had not responded with federal funds or legislation to protect this segment of American society.   The next major march on this issue was the March on Washington for LGBT rights and LIBERATION. Held on April 25, 1993 (just 6 years after the previous march on Washington for Gay and Lesbian rights), an estimated million people marched to demand a civil rights bill against discrimination, to demand more funding for AIDS research and for reproductive rights.   Two years later, Washington DC experienced its next million-person march called the Million Man march. Held on October 16, 1995, more than a million people marched in Washington DC. This march had a different goal than the others—it was not primarily making demands on the government (for legislation for example) or telling the government to stop something (like the Vietnam War or funding nuclear weapons). The million-man march—more accurately could be called the million black man march. It focused on bringing solidarity and unity to the African American community. It was a serious march and also a fun and festive black family day of picnics, music and fun.       The new millennium witnessed a new kind of marching. Single city marches expanded into multi-city, even multi-national marches--all coordinated on a single day or weekend. In other words: marching went global!   The invention of the Internet/World Wide Web and later social media helped to expand the reach and inclusion and coordination of marchers and protesters focused on a single goal.   One of the biggest of these modern marches was the march against the Iraq war. This march was held on February 15 and 16 in 2003 and occurred in cities across the United States (including New York, Seattle and Los Angeles). More than 10 million people attended. This march is known as the largest march in world history and it demanded that President Bush stop the invasion of Iraq.   Another large, multi-city march was held the following year on April 25, 2004 in cities across the United States. It was the march for women’s lives and was the largest pro-choice march ever held in the United States--attended by 1.5 million people both women AND men.   Wow, so the marches got larger but more focused. More diverse, inclusive and sophisticated. This is activism at its finest and these marches all made a difference. And the marchers made history.   While the early marches (like the Vietnam War marches) might seem like they were unsophisticated and simple, that is simply untrue. People were focused and passionate. They coordinated their efforts and took to the streets—sometimes facing the wrath of law enforcement. The people on that fateful bridge in Selma* had very little protection from law enforcement or recourse for the violence taken by the police or military. These marchers put their lives on the line. (And lest one thinks that this cannot happen today, just look at the DAPL marchers* in North Dakota, facing private military forces and being deprived of basic necessities in their protest march for clean water and respect for their sacred lands.)           Without the Internet and social media back in the 1960s, people relied on phones, meetings and word of mouth. I remember in college that I would see posters that advertised marches about issues like the environment, rights of minority groups and health care. Marching has definitely evolved over the decades (actually centuries!) but they continue to be an essential tool to let our government know what we think and to make demands for our rights.   And marching continues to bring us together as a people. Think of January 21, 2017. The Women’s march following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th U.S. president took place in numerous cities and countries (including my resident city of Brussels, Belgium). And it brought us all together to remember that we are “ONE” people and that we must support each other during bad times and good. It was one of the most unifying events that I have ever witnessed, seeing women AND men and everyone else standing together as one. It reminded of that saying, “A people united can never be defeated.”   I want to conclude this Wiki history podcast show by discussing one more march. It is a notable march though you probably won’t read about it in many history books. It is not notable because it involved thousands of people because it didn’t. It is not important because it involved multiple cities or countries. It isn’t notable because so many famous people participated in it. But it IS important and it IS notable. This march definitely made history.   This march involved one man with an important cause. His name was William Lewis Moore. Moore was a white man, a former graduate student at Johns Hopkins and postal worker who became an activist supporting rights for mentally ill persons and later supporting civil rights for African Americans. (In fact, he became a member of CORE—the Congress of Racial Equality). William Moore participated in a series of one-man marches in support of civil rights. On his first march he walked to Annapolis, Maryland, the state capital. On his second march he walked to the White House. His third march started in Chattanooga, Tennessee and was headed to the state capitol in Jackson, Mississippi. He was carrying a letter that he planned to hand-deliver to Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett urging racial equality and an end to segregation. During his march, he wore a sandwich board sign that said “Equal rights for all and Mississippi or bust!” Moore said: "I intend to walk right up to the governor's mansion in Mississippi and ring his doorbell. Then I'll hand him my letter." ***** Unfortunately, on April 21, 1963, 70 miles into his march to Mississippi, Moore was found dead by the roadside, having been shot twice in the head at close range. No one was ever convicted of his murder. In his bag, he had the letter that he had planned to deliver. In part, it said, "the white man cannot be truly free himself until all men have their rights." He asked Governor Barnett to "Be gracious and give more than is immediately demanded of you...." Moore was 36 years old at the time of his murder. You can find additional information about William Moore, including pictures, on the Wiki History podcast page on Facebook.   This might be a downer to end with but I do want it to have an impact. This was a march by one brave man who stood for racial equality and wanted to take his views directly to the governor of Alabama. That took courage! He deserves to be remembered for his bravery and activism. That’s what rememberinghistory.com is all about!   So, that’s all for today’s podcast show. Marches are great! I hope that this trip down the memory lane of marches and marching has left you feeling as inspired as I am. From the biggest multi-city, multi-national marches to the 12-man march in Oakland and William Moore’s one-man march in Alabama, individuals can have an impact and make a difference. And marching is one way to make a difference AND make history.   In the next podcast show, you will learn HOW to march and the elements of an effective protest march. Learning history IS important but MAKING history is essential. And you’re gonna learn how to do JUST that in the next show. Remember to go to the Wiki History Podcast page for more information about great marches and great marchERS. And that for everyone who listens to these great and groundbreaking podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will make a contribution to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.   And let’s all remember the words of William Moore, "Be gracious and give more than is immediately demanded of you."   See you next time at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history AND we’re making it. Every day. Bye for now.  

Do you recognize the names of Emmett Till, Melba Patillo, Gloria Ray, David Richmond or Ruby Bridges?   Perhaps you recognize some but not others. Perhaps none.   That’s okay. They weren’t seeking fame or fortune. They just wanted to get an education, vote or just eat at a cafeteria lunch counter. You might not know their names but they made a difference for all of us. In this podcast show, you’re gonna here EXACTLY what they did.   Hi, I’m Robin Lofton, the Chief In-house Historian and host of this great and groundbreaking show that can inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history. I find history to BE inspirational, instructional and entertaining. And African American history fits the bill in all of these ways. Personally, I hate boring stuff. So boring stuff is not allowed at rememberinghistory.com or at this Wiki history podcast show.   This was planned as the third and final podcast in our series on civil rights and the civil rights movement. But the rememberinghistory.com team decided that a change was necessary: This show about student activists has been divided into TWO parts. Why? Because this is a FASCINATING topic (you’re gonna here some great stores) and we wanted to make it practical too. So we’ve added a section on ways that young people and students TODAY can also help to make changes and have an impact in their communities, the country and world. So, that’s what we’ll discuss in part II of the series.   In the previous podcast shows, we discussed lessons we can STILL learn from Martin Luther King. If you haven’t heard that show, I really encourage you to do so because there were great lessons—yes, we can still learn from Dr. King and it stirred up a lot of interesting discussion. Spoiler alert: The first lesson was called “be maladjusted.” People really had a lot to say about that and I’m sure that you will too. The other podcast show was about voting rights in America. Yes, there is still a lot of discrimination in voting—in deciding how districts will be formed, in the voter registration process, even directly at the polling stations. And we presented specific and doable ways to fight discrimination in voting. The types of voter discrimination actions were shocking but it was also an empowering show. So be sure to listen so that you are ready to fight for your right to vote. And, of course, we made great animated videos to summarize the issues and entertain you as well. You can find them at rememberinghistory.com and on our YouTube channel. Remember, we don’t “do boring” here so prepare to be entertained AND learn a little something useful.   Today’s show refocuses on the people in history: a very special group of people who participated—and gave special momentum—to the civil rights movement. Young people and students. I planned to focus on college students. Yes, they did a lot. But as I thought about it more, I remembered that high school students and even elementary school students played an important part in the movement. So, we gonna include them in this discussion too. You see, even a CHIEF inhouse historian can change her mind and learn something new.   This is a particularly important show. Often, young people feel they can’t make a difference that they can’t have an impact and that decisions are being made only by the adults. This show will prove that this is simply not true. And I hope that it will convince young people and students that they do have a voice and an important role to play in protecting civil rights or in any cause that they’re passionate about. That’s important to remember. While these shows focus on civil rights, there are many causes that need and deserve attention and action. But protecting civil rights is an urgent focus right now—perhaps now more than in any time since the civil rights movement of the 1960s. And this show will suggest some ways in which they can get involved in protecting the civil rights—of people of color, of the economically disadvantaged, of refugees and immigrants and frankly of any group under attack or suffering injustice. Remember those famous words of Dr. Martin Luther King: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”   Well, let’s get to the show, “The Youth and Students in the Civil Rights Movement”*           Is it strange of think of young people and students focused, committing and working for civil rights? If you find it hard to imagine that children were brave enough, that high school students were focused enough and that college students were concerned enough to work together for civil rights, then it’s time to grab a chair and get comfortable. Perhaps even grab your kids to listen with you. This is history at its finest! This is the story of young people from elementary school—the youngest was only 7 years old!—through the college who showed commitment and courage under fire. And the “fires” that they faced were real and deadly—beatings, dog attacks, imprisonment, threats, and yes murder as well. Yet these young people stood up for their rights to equality and justice—and they stood up for your rights too. In one youth-led movement in 1963, Martin Luther King told the students who had been jailed (in Birmingham, Alabama) : “What you do this day will impact children who have not yet been born.” Wow. Sooo true. And these kids DID forge a path for us. Stay tuned—remember in Part II, we will present ways that young people can continue to be involved in social activism and have an impact on kids that are not yet born.   *[Applause break here]   Many of the young people involved in the Civil Rights Movement actively joined and participated in the meetings, marches, demonstrations and other nonviolent activities to draw attention to their cause. Others became involuntary victims of the racist and oppressive culture of segregation. However, both groups—whether actively participating or involuntarily drawn in-- made an invaluable contribution to the cause.                         We are gonna begin today’s journey by discussing a name whom I hope is familiar. Very familiar. Sadly familiar. But don’t worry if it’s not because we’re learning here together. The name: Emmett Till.   Personally, I don’t remember the first time that I heard the name of Emmett Till. I must have been too young. But he was a name that was always deeply embedded in me—not the details of his horrific claim to fame. But the feeling his fate stirred up: sadness, anger, disbelief, fear. I’m sure that all of these feelings came from my parents and I picked them up as an impressionable child. But his name is a part of my life story. Why? Because ALL Black children could have been young Emmett. Actually, I know that there were other Emmetts but HIS terrible experience changed everything. I’m jumping ahead of myself. Let’s hear the story.   In the summer of 1955, Emmett was just like any other 14-year old Black kid. Just finished the 7th grade at his Chicago school. High-spirited. Fun-loving. Growing into manhood. Polite. Looking forward to a great summer. Adored by his mother. Emmett was especially excited because he would spend the summer with his cousins in Mississippi. Emmett had never visited the segregated south so his mother counseled him about how to behave around white people.   The rest of the story has become a sad legend. Emmett enjoyed his first few days in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. Worked in the cotton fields during the day and played with his cousins in the evening. On his third day there, he went to a grocery store with his cousins and that’s when the trouble started. There is no clear account of what happened but Emmett might have whistled at the wife (who was white) who owned the store. A few nights later, her husband and brother-in-law went to house of Emmett’s uncle in the dead of night mind you, snatched Emmett out of bed and drove off with him into the night. Three days later, Emmett’s horribly mutilated body was discovered in a river. I won’t go into details, but young Emmett had been tortured, beaten and shot in the head. Witnesses recounted hearing a young boy screaming and calling for help from a barn. He was mutilated beyond recognition.         His grieving but brave mother firmly decided on an open casket at his funeral in Chicago. Thousands of mourners filed past the casket. Jet Magazine and several other Black publications printed the graphic photos of Emmett’s body. I have seen the horrific almost gruesome pictures and I will never forget them. Several of older friends actually went to Emmett’s funeral and viewed his body. I can see the pain and sadness still in their eyes—from 1955.   The murderers of Emmett Till were quickly tried and acquitted. I think that it took only an hour. Is that scenario familiar today? One of the killers even gave an interview to LOOK Magazine detailing how they killed Emmett.   Many people say that the murder of Emmett Till sparked the modern Civil Rights Movement. It brought light to the brutality and regularity of lynching in the south, the effects of segregation and the vulnerability of Black lives. Emmett Till could have been any Black man, woman or child in the Jim Crow south. African Americans demanded justice for Emmett. And young Black children and students were especially outraged and fearful because Emmett was only 14 years old so they connected with this movement perhaps feeling that their lives hung in the balance. The Civil Rights Movement was on—and young people were a committed and focused part of it. Emmett was not a voluntary student-activist but his name will be remembered as someone who started a movement.   The first real student-involved movement (that we’ll discuss) took place in 1957, just two years after the lynching of Emmett Till.   It involved 9 brave African Americans kids attempting to attend a white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. These kids became known as the Little Rock Nine. Let’s back up just a bit to 1954.   The United States was in chaos. (More was to come, of course, but most people didn’t know that.) Interesting thing about history—it’s not the story of people living in the present. It’s the story of people living in the present, THEIR present. So, in 1954, many people didn’t know or didn’t accept that change prompted by the civil rights movement was looming in their future. Hmm…gotta think about that one. Anyway, in 1954, the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education had just been decided by the Supreme Court. The decision that desegregated public schools.   Remember that’s where we got the “separate but equal is inherently unequal” quote and that THIS violated the 14th Amendment. So, segregated schools were declared illegal and ordered to integrate “with all deliberate speed.” (another great quote). But many school districts especially in the southern states refused to accept this decision. They fought back. Some just ignored the decision and dared the federal government to try to enforce it. Others closed down schools rather than integrate them. Let’s jump from the immediate aftermath of the Brown case back to the summer of 1957, Little Rock Arkansas.   The NAACP (Arkansas Branch) was determined to integrate the high schools, beginning in Little Rock, the state’s capital. Daisy Bates, president of the Arkansas Branch of the NAACP recruited nine high school students whom she believed possessed the strength and determination to face the RESISTANCE to integration. During that summer, the students participated in intensive counseling sessions on what to expect and how to respond to the reaction from the white community--students AND parents.   Just before school opened in September, Arkansas Governor Oval Faubus ordered the National Guard to bar the African American students from entering the state’s schools. He claimed that it was for “their own protection” (quote. Don’t we hear that one a lot today?) The next day, a federal court judge issued a counter-ruling that desegregation would proceed.   As the nine Black students attempted to enter the school, a huge crowd of angry white students and adults as well as the Arkansas National Guard (ordered by the Governor) barred the students’ from entering. White protesters threatened the students, screamed racial slurs and spit on them. They were not able to enter the school that day.   Days later, the students tried to enter the school again with a police escort. However, more than a thousand white protesters appeared and again blocked the students’ from entering the building. President Eisenhower finally sent federal troops to enforce the integration order. Army troops actually had to escort the students to their first day of class.       But that wasn’t the end of the story. Protests against integration continued. The 101st Airborne Division stayed at the school to protect the students for an entire year. The nine kids faced verbal and physical abuse. One student had acid thrown in her face. Another was pushed down the stairs. The threats were constant and real. Both teachers AND students were hostile. But the kids survived and even thrived at their high school. All graduated and held distinguished careers. However, they only stayed at Little Rock Central High School for a year. The school board voted by 3 to 1 to close the school rather than officially integrate (of course, they cited budget cuts as the reason for the school closure.) But the brave high school students had stood up for their rights in a hostile and dangerous situation. Just imagine having to be escorted to school by federal guards. Imagine parents shouting ugly remarks at you. Imagine being spat upon, pushed around or down stairs, ignored by teachers and facing a large hostile crowd in the school cafeteria. This was definitely courage under fire and these kids deserve to be recognized and respected for their great achievement. And I want to say their names because they should become a familiar part of African American history:   Elizabeth Eckford Ernest Green Thelma Mothershed Melba Patillo Minnijean Brown Gloria Ray Terrence Roberts Jefferson Thomas Carlotta Walls   [Break for applause.]   By the way, during this podcast, you have heard and will continue to hear about people, places, events and issues. You will HEAR about them, but I completely understand if you want to actually SEE them, too. We got that covered on the Wiki History Podcast Page on Facebook. You will find pictures, animated videos and a community of history lovers. There is also a place for comments, which I hope that you will leave for us because we really appreciate them AND we do respond. Of course, we welcome all questions too.   Moving on…1960 was a BIG year for student activism. It’s really hard to know where to begin.   But I’ll adopt a “ladies first” position here—especially for this little lady named Ruby Bridges.   Ruby wanted to attend William Frantz Elementary School, which was an all-white school based in New Orleans. (I know what you’re thinking: you can’t have an all-white school because the Brown v. Board of Education case declared them illegal. Well, just like in Little Rock, the school boards were NOT going to give up their segregated lifestyle and institutions willingly. So the fight continued.) And little Ruby Bridges wanted to attend this school in her neighborhood school and for which she had passed a rigorous entry test. (This test had ACTUALLY been designed to screen out Black students and had been successful until Ruby.) So, she was excited to attend the kindergarten. Yes, that’s right little Miss Ruby Bridges was seven years old. She had to be escorted to school every day by 4 U.S. Marshals. She spent her first day in the principal’s office and watched as white parents removed their kids from school. A compromise was reached in which white students would return to school and Ruby would be isolated in a classroom on a floor separated from the other students. Only one teacher (Barbara Henry who was from Boston) agreed to teach her. For the remainder of the year, Mrs. Henry and Ruby would sit side-by-side going over lessons in the classroom. At recess, Ruby would stay in the classroom and play games or do calisthenics. At lunch, Ruby would eat alone in the classroom. Outside the school, the parents continued to protest against Ruby. One woman threatened to poison her every day. Another put a black baby doll in a coffin and left it at the school. Ruby said that scared her more than anything! Her father lost his job. Her mother was banned from shopping at the local grocery store.   This behavior seriously affected Ruby—as it would affect any 7-year old child. She began having nightmares. Stopped eating and started to have crying fits. She received counseling and gradually settled into a normal routine with the help of her teacher, Mrs. Henry. By the second year, Ruby started making friends and attending classes with the other students. Ruby attended integrated schools all the way through high school and went on to business school. (Interestingly, Ruby was reunited with Mrs. Henry on the Oprah Winfrey show.) That must have been an emotional reunion! Teachers really do make a difference. But it was Ruby’s strength and determination that helped her to succeed. Still--no one does it alone.   Remember to look for the pictures of Ruby Bridges and Barbara Henry on the Wiki History Podcast page on Face book. I’m really moved by two pictures of 7-year old Ruby marching into school escorted by 4 US Marshals. One is a real-life picture. The second is what has become an iconic portrait made by Norman Rockwell called “The Problem we all live with.”   We’re still in 1960 and now we have the Greensboro Four and their protest is marked as the beginning of student activism during the civil rights movement.   The group known as the Greensboro four was attending the North Carolina A & T State University. They were dedicated students who were fans of Mahatma Gandhi, believed in nonviolence and spent their evening studying and discussing current events. Like many other young people, they had been and still were deeply affected by the murder of Emmett Till 5 years earlier. They had also been very impressed and moved by the Freedom Rides in the Deep South led by the Congress of Racial Equality (or CORE). They acknowledged some progress but also recognized and refused to be distracted into thinking that this progress was good enough. Most businesses were privately owned and therefore not subject to federal law that banned segregation. They decided to take action.   On February 1, 1960 at 4:30pm, all four students walked into a Woolworth in Greensboro, North Carolina. Wearing their Sunday best, they sat at the whites-only lunch counter and requested service. They were denied. They continued to request service in a polite way but they were continuously denied by store manager. They were told to leave but they refused. Police were called but they didn’t arrest the students because they had not been violent or disorderly. Media arrived. Crowds developed. The students stayed at the lunch counter for the entire day until the store closed. Woolworth issued a statement to the press that it would continue to “abide by local custom”, meaning that it would continue to practice segregation.   The Greensboro Four went back the next day. More students joined the sit-in, this time from the Bennett College, which was an all-women’s college in Greensboro. Each day more students joined the protest—and it spread to other southern cities like Richmond and Nashville. By February 5th, hundreds of students joined in the lunch counter sit-ins. It paralyzed all business at the counter. The student protesters were verbally abused and threatened by white customers. THIS sit-in launched a nationwide movement at segregated lunch counters across the country. It also sparked a movement on college campuses that brought ATTENTION to the civil rights situation in the United States. The sit-in protests in Greensboro and other cities received lots of attention from the media and eventually the government. By the end of the year, many restaurants, lunch counters and privately-owned business had desegregated their facilities without any court action or marshals. And, yes, Woolworth in Greensboro also desegregated its lunch counters. Sit-ins were one of the most effective kinds of protests during the Civil Rights Movement. And it started with four intelligent, ambitious and civic-minded African American students and grew to more than 70,000 people protesting throughout the country. The protest ended on March 25th—lasting 5 months, 3 weeks and 3 days.   I absolutely love this story; it is SO inspirational on many different levels. The close friendship among the students. Their motivation, discipline and courage. Their education and reliance on a philosophy of non-violence and civil disobedience. The quick growth of the protests among college students who seemed ripe and ready to show their discontent and ability to fight for their rights. I could go on and on about this but I think that you see the same picture.* And because these students deserve our respect and have earned their place in history, I want to mention their names:   Ezell Blair, Jr. David Richmond Franklin McCain Joseph McNeil   *[Applause track here]       This story shows how a small but determined group can create a big and lasting change. As a follow up, although their protests were successful and many people praised them, both Black and White, all of the Greensboro Four had to leave the city because of harassment and death threats. They had been labeled as troublemakers so the local white population made life difficult and dangerous for the men to continue living there. Today there are several statues and remembrances of the protests initiated by the Greensboro Four. The February One statue of the four student-activists is located on the campus of North Carolina A & T State University. It is really moving. And you can find the original four lunch counter seats at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro. I also have pictures on the Wiki History Podcast Facebook page. I strongly encourage you to see them. I’m sure that you’ll be moved too.   Our last group of student-activists (in Part I) took the fight for civil rights to another level—the international level. They forged a CONNECTION with the civil rights movement in the United States and the anti-colonial movement that was sweeping across the continent of Africa. But I’m jumping ahead of myself; I’m just so excited to talk about this group. The group’s name: The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (or SNCC). Let’s start at the beginning.   Still--in 1960.   In April, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) sponsored a conference on student leadership and nonviolent resistance. This conference was partially initiated by the sit-ins in Greensboro and other cities. 300 students attended that conference. These students (who acted as delegates and observers) witnessed the formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. SNCC was born!   The members of SNCC joined the Freedom Riders that were sponsored by CORE (remember, Congress of Racial Equality). The Freedom Riders would take people all over the southern states to test the public facilities at the bus stations. However, the Freedom Riders started facing VERY intense attacks and violence. Buses were burned. People were assaulted with baseball bats, bombs and other weapons. Because of these attacks, in 1961, CORE suspended its Freedom Rides. SNCC decided to start running its own Freedom Rides. A SNCC member said, “There was so much at stake, we could NOT allow the segregationists to stop us. We HAD to continue that Freedom Ride EVEN if we were killed in the process.” So SNCC started making its own Freedom rides into the southern states.After numerous members of SNCC were beaten, tortured and imprisoned on false charges during the Freedom Rides, the government was forced to intervene and repeal the segregation laws that regulated interstate public transportation. SNCC had won—but at a great cost.   But the students wanted more. Their next campaign was for voting rights, which they started in 1963. Their slogan “one man, one vote” became the cornerstone of SNCC’s programs. SNCC demanded universal suffrage in the United States, continuing to parallel the efforts in the U.S. with the efforts taking place within the anti-colonial struggle in Africa. These were some serious students!   SNCC continued its sit-in protests and also met with the Oginga Odinga, the president of the newly independent government of Kenya. The racist image of the United States that SNCC’s work showed to the world was a sharp contrast to the picture of democracy painted by the politicians in Washington. And this became a problem.   In 1964, SNCC embarked on its most challenging effort with the Mississippi Summer Project. SNCC joined with other civil rights organizations in the state. (Like the SCLC and church organizations.) The coalition mobilized nearly a thousand volunteers from northern universities to travel to Mississippi to organize an independent Freedom Democratic Party and to register thousands of African Americans to vote. This was the famous Freedom Summer. The white protesters (including Klan members, law enforcement, policians and members of citizen’s councils) responded to SNCC’s civil rights activities with murder, beatings and imprisonment. If you’re wondering, this WAS summer that Cheney, Goodman and Schwerner kidnapped and killed were killed by police and the ku klux klan. More young lives cut short for trying to register Black voters. Unfortunately, the Freedom Democratic Party was never seated at the National Democratic Convention in 1964 and universal suffrage wouldn’t be guaranteed until the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, but the work by SNCC brought many more people into the movement for political and economic equality.   Because SNCC had gained a high level of prominence from its consistent work and many successes, the student organization was invited to send a delegation to tour several independent countries in Africa during the fall of 1964. They visited the Republic of Guinea and received a special invitation to meet President Sekou Toure. One of SNCC’s leading members, John Lewis also visited Kenya, Zambia and other African countries. After this important trip, SNCC created an international affairs section, which made a powerful presentation before the United Nations Committee on Decolonization. The role of SNCC during this period illustrated the interconnectedness of the African American struggle for equality and the struggle for independence by the colonized countries on the African continent. Independence, equality, and civil rights were now expanded beyond U.S. borders into an international movement on two continents! Wow. That is huge! Students took the struggle to a new level—as only young people can do!   But SNCC never lost sight of its commitment and work in the cities, small towns and rural areas of the south, working with farmers and young activists on a daily basis to fight for civil rights.   SNCC was a strong and sophisticated organization. It took political activism to a new level while always staying true to its vision. And its members bravely put themselves in harm’s way to demand the right to vote and to demand equality in housing and education. They even faced the issue of police brutality together with its close ally, The Black Panthers. (Did you know that the Black Panthers’ full name was the Black Panthers for Self-Defense?) I just have to give a big shout out to the Black Panthers (who were made up mostly of young people and students) for their efforts in the civil rights movement and for Black empowerment. Everyone had a role. But I want to mention just a few names from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee:   Ella Baker Marion Barry John Lewis Kwame Ture Julian Bond   [Applause here.]*   Julian Bond, who was a former founding member of SNCC and eventually served in the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives, remarked, "a final SNCC legacy is the destruction of the psychological shackles which had kept black southerners in physical and mental servitude; SNCC helped break those chains forever. It demonstrated that ordinary women and men, young and old, could perform extraordinary tasks."   This wise statement applies to all of these student and youth activists. And we’ll definitely see this in the next group of young people. Then in Part II, you will learn ways that YOU can make a positive difference in your own town, country or even the world. And, yes, it IS possible!   We’re gonna go back in time and back down south to Birmingham, Alabama, 1963. There was no Civil Rights Act. No Voting Rights Act. Segregation was still the law in many states in the south and whites fiercely defended this way of life in Alabama. Dr. Martin Luther King, the SCLC, SNCC and other civil rights organizations and churches are DETERMINED to release the racist grip that the Ku Klux Klan, law enforcement, white politicians and citizens’ councils hold on the city. In Dr. King’s words, it was a true symbol of “hard-core resistance to integration.” [pause]* May 1963. Birmingham, Alabama is “ground zero” in the fight for civil rights.   Civil rights leaders needed to take a stronger and more radical approach to their nonviolent protests. So, they decided to request the help and participation of students. They approached high school students and college students to volunteer in a march. And the students stepped up the plate. The students were trained in the tactics of non-violent resistance. Thus began the famous, never-to-be forgotten Children’s Crusade.   On May 2, 1963, 800 Black students skipped school and gathered at the 16th street Baptist Church, awaiting for instructions. They marched 10 miles to downtown on a mission to meet with Birmingham Mayor about segregation. As the students approached city hall, singing songs of freedom, they were corralled by police and arrested. Hundreds were put into paddy wagons and taken to jail.   But that wasn’t the end.   The march would eventually include 3,000 children.   The next day, May 3rd, the march resumed. But this time it was NOT met with a peaceful response. Police were waiting for them with clubs, water cannons and police dogs. The Birmingham Public Safety Commissioner—the infamous Bull Connor--ordered the men to immediately attack the students. They released the dogs and sprayed the students with the water cannons. The scene turned from a peaceful and quiet march of students singing along their way to city hall into a violent scene of terror with kids scattering and screaming as they were beaten and attacked by dogs.   The media captured the violent attack against the unarmed youngsters. Videos were shown around the country, actually the world. White-owned businesses and the white residents of Birmingham were criticized and ostracized by people across the country. On May 10, city leaders agreed to desegregate businesses and public facilities. It also captured the attention and sympathy of the President Kennedy who felt then compelled to public support federal Civil Rights legislation, leading to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Oh, yeah, and Martin Luther King negotiated having Bull Connor removed from public office!   The Children’s Crusade was an essential part of the Civil Rights Movement. Not just because it happened in what was called the “most racist city in the South.” But also because the children were so determined and focused. They were prepared to face violence. Many of the adults didn’t want to face arrest and imprisonment so they refused to participate. (Please understand that I’m not making any judgments about them.) But the kids were simply fed up and refused to back down. Many of them were arrested multiple times, had been beaten on numerous occasions and faced expulsion from school. Yet they kept coming back in greater and greater numbers. Why would they do that? Here are the words of one of the high school student activists:         Jessie Shepherd, then 16, was soaking wet (from the fire hoses) when she was loaded up in a paddy wagon. “I was told not to participate,” says Shepherd, now a retired clinical diet technician. “But I was tired of the injustice.”     “I couldn’t understand why there had to be a colored fountain and a white fountain,” says Shepherd. “Why couldn’t I drink out the fountain that other little kids drank out of? As I got older, I understood that’s just the way it was, because my skin was black, and we were treated differently because of that.” So she marched.   And that march changed the nation.   As we end Part I of this podcast show on student-activism in the civil rights movement, I would ask that if you participated as a student-activist in this march or any of the numerous other marches, sit-ins, Freedom Rides or any other protests, please contact rememberinghistory.com and tell your experience. We want to hear YOUR story. Please add your story and experiences on the comment page. Or you can send me a personal email message to robin@rememberinghistory.com. And please tell your story to YOUR children, your nieces, nephews and other children that you. They NEED to know that young people and students CAN make a difference. That they HAVE power and influence. And knowing YOUR experience and knowing African American history (no matter about yours or the child’s cultural background) shows proof of the power that young people hold in their hands.   On that high note, we will turn to present ways that YOU can get involved, ways that YOU can help. I hope you’ve seen that everyone can contribute. And that everyone has reserves of strength and courage that they probably never knew existed…until they are called to show it. That’s exactly what the young people and students did during the Civil Rights movement. And the young people and students TODAY also have the strength and courage to make a positive impact in the lives of their families, communities, the country and even the world. And, as 2017 begins, it IS clear that strength and courage as well as integrity, passion and vision are going to be needed. As Dr. King remarked, what they do now will impact children who have not yet been born. Please join us in Part II to start making an impact. We have reached the end of this podcast show. Are you feeling inspired? I really am! And I hope that you too.   Please remember to look at the Wiki History Podcast page on Facebook so you can actually SEE these brave kids and for really candid scenes of their experiences. I have deliberately decided NOT to put the mutilated picture of Emmett Till on the page but you can find a picture of him as a promising and eager young man who was the apple of this mother’s eye. You will also see other scenes from Money, Mississippi. And definitely don’t miss the picture of Ruby Bridges being escorted into school surrounded by federal marshals. It’s all there on the Wiki History Facebook page.   Also, if you enjoyed this show, please let others know about it. They might like it, find it inspirational too. We are growing a community of historians of all ages, backgrounds and interests. Everyone is welcome. Let’s change the way people think about history—one good friend at a time.   And we have a special announcement and offer to make to all Wiki History podcast listeners in the next show. Especially for Black History month.   So,come back soon to Remembering History where we ARE remembering history and we’re making it. Every day!                                             At the end of the show: Finally, I just want to remind you that 2017, the Wiki History podcast show is dedicated to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Located in Washington, DC, the National Museum of African American History & Culture opened in 2016. This kind of museum was long overdue but it finally happened and it is a place that everyone should visit and explore. Museums are a great way to bring history to life and to keep it alive for future generations. Wiki History is honored to be a part of this important process. For every person that listens to this podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will donate $1 to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.   And we have a special announcement and offer to make to all Wiki History podcast listeners.   Come back soon to Remembering History where we ARE remembering history and we’re making it. Every day!   Bye for now!           ************************************************************   But what TO do? How can YOU have a positive impact?   Recognize that there are major problems and challenges around the world. Some problems that existed and led to the Civil Rights Movement STILL exist. Problems like discrimination in voting, education, job and housing still exist. Police violence, poverty and cultural and religious intolerance STILL exist. There are more than * refugees around the world. The environment is under threat. I don’t want to even try to list all the problems on a worldwide scale, but I just recognize that the world is a far from perfect place. There’s a lot that you can do to have an impact. But awareness is the first step.   Get your education. Learn history. The rememberinghistory.com team is committed to keeping history alive and spreading the word so that we can avoid the mistakes of the past, learn the lessons of great people from the past. The world needs more people with education and insight. This doesn’t only mean an “academic” education. Learn a trade. Develop a skill. Read a lot. Okay, these were 2 good ways to prepare yourself to save the world. Now, let’s look at some specific things that you can do.   Do you have a cell phone? Well, you can use it to document racist behavior, threatening behavior or anything that is unacceptable. The camera on your phone can save a life. Remember, the world would never have known about the police beating of Rodney King. You can also use your phone to call for assistance from family, friends or the police. Trayvon Martin used his phone to report that he was being followed. Your phone can be a powerful tool.                                                         After the first discussion:   Also, if you enjoy this show, please let others know about it. They might like it, find it inspirational too. Let’s change the way people think about history—one good friend at a time.     At the end of the show: Finally, I just want to remind you that 2017, the Wiki History podcast show is dedicated to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Located in Washington, DC, the National Museum of African American History & Culture opened in 2016. This kind of museum was long overdue but it finally happened and it is a place that everyone should visit and explore. Museums are a great way to bring history to life and to keep it alive for future generations. Wiki History is honored to be a part of this important process. For every person that listens to this podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will donate $1 to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.   And we have a special announcement and offer to make to all Wiki History podcast listeners.   Come back soon to Remembering History where we ARE remembering history and we’re making it. Every day!   Bye for now!    

Can you vote? Do you want to vote? Do you even have a vote?   Great questions!   You might have a quick answer that “of course” you can vote. Or you WILL vote after you turn 18. That’s excellent if you do!   Now what if someone told you that YOU couldn’t vote?   You might answer: No, that’s wrong. I meet the age requirement. I’m over 18.   But then you are asked:   Do you know the US Constitution?   Of course! I know about it, you say.   Then the registrar says: Great. Now recite the entire Constitution.   Do you mean that I should read it to you?   Can you read?   Yes, again, of course.   No, she says, just recite the entire Constitution from memory.   But I don’t KNOW it from memory!   So, the registrar says, “Then you can’t vote. Your application to register to vote is denied!”   Or the scenario could go this way:   You might be asked: Did you pay the $1,000 poll tax?   No, but I can pay it. I can write you a check right now.   Then the registrar says: No, you have paid it for 10 years. You owe $10,000 plus fines. Can you pay it now? Your answer: No. Then you cannot register to vote!   Or you might have been asked: Was your granddaddy registered to vote before the Civil War? Or explain what “Full faith and credit” means or what “ex post facto laws” are. Or I noticed that your name has a hyphen on the registry but not on your ID.   Denied. Denied. Denied.   I think that you get the picture: You are not going to be allowed to vote. Not today.   This was the situation faced by most African Americans in the after they received their freedom. They were regularly denied the right to vote.   And that is not the whole story. Many African Americans were threatened with losing their jobs, they were beaten, had their house burned down or even killed if they tried to register to vote. This was happening primarily—but not exclusively—in the southern states. And this was what African Americans, former enslaved persons, their children and grandchildren faced until the 1965.   So, when I asked: can you vote, do you want to vote and do you have a vote, I hope that you answered a resounding “yes!” to those questions. Because African Americans (and others) fought for the right to vote for a very long time. And the fight continues today—we’ll get to that a bit later.   First, I want to welcome you to Rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.             Hi, I’m Robin Lofton, the In-house Historian and host of this great and groundbreaking show that inspires YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history. I find history to be inspirational, instructional and entertaining. And African American history fits the bill in all of these ways. Personally, I hate boring stuff. So boring stuff is not allowed at rememberinghistory.com or at this Wiki history podcast show. So, if you’re looking for boring, sorry you might have to turn to the other media. (I won’t mention any names.)   In the previous podcast show, I mentioned how my history of jazz course in college has inspired a lifelong love of jazz. Some of you sent me your stories about how a history class and even a history teacher inspired you to read more, learn African history, to teach and even to go to law school. History really does have it all—the mystery, the drama, the suspense, the personalities, the victories and yes even the crushing defeats. My favorite historian—yes, I have a favorite historian-- David McCullough, said, “For almost anyone with the normal human allotment of curiosity and an interest in people, history is a field day!” He continues on to say, “Why would anyone wish to be provincial in time any more than being tied down to one place through life, when the whole reach of the human drama is there to experience in some of the greatest books ever written?”   And this applies to all kinds of history—not just western civilization, American or European history. But also to African history (remembering the great Oyo and Ashanti Empires, the Kingdom of Kush, the amazing empires of Benin, Wolof and Kanem-Bornu—which flourished for a thousand years and there were so many others), and of course African American history (including but definitely not limited to slavery) and evolving as an integral part of American history. The saga continues. Like I said, you won’t ever find boring stuff here. Okay, let’s get back to the show!   Every month, the Wiki history podcast show focuses on a theme. The theme for January is: civil rights. And an essential part of civil rights is…voting rights. That’s what we’ll discuss in this show.           The previous show in January (for the new listeners) was a fun and innovative podcast called Lessons from a King. (Martin Luther King, that is.) His birthday is celebrated in January so the rememberinghistory.com team thought that this was a good opportunity to discuss Dr. King. We discussed 3 lessons—and they weren’t what you might have expected. I don’t want to spoil the surprise and ruin the fun so I’ll just encourage you to listen to the previous podcast: Lesson from a King. Get ready to be surprised. And inspired.   The next and last show in January on civil rights won’t focus on the law or rights but instead on the modern civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s. The show will focus on a group that is often neglected though they had a huge impact: college students. College students were often on the front lines of civil rights activities. These student-activists were marching, engaging in sit-ins, writing articles and making speeches, registering people to vote and so many other activities. They were often threatened, beaten and sometimes worse. But their impact is undeniable. Stay tuned for this important show. Students can make a difference. So that’s where we’re going in the next podcast show.   We will get started with today’s show in just a moment. Just a bit of information first.   During this podcast, you will hear about people, places, events and issues. You will HEAR about them, but I completely understand if you want to actually SEE them, too. We got that covered on the Wiki History Podcast Page on Facebook. You will find pictures, animated videos and a community of history lovers. There is also a place for comments, which I hope that you will leave for me because I really appreciate them and I do respond. Also, if you enjoy this show, please let others know about it. They might like it and find it inspirational too. Let’s change the way that we think of history—one friend at a time.   I have one more item of interest, it’s about our podcast dedication for 2017—but I’ll save it for AFTER the show.   That’s enough for now. Let’s get started with this great and groundbreaking Wiki history podcast show called “The Fight for the Right: Voting Rights in America.”         Let’s think back to the opening of this podcast to the scenario where you were submitting your application to register to vote and the voting registrar asked crazy questions, made crazy demands and basically set up insurmountable barriers to voting (like requiring you to recite the entire 4500-word Constitution). In the end, you were not allowed to vote. And this was the situation faced by many African Americans for almost a hundred years—until 1965 with the passage of the Voting Rights Act. Yes, that’s right, this discriminatory voting system started around 1870 (shortly after the end of slavery) and continued until 1965. In some ways, it continues today but we’ll get to that a bit later.   You might say but wait, what about the 15th Amendment to the Constitution?!   Great question and it’s a great place to start with our discussion about voting rights in the United States.   The 15th Amendment (passed in 1869) was short. It said,   “The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”   That should resolve the question right there. Race, color or previous condition of servitude (namely enslavement) should not prevent a person from voting.   The immediate effect of the 15th Amendment was that more African Americans started voting and more African Americans were elected to public office. This didn’t last long, however.   This short and vague amendment merely forbade the denial of the vote based on race, color and previous enslavement (weird thing to say). But it (very conspicuously) ignored more detailed issues such as the use of indirect methods to block the vote—like the poll tax and literacy test in the opening scenario of this podcast. Did you notice that they never asked or commented on your race in the opening scenario? And these “INDIRECT methods of disenfranchisement” were directly responsible for keeping African Americans out of the voting booths for nearly 100 years.   During that period, there was systematic disenfranchisement of African Americans led by conservative southern Democrats (yes, Democrats).   They used: Literacy tests—first used in South Carolina. (Most former slaves couldn’t read.) Understanding tests—the potential voter had to demonstrate an understanding of certain clauses in the Constitution. Poll taxes—large sums were required to register to vote, sometimes cumulative back taxes were required. This eliminated most African Americans and poor whites from registering. Grandfather clauses—your grandfather must have been eligible to vote before the Civil War. Of course, most enslaved persons and their children would not qualify to vote under the grandfather clauses. Fortunately, the Supreme Court invalidated these grandfather clauses in a case against Oklahoma in 1915. Residency requirements—you had to have resided in a specific area to vote. Long-term residency requirements Constant re-residency requirements—changing the reqs without notice   Election fraud was rampant. There was ballot box stuffing, throwing out votes by African Americans, and the refusal to count votes for Black candidates (this was discovered in Kentucky) but happened throughout the southern United States in the early 1900s. And violence was actually the principal means used to disenfranchise African Americans and to keep them from voting or running for elected office. The Ku Klux Klan (founded in Kentucky in 1866) was formed with the purpose of terrorizing African Americans who acquired economic and/or political power, particularly focusing on Blacks who tried to vote. But “citizens councils” and other groups used violence to disenfranchise African Americans.         This period of black disenfranchisement (1870 to 1965) demonstrates that it was not caused solely by the actions of Southern states and individual people using violence and terror. It was also a failure of the PRESIDENT to uphold and exercise federal power to ensure that Blacks could participate in the electoral system. CONGRESS also failed to use its powers under the 14th and 15th amendments. And the SUPREME COURT actively undermined federal executive powers to protect black voting rights, refused to acknowledge racial discrimination even when it was obvious, and it accepted blatant constitutional violations. Lots of cases about that but too many to mention now. We’ll examine one case soon though.   Let’s move from THAT bleak picture to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.   The Voting Rights Act prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Notice the difference from the 15th Amendment? No focus on merely race or color or previous enslavement. The focus of the Voting Rights Act is on prohibiting ANY kind of action that in purpose or effect discriminates against racial minorities. That’s big. Much bigger than the deliberately watered-down language of the 15th Amendment.   The DOJ said it best: the Voting Rights Act is the most effective piece of civil rights legislation ever enacted in the country.   It was signed by President Lyndon Johnson and has been amended at least 5 times to expand its scope.   The immediate and lasting effect of the Voting Rights Act was to SUSPEND literacy tests, poll taxes, understanding tests, grandfather clauses and all the other obstacles placed before African Americans applying to vote. But it did even more than that. It assigned federal examiners to oversee elections and assigned observers to help people register to vote. And most importantly it required states that had a history of racial discrimination in voting to apply to the U.S. Attorney General WHENEVER the state or local government wanted to create new laws, rules or codes that might result in racial discrimination in voting. Again, that’s another “wow!”   The Voting Rights Act contains numerous provisions that regulate election administration. The Act's "general provisions" provide nationwide protections for voting rights.   The Act also contains "special provisions" that apply ONLY TO CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS. A core special provision is the Section 5 preclearance requirement, which prohibits certain jurisdictions from implementing any change affecting voting without receiving preapproval from the U.S. Attorney General that the change doesn’t discriminate against protected minorities.   Remember this special preclearance requirement (where they had to get approval from the Attorney General) only applies to certain jurisdictions. I’m sure that you can guess which, but I’ll tell you anyway.   Alabama Georgia Louisiana Mississippi South Carolina Virginia   Alaska, Arizona and Texas were added in 1975.   And a few counties in California, Florida, New York, North Carolina (actually 40 counties in NC) and South Dakota.   Just look at the immediate effect. In 1964, a year before the Voting Rights Act was passed, 29 percent of African Americans were registered to vote. (That’s a nationwide percentage—the figures in the southern states were definitely lower.) But just 2 years AFTER the Voting Rights Act was passed, 52 percent of African Americans were registered to vote. From 29 percent to 52 percent in just 3 years. The Voting Rights Act was POWERFUL. No wonder that it was a prime objective of Dr. Martin Luther King to pass this law!     If you’re still not impressed, let me give you some real numbers. Going beyond registered voters. Here’s one figure. In 1964 (the year before the Voting Rights Act), 6 percent of African Americans were registered to vote in Mississippi. By 1969, 59 percent of African Americans were registered! That’s impressive!   But I’m sorry to say that problems continue for African Americans and other racial, ethnic and language minorities in the American voting system.   In one of its worst blows to civil rights, the Supreme Court invalidated important sections of the Voting Rights Act. The case was called County of Shelby v. Holder, decided in 2013. In a 5-4 decision, the Court admitted that voting discrimination continues to exist but said the Voting Rights Act exceeded Congress’s power to enforce the 15th Amendment and was punishing states for past behavior that might not be relevant today.   The Shelby County v. Holder case was an unfortunate step backwards in the long struggle to end discrimination in voting. The reality is that discrimination in voting REMAINS a real and immediate problem. Violations still occur. And any violation (even if it seems small) often impacts thousands, tens of thousands and sometimes hundreds of thousands of voters. (Recent presidential elections have been decided by these kinds of numbers!)   I have official reports that list serious violations in practically every state in the country. The violations are numerous. The reports are detailed. And they show unequivocally that discrimination in voting remains a serious problem. I won’t list all the violations here—there are just too many of them—but they are important so maybe I’ll make a different podcast discussing them. But the most common violations can be grouped under the category of vote dilution. Attempts to dilute the voting power of individuals or groups of minorities.           Vote dilution is the practice of reducing he potential effectiveness of a group’s voting strength by limiting the group’s chances to translate voting strength into voting power. In the United States, this occurs when a traditional white majority precludes a minority group’s choices from having any bearing or significant meaning in an election on par with the white voters in the same election. (I know that’s vague so I’ll try to get more specific.)   The usual device for diluting the minority vote is manipulation of district lines either by fragmenting the minority voters into several districts where a bloc-voting majority can routinely outvote them or “packing” minority voters into a small number of districts to minimize their influence in adjacent districts. This kind of re-districting is common, effective and insidious in disenfranchising African Americans and other minority groups. And it is happening right now.   I do want to mention other modern ways of disenfranchising voters.   Requiring state ID for voters. This was done in Georgia, Kansas and Alabama. Excessively long waiting lines in some areas (for example, Maricopa County in Arizona had ONLY one polling station for every 21,000 residents while the rest of the state had one for every 11,000 residents.) People waited for hours to vote and sometimes the voting station closed before everyone in line could vote. Closing polling stations in exchange for mail-only polling station. This was done in San Juan County, Utah. This opens the door to voter fraud and rejecting ballots from voters in certain areas (identified by the zip code). Rejecting people whose names don’t match EXACTLY the driver’s license or social security cards. People were rejected for a missing accent or hyphen on the card. This particularly affected women, Latinos and African Americans. Prohibiting people with a felony conviction from voting. That means more nearly 6 million Americans, including 1 in 13 African Americans are forever barred from voting.   These are pretty sneaky but effective ways of prohibiting large groups of people from voting. And it definitely has an effect in elections.   But don’t despair. All is not lost. The Voting Rights Act is not dead. In 2014, Congress introduced the Voting Rights Amendment Act (with bipartisan support!) directly in response to the Supreme Court case. The VRAA includes NEW methods of federal action, NEW tools to identify and stop voting discrimination BEFORE it occurs and it works to ensure that election changes are transparent. So, the fight against voting discrimination continues in the Congress.   That brings me to the final section that examines what YOU can do to fight voting discrimination. Everyone has a role to play and, as you can see from the history, people from all backgrounds, races, genders and ethnicities have been working hard to ensure the right to vote and that the vote has an impact.               So, what can YOU do?   Be sure to register to vote. Check your registration status periodically to ensure that you have not been removed from the voter registry. (This happens A LOT!) But don’t just focus on federal elections. Vote in state, county and local elections. Most voter discrimination happens at the local level. Keep abreast of changes to the voting rules in your district. Again, remember to watch the local elections too—where most voter discrimination occurs. Watch everything from federal elections down to the local school board election. It all matters! Speak out and challenge any rules that negatively affect your ability to vote. Get to know your local representative and contact them whenever changes are made. Encourage others to speak out against discriminatory voting laws and rules. Help others register to vote and assist people in getting to the polls. At the voting polls, be observant. Report harassment, excessively long lines, intimidation of ANY kind or hints of voter suppression. Definitely report it. Volunteer at voter registration events. The NAACP and other organizations regularly host these events. Sign up for the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights at www.civilrights.org. They will send notifications whenever changes are proposed to the voting laws in your district. Then, take action!   So, you see? There is a lot that you (and I) can do to fight discrimination in voting. And we HAVE to do it if we want to ensure voter access and equality. We’ve come too far to drop the ballot now! Voter discrimination remains, “an insidious and pervasive evil” (that’s a direct quote from the Voting Rights Act).   That wraps up this Wiki history podcast called “The Fight for the Right: Voting Rights in America.” I hope that you enjoyed it, learned a little something and felt inspired and moved to do what you can to protect the right to vote. More people need to know about this continuing struggle. And it definitely IS continuing.   I realize that I mentioned names of laws and other information that you might want more information about. The rememberinghistory.com team has you covered. You can get more information, read the “What You Can Do” list, see great pictures and even find good a book list at the Wiki History podcast page on Facebook. You will also find a link to a short animated video about voting rights. It’s only 2 minutes and I think that you’ll find interesting and fun. And it’s great for kids of all ages.   Finally, I just want to remind you that 2017, the Wiki History podcast show is dedicated to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Located in Washington, DC, the National Museum of African American History & Culture opened in 2016. This kind of museum was long overdue but it finally happened and it is a place that everyone should visit and explore. Museums are a great way to bring history to life and to keep it alive for future generations. Wiki History is honored to be a part of this important process. For every person that listens to this podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will donate $1 to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.     The next show is about the role and impact of students in the civil rights movement. These student-activists were bold, brave and didn’t back down. You definitely don’t wanna miss that show! After that we’re heading into Black History Month, which is always an exciting month at rememberinghistory.com. And we have a special announcement and offer to make to all Wiki History podcast listeners.   Come back soon to Remembering History where we ARE remembering history and we’re making it. Every day!   Bye for now!              

Rememberinghistory.com Podcast Show January 2017   Hello and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin Lofton, the host of this great and groundbreaking show that inspires YOU and YOUR family with stories, experiences, lessons, traditions, and celebrations—all from African American history. That’s right—it’s inspirational. History—in all its forms--can be inspirational. American history, ancient history, European history, music history, history of medicine, history of technology, history of law, women’s history. All kinds of history can be inspirational, instructional and entertaining. And African American history fits the bill in all of these ways.   I remember taking a course on the history of jazz when I was in college. Confession time, I took the class because I heard that it was easy and that I would easily get a good grade. What do you think that I discovered when I actually took the class? It WAS easy and I DID get a good grade. But it was easy because it was so interesting. I listened to and learned about great jazz musicians like Muddy Waters, Louie Armstrong, Count Basie, Chet Baker, Miles Davis and so many others. I learned about how and why jazz (and the blues) developed, how it changed over time and heard amazing true stories about the people who created this form of “folk music”. Yes, history of jazz was easy for me because it was absolutely fascinating. And I’ve been something of a jazz maniac ever since, going to jazz festivals throughout the United States and Europe. One class—one history class—changed me forever. That’s what history can do. I hate “boring stuff”. So you won’t ever find boring stuff here. Okay, let’s get back to the show!   Every month, the rememberinghistory.com podcast show (which is actually called Wiki History) focuses on a theme. The theme for January is: civil rights. I know that you’ve heard of them but what are “civil rights”? Broadly, civil rights (as defined by Wikipedia—and a big shout out to them for their work) is a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. That’s pretty general but it’s accurate. So, this month, the Wiki History podcast show will have two shows on civil rights.       The first show on civil rights is about the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act prohibited discrimination in voting based on race, gender, religion and other characteristics. I think that this is a particularly important time to discuss the Voting Rights Act because the right and ability to vote are (in my humble but educated opinion) at the very heart of democracy. If there is no voter equality then there is really isn’t a functioning or legitimate democracy. So, this will be discussed in the podcast coming later this month.   The second show on civil rights will not focus on the law but on the modern civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s. The show will focus on a group that is often neglected though they had an enormous impact: college students. College students were often on the front lines of civil rights activities. These student-activists were marching, engaging in sit-ins, writing articles and making speeches, registering people to vote and so many other activities. They were often threatened, beaten and sometimes worse. But their impact is undeniable. Stay tuned for this important show. Students can make a difference.   But today’s show is a slightly different—only slightly—because it is about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He fought hard for civil rights; we all know that. But his birthday is also in January—January 15th to be exact—so I felt that it was important to have a show that gives a “shout out” to him and remembers his birthday, which is celebrated as a federal holiday in the United States on the third Monday of January. Today’s Wiki history show about Dr. King won’t focus so much on what he did—though that will be discussed—but rather on how he can continue to inspire us, long after his early death in 1968. This show and every Wiki history podcast show is history at its finest. We’ll go beyond the names, dates and death counts of your high school history classes. (Remember, there is no “boring stuff” allowed here!) Instead, we’ll use history as a stepping stone to greater heights of wisdom and inspiration. We’re gonna get to it after just a bit of important information that you might find helpful.   First, if you enjoy this show, you can get more information at the Remembering history podcast page on Facebook. You will find pictures, short videos and a community of history lovers. There is also a place for comments, which I hope that you will leave for me because I really appreciate them and I do respond. Also, if you enjoy this show, please let others know about it. They might like it and find it inspirational too. Let’s change the way that we think of history—one friend at a time. By the way, you also find a short animated video of this podcast on the Remembering history Podcast Page (again on Facebook.)   Finally, I just want to remind you that 2017, the Wiki History podcast show is dedicated to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Located in Washington, DC as part of the Smithsonian, the National Museum of African American History & Culture opened in 2016. This kind of museum was long overdue but it finally happened and it is a place that everyone should visit and explore. Museums are a great way to bring history to life and to keep it alive for future generations. Wiki History is honored to be a part of this important process. For every person that listens to this podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will donate $1 to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. I also donate personally and I hope that you will too.   That’s enough for now. Let’s get started with this great and groundbreaking Wiki history podcast show. Today’s show is called “Lessons from a King.”               “I have a dream” (speech excerpt) Play excerpt   August 28, 1963. I think that we all recognize this speech by Dr. Martin Luther King—one of the most famous speeches ever—given at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It’s also one of the most important glimpses into the heart and mind of Dr. King. The strength to dream, to envision a better world. The depth to let his spiritual side lead and encourage him to new heights. The audacity to challenge everyone to dream and work towards a world where equality, justice and peace are the norm.   And this speech is so inspirational that people want to wake up from their dreams to stand up and cheer. I certainly wanted to while I was listening to this recording.   We gonna hear more quotes from Dr. King throughout this podcast—he was one of the most quotable people on the planet—and his speeches inspired a generation. And continues to inspire people. There is so much that we can still learn from Martin Luther King and that is the focus of today’s podcast. We are gonna focus on the lessons learned from and inspirations acquired from Dr. King. His legacy will never die.   By the way, this is one of the joys of history. We can be inspired by people who are no longer here. We can continue to learn from their lives, the mistakes and their victories. Their stories never die. They become part of the never-ending human drama.   So, what lessons can we get from Dr. Martin Luther King? How can he inspire us?   So many ways but we will focus on just three.   Lesson #1: Be Maladjusted. Lesson #2: Work together. Lesson #3: Take action.   He spoke about these lessons. But, more importantly, he lived these lessons. And they inspired the world!           Let’s talk first about lesson #1. Be maladjusted.   That doesn’t sound right, does it? Why should we be maladjusted? Maladjusted means “failing to cope with one’s social environment or norms.” Did Dr. King really encourage us to be maladjusted? In a word, “yes!”   In a speech to the YMCA on June 4, 1957, Dr. King spoke to a group of students. He said,--and I gotta apologize that I’m not have a lot of audio recordings of Dr. King’s speeches. Instead, I will read an excerpt. Hope that’s okay. He said, “There are some things within our societal order to which I am proud to be maladjusted and to which I call upon you to be maladjusted. I never intend to adjust myself to segregation and discrimination. I never intend to adjust myself to mob rule. I never intend to adjust myself to the tragic effects of the methods of physical violence and to tragic militarism. I call upon you to be maladjusted to such things.” Later, speaking a Western Michigan University in 1963, he further said, “I never intend to become adjusted to religious bigotry. I never intend to adjust myself to economic conditions that will take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few. I am proud to be maladjusted.”   Wow! Here is Dr. King encouraging you to question societal norms that are inconsistent with your values and rights. Of course, things that Dr. King was fighting like segregation and discrimination are no longer legal but there are certainly other things happening and accepted today that you might not want to accept as normal, even if society does such as continued racial discrimination, LGTBQ discrimination, police violence, religious intolerance, economic inequality to name just a few.   Being maladjusted takes courage and conviction. It means going against an impassioned and fearful majority and deciding right and wrong on your own terms. This can be difficult but, as Dr. King said, “Our lives begin to end the day that we become silent about things that matter.” Being maladjusted means not being silent. It means speaking out. It means taking a stand. It means doing something. It can even be dangerous if others who disagree with you feel threatened and become violent. But it is definitely the “high road.” Creative maladjustment does not ask “is it safe?” “is it expedient?” “is it popular?” or “is it efficient?” Creative maladjustment simply asks “is it right?” Only your conscience can answer that question. And, as Dr. King said, “The time is always right to do the right thing.”       Being maladjusted can be expressed in so many ways that can improve your life. It can encourage you to go to college or start a business when others are telling to get a low-paying, dead-end job. It can encourage you to travel and meet new people when others are telling you that it’s better just to stay home. It can encourage you to follow your dreams to be a writer, musician or any other career ambition when others are telling to remain in your comfort zone or take something safe and steady. Being maladjusted can help you to live YOUR life rather than limiting yourself to what other’s say is possible for you.   What an inspirational and courageous concept! With all the difficulties that we face today—things can be quite confusing!—we can all follow the enduring legacy of Dr. King and remain true to our values and let our conscience to our guide.   "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right."    Let’s move on to the next lesson. Lesson #2 is to work together.   At the commencement speech at Oberlin College in 1965, Dr. King while discussing the importance of unity said, “We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”   When many people talk about the civil rights movement, they focus on the work of Martin Luther King. There’s no doubt that he was at the center of the movement. But he was not alone. There were many organizations and people of all races, ethnicities, genders and backgrounds involved in the civil rights movement. And each person and organization played an important role.   Dr. King was not just a single person leading the movement. He was a founding member and the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, formed in 1957* following the successful 381-day Montgomery bus boycott. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (or SCLC) was a group of Baptist ministers who recruited members from churches to participate in civil rights demonstrations.       There was the NAACP—working nationally and locally to ensure economic, social and political equality, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (or SNCC)—you will hear more about them in a podcast on students in the civil rights movement later this month, there was the Nation of Islam whose most famous member was Malcolm X who focused on Black nationalism, CORE—the Congress of Racial Equality who were instrumental in the freedom rights to register Blacks to vote in the southern states, NAACP Legal Defense Fund led by William Hastie and Thurgood Marshall working hard to document disparate education between schools for Blacks and whites and to abolish the federal and state segregation laws. There were many other organizations involved and thousands of people working at the national and grassroots levels during the civil rights movement. I’m reluctant to mention any names because I can’t say them all and I don’t want to imply that any one was more important than another. But I can’t resist mentioning the “mother of the civil rights movement” Rosa Parks had worked to document and report incidents of white men engaging in systematic and unprosecuted sexual assaults against Black women. She had been involved in this risky work even before she refused to give up her seat on the Montgomery bus on December 1, 1955. There was Harry T. Moore* working in Florida to desegregate schools and demand equal pay for Black teachers. He and his wife were unfortunately killed in a bomb attack by the KKK. His story is amazing but often neglected. There was Viola Davis, a white housewife killed for transporting people during the March on Washington. (Remembering history has made an interesting but sad podcast about people killed fighting for civil rights. You can find it on the Facebook page.) And, of course, there were thousands of people who participated in the marches, sit-ins, freedom rides, boycotts and demonstrations. So many people. All working together.   Of course, there were conflicts and disagreements. Organizations had different approaches to achieving civil rights. Individuals had different motives and visions. But everyone ultimately wanted the same thing: freedom, justice and equality. I think that Dr. King: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” They had to learn to work together.   No, Dr. King did not act alone. The lesson here is that we must work together towards our common goal. Whether that goal is the cause of justice and equality, fighting for the environment, helping the poor or displaced persons, passing a law, stopping violence or raising a family, nobody walks alone. We must work together. It takes a village!   The lesson is clear: Look for ways to live and work together. Or else everyone loses. Everyone will be defeated. There really is strength in numbers.   Now, let’s turn to the third lesson (and arguably the most important and inspirational lesson of all). Lesson #3 is that you MUST take action.   Martin Luther King was a philosophical man, an educated man, a thinking man and a deeply spiritual man. But he was also a man of action. He was at the forefront of the modern civil rights movement from the beginning. Sometimes, we like to think of him as a man with dreams—and he certainly had dreams and visions of a better world. But he was absolutely committed to working—and I mean working hard—for change in the United States and around the world. And he always encouraged others to take action.   He once said, “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.”   Is there any doubt that Dr. King was a man of action?   He organized and participated in numerous marches, sometimes in the front of the line. He also organized and participated in demonstrations and boycotts, gave speeches, wrote letters and sometimes just made an appearance to give people hope.   Dr. King was acutely aware that the work also had to occur in the political arena. He met with U.S. presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and Bobby Kennedy (who was attorney general under President Kennedy) constantly pressuring them for legislation on civil rights and voting rights, pressuring them to use federal troops to protect peaceful demonstrators and to enforce the desegregation orders in public schools.   He faced attack dogs, fire hoses and billy clubs in demonstrations. No, he wasn’t present at the Bloody Sunday march from Selma to Montgomery in which the police and local citizens brutalized the nonviolent demonstrators. Afterwards, Dr. King stated, “If I had any idea that the state troopers would use the kind of brutality they did, I would have felt compelled to give up my church duties altogether to lead the line.” He was arrested numerous times, risking getting beaten or killed in jail. Even when he was imprisoned, he wrote his famous Letter from a Birmingham Jail in which he stated firmly that Blacks can’t be patient and wait for change. Change had to happen NOW.   This podcast is just too short to list all of Martin Luther King’s work for civil rights. I just mention a few activities to reinforce the lesson that you must act to make things happen. Whether it is working for a cause, building a business, attending school, looking for a job or anything that is important to you, you must take action to make it happen. Sure, dream about it, envision it, plan it out. But also get to work to make it happen! And remember the words of Dr. King, “If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk. If you can walk then crawl. But whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”   So, you have the 3 lessons from Dr. Martin Luther King.   To recap:   Be maladjusted—don’t accept the norm if it conflicts with your values. Dare to be different. Work together—the more, the merrier and the more powerful. You don’t need to do it alone, Take action—work, work and keep working to achieve your goals.   That wraps up this Wiki history podcast. I hope that you enjoyed it, learned a little something and felt inspired. If you did like it, I would be grateful if you would tell others about this podcast and about the Wiki history show.   I realize that I mentioned a lot of quotations, names of people and organizations who were instrumental in the civil rights movement. You can get more information, see iconic pictures, find the quotations and even good a book list at the remembering history podcast page on Facebook. You will also find a link to a short animated video about “Lessons from a King”. It’s only 2 minutes and I think that you’ll find interesting and fun. And it’s great for kids of all ages.   The next show is about the Voting Rights Act. Dr. King was absolutely committed to the passage of this important law. You’ll learn about it and how effective it remains today. (Spoiler alert: The Supreme Court has not reigned supreme in protecting voting rights!)   And the final show for January is about the role of student-activists during the civil rights movement. They were bold, brave and didn’t back down. You definitely don’t wanna miss that show!   Come back soon to Remembering History where we ARE remembering history and we’re making it. Every day!   Bye for now!

Quick and Easy Guide to Celebrating Kwanzaa!   Habari gani!   That’s a traditional greeting in Swahili.   Welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Today we are talking about Kwanzaa! Tis the season!   Kwanzaa is a wonderful week-long celebration of African culture and heritage. It was designed to help African Americans remember the history, richness and rituals of African culture, particularly the African mindset of showing gratitude for the harvest, honoring the ancestors and remembering the family unit. Kwanzaa celebrates all of this.   Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by Dr. Ron Karenga who was an active part of the Black nationalist movements of the 1960s and 1970s. He designed it as one of the first specifically African American holidays. During the 1960s and 70s, there was a movement by African Americans to reconnect with African culture and history.—things that were stripped away during slavery and then diminished and disregarded for years. So, Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration. It is not political. It is not religious. It is not related to Christmas. It is strictly cultural. Today, Kwanzaa is celebrated by about 30 million people worldwide in Canada, several countries in Europe and the Caribbean as well as the United States.   Kwanzaa (which means “first fruits”) begins on December 26th and ends on January 1st (New Years Day).   So, let’s take a day-by-day look at celebrating the 7 days of Kwanzaa. And, at the end, I will give you information about where you can find more places to learn about Kwanzaa and more ways to celebrate it. Spoiler alert: we’re gonna get a bit of help from Maya Angelou!         It’s important to remember that Kwanzaa is a celebration of African heritage. So, start with decorating your home, making your home beautiful with pictures, posters, art, statues or anything else that uplifts your spirit and beautifies your home. Place African crafts, baskets, cloth patterns, sculptures, banners and pictures throughout your home. Focus on the Kwanzaa colors of black (which represents the African people), red (which represents the blood or struggle of the African people) and green (which represents the land and future of the African people). Most important thing: create a space in a prominent area for the Kwanzaa table or altar. You will use that every day throughout Kwanzaa.   What will you need?   Kwanzaa mat (mkeka)—the mat is symbolic of foundational history and culture around which everything else is built. The mkeka can be a straw mat, a red, green or black table cloth or Kwanzaa flag or the Pan-African flag that is laid flat on a table or altar. Just be sure that it is in a central place for everyone to stand around. Candle holder (kinara)—the kinara has 7 candles that represent the Kwanzaa principles. 1 black candle in the middle, 3 red candles on the left and 3 green candles on the right. The candles will be lit every day. Who lights the candles? Traditionally, this honor is given to the youngest member. But it can instead be given to the eldest member. You decide.   Unity cup (kikumba cha umoja)—this cup is symbolic of the foundational principle of unity which makes everything else possible. Fill it with juice and have it ready to pass around every day.   Let’s get started with the traditional way to begin each Kwanzaa day.           Day 1. Harbari gani! Umoja!   On the first day of Kwanzaa, we recognize Umoja or the concept of Unity.   Dr. Karenga (remember he founded Kwanzaa) thought of Umoja (Unity)—working for and maintaining harmony and togetherness in the family, the community, the nation and the world.     The first day of Kwanzaa is celebrated on December 26. It begins with lighting the Black candle at the center of the Kinara (or the candleholder by the youngest or eldest member present. Lighting the Black candle marks the beginning of the festive Kwanzaa season. Someone will then make a statement, tell a story or even say a poem about the concept of Unity. This part is very flexible. You can sing a song, play an instrument, perform a dance or do anything that illustrates the concept of unity. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled with juice. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the Black candle is blown out and the ceremony for the day is ended.   (Day 2): Habari gani! Kujichagulia!   December 27 is the second day of Kwanzaa. On Day 2, we celebrate Kujichagulia or self-determination.   Dr. Karenga thought of self-determination as defining who we are, creating who we are, and acting and speaking for ourselves.   On this second day of Kwanzaa, first the black candle is lit then the red candle (farthest to the left) is lit. Then someone will make a statement or tell a story about the principle of self-determination in his or her own life. Again, this part is very flexible. You can be as creative as you like. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled with juice. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the Black and Red candles are blown out and the ceremony for the day is ended.         (Day 3): Habari gani! Ujima!   December 28 marks the third day of Kwanzaa. On Day 3, we celebrate Ujima or collective work and responsibility.   Dr. Karenga thought of Ujima as building and maintaining our community together, sharing our joys and problems and solving our problems together.   Next we light the candles in the following order:   Black candle (in the middle) is lit Red candle to the far left is lit Green candle to the far right is lit   Then someone present will then make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of collective work and responsibility. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended.           (Day 4): Hari gani! Ujamaa!   December 29 marks the fourth day of Kwanzaa. On day 4, we celebrate Ujamaa or cooperative economics.   Dr. Karenga thought of the concept of Ujamaa as building and maintaining our own businesses, and supporting the businesses of others and growing and profiting from them together.   On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, you will light another red candle. So the order is:   Black candle (in the middle) is lit first. Red candle to the far left is lit Green candle to the far right is lit Then another red candle is lit.   Then someone will make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of cooperative economics in their life or as it affects others. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended           (Day 5): Habari gani! Nia!   December 30 marks the fifth day of Kwanzaa. On day 5, we celebrate the principle of Nia or purpose.   Dr. Karenga thought of nia as focusing on building our communities together, maintaining them, and restoring them to greatness.   On the fifth day of Kwanzaa, you will light another green candle. So the order is:   Black candle (in the middle) is lit first. Red candle to the far left is lit Green candle to the far right is lit Then another red candle is lit. Then another green candle is lit. Then someone will make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of purpose. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled with juice. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended.   (Day 6): Habari gani! Kuumba!   December 31st marks the 6th day of Kwanzaa and it is a very special day! On the 6th day, we celebrate the principle of Kuumba or creativity. As it is New Year’s Eve, the day is an especially festive day because it marks the end of the calendar year.   Dr. Karenga thought of kuumba as working hard to make our communities more beautiful and functional for today and for future generations.           It begins as usual with the lighting of the candles:   First, the Black candle (in the middle) is lit. Red candle to the far left is lit Green candle to the far right is lit Then another red candle is lit. Then another green candle is lit. Then final red candle is lit.     On this special final day of the year, the home is specially decorated with traditional Kwanzaa colors of black, red and green. Special dishes are made for the family and guests.   Plays are performed, family members read out passages and poems which are related to the seven principles of Kwanzaa. A story teller enjoys the center stage in the feast on this day. The focus of the day remains on Faith. But all seven of the principles are remembered and celebrated.   Then the unity cup is passed around. All members who are present should remember their ancestors while the Unity cup is shared.   (Day 7): Habari gani! Imani!   The last and final day of Kwanzaa falls on January 1st, New Year’s Day.   The focus on the seventh day of Kwanzaa is on Imani or faith.   Dr. Karenga thought of Imani as believing in ourselves, our people, our parents and teachers and our leaders. Believing in the importance of our vision for a better community and for a better world.           Next the candles are lit:   Always begin with the Black candle in the center then alternate back and forth between the red and green candles until all are lit.   Then someone will make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of creativity. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled with juice. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended.   Everyone concludes the ceremony saying "Harambee!" (which is a reminder to “let’s pull together!”) seven times—one time for each day of the Kwanzaa ceremony.   So, that is the celebration of Kwanzaa. You see that it can help to remember and feel the connection with your African roots, culture and heritage. There’s lots more that you can do as part of this celebration. Do it YOUR way but don’t be shy about expanding yourself and reaching for new experiences.           Here are a few final notes:   The daily ceremony is very simple but please remember that this is a sacred time for the family and other members present. Turn off cell phones. Focus on the rituals, the words or songs. Get into the mood. Show respect for the ceremony. It does not need to be somber. It is a joyful time but it is also a sacred time. Put all of your thought, energy and focus into these moments with your family. And remember: you can celebrate Kwanzaa and remember your cultural heritage, history and ancestors every day of the year.   And, as I promised in the beginning, you can get more information about Kwanzaa from Maya Angelou. She and award-winning filmmaker, MK Asante made a movie about Kwanzaa called The Black Candle. It is the first movie ever made about Kwanzaa and was filmed in the United States, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. The film discusses Kwanzaa’s growth during the Black Power movement through the modern day experience as a global pan-African movement. This is an excellent film for all ages and can help to understand the context, meaning and importance of Kwanzaa to families and communities.   By the way, if you have any questions about Kwanzaa or want to share your stories of how you celebrate Kwanzaa, please contact me at robin@rememberinghistory.com.   On that high note, A very joyous Kwanzaa from everyone at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it!    

Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. We’re here for another Wiki history lecture featuring the great and groundbreaking podcast series on African Americans in the United States military.   November is the month that Americans remember and honor its veterans—the brave men and women who fought for freedom and liberty both within the country and around the world. Did you know that there are nearly 20 million veterans living in the United States. Of that number, more than 2 million veterans are African American.   African Americans have fought in every U.S. war beginning with the Revolutionary War.   Civil War: 200,000 African Americans served, mostly but not all for the Union war effort. Did you know that Harriet Tubman served as a nurse and spy for the Union Army? World War I: 375,000 African Americans served, mostly as labor: cooking, cleaning and building roads. There was also the Harlem Hellfighters—if you haven’t heard about these incredible guys, you can find their story on one of my podcasts. World War II: 1 million African Americans who fought the Nazis. The Tuskegee Airmen were displayed their bravery and skill during this great war. Most roles for African Americans though were still limited to labor.   I won’t continue through all the wars but I’m sure that you send the trend! African Americans distinguished themselves and served with honor in every U.S. war.         Indeed, the African American presence in the military was always strong and is continuing to grow stronger. There were difficulties, particularly racial discrimination, there were victories and triumphs, there have been heroes (lots of heroes!) and yes, there have been defeats. The history is long and varied so I think that we should get started discussing this fascinating but often forgotten history, this forgotten contribution made by African Americans.   This is African American history at its finest! But you might be asking yourself: what can I learn from it?   Great question.   Here’s the answer: Courage. Determination. Honor.   Great qualities! Everyone can benefit from these qualities—whether military or civilian, male or female, rich or poor, Black or white. These are great qualities for everyone.   And these stories about African Americans in the military--their courage to face obstacles like racism, their determination to fight for their country and their freedom, their courage under fire whether it came from Nazis in 1944, from the Vietcong in 1969 or from other Americans, their honor in saving lives in their country and around the world—these stories will inspire you to transcend any hardships that might be in your own life.   Since this is a wiki history lecture, we will not discuss the African American presence every U.S. war—that would take a very long time—so we will focus on discussing a few special people who distinguished themselves in the military. Remember that my belief—and the approach that we take at rememberinghistory.com—is that history is made by individuals. History is the story of how people lived, how they contributed to their world, what they dreamed of, what they fought for and what they died for. History is made by individuals. So I am absolutely going to tell the stories of a few special individuals who have served their country with honor and distinction. These people have not only helped to serve and protect us, they have also given us a path to follow. Just like the great explorers that we discussed in last month’s podcast series, these people are also role models that we can learn from. Some have distinguished themselves in combat, some by their mere presence in the military, others in unique and controversial ways. All are important. All have contributed to our freedom. And at rememberinghistory.com, we thank them all.   We will discuss two such heroes in the first episode of this series on Blacks in the military. In the second podcast show in the series, we will examine the stories of Blacks in the military as shown on the big screen. That’s right, we’ll discuss movies that show various aspects of the African American experience in the military. I love movies and I’ll mention some of my favorites. If you have favorites, I would love to hear about them. So please leave comments at the rememberinghistory.com website or at the Remembering History Facebook page. If we have time, and I know that we’re bumping up against Thanksgiving (if you are in the United States), we will have one final show that will take special note of the contributions of African Americans currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. You will definitely find this important and inspirational information on the website and Facebook page. And you might also find it on podcast. Send me a message and let me know what you would like.       Speaking about that, I hope that you remember the website and Facebook pages are places where you can find a great group of fun and friendly historians where you can participate in discussions, ask questions, make comments or just talk about anything that interests you. We’re open to all viewpoints and we welcome all interested people. Please also visit the Books & Stuff store where you can find books, DVDs (like the ones that I’ll mention in this podcast series) and lots of other educational and fun tools about African American history. Everything has been personally vetted by me so you can trust it all. Or you can send me your criticisms. I take full responsibility for everything on this website. Not many places where you can find personal responsibility but you can find it here.   Without further ado, let’s open our great and groundbreaking podcast show about Blacks in the Military with a unique and interesting person who was determined to serve her country. Yes, that’s right. We’re opening this great and groundbreaking show with a discussion about a woman who served in the armed forces. Women in the military is very common today, which is great. But her story began more than 100 years ago—and things were different then. Oh, but I’m jumping ahead (or rather jumping back) too much. Let me tell her story properly.   Cathay Williams might be a familiar name to you. But it’s not in many history books. And it’s not in the army enlistment registers either. However, in the army register, you might find the name William Cathay. In fact, I know that you will because I’ve seen it myself. William Cathay. 5 feet 9 inches in height, black eyes, black hair and a black complexion. But William Cathay did not exist. This is not a description for William Cathay enlisting in the armed forces. This is the description for Cathay William. That’s right. Cathay William. And this is her story. This is the story of an African American woman who disguised herself as a man to enlist in the army, the Buffalo soldiers to be exact. And she is the first known African American woman to enlist in the United States army and the only African American woman documented to serve in the United States army in the 19th century.   Cathay William was born into slavery in 1844 in Independence, Missouri. When she was 17 years old, in 1861, she was captured and “freed” by Union troops (remember this was at the start of the Civil War). Although she was “freed”, captured slaves were considered contraband and were usually forced to work for the Union soldiers. Cathay William was no exception and she worked as a cook and laundress for the remainder of the war.   After the American Civil War ended in 1865, employment opportunities were scarce for African Americans. Cathay William always wanted to support herself. She was determined not to be a burden on any family members or friends. She applied for jobs but found nothing beyond cooking and sewing. Many African Americans looked to military service where they could have steady pay but also get an education, health care and a pension. But these positions were open only to men. A male cousin of Cathay William enlisted and received all these benefits. She decided that she would also enlist—as a man. She switched her first and last names (enter William Cathay), took the medical exam and enlisted. Yes, she actually passed a medical examination as a man! She was declared fit for duty on November 15, 1866 and was assigned to the 38th Infantry Unit. This was one of the six units known as the Buffalo Soldiers.       Cathay Williams was as strong as any man in the regiment and she was, in fact, the tallest of the unit. But her career in the military was short-lived. Unfortunately, she contracted smallpox shortly after enlisting the army in Missouri. Still, she marched 536 miles from Fort Harker in Kansas to Fort Cummings in New Mexico. Along the way, she had to be hospitalized 3 times. As a result of the smallpox, she suffered deafness and rheumatism. She also had 10 toes amputated because of diabetes, which caused her to use crutches to walk. In 1868 at the age of 47, she was discharged because of medical disability. No one (except her cousin and perhaps a few others in the regiment) ever knew that she was a woman.   After her discharge, she worked as a cook, laundress, seamstress and nurse in towns throughout Colorado. However, she could not continue to work because of the illnesses she contracted during her military service. So she applied for a military pension and this is when the problems began. Despite her disabilities, the army surgeon declared her to be in “overall good health” and “able to work.” During this time, it was discovered that she was a woman. (The exact means of discovery are not clear.) She was denied the pension. She had to continue working as a cook, laundress and seamstress to support herself. It is not entirely clear what year Cathay William died but it is estimated that it was as early as 1892 or as late as 1900. What is known is that the denial of her pension contributed to her death because she was forced to do physical labor despite her weakened condition.   Cathay Williams was a strong, brave and determined woman in an age when opportunities for women, particularly African American women, were limited.     She is quoted as saying, “The regiment I joined wore the Zouave uniform and only two persons, a cousin and particular friend, who were members of the regiment knew that I was a woman. They never ‘blowed’ on me. They were partly the cause of my joining the army. Another reason was I wanted to make my own living and not be dependent on relations or friends.”   She wanted to be independent. And she served her country with honor.   Courage. Determination. Honor.   Just a note that many women posed as men to enlist in the American Civil War. Some report list hundreds of women posing as men to serve in the army. Some were discovered because of hospital treatments. Others were not discovered during their service but only “confessed” afterwards.   Cathay William is one of the few women (and the only Black woman) whose service is documented. She just wanted to make a living. But she was also making history!   Wow, what an amazing woman! Too bad that she contracted smallpox so early in her career. Still she tried to persist through the debilitating symptoms. Remember she did complete that 500-mile walk. Also, it was too bad that the military did not support her after she could no longer serve. But still she was a strong woman (physically and mentally) and she remained independent throughout her life.   She’s an example and role model to us all!           If you want to learn more about Cathay William—and I really hope that you do—I recommend a great book called Cathay William: From Slave to Buffalo Soldier by Phillip Thomas Tucker. You’ll learn a lot more about this amazing woman and yes there is much more to learn about her. The story will inspire you. Guaranteed!   Now let’s turn to another African American (this time a man) who is also great role model. In fact, he is such a great role model and a true officer and gentleman that the Military Academy at West Point gives an award EVERY YEAR in his name. Do you know his name? I hope so. But I’m gonna tell you anyway.   He is Lieutenant Henry Ossian Flipper and he has an amazing story.   Born into slavery in 1856, Henry Flipper was the eldest of 5 brothers. He was born and lived until his freedom in Thomasville, Georgia. At great risk to everyone, another slave on the plantation taught Henry to read and this would, as expected, play an important role throughout his life.   When the American Civil War ended in 1865, Henry (because he could read and write) attended Atlanta University. He displayed a strong aptitude for math and engineering so he was sent to the Military Academy at West Point. He was not the first African American to attend the academy. In fact, there were 6 other Black men already studying there. They all experienced racial discrimination as well as physical and mental abuse. At the time, there was 1 Black cadet who had been savagely attacked by several white cadets. The cadet (not Henry Flipper) survived the attack but was later expelled for making false charges against the white cadets who had attacked him. Now this did not happen to Henry but it shows the environment in which he was suddenly cast. And Henry did experience a lot of racism and abuse from the white officers and cadets at the academy. Henry Flipper graduated from West Point in 1877. Although he wasn’t the first African American to attend the academy, he did become the first African American cadet to graduate (or be commissioned) from it.   He was then appointed as a second lieutenant in the army cavalry. His first commission was to lead the 10th army cavalry regiment. Perhaps you know them as the Buffalo Soldiers. Lieutenant Henry Flipper became the first nonwhite officer to lead the Buffalo Soldiers!   His first assignment was to Fort Sill in Oklahoma where he showed his skills as a master engineer. He began with engineering a ditch to drain the malaria-infested swamp. That ditch is still known today as “Flipper’s Ditch.” He also supervised the construction of roads and telegraph lines. From there, he was moved to Fort Concho in west Texas and two years later to Fort Davis, also in Texas. Unfortunately, Fort Davis is where Lieutenant Flipper would encounter the racism that would ultimately end his military career. This would be initiated by First Lieutenant William Shafter—Lieutenant Flipper’s commanding officer.   Lieutenant Shafter was brought to Fort Davis, Texas to command the 24th infantry, another Buffalo Soldiers unit. While Lieutenant Shafter accepted Black troops as soldiers, he was absolutely opposed to them as officers. This placed him in direct conflict with Lieutenant Flipper. Lieutenant Shafter (later known as Pecos Bill) brought charges of embezzling government funds (based on falsified evidence) against Lieutenant Flipper, which led to court martial proceedings. It was the ultimate frame up. Fortunately, the court martial found Lieutenant Flipper innocent of the embezzlement charge. However, he was found guilty of “conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman”. This was based on Lieutenant Flipper’s relationship with the white daughter of a former commanding officer. (In fact, they used the letters between the Lieutenant Flipper and the C/O’s daughter as evidence against him.) Lieutenant Flipper was received a dishonorable discharge in 1882. He would spend the remainder of his life fighting the conviction and attempting to regain his commission. (By the way, Lieutenant Shafter would later be promoted and awarded the Medal of Honor.) But Lieutenant Flipper’s story is not over yet.   Henry Flipper returned to El Paso, Texas where he worked as a civil engineer. He also worked in Mexico and returned to the United States to work as an advisor on revolutionary politics for Senator Albert Fall. In 1923, Henry Flipper moved to Venezuela to work as a civil engineer in the petroleum industry. In 1931, he retired in Atlanta, Georgia where he died in 1940. But, no, the story still is not over.   In 1976, Henry Flipper’s descendants and supporters applied to the Army Board for the Correction of Military Records to overturn Flipper’s conviction and sentence. The board, after stating it did not have the authority to overturn his court-martial conviction, concluded the conviction and punishment were "unduly harsh and unjust" and recommended that Flipper's dismissal be changed to a good conduct discharge. In 1999, President Bill Clinton issued a full pardon to Lieutenant Henry Flipper.   After his discharge was changed, a bust of Lieutenant Flipper was unveiled at West Point. Since then, an annual Henry O. Flipper Award has been granted to graduating cadets at the academy who exhibit "leadership, self-discipline, and perseverance in the face of unusual difficulties.” This is the award that I mentioned earlier and no one is more deserving of such an honor as Lieutenant Henry Flipper.       Throughout his life, Henry Flipper was a prolific author, writing about scientific topics, the history of the Southwest, and his own experiences. In his book, The Colored Cadet at West Point (1878) he describes his experiences at the military academy. In the posthumously published book, Negro Frontiersman: The Western Memoirs of Henry O. Flipper (1963), he describes his life in Texas and Arizona after his discharge from the Army. You can find these books and others in the store on the rememberinghistory.com website. I also like the DVD called Held in Trust about Lieutenant Flipper. But I admit that nothing beats a book that is written by the person who has actually faced the situations. So, remember that you can find all these great resources on the website. You can decide which is best for you.   Courage. Determination. Honor.   Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper.   So, this concludes the two stories of African American women and men who served the country with honor and distinction. You might have noticed that I chose people who had been born into slavery. People who, upon gaining their freedom when slavery ended, chose to serve their country in the armed forces. Both Cathay William and Lieutenant Henry Flipper had different stories but also similar experiences of racism, discrimination and hardship. But they also had stories of courage, determination and honor. Their stories need to be told because we all can learn from them. We can aim for these high qualities.   Courage. Determination. Honor.   I hope that you noticed that both of today’s history makers also had a connection with the Buffalo Soldiers. If you want more information about the Buffalo Soldiers, I have a fantastic podcast about them (which also includes a discussion about the Harlem Hellfighters) that you can find on the website. I won’t go into detail about either legendary group right now, but I really encourage you to listen to my podcast about them. They were great history makers and they deserve recognition for their service.   In the next podcast show, we will examine a few of the best movies about African Americans in the military.   Let’s remember our veterans this month and every month. Let’s never forget their commitment and sacrifices so that we all could be free and safe. Not all were heroes. Not all were patriots. And not all came home. But their memory endures.   Because of my appreciation for their great service, I am dedicating these wiki history podcasts about Blacks in the military to a Black veterans organization called the National Association of Black Veterans or nabvets. They are an excellent resource for Black veterans and their families. They provide assistance with filing claims, have lots of information for veterans, and provide chaplain services. They have offices around the United States. Or you can visit their website at www.nabvets.org. For every person who listens to this (or any of my November wiki history podcasts), I will donate $1 to the National Association of Black Veterans Association. It is an honor and privilege to support this organization and I hope that you will too. They also have incredible volunteer opportunities so there’s another way to contribute. Remember www.nabvets.org.   Remember our veterans: Honor. Courage. Determination. Great goals for us all. And please visit rememberinghistory.com. Leave your questions or comments. And I would love to hear from our veterans or women and men who are currently serving in the military. You are a great inspiration. And thank you for your service.   Honor. Courage. Determination. See you next time at rememberinghistory.com where are remembering history and we’re making it. Bye for now!                    

Hello and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin, the founder and host of this great and groundbreaking podcast show. I would also say that this is an historic show—yes, I know it’s about history—but it is historic because we are discussing, learning and being inspired by people who have been forgotten by history. In this series, we’re focusing on Black explorers.   Remember in the first show of this series, we discussed William Sheppard who was born a poor boy in the southern United States but became one of the greatest explorers in the Congo, learned the Kuba language, gained the respect of the Bakuba people and became one of the world’s first human rights activists. He alerted the world to the horrible treatment and atrocities (remember the severed hands?) suffered by the Congolese resulting from the Belgian rubber trade. William Sheppard also became one of the first collectors of African art. In the second podcast show, we discussed Black women explorers and met Barbara Hillary who skied to both the North and South poles—oh, did I forget to mention that she did these amazing feats when she was in her 70s?! And we cannot forget Saray Khumalo who has already summited Mount Kilimanjaro (the highest peak in Africa) and Mount Elbrus in Russia. She has her sights set on Mount Everest but was stopped twice by natural disasters, both of which she was lucky to survive. But she so wisely noted that “We all have our everests.” And that’s why this podcast series is so important. We all do have our own everests to face. What is your Everest?   The explorers in today’s podcast also had their everests—though it wasn’t going high in the sky, it was going deep into the earth. But, of course, I know that you that Everest is not high or low, near or far. It’s within us. Within each an every one of us.   Still, today’s show is slightly different in the explorer series. Okay, I admit that each show is unique. We will still focus on Black explorers but in this podcast show, we will focus on Black explorers and guides at one place: Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. Why am I making this change? Why am I focusing only on Mammoth caves?   There are good reasons for this. I promise.       The Mammoth Caves are a very special place on this planet. The Mammoth caves are the longest known cave system in the world. There are more than 400 miles of vast chambers and complex passages. And it is twice as long as the second longest cave system, which is found in Mexico. New discoveries and connections add several miles to the cave system every year. The Mammoth Caves in the Mammoth Cave National Park are a World Heritage Site and an international Biosphere Reserve. You will see that much of the discoveries there are due to the work of the courageous and determined Black explorers and guides in the caves , which were described by Stephen Bishop (whom we’ll meet very soon) as a “grand, gloomy and peculiar” place.   The Mammoth Caves are important for another, perhaps surprising reason. The stories of the African Americans (both enslaved and free) who came to live and work at the Mammoth Caves showed a lot about the society and times in which they lived. It showed the difficulties, the struggles and the discrimination. But it also showed the triumphs, the courage and the great skills of both the enslaved and free people at the Caves. You’ll get more details about this, and get the heartwarming stories and the frustrating stories at the Mammoth caves throughout this podcast. The caves really were a microcosm of the society and racial conditions at the time.   So, I would like to get started with this third and final show this month about Black explorers, this time in the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky.   Of course, though, we have a bit of housekeeping to do. I’ll make it quick so we can get straight to the show. At the end of the show, I’ll tell you about the exciting and inspirational podcast shows for next month.             I’ll just remind you that you can get additional information about the explorers in this podcast series at the Remembering History Podcast page on Facebook. You’ll find a fun and friendly group of historians who love to be inspired and who love to discuss history. So, join the conversation. And feel free to discuss whatever interests you. This is an open forum for discussion and everyone is welcome. Also, you can find great books, DVDs and other educational resources about these great explorers at rememberinghistory.com website, at the Books & Stuff store. I have personally vetted all these resources so you can trust them. Or you can complain directly to me. I believe in accountability. You can’t find it in many places on the Internet, but you can find it here. I’m gonna stop here because I’m anxious to get to the real deal of this final podcast show on Black explorers. Remember that there is important information at the end of the show about next month’s wiki history podcast series.   Without further ado…   Let’s begin with arguably the greatest explorer of the Mammoth Caves: Stephen Bishop! Because of his great work, skill, and dedication, Stephen Bishop is without question one of the greatest explorers of the grand, gloomy and peculiar Mammoth Caves. And you’re gonna see why!   Bishop came to the Mammoth caves in 1838. He was African American, 17 years old and enslaved. Slavery was still legal in Kentucky and many other states. Remember slavery wasn’t abolished until 1865, some 27 years later. Yet because of his great exploration and guiding skills, he did enjoy some freedoms and privileges in the Mammoth caves—and avoided the grueling physical work and suffering endured by other slaves. In fact, he was first introduced to the Mammoth caves by a white explorer. This developed Bishop’s love of exploration—and he spent the next two decades exploring the Mammoth caves.   Although he was introduced to the caves by other explorers, Stephen Bishop went far beyond those explored and toured areas. Bishop discovered miles of new routes that no human eye had ever seen. And he opened the gateway for modern exploration of these vast and incredible caves.   Yes, he made history: Stephen Bishop was the first to cross the “Bottomless Pit” which was a series of deep vertical shafts. Other explorers had stopped at the Bottomless Pit, refusing to cross over that dangerous abyss. Quite understandable but Bishop was not scared or stopped. He continued past the Bottomless Pit and into areas that had been completely unexplored. And he later safely guided others over the Bottomless Pit and into new regions of the caves. Bishop also explored and guided others into areas of the Mammoth Caves called Fat Man’s Misery (I can only guess why it was given that name!), Cleveland Avenue and the Mammoth Domes. Those are some of the most famous areas of the caves, made famous and popular by Stephen Bishop.   He absolutely loved the Mammoth caves and had a real drive for exploration. Still it was hard work and he crawled through tight winding passageways, discovered an underground river, scaled huge rocks, and dared to walk on a rickety nature-made ladder across the "Bottomless Pit."   In 1856, Stephen Bishop received his freedom but unfortunately died the following year at the young age of 37. He left behind his wife, Charlotte, and son, Thomas. His cause of death remains a mystery but he is buried in the Old Guides’ Cemetery at Mammoth Caves National Park. Personally, I love visiting cemeteries because there is so much history and so many personal stories found there. So, if you visit the Mammoth caves, I think that visiting the Old Guides’ Cemetery would be an interesting and moving “exploration” and a great way to honor this great explorer.   And, by the way, I do want to mention that Stephen Bishop had many other talents that enhanced his abilities as an explorer and guide. He was also widely known as a great speaker, an excellent orator, a gifted singer and a natural showman. He brought his love of the caves to each visitor and brought the caves to life for everyone who dared to enter them.   Stephen Bishop might have been born into slavery, but he was never a slave. He was an explorer! And today he is a legend!       Another Black explorer who came to the Mammoth caves in 1838 was Nick Bransford. However, Bransford didn’t become a full-time explorer for nearly 20 years after moving to the caves. He started full-time guiding in 1857, after the death of Stephen Bishop.   Nick Bransford was an enslaved person (born during the period of slavery). Like Bishop, he was leased out and sent to the Mammoth caves to work. And interestingly there were records showing that he was valued at $800, which was substantially more than for other enslaved persons. This was most likely because of his skills as an explorer and guide.   Nick Bransford was a different kind of guide and explorer than Stephen Bishop. And he was also highly respected and trusted to lead people into the deep and dark caverns and the areas explored by Bishop. One visitor to the Mammoth Caves described him by saying, “He seemed thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the place in which he had spent the greater portion of his time for 17 years. He was as grave and taciturn as some cave-keeping hermit. During our inward progress, he had carefully pointed out every place and object of interest. If I paused or made a misstep, he instantly looked around.”   Bransford later purchased his freedom by selling eyeless fish from the caves. Yes, there were fish in the underground rivers who didn’t have eyes. And visitors were keen to buy them. Bransford was also known as a caring and giving man. He donated the land for the Mammoth Cave School where many Black children (including his grandchildren) learned to read and write. And he was one of the first deacons of the Pleasant Union Baptist church, which was located in the park.   Nick Bransford continued to work as an explorer and guide at the Mammoth caves until his death in 1895. He had devoted more than 50 years of his life to guiding and exploring. Unfortunately, his exact gravesite remains unknown today.   Many of slaves or former slaves came to Mammoth caves for similar reasons and had similar experiences. Yet everyone also had a unique experience.         Take Ed Bishop for example. No relation to Stephen Bishop. He came to the Mammoth caves in 1886. The slave period was over so he was free, he had not been leased to the cave owners like Nick Bransford and Stephen Bishop. But he quickly became a well-known and respected explorer as well as an integral part of the guiding force.   Among his greatest achievements was to guide the German cartographer, Max Kamper, into the Mammoth Caves. For 8 months, he and Kamper remained at the cave, visiting all the known sections. But Ed Bishop also discovered new sections that he presented to Max Kamper. One such newly discovered point (located on the Violet City Lantern route) was named Bishop’s Pit in 1908, in honor of Ed Bishop. Together Bishop and Kamper produced a map representing more than 35 miles of passages in the cave. Ed Bishop was widely recognized for his knowledge of the cave and as a teacher for the guides. Someone wrote: “The real guide was Ed Bishop. He instructed Hunt how to reach the New Discovery from the Cathedral Dome route and Hunt instructed Bob Lively. But during 1916 and 1917, it was always necessary to wait for Bishop to make the trip.”   Ed Bishop and his wife, Josie, later moved to Indiana where he died. Today, Ed and Josie Bishop (as well as their baby girl Chancey) are buried beneath a large cedar tree near the cave. Yes, there is a headstone (which was donated recently by cave guides). It would be wonderful to locate this headstone and see where this great guide and explorer was finally laid to rest.   Another explorer and guide who came to the caves after slavery was Ed Hawkins. No, not Ed Bishop whom we just discussed but Ed Hawkins. And he has a unique and interesting story too.   Although he was an explorer and guide, he didn’t take on this role exclusively like many of the others. Ed Hawkins also worked as a laborer on the privately owned Mammoth cave estates. In addition to exploring and guiding, he also did structural repairs, chopping wood and plucking chickens. But guiding and exploring were definitely his first loves and his greatest skills. Unfortunately, those skills were not valued by the owners of the caves.       Yes, slavery had been abolished but African Americans were still in a difficult position and treated as lower class citizens. Jobs and other opportunities were quite limited for Black people, particularly in the southern U.S. states like Kentucky. In those states, Blacks could have jobs as porters or waiters. In contrast, whites could have higher paying and more prestigious jobs like clerks or managers. And this severely limited Ed Hawkins’s opportunities at the Mammoth caves.   There was a story that Ed Hawkins had arranged and organized an exploration for himself and as a guide for a group. However, the manager at the cave forced him to cancel and abandon the exploration because he needed Hawkins stay at work and peel potatoes that day! One can only imagine how Ed Hawkins felt, how devastated that must have been for him.   Despite the difficulties, Ed Hawkins discovered a monumental series of vertical shafts. The passage leading up to these incredible shafts was later named Hawkins Pass. A great honor to this great explorer. And, yes, visitors can still see these shafts. Just take the Wild Caves Tour!   Ed Hawkins died in 1936. He is buried at Western State Hospital cemetery in Kentucky. Unfortunately, he was buried in an unmarked grave. But anyone who wants to show honor and respect for Ed Hawkins can visit the Mammoth caves and take the Wild Caves tour to see Hawkins Pass.   I just want to mention one unique characteristic of Ed Hawkins, which is actually more personal. He was known always to secure his clothes with large blanket pins. They actually look like giant clothespins. And they make Ed Hawkins very distinguishable in pictures. You can find a picture of him on the Remembering History Podcast Page. Please go there and take a look to see this great explorer!               Another Black explorer and guide at the Mammoth caves was also a multi-skilled, multi-talented person. Before coming to the Mammoth caves, Will Garvin was a private in the army, serving in a Colored Troop during the Civil War. Will Garvin was never an enslaved person. Following the war, he began exploring and guiding in Mammoth caves where he made his mark for discovering an area later call the Corkscrew. This was actually a maze through collapsed rubble that linked the upper levels of the cave system to the lower levels near the water table. This area also provided an exit from the cave so visitors wouldn’t have to retrace their steps.   Some people say that Will Garvin also discovered the Colossal Caverns. This area was so treacherous that it even wasn’t opened to the public until 1972 (some 70 years after its discovery). It is one of the caves still protected within Mammoth Cave National Park.   But Will Garvin also made another important discovery—or had an important experience. This is really interesting.   He was the first person to experience the optical illusion called the Statue of Martha Washington. As he was exiting the cave, he saw a spectral silhouette of a woman who looked just like Martha Washington! I know strange things can be seen in the caves but this was one of the strangest! And it is still occasionally seen on certain tours in the historic section!   Will Garvin died in the early 1900s, survived by his wife Hannah. The place of his burial remains unknown.   Stay tuned for more information on this optical illusion.   Finally, we come to Matt Bransford, who was neither an explorer nor a guide into the Mammoth caves. But he was an exceptional businessman who filled a niche that supported the work of the black explorers and guides. His work and vision puts him right up there with those history makers; he was truly a legend and an important part of the guiding and exploration work. And his story gives us more insight into the life and experiences of Blacks in the southern United States.     You might remember from Ed Hawkins’ experience, segregation in jobs and housing existed after the abolition of slavery. (Of course, we know that it continued until the 1950s and 1960s.) However, among guides, segregation wasn’t practiced. But outside the caves, black visitors did face segregation. Blacks were not allowed to be on the same tours with whites or stay in the same hotels as white visitors. Matt Bransford (who was the grandson of one of the original guides and explorers, Materson Bransford, who was an enslaved person) had travelled around the country, encouraging Blacks to visit the world famous Mammoth caves. But when Black visitors did come to the caves, they were faced with the problem of segregation.   What did Matt Bransford do?   He started special tours for African Americans into the Mammoth caves. Matt and his wife, Zemmie provided lodging and meals at their home for Black visitors. They later started a hotel called the Bransford Resort. It was the first place and time in Mammoth cave history that the African American community could experience the same comforts and fascination of the cave that white visitors had experienced for more than a century!   The Black community started visiting and enjoying Mammoth caves in large numbers. And they heard and kept alive stories of the Black explorers and guides like Stephen Bishop, Nick Bransford, Ed Hawkins and many others. These explorers became legends around the world!   So, Matts Bransford was not an explorer but his vision and contribution were essential to the African American experience and discoveries at the Mammoth caves.   This really shows that everyone has something to contribute. Everyone can make a difference. Whether it is by exploring the caves, providing tours in the caves or providing housing and food for people at the caves—everyone can make a difference!           So, this wraps up our great and groundbreaking podcast series on Black explorers. I hope that you have enjoyed it as much as I have. And I also hope that you have also felt inspired by their courage, their determination and their never-give-up attitude. They faced their everests—sometimes with fear, sometimes without it—but they faced their inner Everest and emerged victorious. They emerged as legends.   Are you ready to face your Everest?   By the way, the optical illusion experienced by * (and still experienced by visitors to the cave) was actually caused by the reflection of light from an approaching tour casting its lights upon the bends of the cave avenue.   As promised, I’ll give you a sneak peek into the next podcast series. Remember that we actually have two podcast series going right now. In our long-term podcast series, we focus on the Black educators. In the next podcast show, we will focus exclusively on Black educators who are men. I decided that it was time to show that women are not the only great educators, but that men have been and still are serving as teachers, mentors, coaches and role models for children of all backgrounds. They should be recognized and they will be in the next podcast show on Black educators. Stay tuned. In the second podcast show, we will honor and recognize African Americans in the military. The Black men and women who have served their country and are continuing to serve their country are often overlooked, even forgotten. But we will recognize them and I know that their stories will inspire us all. Stay tuned for that show. Both are coming soon.   Lot’s of great stuff coming so I look forward to seeing you at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Bye for now.

Black Explorers Podcast Number 2   Hello History friends!   Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   I’m Robin and I’m the host of this great and groundbreaking podcast series about Black explorers. In the first podcast of this series, we discussed William Sheppard who was one of the first black missionaries in Africa. He explored the Congo River region, established relationships with the local people like the Bakuba, learned the Kuba language and learned their techniques in hunting, music, growing crops and ancestral worship. Sheppard also established one of the first humanitarian organizations in the world and brought international attention to the human rights abuses (like slavery and torture) being committed against the local people as part of the Belgian rubber industry. He did so much on both sides of the Atlantic and his legacy as an explorer, human rights activist and African art collector continues to grow and spread. If you have not heard the previous podcast about William Sheppard, I hope that you will do so. It is fascinating and so inspirational.   That’s what I love about the explorers in this podcast series; they are courageous and visionary, yes, but they are also real humanitarians and activists. They wanted to (and yes they did) leave a positive legacy in their travels that has inspired and continue to inspire people today.   The explorers—the history makers—in today’s podcast show are no exception. In this podcast show, we will take a special focus. Our great black explorers are women. Many times, when we think of explorers, we are thinking only of men. Yes, there were lots of men who are explorers. And traditionally men had the means and more opportunity to make explorations. But that didn’t stop many women—past and present—from following their dream to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life or new civilizations or boldly go where most people have not gone before. (Ok, yes, I borrowed that from Star Trek but this description definitely applies here!) These women explorers in today’s podcast show went far and wide in search of adventure…and they definitely found it. So, I hope that you will enjoy this show and their stories. And I really hope to show that we all can achieve our dreams if we are committed, determined and focused--just like the explorers in this great and groundbreaking podcast series.   Okay, before we get started, just a bit of housekeeping.   Please remember that you can find additional information about the people in this podcast series, you can listen to other interesting podcasts and read the bodacious blog on the rememberinghistory.com website and the Remembering History Facebook page. There is also a special Facebook page called the Remembering History Podcast page that focuses specifically on information in the Wiki history podcasts. But the website and both of the Facebook pages, you will find a great community of fun and friendly historians who welcome everyone into the fold. Start a new discussion. Ask a question. Make a criticism. Or just enjoy the banter. Just come and have a good time.   Also remember that there will be one final part to the black explorers podcast series in which we discuss the Black explorers of Mammoth mountain. Most of these explorers were former slaves and they were actually guides that went into the Mammoth caves, way down deep where most people would not venture to tread. But they did. And their stories are amazing. So, please stay tuned for part 3 of this podcast series.   So, that’s all the details for now. Without further ado, let’s get started discussing our two history makers, Black women explorers.   Our first great explorer challenged not only race and gender barriers but also an age barrier.   Her name is Barbara Hillary and she made history! She was the first African American woman to reach both the North Pole AND the South Pole! And she made these incredible accomplishments in her 70s.   But let me back up and tell her story properly; I am so excited to tell her accomplishments but I also want to tell her STORY because that is also amazing.   Barbara Hillary was born in New York in 1931. Her father died when she was a year old so her mother moved her and her sister to South Carolina where they would have a better chance to receive an education. Barbara Hillary later moved back to New York to attend New York University where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She then worked in nursing with a focus on training staff to care for aging patients and developing service delivery systems in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. She had a long a distinguished career in the nursing industry.   Upon her retirement, Barbara Hillary developed an interest in Arctic travel and exploration. She began with photographing polar bears in Canada but this only whet her appetite to go deeper into the Arctic regions. She set her sights on the North Pole. She worked hard and raised $25,000 for her excursion. And she actually reached the North Pole on April 23, 2007—at the age of 75! Do you think that she stopped there? I mean, it was a difficult trip –-that she accomplished on skis--and she had already made history as the first African American woman to reach the North Pole. And she was certainly one of the oldest people ever to have reached the North Pole.   But no she didn’t stop there. No, she set her sights downwards. To the South Pole! And on January 6, 2011, she reached the South Pole at the age of 79! At one point along the trip, she was the only expeditioner left along the trip-the others had dropped out because of time, money or hardship. But not Barbara!   She skied to the very top of the world and the very bottom of the world within 5 years and in her 70s! (Yes, I said that she skied there!) She has absolutely made history! More importantly, she has made her dreams come true and she has shown that age, gender, class (she wasn’t a rich woman!) and race do not have to act as barriers to achieving dreams.   But I have told only part of Barbara Hillary’s story. She had already faced other obstacles—but those still didn’t stop her. Before even making her explorations, she had faced and survived lung cancer—at the age of 67. But her treatment had caused her to lose 25 percent of her lung capacity. And this was not her first bout with cancer; she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in her 20s. But she survived it. Then 40 years later, she survived lung cancer.   Then she faced the North and South Poles!   What an incredible lady. She also committed her infinite energy to community activism, being an advocate for senior and minority health and founding a magazine called The Peninsula.   But Barbara Hillary is not done yet. She has her sights on new horizons but, like the amazing lady that she is, she is keeping her secrets to herself—and will reveal them when she is ready.   Stay tuned! I’m sure that she will continue to amaze us all.   You can get more information about Barbara Hillary on the Remembering History Podcast page where you can find pictures, updates and even a short audio made by the Barbara Hillary herself about her explorations. There is also an interesting bio with links about her at Blackpast.org. (I haven’t mentioned that website before but it is an incredible resource on Black history so I highly recommend checking it. It has many contibutors, including myself, that are committed to keeping Black history alive. Remember Blackpast.org.) And Barbara Hillary has a website called barbarahillary.com where you can see more pictures and even make a donation to her next expedition. Barbarahillary.com.   Let’s move on discuss our next great explorer, our next history maker!   This story is a bit different from the others—you’ll see why in just a moment—but the story is still inspirational and even provides a lesson for us all. One might even call this story a fable but I’ll let you decide what you think of Saray Khumalo and her incredible determination.   She was determined to climb seven of the world’s highest summits—and she’s almost there. 43-year old Zambian born mother of two Saray Khumalo has already scaled Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest peak) and Mount Elbrus in Russia. Then she set her sights on the mother of all mountains: Mount Everest.   Not surprisingly, this has been a monumental task but for different reasons that you might think.   In 2014, Khumalo made her first attempt at climbing Mount Everest. And, yes, this would have made her the first black African woman to do it. (Of course, we remember that Sophie Danenberg was the first African American woman to climb Everest in 2006. Great story that you can find on last year’s wiki history podcast series on Great Explorers.) And Saray Khumalo was ready for the climb. She had prepared: She spent two weeks climbing in the Alps, she trained in the gym 5 days a week, and she went hiking, rock climbing and camping every weekend. She was ready. She had even raised 1 million rand for Lunchbox fund, an organization that provides lunches to school children in South Africa where she had moved after her marriage. She was ready physically, mentally and emotionally.   But sometimes events happen that change our plans. Events over which we have no control.   In 2014, Mount Everest experienced one of the worst avalanches in recorded history. Climbers were killed or missing. Guides were killed or went missing. Saray Khumalo, who was climbing at the time, was lucky: she lived and was unhurt. But the climb was cancelled and she had to leave the mountain.   But she was not deterred. In fact, Khumalo was determined to return to Mount Everest in the following year (2015) and reach her goal of scaling the world’s highest peak.   Again, Khumalo went through intensive training and preparation. And she raised funds for an organization called Multiply, which would build libraries for children in South Africa. She was ready and determined.   Another event occurred. This time, Nepal experienced a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Thousands (estimates of 7, 500 people) were killed or went missing. Nepal itself was devastated.   Khumalo was climbing on the mountain when the devastating earthquake occurred. She was stranded for days on the mountain, often without any shelter. Helicopters were damaged or were searching for survivors on the mountain or below in Nepal so Khumalo had to use her training, wits and faith to survive until she could be rescued and returned to safety. And, fortunately, she did return to safety.   And, her climb was over. But she lived and was unharmed for which Saray Khumalo is grateful and happy. “I was able to return safely to my family,” she says. “Being the first black African woman to climb Everest would be fantastic,” she says, “but I don’t want to lose focus. I want to come back to my family. I want to come back alive.”   So thwarted by two devastating natural disasters—first the avalanche then the earthquake—Khumalo has not yet fulfilled her dream of scaling Mount Everest. But she definitely still has her sights set on the mountain. She has not given up her dream.   This passionate explorer notes that we all have our own little Everests.” “I believe ordinary people like me can reach extraordinary heights and if I can inspire a little child to say: ‘This homework is my own little Everest and I can also do it,’ then I would have done my job.”   Wow, that’s definitely the goal of this podcast series on great explorers: to inspire us to reach for greater heights, more distant shores, or whatever our dreams may be. Or as I always return to: to boldly go where no one has gone before. In short, as Saray Khumalo wisely said it, “to face our own everests.”   So, Saray Khumalo has not yet scaled Mount Everest (although remember that she has already scaled Kilimanjaro and Elbrus!) but she is still pursuing her dream. So, do you see how her story is slightly different than the others? But I also hope that you see how her story is so incredibly inspirational and so incredibly uplifting. Her story is not over so stay tuned for more amazing adventures and feats by this great woman explorer.   And remember her wise words: “We all have our everests.”   What is your Everest?   Saray Khumalo is so right about that. What is your Everest? How will you face it, scale it, conquer it?   I know it can be scary, even frightening, but remember the determination of today’s great explorers like Saray Khumalo and Barbara Hillary (who went to the North and South poles), and the courage of William Sheppard (whose explorations in the Congo that we learned about in the previous podcast show). They were ordinary people who followed the dreams and faced their everests. And you can too. We all can.   On this high note, I think that it’s a good time to close this podcast show about great explorers, who were also great black women. This is a group that does not get a lot of attention so I felt it was important to devote an entire podcast show to their accomplishments.   In the next show, we will focus on former slaves who explored the caves in Mammoth Mountain. They did extraordinary feats under very difficult circumstances and guess what? They emerged victorious. Their stories are often neglected but not in this great and groundbreaking podcast series. They will get their due—it’s their time. That podcast will be the finale of the black explorers podcast series. I hope that you will listen to all three shows in the series; you will definitely find them inspirational. Perhaps you will get a few ideas of your own. I hope so. And if you do, please share them on the rememberinghistory.com website or facebook page. I would love to hear them!   I hope that you will remember to visit the rememberinghistory.com website for additional information and discussion or the Remembering History Podcast page for more information and pictures of these great people.   I really do believe that a picture speaks a thousand words and it just makes it all feel so real when you can actually see these great explorers. Take a look. You will also find a great group of fun and friendly historians who love to meet new people and have great discussions.   I will end this podcast show by asking again: what is your Everest?   And I look forward to seeing you next time at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   And we’re remembering those who are making it.   Bye for now!    

Podcast: African American Explorers 1   Hi and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. Today we begin our great and groundbreaking podcast series about Black explorers! And we also have a very special guest who will introduce them: Frederick Lofton who is known as the Lawyer Explorer. Frederick has made many incredible explorations and today he is on the Big Island of Hawaii making even more discoveries. We are so lucky that he is taking the time to tell us about explorations made by other African Americans. You might not have heard of these great people—which is very sad—but hopefully they will one day become household names because there is so much that we can learn from them and their stories are so inspirational. Let’s do a bit of housekeeping then let’s hear from Frederick, the Lawyer Explorer.   As you may know, October 12, 2015 is Columbus Day in the United States. Columbus is celebrated for his explorations in the 15th century. Although he set out for a short route to India, he landed in present day Bahamas, convinced that it was India. Today, we know that he didn’t actually land in the East Indies but instead landed in the Americas. We don’t want to discuss what he did in the Americas, but there is no denying that Christopher Columbus was an explorer. Of course, there have been (and still are) many people who show the courage to leave their own shores in search of distant lands and adventure. We hear their stories of courage (and sometimes conquest) in history classes and on the Discovery Channel or PBS. But we don’t often learn about African American explorers or women explorers and their burning desire to discover strange new lands and go boldly where no one has gone before.   This month’s podcast series will introduce you to more African American explorers and show you that while the world is getting smaller and smaller, the adventures and explorations are getting bigger and bolder. The boundaries are endless. The only limit is your imagination, your courage, and your willingness to test your personal limits.   What is your limit? How far are you willing to go for glory?   These stories will show that exploration is not about finding gold or conquest (many explorers, including Columbus, forgot that golden rule.) Exploration is a test of your limits and transcending them. And that’s about more than finding new lands…it is about finding yourself. And this applies to any new endeavor like taking a new job or following a new career, getting an education or going back to school, learning a new language or studying a new subject, moving to a new city or country or, like some of our explorers, even searching for new planets!   The people in this podcast series on African American explorers challenged themselves in many ways. They went beyond their perceived limits and ultimately expanded their life, their worlds, and themselves. And this continued long after they “returned home” from their journeys.   You might remember that last October (2014), we began this podcast series by introducing Matthew Henson who was the first African American to reach the North Pole, some say he was the first person of any race to reach the North Pole. And we mentioned George Gibbs who was the first African American to reach the South Pole. We also discussed the many heroic and distinguished Black astronauts, like Ronald McNair and Mae Jemison. So impressive. And, of course, we can never forget Sophie Danenberg who, in 2004, became the first African American to climb Mount Everest. Her story is incredible and so inspirational. Actually, all of these stories are amazingly inspirational. You can find these podcasts at the rememberinghistory.com website or on Stitcher Radio. You will be impressed and inspired!   These history makers faced difficulties, obstacles and hurdles like the North Pole and Mount Everest and they kept going. They kept pushing. They kept digging deeper and aiming higher. And they reached their goals.   So, if you’re up to the challenge, let’s begin our next exploration into uncharted territory. Let’s begin our journey with an African American man who endured many obstacles and hardships to explore what used to be called “the dark continent” and, in doing so, save millions of people from modern day slavery!   Without further ado, let’s hear from Frederick Lofton, the Lawyer Explorer. Frederick, welcome to the show!   ****   Thanks, Robin, I’m really happy to be here to present a great explorer and a great human rights activist. He is not so well known yet but he deserves a place right at the table with many of the greatest explorers and humanitarians.   So, who is this great explorer and activist? I’m glad that you asked. His name is William Henry Sheppard. His story is both inspirational and incredible so sit back and get ready to be impressed!   William Sheppard was born in Waynesboro, Virginia on March 6, 1865. Now many listeners might know that Virginia in March of 1865 was still part of the Confederacy. Virginia was still a slave-owning state—but only for a short while longer. On December 31, 1865, slavery was abolished by the 13th Amendment. Now I digressed away from William Sheppard for a moment to discuss this important development. You see, Sheppard was NOT born into slavery. His mother was a free woman of mixed race ancestry and his father was a barber and the sexton at a predominantly white Presbyterian church. Sheppard attended Waynesboro’s “colored” school and learned basic reading and technical skills. At the age of 12, Sheppard left home and worked as a servant for a dentist from the Presbyterian Church and improved his literary skills by reading books that had been discarded by the dentist’s children. At the age of 15, he attended Hampton University and attended classes by Booker T. Washington. After graduating from Hampton, Sheppard took classes at the Tuscaloosa Theological Institute (now called Stillman College) where he was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. Sheppard became pastor of Zion Presbyterian Church in Atlanta but had a burning desire to become a missionary in Africa. He submitted numerous applications but they were all rejected because church leaders were not comfortable with an African American pastor travelling to Africa, especially without the supervision of a white minister. However, Sheppard boarded a train and personally confronted the Church board to demand that a position as a missionary in Africa. In 1890, Sheppard’s application was accepted and he was allowed to travel to Africa under the supervision of a white pastor named Samuel Lapsley. And Sheppard’s real adventures began!   The following year, Sheppard and Lapsley arrived at the mouth of the Congo River in what is today called the Democratic Republic of Congo. They established a mission in a village called Luebo. The first Africans to meet Sheppard thought that he was a rubber trader but Sheppard explained that he was there to teach about God. Because of his work and partnership with Lapsley, Sheppard had a dubious position with the local population to whom he was known as a “Black white man.”   But William Sheppard was a true explorer. He got to know and learn about the Bakuba people. He studied their crops, textiles and music. He studied the way that the Bakuba people worshipped their ancestors. He learned to hunt and killed snakes and large game to help feed the villagers. He even killed a hippopotamus and learned to dry the meat to trade and share with the villagers.   Sheppard learned to speak the Kuba* language, which helped him to discover parts of the Congo region where no American or European had ever gone. Sheppard and his local Bakuba guide would go from village to village buying eggs at different markets. For three months, he would buy and eat eggs and preach the gospel at every village where he stopped. For years, he stayed and studied the culture and, because of his excellent language skills, he was welcomed into the villages by the local leaders.   In 1893 (after an extended trip to London where he met with Queen Victoria), Sheppard returned to the Congo where new challenges faced him from Belgium’s King Leopold II who was the Congo’s colonial ruler at the time. The colonial government of the Congo Free State was using Africans as slaves to harvest rubber and build railroads, setting one African group against another in order to find traders with whom they could deal in the traffic of human lives. The Presbyterian Church in the United States opposed these activities and especially the atrocities that were occurring against the local people. The Church aimed to bring international attention to this situation.   Sheppard visited villages and people whom he had met years before upon his arrival in the Congo region. He was dismayed to witness the enslavement of the people, destruction of villages and food sources and the torture and killings of African men, women and children by the Belgians and their African allies known as La Force Publique. He was determined to bring international attention to this terrible situation. One of the most common forms of punishment imposed on the Congolese and Belgians was to sever the hands of any person who failed to meet their daily quota of rubber. Sheppard painstakingly made an exact count of severed right hands, noting 81 of them in a report that was later presented to colonial authorities.   Sheppard, together with two other missionaries, formed the Congo Reform Association, which was one of the world’s first humanitarian organizations. Through the Congo Reform Association, Sheppard continued to document and report on the atrocities committed in the Congo.   Back in the United States once more, Sheppard began to publicize his findings and wrote articles about them for church magazines. His allegations gained international attention and Sheppard quickly became well known around the United States and Europe as a human rights activist. In 1908, Belgium’s state-owned rubber company (the Kasai Rubber Company) sued Sheppard for libel and slander but the suit was later dropped because of Sheppard’s international acclaim as an explorer and humanitarian.   In 1910, William Sheppard returned to the United States, to settle with his family in Kentucky. He worked as a writer, speaker and pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church. He brought the courage that he displayed in the Congo to his work in the racially segregated state of Kentucky where, for the next 17 years, he spoke about equality and human rights to audiences throughout the American South.   You know, many people refer to William Sheppard as the “Black Livingstone”. But I take exception to that. (Of course, you know that they are referring to the explorer, David Livingstone. Remember, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”) While David Livingstone did make many important explorations and discoveries in Africa, William Sheppard approached Africa and the Africans in a different way. He was a humanitarian, a man of God and an African American man (remember a “black white man”) who opened his mind and heart to learn and observe. He was an explorer in the truest sense of the word.   Sheppard’s story is filled with courage and determination. He used his experiences, opportunities and innate curiosity and drive to become one of the earliest Black missionaries in Africa, a respected and multi-lingual explorer, an avid collector of African art and a human rights activist. That’s a lot for anyone to accomplish but particularly an African American man in the American South during the Reconstruction era.   But he persisted and demanded. He fought crocodiles. He persisted through 22 bouts of malaria. He researched and wrote about the sufferings of the people. He spoke to kings in their languages. And he followed his dream of going to Africa. As a boy, he often said of Africa, “When I grow up, I shall go there.”   That’s exactly what he did. William Henry Sheppard “went there.”   Where do you want to go? What will you do to “go there”?   That is what this Black explorers series is all about: having the courage to “go there”.   William Sheppard did it. And you can too!   So, that’s all for this first show in this great and groundbreaking podcast series. It’s a lot and there is more coming. I hope that you enjoyed this show and brief story of William Sheppard—explorer, humanitarian, activist, and art collector. I hope that you see that he followed his dreams, overcame terrible hardships and improved his life and the lives of many others. His legacy lives on.     Thanks so much, Frederick for that interesting and enlightening discussion of William Sheppard. There is so much that we can learn from his story and I hope that his story will be told in schools and other learning circles, great and small. He deserves it. And we all benefit from it.   In the next podcast, we will focus on Black women explorers who also “said that they “shall go there”. And they did! They had a dream and they followed it. I won’t ruin the surprise but I will just say that these women went in many directions in their explorations. They definitely “went there”. Spoiler alert: one of these women explorers “went there”--to the North Pole, that is--at the age of 75! You won’t want to miss her exciting story—or the other inspirational stories.   So, that is all for now. I do want to remind all the listeners that you can get additional information and pictures of the William Sheppard on the Remembering History Podcast Page on Facebook. There is a great community of fun and friendly historians there who love to discuss these great people and their even greater adventures. And I would love to hear your comments and thoughts about today’s podcast or really any history topic that you’re interested in. I really enjoy hearing from you!   Oh and I almost forgot to mention that rememberinghistory.com website has a great store where you will find books, DVDs, and lots of other fun and educational products, including two amazing books about William Sheppard.   So, thanks for listening to the first part in the great and groundbreaking podcast series on Black Explorers. I hope to “see” you at part II of the series where we will focus on Black women explorers. We are doing fantastic work here and I’m glad that you’ve joined us for this great adventure.   Again, a big thanks to Frederick, the Lawyer Explorer whose adventures you can follow at thelawyerexplorer.com. I encourage you to visit his exciting website and follow his great adventures. The lawyer Explorer goes to many uber-interesting places and collects, learns and shares fascinating facts, legends and stories of the people and places in his adventures.   See you next time at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Bye for now.    

Hello and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   I’m Robin, the host of this podcast show and I’m so glad that you have joined me for the opening of this important podcast series. Our history makers in this series will make you stand up and cheer. Or perhaps they’ll make up sit down and grab a book. Why? Because in this series, we focus on a group of history makers that are often forgotten: The educators. Teachers, tutors, lecturers, writers. People from all disciplines who teach our children or learners of any age. This is such an inspirational group and I’m gonna tell you why I think so.   First, I strongly believe in education. I guess that’s not breaking news. Oh well, I just had to say it anyway. But here is some breaking news: many of the greatest Black educators hailed from very humble, even disadvantaged backgrounds. Some were former slaves. Some were children of former slaves. They were sharecroppers who worked the fields from a young age. Or they were kids who struggled academically, faced racism or sexism, were labelled learning disabled or unteachable, had disciplinary problems or were denied even the most basic education. But what did they do? Did they give up? Did they accept those labels or accept that education was unavailable to them? Never!   The educators that I’ll present in this podcast series overcame their difficulties, focused on their goals and worked tirelessly to learn.   But they didn’t stop there. They continued and applied their focus, determination and faith to make sure that every child gets an education and develops the skills to work towards their dreams.     Wow, they improved their lives and the lives of countless others. These people made a difference. And if they made a difference, it shows that we all can make a difference and improve the lives of others and improve this world. That’s why I find history so inspirational. The real stories of real people making a real difference! And these great Black educators were champions.   I will start discussing them in just a moment but I want to mention a few details. First, the rememberinghistory.com website is a great place to get more information, more inspirational stories and more inspiration every day. So, please visit the website and get inspired. Second, while you’re there, feel free to leave your comments about, well, anything that’s on your mind. We are a group of fun and friendly historians and we welcome everyone into the fold. Also, take a look at the books & stuff store where you will find books, of course, but also articles, DVDs, audiobooks and other sources of inspiration and history. Remember all the resources that you will find are personally vetted by me so you can trust the quality and authenticity of whatever you purchase. And if you find a book or whatever that you don’t like, send me a comment at the website. I read all comments so I will definitely take your views seriously. At the Rememberinghistory, we believe in accountability. You won’t find that in many places on the Internet but you can definitely find it here. You can also find an inspirational t-shirts, bracelets, greeting and post cards and lot of other items to remember history and to be inspired. And, finally, look for (and “like”) us on Facebook under the Rememberinghistory page and the Rememberinghistory Podcast page. Great information and great discussions in both places. Lots of fun and lots of inspiration.   Without further ado, let’s get straight to discussing great Black educators and how they inspired their students and how they can inspire us.   Let’s begin with someone who might be a household name. Well, I hope that she’s a household name! Mary McLeod Bethune! She is absolutely one of the foremost educators in American history and she definitely is an inspiration to us all. But I’m jumping ahead of myself. Let’s hear her story. Get ready to stand up and cheer.   Born in 1875 to former slaves in Mayesville, South Carolina, Mary Jane McLeod was the 15th of 17 children in the sharecropping McLeod family. Her mother was a domestic worker and her father worked in the cotton and rice fields. Eventually, the family saved enough money to purchase a small piece of land and they became full-time farmers. Mary Jane MacLeod worked in the fields from the age of 5 but early on developed interest in education and reading. She attended a 1-room school for Black kids. Mary Jane was the only child who could attend school so she learned everything that she could during the school day then taught it to her siblings at night. She later received a scholarship to the Scotia School for Girls.   After completing her studies, she married and took the name (that we all know and love) of Mary MacLeod Bethune. She and her husband, Albertus, moved to Florida and opened a small missionary school for prisoners. In 1904, Mary MacLeod Bethune founded the Dayton Normal & Industrial Training School for Negro Girls. The school opened with 6 girl students and her son, Albert.   The school had a very rigorous schedule, beginning the day at 5:30 am for Bible study. They studied home economics and developed industrial skills like dress-making, cooking and, as she called it, “techniques of self-sufficiency”. Later the school taught science, business, math, English and foreign languages. The rigorous day ended at 9:00pm every night for the school’s 250 students. Yes, that’s right. The school grew from just 6 students to 250 students in just a few short years!   MMB was a master fundraiser, getting donations from prominent businessmen like James Gamble (of Proctor & Gamble) and Booker T. Washington. But MMB strongly believed in self-sufficiency so the students also made and sold sweet potato pies, ice cream and fried fish to raise money for operations and supplies. MMB always focused on developing the school and educating kids to be self-sufficient. In 1929, 25 years after the Dayton Normal & Industrial Training School for Girls opened its doors, the school merged with Cookman College to become a co-ed facility called the Bethune-Cookman College. The college remained open and operational through the Depression and exceeded the educational standards set by the state of Florida. In 1941, the Bethune-Cookman College became a fully accredited college in the state of Florida. And it is still open and operational with students from around the country and abroad. In fact, Bethune-Cookman UNIVERSITY celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2004. From its humble beginnings as the Dayton Normal & Industrial Training School for Girls through its merging with Cookman College and finally its accreditation, Bethune-Cookman University has been educating girls and boys, women and men for 100 years! Its motto is “Enter to Learn. Depart to Serve.” Go take a look at BCU on the RH Facebook page page, see its student body, look at its curriculum. You will definitely be impressed.   MMB is quoted as saying “I had faith in a loving God, faith in myself and an endless desire to serve.” And these qualities extended beyond the field of education. Dr. Bethune was active in the early civil rights movement serving as president of the Florida chapter of the National Association of Colored Women. During this time, she fought for voting rights for African Americans.   So, education and civil rights. What more could MMB be involved in? One a personal level, she was committed to economic independence so she invested in many businesses like a newspaper and several life insurance companies. She felt that all women should be independent economically. And she did teach these skills for many years beginning with her school for girls that she founded in Florida in 1904. She was a true visionary, well ahead of her time.   This dynamic woman had the ambitious goals of educating African Americans, securing economic self-sufficiency for African American women and men and ensuring civil rights and equal rights for African Americans. We have to stop here discussing MMB but, if you want more information, and I really hope that you do, you can find it in the Books & Stuff store at the rememberinghistory.com website. I want to highlight one resource that you might find particularly interesting. It is a DVD called Mary McLeod Bethune: The Spirit of a Champion. This DVD was made in 2008 and will give you lots more information about this great woman—yes, there is a lot more to say about her—and will inspire you to go beyond your limits. In fact, her story will help you to remember that there are no limits. MMB once said, “Without faith, nothing is possible. With faith, nothing is impossible.” Nothing is impossible. Yes, she coined this wise statement.   And it so true!   MMB: a great educator, activist, advisor and woman.   But we need to move on discuss another ambitious, Black educator. Her work was more recent than MMB but had no less of an impact. Here is a quote from her:   “Teachers need nothing more than books, a blackboard and a pair of legs that will last the day.” Do you know what great educator made this true and profound statement? Marva Collins. And she not only talked the talk but she also walked the walk. And she helped so many children to learn and excel in school and in life. Her story is a lesson in vision, determination and compassion. Without further ado, let’s tell her incredible story.   Marva Collins was born in Monroeville, Alabama in 1936. Her father was a merchant, a cattleman and an undertaker. Her mother was a homemaker. She was raised in a small town just outside of Mobile, Alabama. Young Marva attended a strict elementary school based in a 1-room schoolhouse. Now I mention these “minor” details because her experience in the tiny and strict elementary school would have a profound impact on her later in her life and career.   Marva Collins always believed in the value of education. However, she saw that many students, especially black students, were being labeled as learning disabled and even unteachable. Some showed disciplinary problems or difficulties. Many of these children were either kicked out of school or quit school at an early age. Marva Collins, who had worked as a full-time substitute teacher in Chicago for 14 years, decided that this was unacceptable. And she decided that she could fix this problem.   What did she do?   She used her $5,000 pension savings to open a school for kids who had been rejected by other schools. Her school was a low-cost private school dedicated to teaching low-income African American students, particularly those labeled (erroneously as she asserted) as having a learning disability or unteachable. Her school was called Westside Preparatory School. Its doors opened in 1975, located in the basement of a local college. The school opened with 4 students, one of whom was her own daughter. Later, the school moved to the top floor of her brownstone home. Westside Prep focused on high academic standards and discipline in a nurturing environment. It used the Socratic method of teaching (modified for use in primary school), taught phonics and classical subjects. Soon the school grew to have more than 200 students ranging from nursery school to 8th grade.   Marva Collins developed a method of teaching that reached and educated all students, especially the students that had learning difficulties under other teaching methods and the students that showed behavior problems. Collins criticized the teachers and the teaching methods, not the students. Collins said she had the data to prove that these students were teachable and were able to overcome obstacles of learning using her teaching methods. These methods also focused on behavioral issues and allowed students to learn and flourish. Westside Preparatory School remained open for 30 years. It officially closed its doors in 2008.   But Marva Collins didn’t stop there. She also created Westside Preparatory Teacher Training Institute to teach these methods to other teachers. You know, they said that true genius is the ability to create other geniuses. Marva Collins definitely showed her genius to the world and to the people who didn’t believe in her methods. Many teachers are now using the Collins method in schools across the United States.   In 2004, when accepting the National Humanities Medal (one of many awards that she received for her teaching and dedication), Marva Collins noted that there were no dropouts and no substitute teachers. When teachers were absent, the students taught themselves.   “Kids don’t fail,” she once said. “Teachers fail, school systems fail. The people who fail to teach children or who label them as unteachable, they are failures — they are the problem.” She noted, “Our children are self-motivated, self-generating, self-propelled.”   Those are essential qualities for all children—in the classroom and in life. Marva Collins was a true educator!   Do you want to know more about Marva Collins? I really hope so because there is so much more to know about this amazing woman, this incredible and dedicated educator. Of course, there are several books in the Rememberinghistory.com books and stuff store, but I want to highlight a television docu-drama called The Marva Collins Story, made in 1981, and starring Cicely Tyson and Morgan Freeman. You can find this excellent film in the books and stuff store at rememberinghistory.com. This is a great movie for the whole family and will make you want to stand up and cheer!     Well, that’s all for this podcast! I know, it’s a lot. I think that there were some surprises and lots of inspiration. I wish that we had more time but I think that you get the picture and I hope that you want to learn more about these great educators. Also, I really hope that you will leave your comments at the rememberinghistory.com website or the Rememberinghistory Facebook page. We love to hear your comments and have an interesting exchange of ideas. Perhaps you are an educator. I would love to hear what motivates you and how you motivate your students. Perhaps you were one of Marva Collins’s students, attended her teaching teacher training school or you attended Bethune-Cookman University. We would love to hear your experiences there. (Isn’t it fascinating to realize that their work is still having an impact today!) History does not happen in the past. It is being made today and every day.   So, I’m glad that you came and I hope to that you will join us for the next podcast about Black educators. The next podcast is going to focus on educators who were Black men. Yes, there were many and they also had an impact though this can sometimes be forgotten. Well, we won’t forget them here. Join us for that exciting and inspirational podcast; you’ll stand up and cheer! And just a sneak peek into the final podcast in the Black educators series; we’ll look at historically Black colleges and universities and their impact today. You’re gonna love that show; I promise! And remember: Without faith, nothing is possible. With faith, nothing is impossible!   So, I look forward to seeing you at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Bye for now!  

Hello history friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history too.   So, today is the last part of this great and groundbreaking series on fun and easy ways to be inspired by history. Wow, we have covered a lot of ground during this series.   We started with the decision to read, read, and read some more. I think that I almost lost some of you with that first step.  Yes, I love to read but I think that you imagined that I stayed up in the wee hours of the night to read a 1,000-page history textbook (written in a tiny font). Wrong!  While I appreciate the role of textbooks in education, I don’t take the view that they are teaching history. Instead, they are presenting names, dates and events instead of telling a story. That’s what history is to me: a collection of stories—about people.  The names, dates, and events are incidental. The people are the main characters; they make the story. And the story makes history.  Remember, David McCullough (my favorite historian) noted that history has to be literature or it will turn to dust. He also noted that piano teachers often complain to their students, “I hear all the notes but I hear no music.”  There has to be music. Bring it all together and make music. Just imagine, we’re talking about history as literature, history as music. This is radical stuff here—but it is real and truthful and, dare I say, inspirational too. Remember, too, that biographies and narratives (like the slave narratives that I mentioned and read an excerpt from) can be uncommonly gripping and moving—and yes, they will inspire you right out of your chair!   In Part II, we focused on movies and documentaries.  The movies are basically books (non-fiction novels if you will) on the big screen.  For people who don’t like to read or don’t have time to read, movies are a great way to be inspired by history. Many movies tell the story about an actual event or person from the past. I mentioned lots of movies but that was just the tip of the iceberg. You can easily find great historical movies and be inspired by the people and their stories.  Many other movies are based on books about real events in history and these can be equally inspirational. And I never want to forget or overlook the documentaries (like the ones that I mentioned about Thurgood Marshall—And Justice for All and With All Deliberate Speed) that showed the life, struggles and victories of this great great man. Trust me on this one—documentaries are amazing works, well-researched and well presented, and they can inspire you in ways that fictionalized works can not.   In the third part, we moved away from books and movies to consider getting history right from the people who were there.  (I failed to add that actually books and movies can supplement this method.) Talk to your elders. Many people who participated in Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, the Invasion of Normandy, and other great historical events are still alive. They are still able to tell their stories. Let’s listen to them. Let’s hear their experiences. Let’s ask them questions. And, most importantly, let’s remember their stories and remember them. They were part of history. They made history. They actually are history. There is nothing so moving as listening to the stories of people who were at historical events that I have only read about. But don’t wait—no one came to stay—so talk to and listen to the elders and get the “real” story. The real history.   Part IV was a lot of fun because we talked about actually visiting great historic sites.  Books and movies are great. Talking to people who were at these historic events is incredible. But actually visiting the sites, seeing the place, really brings it all to life.    Nothing beats actually standing in an historic place and immersing yourself in it. It opens up the senses in ways that might be impossible to describe.  Personally, I will never forget my experience visiting a slave home at George Washington’s plantation or the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland or temple of King Kamehameha in Hawaii. Nothing can describe them fully. You gotta be there.    That led us to Part V because sometimes you simply cannot be there. So, what do you do? Go to museums.  No it is not the same thing but many museums are designed to give you that “being there” experience. They are also designed to help you to understand the situation, the person, the problem and the culture.  Going to museums, libraries and exhibits are an amazingly inspirational way to experience history.   Remember my “go to” museum was the British Museum in London. What is your “go to” museum?    All of these ways to be inspired by history can work so well together. I hope that you don’t choose just one but try to combine them so that you get a more full experience and a more inspirational experience.   This brings us to Part VI of this great and groundbreaking series on 6 fun and easy ways to be inspired by history.  I saved this particular way for last because it is probably the most dramatic.  I gave a hint in the previous podcast that this way is the most fun but also the hardest to do.  So, what is it?   Attend an historical Reenactments!   What is an historical reenactment?   Great question. I love great questions!   A historical reenactment is when people reenact history. It could be an historical event (like a battle), a time period (like the Middle Ages), a person or group of people from history (like the Buffalo soldiers) or engage in a certain behavior, sport or activity from the past (like jousting or sword fighting). It is a huge amount of fun!   This is when things get really exciting—and sometimes just a bit weird!  History re-enactments bring history to life in an amazing way. The historical setting is recreated. People dress up in clothes from the period. They basically turn into actors and immerse themselves in the reenactment.  In general, the event is replayed.    What kinds of things are reenacted? It could be anything. I recently attended a medieval festival in Gdansk, Poland at Castle Malbork  (which is a teutonic castle from the 1400s) where there was jousting, sword fights, archery and other types of combat. But they also had the medieval food and beer (much stronger than beer today!)  Everyone was dressed up in period clothes and talked the “medieval” talk! It was amazing. And lots of fun.   I also attended a re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo, which was fought in 1815. It was equally incredible. Yes, Napoleon was there as well as Wellington—I saw them or the actors that played them—and there must have been hundreds of people dressed as soldiers to re-enact the famous battle.    Perhaps you have heard of or attended the Renaissance Pleasure Faire—well, that’s a mild (but great) example of an historical re-enactment.       If you want to see, feel and experience an historical event, time period or see a person or group of people from history, then I strongly urge you to attend a re-enactment. Or even go to the event as a re-enactor. Many people do this in their free time. I met one medieval sword fighter who worked as an account during they day. Lots of fun. And, yes, it is so inspirational to see how events unfolded and to be a part of it.  I recently learned that the Buffalo Soldiers Museum is planning re-enactments. Sure to be an exciting and educational event. Just go and have fun!  Remember that it does not have to be a reenactment of your history, it can be a reenactment of any time period, person or battle.   So, that’s all I’m gonna say about historical re-enactments. They are so much fun and so inspirational and the people involved are so open and really just love history. Everyone is welcome.   Of course, I have to return to David McCullough’s quote that “No harm is done to history by making it something that someone would want to read.” The same applies for history re-enactments: No harm is done to history by making it something that someone would want to experience. Or live. Or act.”  History is pretty tough.  If your intention is right and you like and respect history, then the risk is small that you are going to harm it.   Sadly, this wraps up the final part of the great and groundbreaking series on fun and easy ways to be inspired by history.  But I do want to respond to a few questions. Remember that I mentioned a Q & A period.         1.   These are great ways to be inspired by history. I am new to learning history. What is the best way to start?   Thanks for your question. I always think of taking baby steps into something new.  I’m glad that you have found an interest in history but I don’t want to go too hardcore at the beginning or to make you wait and lose interest.  What way to start? Movies and documentaries.  Everyone has experience with movies perhaps less with documentaries. But watching great movies about history is an easy, affordable and fun way to be introduced to and inspired by history.  But if you do want to go hardcore, then an historical re-enactment is a lot of fun and is truly a life-changing event.   2.   How do I get my kids interested in history?   Another great question!  Too often, kids are first introduced to history in school where they are forced to memorize names of presidents and dates of battles. Boring! If your kids like to read, then find an age-appropriate book (there are lots of them) for your child. If your child is very young, read it to them. You can even act it out to really bring it to life for them. Another idea is to ask your parents or grandparents if they would tell stories to your children about historical events or people from history.  The elders can be great story tellers and tend to have more credibility and interest from their grandchildren.   Once you get that history ball rolling, the momentum will continue to grow so I’m glad that you are taking this important step.   3.   I have found a lot of false statements in some history books. I don’t know if they are just mistaken or whether they are just lying but it put me off history for a long time. How do I deal with this feeling?     I completely understand your disillusionment with reading history books. Yes, there are myths, mistruths and downright lies in some history textbooks. Other times there are just “holes” or omissions. That can be frustrating and definitely lead to feelings of disillusionment.  And, as I said, I completely understand. And I’ve been there.  So, what do you do?  I firmly believe that we should not run away from this type of mis-education. In fact, we should face it head on and demand changes.  Write to the editor, point out the problem and demand that it be fixed. Write articles or letters to newspapers and other publications about the wrong information. Most importantly, keep educating yourself. Keep learning history; the “right” history. Attacking it from the inside, I believe, has more power than being on the outside. Announce those mistakes and dis-information. Start teaching the true facts. Tell your children about history. While history is tough (as I said earlier), it does need our protection to make sure that it stays true and that it continues to inspire. Real inspiration is never found in falsehood.    I’m so sorry that I cannot address more questions! They were so good and so important And there are many more that need and deserve my attention. But this wiki podcast is getting long.  Wiki is Hawaiian for quick and I’m afraid that we’re are no longer so wiki right now.   I hope that you have enjoyed this great and groundbreaking series on fun and easy ways to be inspired by history. I hope that you have found ways that will help you. And most of all, I hope that you will be—and are—inspired by history.  It has been my pleasure to host this important series and I do hope that you will return for more remembering history podcasts.       I would love to hear your comments so please go to the Remembering History Facebook page or to the remememberinghistory.com website where you can also ask questions. I promise to answer. You will find a great group of fun and friendly historians at rememberinghistory.com and on the Remembering History Facebook page.  And remember that you can find these podcasts at Stitcher.com which is radio on demand.  You can also download the app from the app store. Just sit back and enjoy.   So, I hope to see you soon at remembeinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history.   Bye for now!    

Hello history friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history!   Today we are continuing with our 6-part wiki history series called “6 Fun & Easy ways to be inspired by history.” This series has proven to be amazingly inspirational; I hope that you’re having a great time. I know I am. Inspiration is all around us but sometimes it is difficult to see.  The same applies to history—it is everywhere yet we often don’t realize that history is being made every single day. We don’t want to miss these inspirational moments.  And that is what this series is all about and how to be inspired by history. Let’s briefly review:   In Part I, we discussed how books can be amazingly inspirational. Remember that history is a collection of stories about people.  I keep saying that the history textbooks that many of us have read in high school or college only relate history as names, dates and death counts. They don’t tell stories.  Don’t let them put you off learning history or being inspired by history. Just find other books—remember the non-fiction novel—that teach history in a relatable way, in a way that many people can relate to. Many people can also relate to biographies and autobiographies—again stories of peoples’ lives.   In Part II, we made the small jump from books to movies. Movies bring stories to the big screen and can also be amazingly inspirational. Movies and documentaries (please don’t forget documentaries) show the triumph of the human spirit and many people prefer watching movies to reading books. That’s just fine. I’m not here to judge. Everyone learns differently and can be inspired by different things.     We discussed another way to be inspired by history in Part III which focused on getting history directly from the source: from people who were there, who actually witnessed history. This is a great way for anyone because it allows you to ask questions and to get the small details and feelings that are often overlooked in books or left out of movies. And it is a great way to connect with the elders and show how much they are cherished and respected.   On to Part IV. One great and often overlooked way to be inspired by history is to actually visit historic places. Go to the battlegrounds, visit the homes of famous people from the past, visit churches, monuments and statues.  Remember I visited restored slave quarters, which was an educational and very emotional experience to see where slaves lived, slept, ate, worked and generally spent their lives. It was a life-changing moment for me. And inspired me to learn more and to have the confidence to fight against modern day slavery.  Remember to take an hour or day to acknowledge and visit great historic sites. It will definitely be worth the effort.   So, this brings us to Part V of the great and groundbreaking series called “6 Fun & Easy ways to be inspired by history. What is Number 5?   Go to museums!   As much as I love visiting historical sites, I do understand that all the great historic sites cannot be visited. Common problems: Too expensive, too far away, too dangerous, too risky. Or it could be that the site no longer exists, perhaps it was not restored or it has been destroyed.        So now what? Enter the museum—literally. Museums contain so much of the world’s knowledge and experiences.  Experts make the explanations, exhibits and programs. They present the information in interesting and informative ways.  Some museums are large and broadly based. Others are small and specialized. Both offer great information and knowledge.    I remember when I was a child, my mother really wanted me to see an exhibit by James Van Der Zee in Oakland  I couldn’t say no—this was in the days when kids couldn’t say no—so I went and hoped to get through it quickly or even better that it would be closed.  Neither of those things happened. Thank goodness!  .Mr. Van Der Zee was an African American photographer who specialized in portraits of African Americans in New York during the Harlem Renaissance. I found myself transfixed in the art museum, surrounded by elegant and stylish portraits of Black people. Some names were familiar like Langston Hughes and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (yes, even as a child I had heard these names from my parents, my elders). Others were completely foreign to me. But I was inspired that day. I witnessed how someone could make such beautiful art and such beautiful expression with a camera.  One name that I never forgot was James Van Der Zee. And I never forgot going to that photo exhibit at the museum. It inspired me beyond words.  My mother didn’t need to drag me to museums or exhibits after that time. We travel together a lot and always find ourselves at a museum.   One of my favorite museums is the British Museum in London that contains artifacts from around the world—literally every continent on the planet. I’ve seen real mummies, jewelry from the Aztecs, masks from the Ibo, tools by the Cherokee and statues from the Tang dynasty.  There is much much more.  It is huge and would take a month (or longer) to see everything but it is my “go to” museum.     However, Frederick Douglass House is another favorite; I have learned so much about the famous abolitionist and orator that it has given me an additional understanding of slavery and the abolitionist movement.  And I learned about life during the 1800s for men and women (very different lives), for Blacks and whites (again, very different experiences) and about the great man himself. So, please don’t groan and pass by your local museum; there is so much to see and learn.  And I strongly urge you to visit the African American history museums that are opening around the country. They need your support and you will definitely learn a lot about your history. And you’ll definitely be inspired.   Also remember that many libraries double as museums.  The African American Museum and Library of Oakland is an amazing place with a great collection of resource materials, including – and this is my favorite—original documents by leaders of the Black Panthers! It also has letters by other black leaders like Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X.  Other African American history museums have a great collection and a special theme.  Boston has an African American history museum that focuses on the Underground Railroad. Detroit has the Charles W. Wright Museum, which has special exhibits about the Obamas—America’s first family. As I said previously, Oakland’s African American museum has a special collection of documents by the Black Panthers. And the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta (of course) should not be missed—it has so much to see and learn about the civil rights movement.           Now, I do know this audience and some of you are probably rolling your eyes about the thought of going to a museum—after all, how many Venus de Milos can a person see in one lifetime?!  Okay, I have also seen to my share of classical museums, but today I focus on specialty museums like the Picasso Museum in Malaga and in Paris (Malaga’s is better though) the Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Houston, San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum and the Bishop Museum about ancient Hawaii in Honolulu. By the way, that’s an amazing museum!  Find your interest (historical or otherwise) and there is definitely a museum, library or exhibit where you can pursue and indulge it.   Well, I hope that I have convinced you that museums can be amazingly inspirational. This includes libraries and exhibits—all so inspirational. Don’t miss them! But choose them wisely and you will reap the benefits.    So, we now have 5 fun and easy ways to be inspired by history! There is just one more—actually, I’m sure that there are many more—but this podcast series is only going to discuss one more. One more.  And, no, I’m still not giving any sneak peeks!   In the last session—coming tomorrow—we’re gonna examine that final fun and easy way to be amazingly inspired by history.  It is a bit of a surprise but I think that it’s the most fun way of them all though perhaps not the easiest way. (That’s the hint that I’m giving since I’m feeling so generous!)   We will also wrap up the 6-part series with a short Q and A session. These are questions that have been sent to the website and I would like to take a moment to answer them.  Perhaps I will answer one of your questions!       I hope that you are enjoying this series as much as I am. And I will be sad to see it end. But let’s face it; history never ends—it is a truly never-ending story.  Remember that you can listen to the podcasts on Stitcher.com—just download the free app, sit back and enjoy.   I look forward to seeing you for the final part of fun and easy ways to be inspired by history. See you next time at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history!   Bye for now!  

Note: This is a transcript from the podcast series called "6 Fun & Easy ways to be inspired by history!" Hello history friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history!   This is Robin and I’m really glad that you have come back to hear Part IV in this great and groundbreaking wiki history podcast series called “6 Fun & Easy ways to be inspired by history”! Today, we will explore the fourth way to be inspired, but before I reveal this amazingly inspirational way to be inspired by history, I just want to briefly review the past three ways.   In Part I, we found ways to be amazingly inspired by books about history.  Okay, textbooks can be kinda boring so we focused on “nonfiction novels” that are true stories, written as a novel (as piece of fiction). I have read many nonfiction novels that bring history to life and are without a doubt, amazingly inspirational.  We also examined autobiographies (like Frederick Douglass’s narrative) and slave narratives—we actually read excerpts from each of these sources—and discovered that, while they can be heartbreaking works, they also show how people have triumphed over terrible odds, in short, they can be amazingly inspirational.   In Part II, we examined movies about history. We discovered that many movies (following the format of the nonfiction novel) can be amazingly inspirational by showing how good people can triumph over evil.  Remember we mentioned Men of Honor (with Cuba Gooding, Jr.), Amistad and Glory.  And we mentioned other movies not based on true events but still based in history like The Color Purple.  Very interesting in that these movies are based on books.  And I absolutely don’t want to forget—or want you to forget—that documentaries can also be inspirational. Amazingly inspirational, in fact, because they tell stories and bring history to life.   In the previous section, Part III, we showed that we don’t need to read books about history or watch movies about history though these are great ways to be inspired. But we can talk to people—or listen to people—who actually lived through historic events. Imagine talking to someone who actually worked as a freedom rider in the 1960s, helping to register people to vote in the American south or talking to a person who actually attended a segregated school. Remember we can—and should—talk to the elders and hear their stories. We can learn so much from them. But remember that they will not be around forever—no one is---so take the time today to hear their stories and experiences.   Talk to your elders—you’ll be glad that you did.   Today’s podcast takes us to the 4th way to be inspired by history.    Visit historical sites   If pictures speak 1,000 words, then actually visiting the place amounts to 10,000 words!  There are so many great places to visit.  Visiting an historic site is amazingly inspirational and moving.  Battlefields, cemeteries, museums, historic homes like the Frederick Douglass (I discussed it in a previous podcast), historic churches, monuments, old towns to name just a few historic sites can bring history to life. In another previous podcast (okay, I know it’s a shameless plug), I discussed Harper’s Ferry in West Virginia where John Brown and his provisional army launched one of the largest slave revolts in U.S. history. It is an incredible place—fully restored—where this historic raid actually occurred, walk through a real and restored 19th century Antebellum southern town, bake bread in real beehive ovens and visit the Storer’s College where newly-freed slaves received an education.  Last year, I visited the slave quarters at Mount Vernon (George Washington’s plantation home). I will never forget this experience because I was actually able to see how the enslaved people lived and learn about their life on the plantation of the first president. As much I had read about slavery and slave life, I could not have guessed how slaves actually lived, the room, the floor, the feeling in the room. I have also witnessed the haunting and heartbreaking concentration camps in Poland and Germany, the stormy beaches and high cliffs at Normandy, the small village of Pompeii that still sits in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, which decimated the city almost 2,000 years ago.  Yes, the bodies are still there, frozen in time, some in sleeping positions like people have slept every night since that fateful eruption. Closer to home, I remember visiting the restored old town of Sacramento which brought the old west to life.  Visiting these historical sites changed me and educated me about the reality of these places, events and situations to life.  I know that this is a very short list; there are so many places to visit, so much to learn, so much inspiration just waiting for us to visit.    I return to David McCullough who presented the question: Is life not infinitely more enjoyable when you can stand in an historic place and walk on historic ground and know something of what happened there and in whose footsteps you walk? My answer: Not only is life infinitely more enjoyable, it is also more amazingly inspirational!   Okay, I know that many people are rolling their eyes (I get that a lot!) and saying that they don’t want to go somewhere educational. They don’t want to visit some place to learn about history. Many people—both young and old—would say,  “That’s boring!”  I know, you just want to go to a nice beach and relax in the sun or go hiking in the mountains or sip manhattans in Manhattan. Nothing wrong with that.     These can also be inspirational, even amazingly inspirational. But I do want to urge you to take a morning, afternoon or even just an hour and step into history. The experience will stay with you for the rest of your life. You will be a different person. Your children will see the world in a different way. Your world will be different. Dare I say better?   Now for my David McCullough quote: We began in Part I of this podcast series by quoting Dr. McCullough who said, “No harm is done to history by making it something that someone would want to read.” Very wise words.   In Part II, we changed his quote to say that no harm is done to history by making it something that someone would want to watch.   We continued in Part III by continuing to change his quote to say that no harm is done to history by making it something that someone would want to discuss.   Today, we’re going even further to say that no harm is done to history by making it something that someone would want to visit or revisit.   Where do you want to visit? So much to see. So much to learn. And so much to inspire!   Well, that’s all for Part IV of this podcast series on “Fun & Easy ways to be inspired by history.” Visiting historical sites is an amazingly inspirational way to be inspired by history. And I hope that you do visit them and see for yourself how amazing history can be. And, as David McCullough, described how infinitely more enjoyable life can be.     Remember you can see more places that I have visited or have on my short lift to visit at the Remembering History Podcast page on Facebook. And you can hear great stories about them and read descriptions of great historical sites.  By the way, remember that you can listen to this podcast on Stitcher, which is radio on demand. Just download the app or go to Stitcher.com to see all of your options for listening. By the way, I would be so grateful if you could tell people about the Remembering History Podcast and blog for the wiki history lectures and current events.  We are a fun and friendly group of people who love history and are inspired by it. Everyone is welcome—even if you’re just curious about history. Curiosity is great.   So, we now have four different ways to be inspired by history. But we’re not finished yet. We are going to discuss two more fun and easy ways to be inspired. Amazingly inspired by history.   Still no sneak peeks! I look forward to seeing you next time at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history.   Bye for now!      

Hello History Friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history!   This is Robin and I’m so glad to see you here again to continue with our great and groundbreaking and amazingly inspirational series called “6 Fun and Easy Ways to be inspired by History”.  Yes, this is a great and groundbreaking series because many people will discuss history and why history is so important but they often forget one thing: They forget that history can be amazingly inspirational. Many people forget (or they just don’t realize) that history is about people—their stories, their experiences, their successes, their failures, their lives. Our lives. Yes, that’s why I repeat that we are remembering history but we’re also making history—every day.   In the past two parts of this series, we have discussed different ways to learn and find history. In Part I, we discussed how books about history can be amazingly inspirational. Books that tell stories about people like biographies and autobiographies, narratives like the slave narratives that I read from and, of course, the non-fiction novels that bring history to life.  I remember reading the book, The Summer of 1787 by David O. Stewart. That brought the constitutional convention (when the U.S. Constitution was being drafted) to life.  I really felt like I was sitting in that sweltering and sticky room in Philadelphia listening to Alexander Hamilton lobby for greater federal power over the states, watching James Madison scribbling in the corner, writing down everything that was said in the room, and seeing George Washington sitting in front of the room, presiding over the convention.       This book was so vivid that I felt, at times, that I was actually sitting in the pub with the delegates during the evening as they discussed issues from poetry to slavery.  That inspired me. Yes, I actually learned to love history and was inspired by history by way of books. But it’s not the same for everyone. I get that!   In Part II, we discussed great movies about historical events and people that can also be amazingly inspirational. Some movies are based on actual events in history like Lincoln, Men of Honor and Amistad. Others were fictionalized works with an historical basis like The Color Purple, Saving Private Ryan and Beloved.  All of these movies were incredible and, as I said, amazingly inspirational.  Movies are a great way to access history and to be inspired by the stories, events and the people.  I briefly mentioned documentaries are purely non-fiction and can also inspire the viewer. Please don’t overlook them; they are often well made and well researched and tell the stories beautifully.     Well, that’s brings us to Part III of “6 Fun and Easy ways to be inspired by history.”!   Talk to the elders   What do I mean? Great question. I mean that you should talk to your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or anyone whom you trust that is older than you; they are your elders. They could be teachers, neighbors, or even the elderly lady at the coffee shop. Ask them about historical events, people from history or anything from the past.  Some of them might have been alive during a certain period or event like the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, or during the growth dotcom bubble. I have a story that I want to share with you about this method of being inspired by history, about talking to your elders.   I try not to have many regrets but one of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t spend more time talking with (or rather listening to) my great-grandmother whom we affectionately called Big Mama. She was born after slavery but had a depth of knowledge about slavery. She also knew about the Reconstruction Era, sharecropping and about life for African Americans in the early part of the 20th century—when slavery was over but Blacks were working to establish themselves as Americans with all the rights and liberties afforded in the Constitution. How did she know about these things? She was there; she was a witness to the triumphs and tribulations experienced during that time. I was 12 years old when she died in the 1970s. I never took the opportunity to talk with her about these historical events. I am not making the same mistake. Today, I ask questions to my parents who were part of the civil rights movement. I ask questions of all the elders that I meet about their life experiences and their thoughts about the history that I’m searching for in books.   Learning from our elders is a tradition that is deeply rooted in African culture. They give us the lessons and give us the background. From them, we get the “big picture.” From them, we get the nuances that are not found in the textbooks or are edited out of the movies. From our elders, we get our history as a people and the history of our family. We get the history of us.  And they love to tell these stories—they feel cherished and knowledgeable. We get to listen to true stories from people who witnessed the great and small events of history. And, remember, that our time to sit in the “elder’s chair” is coming, too!           Now, when I say that we should “talk to” our elders, I really mean that we should listen to them. Just think, this is a real opportunity to talk with a person who might have “sat in” at lunch counters, who walked across that bridge on “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama, who went to segregated schools, who marched on Washington, worked with or was actually a member of the Black Panthers, who witnessed the horribly beaten and disfigured body of young Emmett Till, who remembers when Kennedy was assassinated, who remembers the jubilation over the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or the Civil Rights Act of 1964, who remembers when the Berlin Wall was brought down or the protests on Tiananmen Square. There have been a lot of changes in the past in the past 50 years and many people who witnessed these historic events are still here, they are still alive and willing to tell their personal experiences, observations and thoughts about these events. We should not miss this opportunity.   Yes, reading about history is great and inspirational. Yes, watching movies about history is also great and inspirational. But nothing, I mean nothing, beats actually talking to a person who personally witnessed and lived through history.  Just like we are now.   So, talk to your elders. Listen to their stories. Hear their words. Feel their emotions. Ask your questions.  Remember their answers. Really remember. Remember everything. And be prepared to tell others, to tell your children. Keep history alive.  I will conclude with the quote by David McCullough who said, “No harm is done to history by making it something that someone would want to read.” In the previous podcast, we took this further to say that no harm is done to history by making it something that someone would want to watch.   Today, we are going to take it even further to say that no harm is done to history by making it something that someone would want to discuss.  So, seize that moment and listen to a real story from a real person from history.   So, that is all for Part III of this exciting series on Fun & Easy ways to be inspired by history.  It is getting even more amazingly inspirational with each part of the series!  So, you gotta come back for Part IV—again, no sneak peeks but you can believe that there are gonna be even more groundbreaking, radical and amazingly inspirational ways to be inspired by history.   Just want to remind you that you can get more information on this podcast at the Remembering  History Podcast page. And the rememberinghistory.com website is always waiting for you to visit and give your comments. And don’t forget to check out the bookstore.   Finally—and this is new—you can now hear this show on Stitcher, which is radio on demand. Download the free app from Stitcher.com or the app store. Then you can listen anytime and anywhere. And, of course, please review and rate this show. I love to hear your comments; it helps to make the show even better and even more amazingly inspirational.   So, I look forward to seeing you next time at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history.   Bye for now!    

Hello History Friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history. I’m glad that you have returned for this fantastic, trailblazing and incredibly amazing series called “6 Fun and Easy Ways to be inspired by history”! And I believe this series really is all those things. Why? Because anything that can help to inspire us in so many different ways (and to such great heights) must be fantastic, trailblazing and incredibly amazing-or at least just incredibly amazing!    What have we learned so far?  In Part I, we discovered that you can be inspired by books about history.  I’m not talking about the 800 or 1,000-page history textbooks from high school and college though some people could be inspired by them. But I am talking about history as great literature.  I mentioned the “non-fiction novel” that was first used by Truman Capote when he wrote In Cold Blood.  Then I also mentioned the Pulitzer prize-winning book, The Devil in the Grove, written by Gilbert King that brought the setting and players of the early civil rights movement to life. Definitely get that book!   I discussed and read excerpts from slave narratives and from Frederick Douglass’s autobiography, which presented history directly from the people involved.  In short, we discovered that books about history can be amazingly inspirational when they are works of real literature that tell stories rather than feed us names, dates and death counts.  As David McCullough said, “No harm is done to history by making it something that someone would want to read.”  I have many inspirational books about history in the bookstore at rememberinghistory.com.  So, I hope that you’ll look there and find something for you. Remember that I have personally read and vetted these sources so you can trust them.  Or you can hold me accountable if you don’t like them.   Today (in Part II), we will examine another way to be inspired by history.    Watch Great Movies    I understand that there are lots of people who just prefer not to read.  Or they have to read all day so they don’t want to spend their evenings and weekends reading too. I get that! And I don’t make any judgments.   There are fantastic movies that bring history to life and are amazingly inspirational too. Just like books, movies walk the line between fiction and nonfiction.  Here are some examples: Amistad (about the transatlantic slave trade and a group of captured Africans who demand to be returned home). Twelve Years a Slave (about the experience of Solomon Northrup who was a free black man, captured and sold into slavery for 12 years), Glory (about a black army troop during the Civil War), Schlinder’s List (about the Jewish holocaust and the rescue of Jews during WWII), Saving Private Ryan (follows a marine troop during World War II), Lincoln (about the passage of the 13th Amendment), Selma (about the civil rights movement, including the marches and protests to demand voting rights) and many other movies immersed audiences in great historical events or the lives and experiences of people from the past.  (By the way, I just want to mention that most of these movies are based on books, nonfiction novels—they are great reads!) These movies could be called big screen equivalents of Capote’s nonfiction novel.  Still, these types of movies are firmly based in fact but they present as stories. In movies, this means that there is some creative license to “fill in details” or make slight changes to the truth, the true story, in order to make the story flow well and connect on the screen.    Other movies are purely works of fiction but are so well researched and presented that they also cross the line into inspirational works of true history. Remember The Color Purple showed life in the 1920s American south for Celie who endured racism, sexism and abuse before she discovered her own power and self-worth. Beloved by Toni Morrison which shows the horrors of slavery and the aftermath—emotional, physical and psychological effects—of that terrible practice. Other movies brought painful stories to life but also inspired us to overcome our own challenges and hardships.  Personally, I will never forget the film, Men of Honor, with Cuba Gooding, Jr. Who could fail to be inspired by that movie?  I could go on and on (you know that I can) about the different movies and how they can be so inspirational but I promised to keep it wiki (remember that’s Hawaiian for quick) so I won’t mention any more of them but I will encourage to follow the link (if you’re reading the blog) or go to the Remembering History Podcast page on Facebook for a great list and discussion of these movies.  And remember that you can purchase them in the Books & Stuff store on the website.   On a slightly different note, leaving the nonfiction novel-type of movie, I want to mention documentaries. No sighs or rolling eyes please!  Documentaries usually delve deeply into a particular person’s life, an historical event or a situation. They are similar to history textbooks except (obviously) they are visual and they tend to give a more full, more realistic and more lively picture.  They will not use creative license to fill in facts. They present the facts so it is a different genre than a movie like Saving Private Ryan, for example. But documentaries are usually wonderfully well written, well researched and well presented.  They are worth your time and attention because they will—they do—inspire.   Let me give some examples about documentaries made about former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. (Yes, he is one of my heroes!)  There was the documentary called With All Deliberate Speed (2004) which actually contains interviews with some of the people involved in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. Vernon Jordan, Julian Bond are interviewed. And Thurgood Marshall’s son gives an inspiring and emotional interview about the case and his father.  Another documentary called And Justice for All (2005) discusses the Brown case and gives the background about segregation and the fight to desegregate the public school system. Not boring listening with facts and numbers flashing on the screen. Instead there is real footage, interviews, discussions and explanations about the civil rights movement. People are telling their stories. And we hear Thurgood Marshall’s story.  Literature on the small screen! And inspiration can be felt throughout the film. Biography and History Channel have many excellent documentaries and you can find them on the rememberinghistory.com website in the bookstore.   So, movies based on history can be incredibly, amazingly inspirational. Documentaries can be equally inspirational. Don’t be put off by documentaries—they are more than visual textbooks, they are collections of living history. Both movies and documentaries are also educational and informative.  And entertaining too. Remember as David McCullough said that “No harm is done to history by making it something that someone would want to read”, I will take it a step further to say that no harm is done to history by making something that someone would want to watch!   So, Part II of this 6-part series on “Fun and Easy Ways to be inspired by history” is to Watch movies and documentaries. Watch. Learn. Be inspired.   That is all for today, history friends! I hope that you have enjoyed this part of the series and have found a useful way to connect with history. But we’re not done yet. We still have part three and, no, I won’t give any sneak peeks into the third way to be inspired by history. You will just have to listen to the podcast or read the bodacious blog tomorrow.   I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history. Bye for now.     

How to be inspired by history, Part I   Last April, I posted a blog that discussed why I love history. (It was called “What Inspires Me” if you want to read it again.) Unequivocally, I answered that history inspires me. I love the stories, the people, the intrigue, struggles and the triumph.  They all inspire me. History shows me that nothing happens in a vacuum and reminds me that nothing ever had to happen as it did.  While I have some belief in fate, I am inspired by the thought that we have some control over our destiny.  And history reminds me of that.   I had a lot of responses and discussion about my history “obsession” that came from my blog post.  Apparently, I touched a few people “out there” which is always a pleasure. But it is also humbling because many people wanted to know how I actually “find” history.  They thought that I sit down with a 1,000-page textbook written in a size 10-font and read into the wee hours of the night.  (I admit that this is my ritual sometimes!)  But I realized (this is the humbling part) that I did not discuss any interesting or inspiring ways to access history.  I didn’t provide any guidance about steps that I take that brings history to life for me.  That was my fault. And I plan to correct this problem over the next six days.   Six days?!  That’s right. I am announcing a groundbreaking new 6-part blog and podcast series called:    “6 Fun and Easy Ways to be inspired by History”   I will post six ways that people can access history in a way that is educational, interesting and inspirational.  I will post one potential way every day for the following five days. Part I will post today (Friday) and will finish on the following Wednesday.  By next Wednesday, I want everyone to know where and how they find history—and how they can be inspired by it.   Each way will not be for everyone. That’s the way it should be. But I am confident that every one will find at least one way that works for them. And, really, all anyone needs is one way to be inspired by history.  (I really think that most people will find 2 or 3 ways.)   I will also release these posts in 6 wiki (that’s Hawaiian for “quick”) podcasts.  You will find them on my Remembering History Podcast page and the rememberinghistory.com website.  I ‘m really changing the paradigm here: Reading is great but I want to present these ways to you in my own voice and expression.  The wiki podcasts are only 3 or 4 minutes—remember, they are quick—but they contain lots of information in an easy and relaxed way. Just sit back and enjoy them. Or enjoy them on your morning walk or evening jog. Anyway, I hope that you’ll read posts or listen to the podcasts of this important series.  It could change your life. It could open up a new world or even an underworld to you.  And, mostly, I hope that you will let history inspire you—it’s all there for the taking.   Looking forward to seeing you in Part I of this innovative, radical, trailblazing new series:   “6 Fun and Easy ways to be inspired by history”   No time like the present. Let’s get started. What is the first fun and easy way to be inspired by history?   That is a great question but I want to back up for a moment just to reflect upon the challenge that this series is addressing.         I have always enjoyed a good story—whether happy, sad or both. A story well-told or well-presented has always caught and captured my attention. So, history was--and still is--a natural attraction for me. After all, what is history?  Stories.  And the saying that “fact is stranger than fiction” rings so true but with one minor change. In my experience, fact is more powerful than fiction.  Factual stories intrigue and move me.  And many times I find that the drama of the human experience can be so inspirational.  But history is not often presented in an inspirational or even interesting way.   History can be taught and learned in so many ways. Unfortunately, many schools teach history only as a rote repetition and recital of names, dates, wars, and death tolls. We memorize the names of presidents, the dates of wars and how many people were killed in that war. Does that sound like a story? Is it interesting? Are you feeling inspired?   My favorite historian, David McCullough, noted that, “History has to be literature or it will turn to dust.”  That rings so true to me. To keep history alive and in our hearts, it has to become a part of us--become a part of “our story”.   So, now I present the first way to be touched and inspired by history.   1.   Read! Read! Read!   Okay, this is one of the usual ways to learn about history. And I admit that it is one my favorite ways to learn and be inspired by history.  (I’m a writer so I naturally love to read.) But books are different.  Beyond just the broad categories of fiction and nonfiction, books are a work of art.  They can give “the facts” like an encyclopedia—and those are important. But they can also bring history to life.   Truman Capote coined the “nonfiction novel” when, in 1965, he wrote the book “In Cold Blood.” It was a true story about the murders of the Clutter family, the police investigation, the killers and the trial.  It was a gripping story that brought Kansas in the 1950s to life. (You might be surprised how interesting that part of the book portraying life in small town Kansas was to me!) And it took us into the simultaneously tortured and privileged lives of the murderers.  This was an amazing way to bring history to life.  Yes, this was history!  And it is a far cry from the textbook that is limited to the names and dates of events.   I recently finished reading a book called The Devil in the Grove, which brought life to Florida in early 1930s for African Americans. Many (not all, but many) of the Blacks living in Florida during that time were working in the orange groves. This true “story” had it all: midnight Klan chases, white woman alleging rape by 4 black men, ignorant and racist judges, a corrupt and brutal sheriff, lynches and attempted lynches, a defendant murdered under suspicious circumstances, FBI investigations, the Supreme Court and talented NAACP lawyers led by Thurgood Marshall.  Who could ask for anything more?!  It is a true “story” that brought the early civil rights movement to life in a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. My point in mentioning these books is that history does not have been told only from a textbook, an encyclopedia or some other fact-filled book. It could, and I believe should, be told as a story about people. History should be literature.      Other types of non-fiction books bring history to life.  I have read a lot of slave narratives. These are “stories” by the people who lived or were living as enslaved people.  These are stories in their own words. Men and women tell about their life on the plantation, their sufferings, their triumphs, their families, their determination. These are amazing stories. Yes, they can be quite sad, actually heartbreaking, but they also show the triumph of the human spirit. They show manifest courage in the face of overwhelming odds. These are truly inspirational stories and I strongly encourage everyone to read them. I have some favorites like Remembering Slavery, which was written as part of the WPA program to preserve the stories of the former slaves. Another favorite is Frederick Douglass’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.  He is one of the most quotable people on the planet and his book is filled with amazing writing and an amazing story of a boy born into slavery who endured both kind and brutal masters but ultimately escaped and became a powerful abolitionist. But that is not the end of the story…just the beginning in fact.  And his narrative (that was of course the perfect description for this book) reads and flows so well that the words practically melt off the page. No textbook here but there is lots of history. And even more inspiration.   Just listen to this quote from the book. It is not a happy quote but it is moving. And we know that he triumphs over these circumstances.   I suffered much from hunger, but much more from cold. In hottest summer and coldest winter, I was kept almost naked—no shoes, no stockings, no jacket, no trousers, nothing on but a coarse tow linen shirt, reaching only to my knees. I had no bed. I must have perished with cold, but that, the coldest nights, I used to steal a bag, which was used for carrying corn to the mill. I would crawl into this bag, and there sleep on the cold, damp, clay floor, with my head in and feet out.   Wow!  And these are just a few words from this great historical narrative. By the way, let me just read a short passage from another slave narrative just in case you are unfamiliar with this genre.    When he told me that I was made for his use, made to obey his command in every thing; that I was nothing but a slave, whose will must and should surrender to his, never before had my puny arm felt half so strong.   That was from Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: Harriett Jacobs—written by herself.  You see, this is history! And it is a great way to be inspired by history.    David McCullough  wisely said that “no harm is done to history by making it something someone would want to read.” Wise words.  Reading is so important. So find your author, style and interest. And you will also find inspiration.   That’s all for today. Yes, I started out with books and reading but I hope that I have shown you that they can bring history to life—we just have to go beyond the traditional dry textbook that cares only about names and dates—not people. Not real history. We should never lose sight of the individual—they make history.   Remember to read, read and read a bit more.  Inspiration can be found on every page. At Remembering History, we are remembering history and we’re making history.            

Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history, too.   We’re gonna make a slight change in this part of this podcast by discussing a place that was briefly mentioned in the previous podcast.  It was a place that I visited as a child and I recommend it to everyone, not just African Americans.  But all Americans, all people who visit the United States, all history enthusiasts, military historians, civil rights activists, legal historians and…Well, I’ll stop here and just say that everyone should visit this place. So, what is it?   It is Harper’s Ferry!    An amazing place—and I’m going to tell you why right after this brief introduction.   First, I just want to remind you that this is the new and improved blog called rememberinghistory.com where were and are remembering history and we’re making history, too. We are a large and growing community of fun and friendly historians and we welcome everyone who loves history or even if you’re just curious about history. Curiosity is great. We welcome everyone to join.  Leave your comments. Read the bodacious blog.  If you want more information about the people or issues, go to the remembering history bookstore called Books & Stuff. You’ll find, of course, books but also DVDs, audiobooks, games and other fun learning tools.  Everything has been personally vetted by me so you can trust these resources—or you can blame me if you don’t like them. That’s accountability.  Not easy to find on the Internet but you’ll find it here. Visit the Facebook page (which is also new).  On the Facebook page, you will find pictures of the places that I mention in the podcasts and you’ll meet the people too.  A picture really does speak a thousand words.  And you’ll find additional information and discussions about the historic sites mentioned here. Finally—really this time!—I just want to announce that rememberinghistory.com in cooperation with NspiredShirts is now making and selling shirts to inspire. The shirts have dazzling designs, stunning images and inspirational quotations from famous—and not so famous—people from our history.  Did you know the first American to earn the international pilot’s license was Bessie Coleman—an African American woman born in 1892? She was the daughter of sharecroppers and wanted to become a pilot. However, she was denied entrance into pilot school in America because she was black AND become she was a woman. Did that stop her? No, she learned French (taught herself French, really) then moved to France where she did go to flight school and did earn her pilot’s license. She had a distinguished and unique career as an aviator, parachuter and stunt pilot throughout the United States. How did she do it? In her own words: “She Refused to take No for an answer!”  You might never have heard of her but she had an impact and her quote is the flagship shirt for Rememberinghistory.com and Nspiredshirts.  For the month of June, this shirt has a special price and you will also receive a free gift. These shirts are all inspirational—either through quotations or images—and they are all 100% organic cotton or linen. And they are Fairtrade and Fairwear, meaning that they are manufactured according to certain standards—no child labor and no sweatshops—they are purchased at a living wage for the local population who guaranteed health care benefits and safe working conditions.  That’s why these are the Ultimate Feel Good Shirts. Everyone wins and everyone feels good! You can find information about these shirts (and their great price) at the Remembering History Facebook page and the website.  Remember, Bessie Coleman didn’t take no for an answer—neither do I. Neither should you.   Now, let’s get started remembering history and making history.     Harper’s Ferry.   It is a unique place that has something for everyone.  It is an unbelievably beautiful and historic place that has left a powerful mark on the United States.  But it is much more than beautiful, peaceful and serene.  Much more!   Let’s back up a bit and discuss Harper’s Ferry and its historical significance and I’m sure that you’ll see why it was—and is—so important.  On October 16,1859, John Brown and his Provisional Army took possession of the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry. Mr. Brown and the small provisional army intended to break into the federal facility and steal the guns and other weapons. They intended to give the weapons to the slaves for a revolt in order to get their freedom. Perhaps we need to back up a bit more. Who was John Brown and what was this famous Revolt at Harper’s Ferry about?   Born in Connecticut in 1800, John Brown was a white abolitionist who could trace his ancestry back to English Puritans. There are many reasons (like religious beliefs and others) that I won’t discuss right now, but John Brown believed that slavery should be abolished AND that the only way to do it was by armed force or insurrection.   He disagreed with other abolitionists who were lobbying to change the laws though he did have respect for their position. But his position was that force would be the only way that the Southern states would give up their slaves. When the Fugitive Slave Act—which mandated that authorities in free states return escaped slaves--was passed in 1850, John Brown founded a group to prevent the capture of any escaped slaves.     For the following years, Mr. Brown continued to work against slavery, protected and harbored escaped slaves, and actually captured slaves and recruited them as well as free Blacks to conduct small raids against the homes of slave owners. But the Raid at Harper’s Ferry was Brown’s biggest and most organized attack.  He recruited people from around the country. He tried to recruit famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass. But Douglass was strongly opposed to the raid and believed that it was doomed to fail. Douglass also discouraged whites and both free blacks and slaves from joining John Brown’s army.   On October 16, 1859, John Brown led 21 men in an attack on the armory at Harper’s Ferry. The raid lasted for 3 days. In the end, four federal soldiers were killed and ten of Brown’s army were killed (including two of his sons.) Brown’s army was overwhelmed by the larger and better armed federal army. The raid ended on October 18th.  Brown had lost.    After a weeklong trial and 45-minutes of jury deliberations, John Brown was sentenced to death by hanging.  At his execution,  Brown gave one of the most powerful and compelling speeches about the evils of slavery and calling for its abolition.  After stating that his only goal was to help the slaves escape to freedom, John Brown continued by saying,    “I have another objection; and that is, it is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty. Had I interfered in the manner which I admit, and which I admit has been fairly proved, had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of any of their friends, either father, mother, brother, sister, wife, or children, or any of that class, and suffered and sacrificed what I have in this interference, it would have been all right; and every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment.”   He later slipped a note to a guard immediately before his hanging which said, "I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land can never be purged away but with blood." John Brown was executed on December 8, 1859.   After the raid and execution of John Brown, abolitionist groups became more organized and more demanding. Slave revolts increased. Slavery was being attacked on many different fronts.  The raid on Harper’s Ferry was, indeed, an important event—one could call it a catalyst--in abolishing slavery and in the course of U.S. history.   So, let’s get back to Harper’s Ferry. I hope that you are interested in seeing this historic, this iconic place.  You will learn so much more about the strong and still-controversial John Brown. Was he a dedicated abolitionist? Or was a domestic terrorist? You decide. And going to Harper’s Ferry can help you to make up your own mind about John Brown.     So, Harper’s Ferry should definitely be on the summer shortlist of historic sites to visit this summer or any time of the year.  There are also great events, tours and activities. One special event that is happening for the remainder of the year, 2015, is an exhibit on the Freedman’s Bureau and Foundation of Storer College.  This was a school dedicated to educating newly-freed slaves that operated from 1865 until its closure in 1955. It’s an excellent exhibit that discusses how slaves were prohibited from learning to read—and the consequences if they did. But it also shows the classes that the freed people took and discusses why certain classes were particularly important and useful in the post-slavery period.       For people who want to learn more about John Brown—and I hope that everyone does—there are walking tours in which his life, mission, work and the raid are presented.  Harper’s Ferry also offers horse and wagon tours on weekends that just take you back in time to West Virginia in the Antebellum and Reconstruction periods.  And, of course, you can hire a certified park guide for a private tour. More expensive, but always a special experience.   There are workshops, which are amazing!  There are workshops on making bread in beehive ovens just like they did in the old days. There are workshops on making apple pies. And you don’t want to miss the Strawberry and ice cream festival on July 4th or the candy-making workshop during Christmastime!  Lots to make and lots to eat.  I love history!   Finally, I just want to add that Harper’s Ferry National Park is considered one of the best walking parks in the United States. There are sublime views, compelling history and restored towns that are nothing less than works of art. Walking trails go through the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Potomac & Shenandoah River valleys. In fact, visitors can walk along a 185-mile path that crosses the Potomac River and continues all the way to Pittsburgh.  But don’t go that far away.  There is so much to see at Harper’s Ferry and other parts of West Virginia. Harper’s Ferry boast 4,000 acres of land in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia.    Take the easy 4-mile walk across Civil War battlefields or the 8-mile adventure hike to the top of the mountains. They are both incredible, life-affirming walks that the family will enjoy and that you will never forget.       Harper’s Ferry National Park is a great place to learn about history, to experience history and to relive history.  They have made a wonderful effort to honor history in this way and it should not be missed.  Great for the young and old. Great for Americans and non-Americans. Great for everybody!   For more information about Harper’s Ferry, please visit the remembering history Facebook page.   You will find stunning pictures and great facts and stories.  We’re making history here! I hope that you enjoy your visit to Harper’s Ferry; I would love to hear about it on the website or Facebook page.   Well, this wraps up this introduction to Harper’s Ferry. Yes, I say that this was just an introduction because there is so much more to learn, see, do and experience at this iconic place.  I hope that you will visit Harper’s Ferry in West Virginia. It is such an inspirational place to be. Yes, people did die there—federal soldiers and abolitionists, alike. But let’s also remember that it was a turning point, a major step in the journey that ultimately led to the end of slavery in America. John Brown is still considered a controversial figure in American history.  Yes, some people describe him as the first domestic terrorist for planning an armed revolt against a federal armory. Others describe him as a brave and committed man who fought to end the terrible institution of slavery and to free the enslaved population.  And at his speech standing before the gallows where he was set to be hanged, he made a powerful and pointed statement about racism and economic disparities that separated people and denied rights to them. That statement made more than 150 years ago is still relevant and meaningful today about how economic disparities in America are dividing and diminishing people—and how they must be stopped if we are really to be unified as Americans.  You can find the entire speech on the Remembering History Facebook page—I strongly urge you to read it—and I’m sure that you will understand how it is described as one of the greatest speeches in American history.   I want to wrap up this podcast with another slight change of topic.  Harper’s Ferry is an experience in U.S. history. But I want to start a brief discussion not about experiences or events in African American history, but about the rise of African American history museums that are opening and growing throughout the country.  And why they deserve our support!   I’m gonna start with Oakland’s African American History Museum and Library. Yes, Oakland, California.    The African American Museum and Library of Oakland (AAMLO) was a long-time in the making by several dedicated Oakland residents. Its mission is the collection, preservation, and analysis of African American artifacts and documents in Oakland and the Bay Area. Today, there are 106,000 African Americans living in Oakland. The African American Museum and Library of Oakland was established to document their stories as well as the larger African American experience in the United States.  The African American Museum and Library of Oakland was officially founded in 1994. Today, the library has more than 12,000 volumes and is an excellent resource for community members and professional researchers alike with primary research documents on slavery, and African American military service. It also holds unique documents and letters from Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Ida B. Wells, Benjamin Banneker, and other notable activists and intellectuals in the African American community. Staying true to its Oakland focus, the museum has one of the largest collections of information and memorabilia on the Black Panthers.       •   Boston has the Museum of African American History. It is the largest museum in New England dedicated to the history of African Americans. The museum has unique exhibits such as a beautifully restored African Meeting House. Also, there are lectures, artifacts, and tours about the Underground Railroad. •   Houston hosts the Museum of African American Culture, which focuses on the experiences and contributions of African Americans in Texas. It also has many art exhibits, musical events, and independent African American film showings. Admission is free. •   In Detroit sits the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, named for a prominent doctor in the city. The museum presents many exhibits such as the visions of our 44th president, which shows 44 artists’ interpretations of President Obama. Another exhibit presents speakers, pictures, and discussions about the contributions of African Americans in the Union army during the Civil War. •   Taking a slightly different focus, the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis is located on the site of the Lorraine Motel. This museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the civil rights movement and teaching how it relates to the current global human rights movement. The small but impressive museum has received numerous national and international commendations. It holds the coveted recognition as a premier heritage and cultural museum and it is an international site of conscience. •     Then there is the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. Founded in 2000 by Captain Paul Matthews.  Buffalo Soldier's National Museum is the "only museum dedicated to primarily preserving the legacy and honor of the African-American soldier in the United States of America." The museum offers a look at African American military history from the Revolutionary War to the Gulf War. One thing that I found fascinating is that there will soon be history re-enactments organized by the museum. I don’t know if you have ever attended an historical re-enactment but it is an event that you will never forget. Remember my goal to bring history to life. The Buffalo Soldier’s National Museum is located in Houston.   Washington, D.C. will host the Museum of African American History and Culture, which is scheduled to open in 2015 as part of the Smithsonian Museum. It will be the country's largest and most comprehensive collection of African American documents and artifacts. Personally, I have been waiting for that museum to open and will put it at the top of my list when visiting Washington, DC.—though it might have to compete with the Frederick Douglass House. Oh, well, of course I will go to both.  And I hope that you do too.   We need to support the institutions and organizations that are keeping African American history alive and respected and researched. There are many misconceptions and holes in our history that need to be corrected and need to be filled. Museums and libraries are two great tools to make this happen. In the past 20 years, more museums and libraries focusing on African American history have opened all over the United States.   When I was a young girl, they were few and far between. In fact, there was usually only a small section in a library or museum that focused on African American history, if there was anything. (And don’t even get me started on how the history textbooks had African Americans and our many achievements and contributions virtually written out of history.) This cannot be allowed to happen!  So that is why we must support these museums and libraries.  And there are so many ways to support the African American history museums (and libraries):  we can visit them. We can make donations to them. We can volunteer at them.  We can tell others about them—spread the word. They need our support. They deserve our support.  But I strongly encourage you to visit them, take your children to these museums. Remember that some people learn by reading, others learn visually, other people learn by experiencing it. We all learn differently.  And museums can give the full range of learning models that are good for you and for your family. So, that’s my shameless plug for today. Visit your local African American history museum today. And have a great time!   So, that really is all for this podcast. I hope that you enjoy visiting Harper’s Ferry and the many African American history museums throughout the country. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments about them. And remember that the inspirational Bessie Coleman shirt is specially priced this month (June) and you will get a special present with it. All of this information is available on the Remembering History Facebook page.  Remember: Don’t take no for an answer.   I look forward to seeing you next time to discuss unique and lesser-known historic sites.  More surprises are on the horizon. Hope to see you soon at Rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Bye for now!      

Hello history friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. In this month’s podcast series, we are going to remember history in a slightly different way. Rather than talking about it (which, of course, is a great thing to do and a great way to learn), we are going to visit history, see history, experience history, and get immersed in history. (And, yes, we will talk about it a bit too!) What do I mean? I mean that this month we are going to discuss important historical sites around the United States. You might not realize that there are lots and lots of different sites where great and important historical events have occurred.  Some were small and brief events. Others were large and long lasting. But all were memorable and all were game changers.  I think that it is so important to visit historical sites and see where and how things happened, where people lived and how they lived. Remember, one of my goals is to bring history to life—that is one of the very best ways to keep history alive. And it’s also lots of fun.   I remember, when I was 8 years old, my parents took my brother and me on a road trip from Pennsylvania to California. That was one of the most fun trips ever!  Besides just spending time together as a family, we also went to historical sites that I had read about in school.  It was amazing to actually see the Liberty Bell and the original document of the Constitution.  And I was just amazed by visiting Harper’s Ferry!  (What? You haven’t heard of Harper’s Ferry?!)  No worries. It is one of the places that we’re going to discuss during our exploration of the great historic sites!   You might be asking yourself: why is she discussing this issue right now?  Great question! Sure it is a change from the topics that I have covered in the past, particularly in April. In that month, I discussed people who had been killed in the fight for civil rights.  There were so many people who sadly gave their lives during the civil rights movement but I was only able to discuss a few of them like Harry and Harriette Moore  who were was killed for documenting cases of lynching and who fought for equality in education, Rev. James Reeb who was killed while attending the Selma March and Birdia Keglar and Adlena Hamlett who were tortured and killed on their way home from testifying before the Commission on Civil Rights and who had worked tirelessly for voting rights.  Yes, these stories were hard to hear but it was important to remember them and what they lived and fought for.  So, sure, this month’s podcast series is very different.  But why now?   Because school is nearly finished for the year. People are making vacation plans.  They want to travel and visit family. Those are great things to do. That is my plan as well.  But I would love for people to consider visiting some of these places or having some of these experiences.  None of them are expensive. And they give so much more than they cost. And they are experiences that can be remembered for life.  We must not let history die. We must support those places that keep African American history alive and remembered. We should take our children to these places so they can see what came before them.  History is a larger way of looking at and experiencing life so let’s live life to the fullest. Remember Dr. Carter G. Woodson (the father of Black History) said that “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.   We must never become a “negligible factor” to anyone, particularly ourselves.       Finally, I just want to remind you that this is the new and improved website called rememberinghistory.com where were are remembering history and we’re making history, too. We are a large and growing community of fun and friendly historians and we welcome everyone who loves history or even if you’re just curious about history, we welcome everyone to join.  Leave your comments. Read the bodacious blog.  If you want more information about the people or issues, go to the remembering history book store called Books & Stuff. You’ll find, of course, books but also DVDs, audiobooks, games and other fun learning tools.  Everything has been personally vetted by me so you can trust these resources—or you can blame me if you don’t like them. That’s accountability.  Not easy to find on the Internet but you’ll find it here. Visit the Facebook page (which is also new).  On the Facebook page, you will find pictures of the places that I mention in the podcasts and you’ll see pictures of the people too.  A picture really does speak a thousand words.  And you’ll find additional information about the historic sites mentioned here. Finally—really this time!—I just want to remind you that rememberinghistory.com has a  surprise coming that will be released on June 1st. Next week, I’ll give you more information about this surprise and how you can be eligible to win one of these surprises.   Now, let’s get started remembering history and making history.   Yes, I think that I know what YOU’RE thinking now:  how can she possibly talk about all the different historic sites related to African Americans?  You’re right. I can’t possibly discuss EVERY one of them. Or even most of them. After all, we are talking about more than 400 years of history. It is a lot. So, I’m going to break it down. In this first podcast, I will discuss slavery and abolition.    Although slavery ended in 1865, many of the historic sites still remain or have been restored. They are not often visited—after all, it is not a period or topic that most Americans are proud of, like the Declaration of Independence.  But it is a part of American history and, especially, African American history so we should take steps to remember it, learn about it and learn from it.   Mount Vernon   This might seem like a strange place to revisit slavery. But it is one of the most moving places that I have ever visited.  As you are probably aware, Mount Vernon was the plantation home of George Washington, first president of the United States.   Of course, Washington did not live on the premises during his two terms as president.  But he always remained connected to the plantation and immediately returned to it following his tenure.    It is no surprise that George Washington owned slaves. In fact, he owned as many as 316 slaves that lived at Mount Vernon.  At the time of his death in 1799, 90 percent of the population at Mount Vernon consisted of enslaved African Americans.  And they lived in different quarters on the five farms that comprised Mount Vernon.  The largest slave quarter was located at Mansion House Farm where 90 slaves lived.  In other quarters, located at nearby farms or in distant fields, the quarters were smaller, housing around 45 or 50 persons. There is some dispute about the quality of the slave quarters. Some records say that the living areas were made of brick, had several fireplaces and glazed windows. Other reports (written by visitors to George and Martha) said that the quarters were basic log houses.  Inspectors described them as wretched. Husband and wife slept on a pallet while children slept directly on the floor.   I am mentioning Mount Vernon because the slave quarters (near the main house) have been restored and are open to visitors. This was an amazing experience.  Standing in the quarters where the enslaved population lived was an emotional trip and brought the history to life for me. I witnessed others having the same experience—both adults and children.  It is a trip back in history that every American should take.   With its large population of enslaved persons, Mount Vernon also had a cemetery for the African slaves. It is near the main house. Today, it is marked with a small monument that recognizes the slaves who lived, worked and died on the plantation.    To bring it all together, Mount Vernon has an excellent museum that discusses various aspects of life at the plantation, including the living conditions, experiences and lives of the enslaved population.  It has excellent and interesting descriptions, exhibits and explanations.  It even discussed the clothing, food and working conditions of the slaves.    Mount Vernon has made a great effort to restore and present life at the first president’s plantation. The restored slave quarters, the slave cemetery and the museum presents the enslaved population (both skilled and unskilled) in a realistic and dignified way.    Mount Vernon is open 365 days each year.  It is a short drive from Washington, D.C. and has an amazing restaurant. You gotta try the hoe cakes (pancakes made from cornmeal—it’s an original recipe by Washington’s niece)!  Take the whole family—you will never forget the experience.     I just briefly want to mention another plantation from the same period.  Montpellier is the plantation owned and operation by James Madison, 4th president of the United States.  Montpellier was a larger and grander plantation than Mount Vernon (I didn’t think that this was possible) and had large, multi-generational population of enslaved persons.      Montpellier has undergone many restorations but there much less is known about the slaves who lived on the plantation.  (The Madisons kept long and copious notes about their lives and the work of James Madison, but they did not maintain the detailed records like those kept at Mount Vernon.)  Nevertheless, it is known that between 1723 and 1844, there were more than 200 slaves that lived on Montpellier and that 7 generations of families were born, lived and died there.   So, why do I mention Montpellier? There is an amazing archeological dig and excavation being conducted on the plantation.  And they take volunteers from the public. You simply have to sign up for one of their week-long sessions where you will live and work with the archeologists on Montpellier.   Some of the excavations focus on the mansion and property owned by the Madisons.  However, they are also excavating the slave quarters and even restoring them for historical purposes. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of history and to protect history for future generations.  This type of opportunity does not often occur and it will not last forever so it is important to contact Montpellier as soon as possible if you wish to participate in this important excavation and restoration. You can get the information on the remembering history Facebook page. But it is also available at Montpellier.org.  I encourage visiting the Remembering History Facebook page because you will find more specific details and you can ask any questions that you might have.   Again, Montpellier is an important place, not just because it was the home of James and Dolley Madison but also because of its large slave population who lived for 7 generations on the plantation.  The current excavation gives you a chance to be a part of history. And that’s what this podcast is about:  making history!  For more information and pictures, go to the Remembering History website or the Facebook page.   Okay, so let’s leave the plantations now and visit the home of one of the most famous and greatest abolitionists:  Frederick Douglass.   Yes, you can actually visit his home! Frederick Douglass House is part of the U.S. National Park Service. In fact, it has been since 1962.  Frederick Douglass house is one of the most interesting and often forgotten treasures in the Washington, D.C. area.  It is based in Anacostia, Maryland, just minutes from the national capitol.    As you probably know, Frederick Douglass was born into slavery and was purchased by several different kinds of people. Some were cruel. Others were more compassionate. He actually learned how to read (which was illegal for slaves) from a compassionate and brave woman who was married to a man who had purchased him. He eventually escaped and became a very influential abolitionist, orator and writer. He published a newspaper that opposed slavery and published his autobiography called Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, which described his life and thoughts as a slave and the degradations that he suffered under the terrible institution. His autobiography gave momentum to the abolition movement.  Frederick Douglass travelled throughout the United States and Europe speaking against slavery.  As a runaway slave, though, he was constantly threatened with capture but influential friends later purchased his freedom.   Frederick Douglass purchased the house called Cedar Hills (we know it as Frederick Douglass House) in September of 1877. He paid $6,700 for the house and the 10 acres around it. The following year, he bought another 5 acres around the house.  He moved into the house in the Fall of 1878 and remained there until his death in 1895.   The house was first restored in 1922 by the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association and the National Association of Colored Women. It was further restored in 1972 and a third restoration was completed in 2007.  The house and the surrounding land are beautiful and scenic and reportedly have the best views of the national capitol.   As part of the National Park Service, there are today many tours of Frederick Douglass House. In fact, the only way to get inside the house is as part of a tour, which take place throughout the day. One point to highlight is the library. Frederick Douglass was a true man of letters and had an extensive library with books on virtually every imaginable subject.  It has been called the most impressive room in this most impressive house.   A “not to be missed” room in this house is the “growlery”.  This was a special room and I urge you to ask the knowledgeable volunteers about how Mr. Douglass used this room. You will be surprised!   If, unfortunately, you are not able to visit Frederick Douglass House or you just can’t wait to see the interior, then you can also take a virtual tour of the house on the website.  More on this great feature on the Remembering History website and Facebook page—and you will also find helpful information about the opening times, tours, directions and the history of the house. Go visit the website or Facebook page and I hope that you will “like” us there too.   Continuing on with the history of the abolition movement, we have the Black Heritage Trail. Do you know where the Black Heritage Trail is?  Can you guess?  Okay, I’ll just tell you: Boston.  (Yes, there is also a Black Heritage Trail in Columbus, Ohio, too.) But we will focus on Boston.   The Black Heritage Trail links more than 15 pre-Civil War structures and historic sites, including the 1806 African Meeting House, which is the oldest surviving black church in the United States. (You will hear about another church in the last podcast in this series so stay tuned.) The Black Heritage Trail is a path in Boston, Massachusetts, winding through the Beacon Hill neighborhood and other sites that are important in African American history.   Massachussetts was the first state to abolish slavery and, therefore, a large abolitionist community was formed there. And many enslaved persons escaped and sought refuge in the state.   The trail begins at the Museum for African American History in Boston (which is actually located in Abiel Smith School).   The trail includes 10 sites that were known to be part of the Underground Railroad. Stories about the owners and escaped slaves are provided at the houses. At the beginning of the trail, visitors can collect maps and written histories of how the Underground Railroad assisted slaves in getting to freedom. However, it notes the difficulties didn’t end in Boston, particularly after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act and other laws that threatened escaped slaves.  The Black Heritage Trail is an interesting and active historical site that is a strong part of American history.   Take the family. Take the car. Or be prepared to walk, which is always a good idea.  You will find interesting and inspirational stories of real heroism and courage. Never depressing. Always interesting.  Shows how individuals can make a real difference.  For additional information including a map of the Black Heritage Trail, go to the Remembering History Facebook page.  I think that you will definitely like us. But you be the judge.   Finally, there is one last place that I want to mention in this podcast on famous historic sites about slavery and abolition.  This site is slightly different than the others but I hope you will agree that it is very relevant and extremely important—historically and today.  It is called the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.  Based in Cincinnati, the mission of the Freedom Center is to collect and reveal the stories of freedom heroes from the Underground Railroad to the present time. Its goal is to inspire modern abolitionist heroes.    There are stories about true American heroes like Harriett Tubman and her work to help enslaved people escape to freedom as well as her work as a nurse and spy during the American Civil War. The center devotes a lot of resources to fighting modern day slavery as well as recognizing the history of African slavery.   The Center offers a variety of programs for visitors and educators including films, lectures, exhibits, gallery talks and family programs.  In a special section of the center, individuals and groups can learn how to become modern day abolitionists in a three-step program. Spoiler alert: The three steps are:  Learn, teach and act. But there is much more to it and the center is devoted to abolishing modern day slavery.    Less you think that the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a heavy, boring or slightly depressing place, get ready for a big surprise.  Yes, there are parts that are difficult such as the Auschwitz exhibit, there is also interactive and age-relevant stories that are so inspirational and empowering that visitors are left feeling ready, willing and able to change the world!    For additional information about the Freedom Center, take a look at the Remembering History Facebook page—there will be lots of practical information but also interesting commentary and stories. Again, visit the page and hopefully like us there.   So, that is all for today. Great sites: The slave quarters and the slave cemetery at Mount Vernon.  At Montpellier, you can actually excavate and restore the slave quarters.  Then Frederick Douglass House—the world’s most famous abolitionist. The Black Heritage Trail will take you along the Underground Railroad. And finally the  National Underground Railroad Freedom Center shows us how to fight modern day slavery and helps to work as modern day abolitionists. You see, there are so many great African American historical sites throughout the country.  I hope that you have enjoyed this podcast and gotten great ideas about places to go and to take the family this summer.  So much to see. So much to learn.   And, no, we’re not finished. In the next podcast, we are going to visit some unusual historical sites.  They might be surprises but I will give a small hint: think of a very famous, “game-changing” athlete and where he became famous.         And the final podcast in this series is going to take us to the west coast of the United States. Yes, there are a lot of interesting historical sites there—don’t let the people on the East Coast or in the South make you believe that African Americans did not have a strong presence in the west. We did—and you will hear about it in the third podcast.   So, please visit the rememberinghistory.com website or the Facebook page. You will find great resources and information and a great community of history lovers in both places.  Oh, did I mention the books and DVDs that you might also find interesting? Well, I mentioning them now so take a look or listen on the website. I hope that you find them interesting and helpful.   See you next time at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Bye for now!   Robin      

Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history.  We continue in this third wiki history podcast about Less Famous People involved in Civil Rights. In this podcast, we will focus exclusively on women who participated and died in the struggle for civil rights. Why should we spend an entire podcast focusing on women heroes of the civil rights movement? Great question. I think that I can give you a great answer. I noticed, in my research on civil rights heroes, that there were lists devoted to this subject by organizations that I respect. When I read the lists, I found very few women.  Perhaps only one or two on a list of twenty or thirty people.   It seems like the stories about women heroes are not being told, they are being forgotten and that’s completely contrary to what rememberinghistory.com stands for.  There are other reasons but I will discuss those reasons in the context of a larger issue that will be presented towards the end of this podcast. Stay tuned.   I hope that you have heard the previous podcasts about civil rights heroes like Harry and Harriett Moore who fought for equality in education and investigated lynching and police brutality in Florida. There was also George Washington Lee who fought for voting rights and Corporal Roman Ducksworth who refused to be put into the colored section of a bus in Mississippi.       In the last podcast, we focused on the white people (or rather heroes) like William Lewis Moore who held single man marches to promote equality and integration and Rev. James Reeb who lived in Black neighborhoods, sent his kids to integrated schools and answered Dr. King’s call to march in Selma, Alabama where Rev. Reeb was killed by white segregationists.  Finally, there was Rev. Bruce Klunder who was killed when he tried to stop the construction of a segregated school in Cleveland. There were a lot more people that I was not able to discuss but I  (and I ‘m truly sorry about that) because they deserve to be remembered and honored for the service in the fight for civil rights. They were courageous and committed and should not be forgotten.    Please also remember that there is a lot more information and plenty of resources such as books, DVDs and audiobooks in the Books & Stuff store at rememberinghistory.com. Well, let’s get started. We have a lot to cover and I want to keep it wiki.   I do want to caution that some of these stories are rather violent. I won’t go into too much detail about the violence, but I do want to tell what really happened.  The truth in history is my objective—always. And I just want to give you some notice that this is a slightly longer podcast because we have so much to discuss: In the beginning, we’ll discuss two strong and courageous women who worked for voting rights and were killed by the Klan.     Then we’ll discuss a white woman (who was a wife and mother of five) who met with a tragic end. We’ll conclude with a discussion of the special position of women (all women) who fought for civil rights and how they were specific targets for sexualized violence and intimidation.   Let’s begin with two brave and determined African American women who fought for voting rights in Mississippi.   Birdia Beatrice Clark Keglar was born on June 1, 1908 in Charleston, Mississippi (not South Carolina, but Mississippi). Charleston is located in north central Mississippi and is the county seat of Tallahatchie County.  Birdia Keglar was known from an early age to be independent and very self-reliant, perhaps because she was youngest child in a very large family. She attended high school in Charleston but quit in the 11 grade to work and help support her family. She worked on the family farm until she got married on Christmas Day in 1924 at the age of 16. She had two sons but the marriage didn’t last.  After the end of her marriage, she ventured out to Memphis, Tennessee to get a more experience and see another part of the country. Her first job was at a local segregated swimming pool, which was frustrating to her because she could not use or get close to any of the pool facilities, except to clean.  She returned to Charleston and started working at the city’s first Black dry cleaners, which was owned by her uncle.   However, the owners of the local funeral home were impressed with her and enticed her away from her uncle’s business to the Fox Funeral Home of Granada. This would prove to be a very significant job for her because it was also where many civil rights activities and meetings were held. She remained at the funeral home until her death.   Because of her exposure to civil rights at the funeral home, Birdia Keglar quickly got involved in the local civil rights activities. She began to travel to other cities too like Granada, Greenwood, Clarksdale and Jackson to coordinate civil rights activities. At the same time, she was caring for her aging mother and young nieces and nephews.  And she remained active in the community and her church. She established a local girl scout troop (that was a first for black girls!), collected and distributed food and clothing to the poor, accompanied friends and family members to medical and law appointments and, at her church, became President of the local Usher Board.   In 1965, Birdia Keglar became more involved in civil rights activities, particularly voting rights. She was the first Black person to vote in Tallahatchie County and she encouraged other Blacks to register and vote. She began organizing the first Tallahatchie County Branch of the NAACP and solicited memberships in the local population. Unfortunately, she was killed before the branch was fully operational.     As you can probably expect, Birdia Keglar was subjected to constant death threats and was forced to take different routes to get home or sometimes she could not go home at all because it was too dangerous. She often had to be escorted down the street by local Black men to protect her from assaults by white segregationists. This was dangerous for everyone. And, yes, Birdia  Keglar did go to Selma to march with Dr. Martin Luther King.   The following year, 1966, Birdia  Keglar attended, in Jackson, Mississippi, a civil rights rally that was attended by Senator Robert Kennedy. On her return trip home, Birdia Keglar and four others (one of whom I will discuss in just a moment) were pursued by Klansman in Sidon, Mississippi, driven off the rode and killed. It is reported that Birdia Keglar’s body was found with her face slashed and arms cut off.  The local sheriff ruled her death as an accident. No further investigation was made.  Her son, Robert, did try to get information from the FBI about his mother’s killing but he was killed three months later while making inquiries.   Birdia Keglar was one of those people who uplift everyone that they meet.  She was a courageous woman who was determined to make a difference—and she did. In her honor, June 1st is remembered as Birdia Keglar Day in Tallahatchie County and a portion of Highway 35 has been called Birdia Keglar Highway.     Her story was included in a book called Where Rebels Roost: Mississippi Civil Rights Revisited by Susan Klopfer. It is an excellent book and gives much more information about his courageous lady and others who also fought for civil rights in that dangerous state.  The book is available in the bookstore at rememberinghistory.com. I hope that you will read it and let me know what you think.    For her work in civil rights and voting rights and her courage in getting other African Americans to vote, we recognize and honor Mrs. Birdia Beatrice Clark Keglar and thank her for her service. (applause)   The next woman that I will discuss in this podcast was also fighting for civil rights and, sadly, was killed with Birdia Keglar and three others on the return home from a civil rights meeting in Jackson, Mississippi. But I’m jumping ahead. Let me introduce Mrs. Adlena McKinley Hamlett.   Adlena Hamlett was a bold and courageous civil rights activist, focusing primarily on voting rights for African Americans.  Born in Scobey, Mississippi in 1889, Mrs. Hamlett was also a respected elementary school teacher. She was a strong believer in the power of education to empower African Americans and she spent extra time teaching Black children to read and write proficiently.       Adlena Hamlett was committed to the passage of a Voting Rights Bill to guarantee the right to vote for all Americans. In fact, she testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights about voting rights violence and harassment of civil rights workers.  She also participated in numerous civil rights protests, marches and organizations to help African Americans register and vote.  For her work, she was constantly threatened, harassed and, a few months before her death, an effigy of her was hanged.  She was told unequivocally that, if she continued with her activities, she would be killed. She was not deterred.   On January 11, 1966, she was returning home from a conference on voting rights that was attended by Senator Robert Kennedy. She was in her gold-toned Plymouth Fury with her best friend, Birdie Kegler (whom we just discussed) and three others when the Klan pursued her car and drove it off the road in Sidon, Mississippi.  She (and Birdie Keglar) were tortured, mutilated (arms dismembered) and killed. Mrs. Hamlett had been beheaded. She was 78 years old. No one was ever arrested or prosecuted for the crime. In fact, the prosecutor decided that a drunk driver had hit the car causing it to go off the road and kill Adlena Hamlett and Birdie Keglar. The other passengers in the car were injured but survived. To this day, the Department of Justice refuses to open a cold case file or revisit the killings.        Adlena Hamlett’s grand-daughter remembers her grandmother as a strong woman who was committed to exercising her right to vote.  She remembers going to a voting booth with her grandmother. The white lady clerk at the polling station tore up her grandmother’s ballot.  Her grandmother was unfazed and simply said, “It is my constitutional right to vote. I’ll come back again and again.”   Adlena Hamlett was a courageous and strong woman who fought for civil rights.  She refused to be scared away and instead kept moving forward. For her ability to come back again and again, we honor and remember Mrs. Adlena Mckinley Hamlett. And we thank her for her service.   And, by the way, you can find out more about Adlena Hamlett in the book named Where Rebels Roost: Mississippi Civil Rights Revisited, which you can find in the rememberinghistory.com bookstore.   The last person that I want to discuss is someone whom I hinted at in the previous podcast. I did not say her name but I did say that she was mentioned in the Selma Movie. Today, I’m going to say her name:  Mrs. Viola Liuzzo.   Is her name familiar to you?  I hope so because she was an “unlikely soldier” in the struggle for civil rights. She didn’t look like a person who would be a part of that movement but she was a strong-willed, principled woman who believed in equality.  I’m jumping ahead of myself. Let me tell her story.   Viola Fauver Gregg Liuzzo was born in 1925 in Pennsylvania. Viola grew up very poor, a child of the Depression. Her father, who was a coal miner, was injured on the job and couldn’t work any longer to support the family. Her mother took teaching jobs whenever she could find them to support the family. They later moved to Chatanooga, Tennessee where they lived in extreme poverty. This was where Viola first witnessed racial segregation and systematic racism.  She witnessed that, even though she was very poor, her family (being Caucasian) still had social privileges and rights that were denied to African Americans in the South.    In 1943, she married and had two children then divorced. Later, she married Anthony Liuzzo and had three more children.  The family lived in Detroit. She joined the Unitarian Universalist Church (remember this was the same church of Rev. James Reeb) and she joined the NAACP.  Because of the Church and her experience with segregation in Tennessee and, from what I understand was her very strong-willed personality, she became involved in civil rights and social activism.   She helped to organize protests against segregation in Detroit (yes, there was segregation in Detroit, Michigan!), attended civil rights conferences and worked closely with the NAACP and the SCLC.  By the way, she also protested laws that allowed children to drop out of school at an early age. This was probably in response to her own experience in dropping out of school at age 16. To protest, she homeschooled for two months for which she was arrested, convicted and placed on probation. This visionary lady started homeschooling before it was popular (like today) but she really believed that children should be encouraged to stay in school. Still, she made a strong stand for her principles.   In March, 1965, horrified by the images of police brutality and violence at the Bloody Sunday March in Selma, Alabama, Viola Liuzzo travelled to Selma saying that the struggle was “everybody’s fight.”  Answering Dr. King’s call for people to join the protest in Selma, Mrs. Liuzzo left her five kids with family friends, contacted the SCLC and got to work.  She delivered food and water to various locations, welcomed and recruited volunteers and transported volunteers and marchers to and from airports, bus terminals and train stations in her 1963 Oldsmobile. She participated in the later, successful and largely peaceful march from Selma to Montgomery.   After the third march in Selma, ending on March 25, Viola Liuzzo and Leroy Moton, a 19-year Black student were driving protesters to airports, bus terminals and back to universities.  They stopped to get gas at a local filling station and were subjected to verbal abuse and intimidation.  They left Route 80 but were followed and a car tried to run them off the road. Later on a back road returning to Selma, they were pursued by Klansmen who quickly overtook her Oldsmobile. Three Klansmen fired shots directly into the car at Viola Liuzzo. She was hit and killed instantly. Although he was covered with blood, Leroy Moton was not shot. He lay motionless as the Klansmen checked the car then left. He flagged down a passing motorist, who happened to be another volunteer working to transport protesters from the march.   Viola Liuzzo’s funeral was held five days later and was attended by hundreds of people and many civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King and Roy Wilkens. Interestingly, her funeral was also attended by teamster president, Jimmy Hoffa.   The FBI quickly arrested and indicted the four Klansmen. (An interesting fact is that one of the Klansman killers indicted was actually an FBI informant.) The trials were something of fiasco. The first trial resulted in a mistrial after the prosecutor used blatantly racist terminology about Viola Liuzzo including calling her a “white n-word.” The second trial was delayed when the defense attorney was killed when he fell asleep while driving. However, in the end, the all-white jury acquitted the killers of murder. Afterwards, they went to a Klan conference where they were greeted with a standing ovation. The defendants were later convicted on federal charges.   Viola Liuzzo was criticized by many organizations as having brought her death upon herself for engaging in such risky and dangerous activities as civil rights. This was considered extremely radical and controversial for a white woman, especially a mother.   But she has also received many posthumous awards and recognitions.  Her name was added to the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. There was also a documentary made about her called, Home of the Brave. You can find this documentary in the bookstore at rememberinghistory.com.   For her boldness and commitment to civil rights, we honor and remember Mrs. Viola Liuzzo and thank her for her service. (applause)   I want to conclude this podcast on women warriors (or heroes or martyrs) by briefly discussing why I chose to devote a podcast to focusing on women.  Yes, in the first podcast, I discussed various people (5 men, and 1 woman) who were killed in the civil rights movement. In the second podcast, I focused only on white people involved (or rather, killed) in defense of civil rights. In this final podcast, I focused on women, both black women and white women, who were killed during the civil rights movement.  Most of the people (perhaps, all) are not widely known.  That is the sad story that links them. So, why did I choose to devote this podcast to women?   Because women faced a special kind of violence during the civil rights movement.  In general, women are subjected to specific and focused violence and intimidation in most conflicts even today, and this was certainly true during the fight for civil rights in the United States.   Women were specifically targeted and sexually assaulted by racist civilians and law enforcement who battered their genitals, grabbed their breasts, yelled gender/sexual epithets, attacked the abdominal region of pregnant women, threatened the women with sexual violence or actually committed rape.  These were routine occurrences for which the perpetrators were seldom punished.   In fact, incidents of ritualistic rape and intimidation were common and remained largely unpunished.  Women, who reported these crimes, were often accused of being prostitutes and faced public criticism and humiliation as well as imprisonment and possibly having their children taken away.   Racist groups like the Ku Klux Klan specifically targeted and worked to intimidate women fighting for civil rights. They attacked and isolated women in their homes, or while walking down the street or driving along roads. They used violence, threats and other forms of intimidation (including threatening their children) to try to stop women from participating in civil rights or voting rights activities.   We’ve discussed a few examples. Think of Birdia Keglar and Adlena Hamlett who were killed by the Klan on their way home from giving testimony about voting rights. When the Klan drove their car off the road, the elderly women were taken from the car and marched into the woods where they were tortured, mutilated and killed. The men were left in the car.  Adlena Hamlett been threatened numerous times and had an effigy hanged to intimidate her.  The local sheriff had constantly threatened Birdia Keglar. She actually needed body guards (men who volunteered) to walk with her. Many people remember Birdia Keglar as terrified of the hostile sheriff and afraid every day of her life. And they also remember that she got out every day, registered people with the NAACP and helped other Black people to register to vote—despite her fear. Viola Liuzzo faced many problems even though she was a middle class white woman. Because she was working for civil rights, she was targeted for harassment, criticized as being a neglectful and selfish mother to her five children, and considered to be unfeminine and basically deserved her fate. There was also talk that she was killed because she was in the car with a black man.  Rumors were spread that she was having sexual relations with black men and that she was a “woman of loose morals.” The FBI worked to tarnish her reputation even after she was killed, possibly as a way to try to justify her murder. Many people simply remember as the unstable, wife-of-a-teamster who was murdered because she was in the car with a black man when she should have been home with her kids. (That’s the kind of criticism that women faced and possibly still face.)   So, women (of all races) who participated in the civil rights movement were targeted for sexual violence and intimidation that men were not subjected to.   And there is a vast amount of information about how white men used sexual violence (including numerous cases of gang rape) against all black women. Often these men were released with a small fine (if any punishment was given) but the victimized black women were brutalized, humiliated and labeled as “amoral jezebels.” (this label is a quote from a Florida judge).   So, that is why I wanted a special podcast to discuss the courage and commitment of women fighting for civil rights, knowing that they could face a particularly brutal form of violence and terror.  One interesting fact that is not widely known is that one woman worked tirelessly to meet with women who had faced sexual violence and to investigate and document cases of sexual violence against women. She would appear on the scene usually within hours, spend time with and interview the women, make sure that they were receiving good medical attention and lobby prosecutors to investigate and prosecute the crimes. This brave woman was Rosa Parks—and she was doing this long before her fateful bus ride that sparked the Civil Rights Movement. For her work in support of victims of rape and terror (and for her well-known act of defiance against segregation in busing), we honor and remember Mrs. Rosa Parks and thank her for her undying and courageous service. (applause)       There are interesting books about violence against women fighting for civil rights and against any black woman in the segregationist states.   One is s called:  At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance—A New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power (Knopf, September 2010) by Danielle L. McGuire. It is a groundbreaking new work of history that reinterprets the Civil Rights Movement in terms of the sexualized violence and rape that marked race relations in America for centuries.   Another book, called Free at Last: A History the Civil Rights Movement and those who died in the Struggle by Sara Bullard and Julian Bond.  This book discusses everyone in this podcast series and many more.   Finally, a book that focuses on Viola Liuzzo is called From Selma to Sorrow: The Life and Death of Viola Liuzzo by Mary Stanton. It discusses Liuzzo’s work, her life and her murder. But it also discusses the aftermath of her murder like the trial and J.Edgar Hoover’s campaign to posthumously destroy her reputation and therefore justify her murder.   Again, don’t try to remember the names of these books, they are all available for purchase at the rememberinghistory.com Books & Stuff store and listed on the Facebook page.   So, this concludes the podcast on woman warriors in the civil rights movement—and this three-part podcast series on lesser known heroes (or martyrs) of the civil rights movement.  I hope that you have enjoyed and learned a lot in this podcast. I have. It has not been easy to hear about elderly women being tortured and killed by Klan. Or to hear about gang rape, intimidation and perpetrators laughing about it , paying $25 to the court then going home.  Again, I state that it is not so important how they died. What is important is their courage, commitment and their vision for a better country with equality and equality rights for all. It is so important to remember and honor them:  Mrs. Birdia Keglar, Mrs. Adlena Hamlett, Mrs. Viola Liuzzo and Mrs. Rosa Parks. (applause.)   And it is important to remember that people fought very hard (and were killed) for many of the rights that we enjoy right now (like the right to vote).  So, remember to exercise those rights and use those powers. Get out and vote!   What is happening next month? Oh, there’s a lot going on at rememberinghistory.com! Next month’s podcast series will focus on great historic sites and places to visit.  Yes, there are a few places that are well-known and well-visited. That’s great. But there are other places and activities that are not widely known. Those are the places and activities that I’m going to discuss in the May podcast series. It’s great information for a family vacation when the kids are out of school. The places are educational, fun and you’ll see that they are quite unique. And I just want to let you know that rememberinghistory.com has a Facebook page (of the same name).  On that Remembering History Facebook page, you will find pictures of the people that were discussed, interesting historical sites and great discussions and commentary.  I hope that you will visit there; we know that a picture can speak a thousand words and bring history to life. Would you like to see a picture of Corporal Roman Ducksworth, Viola Liuzzo or Birdia Keglar? You will find them on the Remembering History Facebook page. And you’ll find many more pictures of people and places that are significant in African American history. And, of course, you can feel free to visit the rememberinghistory.com website for the great blog posts and bookstore. Our community can be found in many different places—and they are all connected. Just like us.   Let’s wrap it up now. I look forward to seeing you for the next podcast series on great historic sites in African American history. The first in the three-part series will be released on Tuesday, May 12 and every Tuesday for the rest of the month. Mark your calendars! See you soon at rememberinghistory.com where we ARE remembering history and we’re making history!   Remember to vote!   Bye for now!            

Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. In this podcast series, we are remembering the unknown (or lesser known) heroes of the civil rights movement.  More specifically, I should say that we are remembering and honoring the lesser-known martyrs in civil rights—those men and women who fought for voting rights, housing rights, and other forms of equal rights and the people who staunchly fought against segregation, lynching, police brutality and other forms of violence.  In the last podcast, we remembered Corporal Roman Ducksworth who refused to be removed from the front of a bus travelling through Mississippi. We remembered Rev. George Washington Lee who fought for voting rights. And, lastly, we remembered Harry and Harriett Moore who fought for equal rights in education and investigated police brutality and lynching in Florida.   In today’s podcast, we will remember and honor some of the white people who fought for civil rights for Black Americans.  Remember, there were many white people and people of other races and ethnicities who marched, protested, rallied and participated in sit-ins and freedom rides to fight for civil rights and voting rights for Black Americans. Did you know that there were 60,000 whites at the March on Washington? Although white people did not face the same problems as Black Americans, they were often rejected by friends and family members, fired from jobs, threatened and even killed when they participated in civil rights activities. So, I think that it is very important to recognize, remember and honor them too—and that’s what I will do in this podcast.    Unfortunately, as with the last podcast, we only have time to discuss a few of the people who participated and died in the struggle for civil rights.         Before we begin, I just want to remind you that rememberinghistory.com was formerly called the robinlofton.com blog and podcast. It’s the same website and podcast—only better.  I have added some new features, mostly notably a bookstore where you can find great books, DVDs, audiobooks and other stuff to enhance your history experience. Everything that you find in the bookstore is something that I have personally read, watched, listened to or used in some way.  Everything has my personal stamp of approval so I hope that you will visit the bookstore and continue to expand your history education and experience.  Also, I hope that you have a chance to leave a comment or review about the materials, the podcasts, the blog or anything else that is on your mind. Of course, I welcome your recommendations on any resource that you think should be added to the bookstore. We are a great community of fun and friendly historians and everyone is welcome.   Now, let’s start this podcast and learn about a few Caucasians who made history in the civil rights movement.   We begin with Rev. James Reeb.   Reverend Reeb was a Unitarian Universalist minister and civil rights activist.  Raised in Kansas and Wyoming, Reverend Reeb decided in high school that he wanted to become a minister. His family moved a lot because of his father’s job so he went to different churches, including Lutheran and Presbyterian churches. However, he was particularly attracted to the Unitarian church because of its emphasis on social action. In the 1950s and 1960s, Rev. Reeb was involved in civil rights and also encouraged his parishioners to get active in civil rights.       In 1963, Rev. Reeb moved with his wife and 4 children to Boston when he became Community Relations Director for the American Friends Service Committee. The committee worked against segregation and for housing rights for the poor. The committee (led by Rev. Reeb) forced Boston to enforce its housing code to ensure housing for indigent families. Rev. Reeb bought a home in a poor, Black neighborhood in Boston, enrolled his kids in local integrated public schools, which were actually primarily African American.  Rev. Reeb was also a member of the SCLC (remember, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference).   In March of 1965, following the Bloody Sunday march in Selma, Alabama, Dr. Martin Luther King called for the clergy to join the march and support the nonviolent protest movement for voting rights for African Americans. Reverend Reeb immediately caught a plane bound for Selma to join the march. On the evening of March 9, Rev. Reeb and two other ministers ate dinner at Walker’s Café, a local Black (or integrated) restaurant. After dinner, the three men were attacked by white segregationists. Rev. Reeb was severely beaten with a club. His skull was broken. He was taken to the hospital where he died two days later.   Rev. Reeb’s funeral was attended by more than 500 people, including 100 Unitarian ministers.  Giving the eulogy, Dr. Martin Luther King described Rev. Reeb as “a witness to the truth that men of different races and classes might live, eat, and work together as brothers.” He further described Rev. Reeb as a “shining example of manhood at its best.”  Wow, those are big words from Martin Luther King!  And I think that they are very appropriate for Rev. Reeb who had a lifelong commitment to civil rights and lived what he believed. Dr. King asked the clergy for help and Rev. Reeb did not hesitate to answer.  For his courage and commitment to civil rights, we honor and remember Rev. James Reeb. (applause)   William Lewis Moore   The next person that I want to mention is a name that will be new to many people. And that’s unfortunate because he was truly a man of conviction and courage.  But let me back up  here. Who was William Lewis Moore?   Born in upper state New York and raised in Russell, Mississippi, William Moore went to graduate school at Johns Hopkins. During his studies, he suffered a mental breakdown and never returned to the university. He became a postal worker and started advocating for the rights of persons suffering from mental illness.  This activism for the rights of the mentally ill led him to get active in the civil rights movement. He was an active member of CORE (remember, the Congress for Racial Equality).   In the early 1960s, Moore organized three civil rights protests in which he marched to three different capitols to hand deliver letters that denounced and called for an immediate end to racial segregation. He first marched to Annapolis, Maryland and delivered a letter to the state governor. On his second march, he marched to the White House to deliver a letter to President Kennedy. He reached Washington, DC at about the same time that Dr. King was released from a jail in Birmingham (remember, his Letter from a Birmingham Jail?).  His letter to President Kennedy stated that he next intended to walk to Jackson, Mississippi and deliver a letter to Governor Ross Barnett, who was a known white segregationist. His third march went from Chatanooga, Tennessee to Jackson, Mississippi, some 340 miles away. He intended to deliver letters to Governor Barnett demanding that he accept integration. Moore wore a sandwich board that proclaimed “Equal Rights for All!”       On April 23, 1963, after walking more than 70 miles, Moore met with a reporter in Alabama who had received anonymous tips about Moore’s location. Moore told the reporter, “I intend to walk right up to the governor's mansion in Mississippi and ring his door bell. Then I'll hand him my letter." The reporter feared for Moore’s safety and offered to take him to a hotel, but Moore refused because he wanted to continue his march.  Did I mention that the marches that Moore had organized were single man marches?  It was just him, one lone crusader delivering letters that demanded equal rights and urging an end to segregation, walking through cities and along lonely stretches of highway.   An hour after the meeting with the reporter, a motorist found Moore’s body laying upon the side of the road, shot twice in the head at close range.  Moore died just before his 36th birthday. The gun was traced to Floyd Simpson (a member of the Ku Klux Klan) who had argued with Moore earlier in the day about segregation, interracial marriage and religion.  No one was ever convicted for his murder.  Moore’s letter to the Mississippi Governor was retrieved from his bag. It stated that “the white man cannot truly be free himself until all men have their rights.” And to Governor Barnett, it said personally, to “be gracious and do more than is immediately demanded of you.”   Witnesses remember William Moore as a determined man, walking along the road or highway, wearing a sandwich board and pulling a red wagon stacked with letters. He would often stop and hand the letters to people along the road.   In 2009, the FBI reopened the Moore murder case as part of its cold case files on crimes during the civil rights movement. They have not revealed the results of their investigation. On the April 23, 2010 (the 47th anniversary of his murder), a plaque in honor of William Moore was unveiled in the city of Birmingham, New York.       There is also a fantastic book written about William Moore called Freedom Walk: Mississippi or Bust, which gives much more information about his single-man marches and also discusses other lesser known martyrs of the civil rights movement. You can find it in the Bookstore at rememberinghistory.com.   William Lewis Moore was truly a brave man who definitely walked the walk. He believed in equality for all and courageously announced that belief. It was reported that 65 percent of liberal white people felt that he was on a pitiful journey and disagreed with him.  But he stood talk and lived his convictions. He demanded that the governor be gracious and give more than is immediately demanded of you. Those are great words for all of us.  For his courage and actions in his lone man marches for integration, we remember and honor William Lewis Moore.  (applause!)   The last person that we will discuss today is Rev. Bruce Klunder.    Reverend Klunder was born in Greeley, Colorado and raised in Oregon. He graduated from Yale Divinity School in 1961. Then he and his wife and two children moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. Klunder, a Presbyterian minister, was always committed to fighting for civil rights and equality and believed that his religious calling demanded social activism.  He founded and headed the local CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) Office in Cleveland and participated in numerous protests, marches and pickets in support of fair housing. He also participated in numerous activities and sit-ins to oppose racial segregation and discrimination in hiring and employment.         In April, 1964, the city of Cleveland started constructing a public school that was designated as a segregated school.  Rev. Klunder and about 100 other protesters tried to stop construction of the school by placing themselves around the bulldozers, cement mixers and other equipment. They were successful on that day; construction stopped. On the next day, April 7, 1964, the city tried to continue constructing the school. Rev. Klunder and a 1000 other protesters again tried to stop the construction of the school. Three protesters placed themselves in front of a bulldozer while Rev. Klunder laid down behind the bulldozer effectively to block the bulldozer from moving in any direction. The bulldozer driver was not aware that Rev. Klunder was laying behind the vehicle so he moved backwards to avoid hitting the protesters in front of the vehicle. The bulldozer ran directly over Rev. Klunder who was killed instantly.  His death was ruled an accident. It probably was just that, but it is still a sad incident in which a person was killed in defense of civil rights. Rev. Klunder was 27 years old. Construction of the school was halted for a few days but resumed and was completed later that year. In 2013, the school was torn down. Rev. Caviness, a minister at the Greater Abyssinian Baptist Church, was present when Rev. Klunder was killed on that fateful day and witnessed Rev. Klunder’s body laying in the dirt. “Every time I pass that school, Rev. Caviness said, it is sacred ground. It is a sacred location to all of us who were here and saw what the struggle was all about.”   Rev. Klunder’s death polarized the Cleveland community: some saw his death as inevitable while others were saddened and angered by the incident.  Rev. Klunder’s funeral was attended by hundreds of people from Cleveland and beyond. He has been listed in the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama.         Rev. Klunder believed that “his life must be his sermon”. (that is a quote from the minister)  He was committed to civil rights, fair housing and dismantling segregation in education and all public facilities. His courage and commitment will be remembered and honored. Thank you, Rev. Klunder. (applause)   There are many other white people who participated in the civil rights movement either on a large scale (like the 60,000 whites at the March on Washington) or on a small or individual scale like Rev. Klunder’s protest to stop the construction of a segregated school or William Lewis Moore’s one-man marches demanding integration. All were important. All had an impact. All showed that the civil rights movement was not a movement only by and about rights for African Americans but a human rights movement to ensure equality and fairness for everyone.  Again, I return to my quote by Edmund Burke that said, “All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Don’t “do nothing”.   So, that brings this podcast to an end. We have one more podcast in this series of less famous (or even forgotten) heroes: Women in the civil rights movement. In the next podcast, we will discuss the contributions of three women who were martyred in the struggle for civil rights.  No, all of these women are not black. There is one woman who is white and her contribution will be discussed next time. Spoiler alert: she was mentioned (briefly in the Selma movie). And for additional information, like books, DVDS, audiobooks and other information about these courageous people, please visit the Books & Stuff store at rememberinghistory.com. Look in the special section for April called Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. And please let me know your thoughts and comments about this and the other podcasts in this series.       Again, I know that this is a bit depressing but it is so vitally important to remember these people and their contributions. And remember, yes, we discuss that they were killed, but we focus more about how they lived, what was important to them and their courage under fire. They should not be forgotten because they give us the courage to stand up for our rights and for the rights of others, anyone in need.   I look forward to seeing you next time for the women heroes (besides Harriette Moore who we discussed in the first podcast), the women heroes in the civil rights movement. Hope to see you soon at rememberinghistory.com where were are remembering history and we’re making history.   Bye for now!

Welcome back to robinlofton.com.  Actually, I should welcome to the new rememberinghistory.com podcast. This month, April 2015, I launched the new and improved website and podcast called rememberinghistory.com where we are still remembering history and we’re still making history, too!  Yes, it’s a new and improved website and community where you can still find the Wiki History podcasts, my bodacious blog and a great community of fun and friendly people who love history!  You will also find some new things at rememberinghistory.com. I have opened a store called Books & Stuff where you can find, well, books. But you can also find DVDs, videos, and lots of other “stuff” to enhance your history experience.    While I’m glad that you are listening to my podcasts, I think that it’s also important to read, read and read some more.  I remember that John Adams (2nd president of the United States) said when after finishing his studies at Harvard and before writing the Massachusetts constitution was asking himself, “How can I judge? How can any man judge unless his mind has been opened and enlarged by reading?!”  That’s why I have opened a books and stuff store.  And I’ve made it easy because I have also added my personal reading recommendations for the month and for just general knowledge and interest. Everything that I recommend in the store, I have personally read and highly recommend. So, what if you’re not the reading type? That’s okay too. Some people are more visual. Some people are more audio-oriented. Everyone is learns differently.  (John Adams and his contemporaries didn’t have that option!) But we do so I also recommend DVDs and audiobooks. Again, each one has been personally vetted by me—I have read, watched or listened to all of them.  I would also like your opinions about these supplementary items and I definitely want your recommendations too. So, that is one of the new things that you will find at rememberinghistory.com.   There will be another new addition to the website too, which will launch on June 1st.  I will give you more information and ways to win prizes and other freebies as the date gets closer but for now…just know that something big is coming soon. Stay tuned.  Finally, before getting to our first Wiki History Podcast about Less Famous Heroes, I just want to remind you that you can still go to robinlofton.com but you will be redirected automatically to rememberinghistory.com.      Please remember to sign up so that you can receive the podcasts, blogs, news and updates directly to you by email.  (Don’t worry, you won’t get an avalanche of email messages but you will stay informed and updated about the goings on at rememberinghistory.com. Enough said about that.   In the Spring, I like to take a moment to remember the people who have fought and died in the struggle for civil rights, the fight for human rights.  Yes, I know that Spring is upon us, the days are longer, the birds are singing again and the flower buds are just returning. It is a time for renewal. But for me it is also a time for remembrance.  Why? Two reasons. In the midst of all the wonderful feelings of happiness, joy and freedom, it just feels right to me to remember those people who fought for us to have the right to enjoy those freedoms.  The second reason is that April 4th is the day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.  April 4, 1968 to be exact.  He was certainly a fallen—and definitely not forgotten—hero.   Dr. King needs no introduction. But he definitely deserves our remembrance this month. He was a (or the) leader in the civil rights movement.  Many people do not realize, though, that he was also a philosopher and prolific writer.  His speeches are legendary but his books take the issues to a new level of deep.  One of his best, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?  should be on everyone’s short list to read. Written in 1967, Dr. King discusses, in this book, the advances made in civil rights in the 1950s and 60s. But then he continues on to question what African Americans can and should do with these hard-won freedoms. He concludes that Blacks and whites—or actually, everyone—should unite to fight poverty and demand equality of opportunity. This is a powerful book, and very ahead of its time.       For a shorter and very moving summary of his philosophy, read Dr. King’s Letter from a Birmingham jail (written on April 16, 1963).  It is a condensed version of his philosophy and thoughts about discrimination, equality and how people will have to unite for the common good.  I saw another side to Dr. King as well in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail. He sounded angry and frustrated about the difficulties that he was facing in the cause of equality, especially from his clergy brethren.  You will see a very human side to Dr. King, which is compelling and provides a fuller picture of this brilliant man. Dr. King was the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1964. Yes, he was a leader of the African American community but his vision and work led him to become a world leader.  Dr. King was killed on April 4, 1968.  He will always be remembered and honored for his dedication and service.  And now is a great time to remember other people who though not so prominent or famous as Dr. King made important and courageous contributions in the field of human rights too.  Some made big contributions. Others made strong individual stands. All were important and deserve to be remembered. That’s what I’m doing today.   By the way, you can find Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community? and Letter from a Birmingham Jail as well as DVDs and audiobooks in the bookstore at rememberinghistory.com. You don’t have to remember the names—you will find them in the Special Section called Less Famous Heroes in the bookstore at rememberinghistory.com.   Have you heard of Corporal Roman Ducksworth, Jr.?   Corporal Ducksworth was a military officer with leave to go home to see his wife and five children. On April 9, 1962, he was taking a bus through Mississippi when a police officer, William Kelly, awoke Corporal Ducksworth by punching him in the face. The officer then ordered Corporal Ducksworth off the bus. He refused.  The officer dragged then dragged him off the bus at gunpoint and shot him through the heart. Let’s back up a moment.  Why did this happen, why was Corporal Ducksworth killed?  Different accounts but probably because he refused to move when the bus entered Mississippi, where segregation was still enforced.  The Supreme Court had already declared segregation on buses to be illegal.  And Corporal Ducksworth stood up for his right to sit in any available seat on the bus. For that stand, he was punished, killed. In standing up for his right, he also stood up for our rights.  This was a courageous move for anyone to make in Mississippi in 1962. Unfortunately, Corporal Ducksworth was killed and Officer Kelly’s actions were ruled as justifiable homicide; no federal charges were filed.   However, Corporal Ducksworth received full military honors and a 16-gun salute. For his bravery in standing up for his rights, we salute Corporal Ducksworth and honor his courage.  Thank you, Corporal Ducksworth!     Rev. George Washington Lee   We move on now to another brave man in the fight for civil rights. Rev. George Washington Lee. What a great name. In fact, many African Americans were named (or named themselves) after the founders of the United States.  People like George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington are other examples.  Some were so named during slavery but many others received their names after slavery ended.  Back to George Washington Lee.   Reverend Lee was the first black person to register to vote in Humphreys County, Mississippi since Reconstruction. Rev. Lee often used his pulpit and his printing press to urge other Blacks to vote. White officials offered him protection on the condition he end his voter registration efforts. And Rev. Lee received many death threats for his efforts to register himself and other Blacks to vote. But he would not be deterred.   Reverend Lee was a member of the NAACP and had worked for years to pay poll taxes so that he could vote and was finally allowed to sign the register after the county sheriff feared federal prosecution.   On the night of May 7, 1955, Reverend Lee drove his car along Belzoni’s Church Street, returning from an NAACP meeting when people said “two gun blasts shattered the night stillness, and his Buick sedan swerved over the curb and rammed into a frame house.  Several witnesses saw a car drive by with white men inside but the local sheriff ruled that Rev. Lee had argued with a woman and lost control of his car. He died on his way to the Humphreys County Memorial Hospital.”     As it turned out, the FBI did investigate Rev Lee’s murder and records show the agency built a circumstantial murder case against two men, but a local prosecutor refused to take the case to a grand jury. Peck Ray and Joe David Watson Sr., the suspects, were members of the Citizens Council. Both died in the 1970s and never served any time for the killing.   Some of Lee’s friends believe the murder was part of a larger conspiracy involving influential members of the community who wanted to silence Rev. Lee for encouraging blacks to register to vote.   For his courage and determination to vote and encouraging other Blacks to vote, we honor the memory of Rev. George Washington Lee. And we thank him for his service.  (Applause)   I will end this first podcast about Less famous heroes with a discussion of Harry and Harriet Moore. They were both black educators in Florida and formed the first office of the N AACP in the southern state.  The Moores focused on the sharp disparity or difference between the salaries and benefits received by white teachers and black teachers in the public schools. In fact, they filed the first lawsuit teacher salary disparities.  They also fought against segregation particularly in education. Later, Mr. Moore began to focus on the problem of police brutality and lynching—both very controversial and dangerous subjects. Harry Moore documented and personally investigated more than a hundred cases of lynching in the state of Florida.  Because of their work against violence and discrimination, they received numerous death threats and were later fired from their jobs.         On Christmas Day in 1951, a firebomb was placed directly under their bedroom in the house where they with their two daughters. The bomb exploded while they slept. Its explosion was called the “blast heard around the world” and sent the bed flying through the ceiling. Harry Moore was killed instantly. Nine days later, Harriett Moore died. Their daughters survived. Rallies were held. Letters were sent to the Governor and President Eisenhower but to no avail. No one was ever arrested or charged. They are the only known couple to be killed in the fight for civil rights.     A recent investigation into the bombing—and by recent, I mean 2005 (more than 50 years ago their murders)—by the Florida State Attorney General discovered that the bombing had been done by four Klansmen who were known to be especially violent and used explosives in other killings. One of the klansmen actually had a diagram of the Moore’s home. Two of the klansmen died in 1956 (the year after the bombing), one klansman committed suicide and the remaining killer died in 1978. Before his death from cancer, he admitted to being at the scene of the bombing of the Moore’s home in 1951.   The Moore’s have received many posthumous awards and honors, including have a post office and state high way named after them. They were also inducted into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame. Langston Hughes wrote and read a poem at their funeral. It is short so I want to take a moment to read it.   Florida means land of flowers It was on a Christmas night. In the state named for the flowers Men came bearing dynamite... It could not be in Jesus’ name Beneath the bedroom floor On Christmas night the killers Hid the bomb for Harry Moore   A book was written about Harry Moore called Before His Time: The Untold Story of Harry T. Moore, America’s First Civil Rights Martyr. It was written in 1999 by investigative journalist Ben Green. You can find this book (which is also about Harriett too) in the bookstore at rememberinghistory.com.  I hope that you read it but be prepared for an emotional ride—anger, sadness, frustration or all of the above. You decide. And let me know your thoughts and feelings about the book; I look forward to your comments.   For their work in education and courage to fight segregation and violence against African Americans, we remember and honor Harry and Harriett Moore. And we thank them for their service. (Applause!)   So, this brings the first podcast about Less Famous heroes to an end.  Corporal Ducksworth. Reverend George Washington Lee. Harry and Harriett Moore. While it is important to note the violence that ended their lives, it is more important (I believe) to remember how they lived, what they fought for and their courage under fire.  And they can give us the courage to stand up for what is right and fair for all people.   In the next podcast, I will make a special focus still on Less Famous heroes. But the next podcast will focus on heroes who were white and were killed during the civil rights movement, fighting for civil rights. I think that many times we forget that many whites participated in the rallies and marches and were also opposed to segregation and the other evils of discrimination. (Their work and activities also caused them to lose friends, be rejected by family members and face violence.) So, I’m going to remember them in the next podcast.  Their stories are also interesting and inspirational and remind us to stand up not only for our own rights, but also for the rights of others.   I am reminded of one of my favorite philosophers, Edmund Burke, who said “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (repeat)  Well these people refused to “do nothing” even though things might have been easier and safer for them if they did. So they are an inspiration to us all and I am happy to remember and honor them in the next podcast.   I hope that you will join me for the next podcast and that you enjoyed this session.  Yes, the stories can be sad. They can be frustrating, perhaps even make you angry.  But they are a part of history—all these people made history and we are here to remember history and to make history, too!   If you want more information—and I hope that you do—please visit rememberinghistory.com and look at the blog and the bookstore where you will find the books that I mentioned at the beginning called Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community and the Letter from a Birmingham Jail. And the book about Harry Moore. You will also find other books, DVDs and resources that I personally recommend.  Also, please leave your questions, comments, stories or just whatever is on your mind. We are a welcoming community of historians and we want you to be a part of it.  So, see you next time at rememberinghistory.com (formerly robinlofton.com) where we are remembering history and we’re making history!   Bye for now!  

    In this month (March, that is), we have been examining famous marches in history like the Bloody Sunday march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. Of course, we know that the marches did not make it all the way to Montgomery on that fateful day. But they did make the march to Montgomery a few days later—and that was also an historic moment in the civil rights movement.    Another famous march was the iconic March on Washington—also known as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In the second wiki history podcast on marches, we examined less famous marches and we focused on marches in only one city: Oakland, California. Remember we chose Oakland, California because it has been called—and rightly so—a hotbed of radical activism.  We discussed marches in that city like the 12-man march (remember,  it was about racial profiling) and the marches in support of Oscar Grant, Alan Blueford and other young Black men killed by law enforcement.  And we briefly mentioned Oakland’s African American mayors: Lionel Wilson and Elihu Harris as well as Oakland congressional representatives namely, Ron Dellums and Barbara Lee. I didn’t have time in that podcast to mention some of the even more radical activists in Oakland at that time like the Black Panthers (who had a strong grassroots  presence in the community by providing school lunches, teaching self-defense courses and monitoring police activity in Oakland’s black neighborhoods). And I really wish that we had time to discuss the incredible and brave Angela Davis who was involved in grassroots activism but also studied and worked on at the international level. But she was based in Oakland and has maintained strong ties there.  Angela Davis is a powerful and incredible activist and scholar who was and continues to have a strong presence in the legal, educational and activist communities.    These marches were important and remembered for many different reasons.  But today’s wiki history podcast will move away from discussing individual marches and instead look at the larger picture of why we marched and whether marching is still a useful tool in the struggle for civil rights—yes, the struggle for equality and justice, the struggle for civil rights continues today.  So we will consider whether marches are effective and useful today.   Before we begin, let me just mention again two books and DVDs about famous marches.  This is the Day: The March on Washington and March from Selma to Montgomery—both are great books that will give you a great introduction to these marches.  Two great DVDs are Selma, Lord Selma and March on Washington.  I just mention these sources if you want more information about marching but you can find and purchase these and other books and DVDs on the website at robinlofton.com or rememberinghistory.com. You can also find more information and commentary on Black history and current events and leave your own comments there. I love to hear from the listeners and get your opinions on whatever moves you that day.  Hope to see you there.   Okay, let’s discuss why we march and what marches are about.   Marching is one tool of non-violent civil disobedience or non-cooperation created by Mahatma Gandhi during the movement to free India from British rule, which was secured in August of 1947.  In fact, one of the biggest acts of non-cooperation was the Salt March which attacked Britain’s monopoly on salt. In response, the British government actually invited Gandhi to London for a roundtable conference at which the British conceded large amounts of power to the Indian people. And, yes, this eventually led to their independence. Dr. Martin Luther King, who studied the philosophy of Gandhi during his doctoral program, was a great admirer of the spiritual and political leader. And he also strongly believed in his philosophy of non-violence and non-cooperation. As we know, Dr. King brought this philosophy to his work in the civil rights movement.   The march is one form of non-violent disobedience that Dr. King learned from Mahatma Gandhi and that was used during the civil rights movement. It continues to be used today. In many ways, it is used even more than in the past. Social media, like Facebook and Twitter, have made it possible to organize marches within minutes.  Mass media starting with television and, more recently, the Internet have made it possible for people to watch and participate in marches, hear the messages of the marchers, and to experience remotely the emotion of the march and the marchers.   But what does marching really accomplish? Great question. Let’s look at some answers.    1.    Attention. Marching brings attention to an issue. As I just said, a march does draw publicity.  The media appear. People post pictures to Instagram, Twitter or other social media on their phones. Marching can easily go viral. People around the world can quickly hear about a march and hear the message of the protesters.  This can encourage people to sympathize with the marchers’ message and even join the marchers. The larger numbers draw even more attention and support.    2.    Solidarity. Marching can bring solidarity to an issue.  As people hear the message, more people who are affected by the issue will be drawn to the march.  The increased solidarity gives additional power to the message.  Politicians are often forced to listen to the demands of the marchers.  (Remember the March on Washington helped Dr. King and the SCLC to get a meeting with President Kennedy. The Selma march helped the SCLC to get a meeting with President Johnson. Strong marches open doors to the right people, the decision makers.   3.    Platform.  A march creates a forum where people can publicly state their demands. Often there are speeches that discuss the issue and state the demands.  Sometimes, there will be written material like pamphlets or brochures or bumper stickers that will be distributed so people can state their position on a particular issue. I recently watched a march by students at UC Santa Cruz who were upset about tuition increases. Students carried signs and banners, wore shirts that stated their position, and gave speeches.  I watched the march on the news from another part of the state and was moved by the passion of the students. Very effective march.   4.    Not violent.  Okay, sometimes marches can turn violent. Whenever there is a large group of people who are angered or saddened or feeling any other strong emotion, there is the possibility that violence can erupt.  Sometimes, it is violence by the protesters but we have also seen cases when violence was started by law enforcement that overreact with deadly force. Other times, people or groups who oppose the marchers cause violence to erupt. . Violence is how marches can go wrong.       But let’s slow down here. Most marches are not violent. Most marches are peaceful and organized. Most marches are almost like picnics where people (adults and children alike) carry signs, listen to speeches, walk slowly down the street or even chant.  Remember the march where people actually laid down and chanted “I can’t breathe” to  oppose the killing of Eric Garner. Or remember the Oakland march in which African American men walked together, dressed in suits to oppose racial profiling. There was no violence but the marches made a strong visual impact.     5.    Positive outcome. A march that has gone well can have a very positive impact by bringing people together, voicing the message, spreading the message and getting lots of attention from the right people.  As Dr. King stated, the “aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation and the creation of a beloved community.” I remember watching the movie, Selma, and noticed people’s faces changing as they watched the marchers on television. People who were opposed or indifferent to the march, felt compelled to travel to Alabama to join the marchers crossing the bridge.  Five months after the bloody Sunday march in Selma, President Johnson introduced the Voting Rights Act.   I must admit, though, that there has not been such dramatic action or change following the marches about the killing of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown or Eric Garner.  The tuition fee hike remains in effect at UC Santa Clara. Racial profiling is still being used against African Americans. However, the issues have been brought communities together, defined the issues, brought attention and created some positive feelings of reconciliation. No, marches have not solved all of society’s problems. But I do believe that they have brought communities together and helped people to feel empowered to make change.   I just want to end with a look at Dr. King’s views on marching as a form of non-violent resistance. He admits that it has challenges and it also requires a larger outlook than many people have—and a longer term view than many people want.   In a speech at UC Berkeley in 1957, Dr. King noted stated that nonviolence “is not a method for cowards.” But he further noted that it does resist. It does resist. He said, “this method is passive physically but strongly active spiritually; it is nonaggressive physically but dynamically aggressive spiritually.” Wow, he’s saying that marching is not easy and it requires a person to look deep within themselves.   In the same speech, he made another very interesting point that I think that we MUST remember.  Nonviolent resistance does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent but to win his friendship and understanding. I know that sounds hard and contradictory to what we’re feeling. Who wants to be friends with law enforcement when they fail to protect but instead shoot 12-year kids? I don’t think that going-to-a-ballgame-together friendship is what he’s visioning but instead that the wrongdoer would develop a connection with the protester. Empathy and compassion would be the outcome on both sides.  Change would be inevitable.   Another point that Dr. King stated was that the attack is directed against the forces of evil rather than against the persons who are caught up in those forces. See the separation?  The person is not evil but caught up in an unjust and unfair situation.  He states, “The tension is at bottom between justice and injustice.” It is not between us or them. It is between right and wrong.  It’s important to remember that distinction.  And in his usual deep way, he stated in a sermon in Montgomery about the oppressor, to “let him know that you are merely seeking justice for him as well as yourself.”  Again, wow! I don’t know how many people remember that while marching but it is so important to remember this position—to keep the focus clear and steady.   So, let’s wrap up this  wiki history podcast about whether marching is effective. Of course, there are many different views. Mine is that, yes, marching is effective. Very effective.  Sometimes, it has immediate results that get a person released from unjust imprisonment (remember Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam marched to get medical attention and the immediate release of a fellow brother).  Or to get laws passed like the Voting Rights Act or the Matthew Sheppard and James Byrd prohibiting hate crimes.    Other times, it gets the attention and solidarity of people around the country or even the world. Marching defines and clarifies issues. Marching gets the issues stated and proclaimed. Marching gives a voice to the community.  It gives power to the individual. It gives us an outlet to release emotion and shout our dissension. I believe in marching. I have participated in marches and have felt their energy and seen their effects. I go back to my student days when we marched against apartheid in South Africa. We demanded that the UC Regents divest our money from the country.  And, eventually, they did. Marching worked.  And we as students were empowered, we were unified, and we were focused by marching. It works.   Well, those are my thoughts and experiences in marching. I would love to hear yours at robinlofton.com or rememberinghistory.com. This is a place for freedom of speech and thought. This is a place for the healthy and active exchange of ideas.    This was the final podcast in the wiki history lecture series on marches. I hope that you enjoyed it. I really did. I hope to see you next month when this wiki history podcast series continue with its April podcasts.    The April podcasts will focus on individual stories of people who made a difference in civil rights or human rights.  Some of these people were briefly mentioned or shown in Selma. I was so happy to see or hear their names—it made me want to discuss them further. Their courage and contributions should not just be mentioned but proclaimed and remembered for the entire world to recognize. One important thing about history is that it is full of individual stories. We should never lose sight of the individual. Ever.   I hope to see you next month. Actually, I hope to see you every day at rememberinghistory.com to voice your opinions, read the bodacious blog or so that you can examine the resources that I have mentioned in these podcasts.   Hope to see you soon at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history.   Bye for now!    

  Hello and welcome back to robinlofton.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history.  Today, we are continuing with our wiki history podcast series about marches and protests. March seems like the perfect month for this interesting topic.    America is legendary for its famous marches and protests.  From the furtive Boston Tea Party to the legendary March on Washington and beyond, the United States is a country of marching and protesting. With its diverse citizenry and constitutionally protected speech, people feel free to take to the streets, wave a sign, hold hands, and shout, march, sit or even lay down.   In the first podcast, we discussed two famous marches: the March from Selma to Montgomery (or the bloody Sunday march), about which a recent biopic film was recently released. I just saw it and think that it was a fantastic film that portrayed the problem (voting rights for African Americans), the marches and the players in a fair and realistic light. Then, of course, we discussed the famous March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where Dr. Martin Luther King made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.  These mega-marches are remembered for several reasons and they are now a part of U.S. (and perhaps world) history. I hope that you have already heard that podcast but, if not, then feel free to go back and listen to it. I also mentioned several books and DVDs that are worth reading or watching and that are available at robinlofton.com.   The marches in today’s podcast have a slightly different flavor than the Selma March and the March on Washington.  And that is where we are beginning today.   Remember I mentioned that today’s podcast would focus on marches in a particular city. I did not tell you the name of the city but I gave you a hint: this city has been called a “hotbed of radical activism.”  Did you guess which city that I was talking about?   Oakland, California!         The city of Oakland has hosted and continues to host many marches—some organized, some not.  Sometimes these demonstrations turned violent but most marches only involved people who are peacefully expressing their dissatisfaction with a particular issue or event.    Yes, Oakland has been coined a “hotbed of radical activism.” Example: Oakland was home to the Black Panthers who were active from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s. The Black Panthers organized grassroots activities in the African American community to educate the community, particularly African American children, fight police brutality, promote civil and political rights, and to proclaim frustration with community leaders, courts, or law enforcement.  At that time, the Black Panther Party would follow police patrols to witness police activity such as brutality, distribute breakfasts to school children, and offer self-defense courses. In recent years, other groups have taken the helm and continued Oakland’s “radical” activism through speech making, marching, and rallying. The Black Panthers have stepped aside and other groups are taking the helm.   One particular year was particularly interesting: 2013.   The summer of 2013 was a “hot” season of community activism in Oakland and around the country. At the time of the 50 anniversary of the March on Washington (August 28, 1963), Oakland remained at the forefront of the grassroots movement toward equality, justice, and fairness.   Four marches in Oakland are notable in the summer of 2013:   1.    Zimmerman Verdict Marches   Reason for March: Justice for Trayvon Martin   In 2012, George Zimmerman, a self-appointed neighborhood watchman, killed 17-year old Trayvon Martin. On July 13, 2013, Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges, including the 2nd degree murder and manslaughter. Marches and protests erupted throughout the country expressing outrage over the quick and perceived unjust verdict. In Oakland, people took to the streets to express their anger, frustration, and disillusionment with the criminal justice system.   For nearly one week, people demonstrated in Oakland to demand justice for Trayvon Martin and his family. More than 750 people of all backgrounds protested and marched their way through Oakland. Interstate highway, I-880, was temporarily shut down. Most of the marches and protests were peaceful but noticeable.   However, some protesters vandalized Oakland businesses and scuffled with police.  Many people asserted that these “fringe” activists did not represent the majority of Oaklanders or the African American community.     Still, Oakland lived up to its reputation as a strong and powerful player on the marches and protests front. Its broad-based group of political activists made a strong showing of support for justice for Trayvon Martin and opposing racism in the criminal justice system.   2.    Twelve-Man March   Reason for March: Bring awareness to the dangers of racial profiling   A small, but equally important, march was organized in Oakland on July 19, 2013.   During this march, twelve African American men marched to Oakland’s city hall.  All the men wore business attire: suit, tie, dress shoes, etc. All the African American men presented as businessmen.  They peacefully marched to city hall holding signs condemning racial profiling and the negative portrayal of African American men in the media.    In speeches at Frank Ogawa Hall, the protesters cited the killing of Trayvon Martin and Alan Blueford. Both were African American, young, and unarmed when they were killed by law enforcement.  No one was convicted in either killing.  Racial profiling was asserted to be the cause that identified these young men as dangerous though unsupported by the evidence.                 3.    Oscar Grant Marches   Reason for Demonstration: Justice for Oscar Grant   On January 1, 2009, 22-year old Oscar Grant was killed by BART police officer, Johannes Mehserle, at Oakland’s Fruitvale BART station. He served 11 months for the killing.   There were several marches in the weeks following Oscar Grant’s killing as well as during subsequent court hearings and trial. On January 7, 2009, more than 250 people marched at the Fruitvale station.  Other marches were held at San Francisco’s Embarcadero station. Another similar march was organized on January 30. Both marches were organized to memorialize Oscar Grant and the other victims of police brutality. Protesters were also criticizing BART’s investigation of the killing as inadequate and cursory.   The Oscar Grant marches were described as both peaceful and organized as well as rowdy and raucous. Some of the marches involved protesters carrying signs and chanting for change. Other protesters turned violent and destroyed property, primarily in Oakland’s Broadway and 14th street district. Trashcans were thrown, cars were burned, and windows were broken by groups of self-described “anarchists”. Grant’s family held a press conference to call for calm and peace as a tribute to their deceased son.  Mayor Ron Dellums joined the Grant family’s plea. Still, most of the protests by Oaklanders were peaceful and focused on remembering and providing justice for Oscar Grant and his family.   Similar marches were held for Alan Blueford, Ezell Ford and others killed by law enforcement in Oakland.                   4.    Occupy Oakland Marches   Reason for Demonstrations: Bring awareness to social and economic inequality and keep public services open in Oakland.   The Occupy movement holds demonstrations and marches throughout the United States and in 81 other countries worldwide.  There is an Occupy movement office located in nearly every major American city. Oakland is no exception and, in fact, the Occupy movement has been very active in the city of Oakland.   The Occupy Oakland movement supports solidarity with the worldwide Occupy Movement and its opposition to the economic and social inequality that exists worldwide. Specific to Oakland, the Occupy Movement also opposes gang injunctions, youth curfews, and the closures of libraries and schools in Oakland.   The first demonstration was held on October 10, 2011 attended by approximately 300 people. Direct action by Occupy Oakland protesters included rallies, marches and speeches. Several dozen people also set up tents at the Frank Ogawa plaza in front of Oakland’s city hall building. This first Occupy Oakland demonstration lasted fifteen days and attracted 2,500 people. Demonstrations have included clergy, union members, and students.     A second demonstration was held on October 26, 2011, which was attended by 3,000 protesters. It was a peaceful protest.   Subsequent demonstrations and rallies have been organized throughout Oakland, including by Lake Merritt and the Oakland Public Library. Downtown Oakland has been a focus area for the movement. On January 28, 2013 the Occupy Movement organized a “move-in” day on which it occupied an abandoned building and converted it into a social center.    Local government’s response to the Occupy Oakland movement was positive and supportive. In the beginning, many local politicians supported the movement’s goals and actions to clean up the city and keep local services open and available to the community. Several local politicians attended and spoke at rallies organized by Occupy Oakland.   However, law enforcement has, at times, been characterized as aggressive and violent toward the protesters. Tents have been torn down, barricades set up around the demonstrators, and numerous arrests have been made.  Oaklanders responded that the police reaction was overly aggressive, violent, and chaotic. Still, the Oakland Occupy movement continues and is gaining support.   And Oakland has had many more marches in support of Eric Garner who died when officers placed a choke-hold on him.  In this particular march, people chanted “I can’t breathe!”   Oakland was also host to a march to protest the killing of Michael Brown. People marched with their hands up, to commemorate Michael Brown’s position with a police office in Ferguson, Missouri shot and killed him.       Because of the strong atmosphere of civil protest and involvement, Oakland has a long history of African Americans in government. Congresswoman Barbara Lee is a powerful representative in Oakland who works tirelessly to eradicate poverty, extend unemployment assistance for long-term unemployed persons ensure adequate health care as a human right.  She was also one of the few representatives to question authorizing military force in Syria. There is a fantastic blog post about the great work of Barbara Lee on robinlofton.com. Ronald Dellums is another long-standing Congressional representative for the people of Oakland. He was an important figure is supporting peoples’ park in Berkeley and challenging the Vietnam War.    Oakland also has an impressive list of Black mayors.  In 1977, Oakland elected its first Black mayor, Lionel Wilson who served for three terms after which Elihu Harris took the helm. After serving in Congress, Ron Dellums returned to Oakland and was elected mayor in 2007.         Many people mistakenly believe that the Berkeley is “THE place” for civil dissent.  However, Oakland with its diverse and strongly opinionated population is at the forefront of a movement in which the community demands a just, fair, and safe society.  Perhaps the next March on Washington will be held in Oakland.   Well, this concludes our wiki history podcast about marches that occurred in that “hotbed of radical activism” known as Oakland, California. I hope that you enjoyed it and learned a little something about this great but sometimes overlooked city. I have a lot of respect for the city for many reasons. Yes, it is the city where I was born. But it is a strong, multicultural hotbed of free speech and free thought with a strong ethical foundation.  Marches are an important part of this city’s history and everyone is included in demanding a “more perfect union.”   In the final wiki history podcast on Marches, we will examine why we march, the importance of marches.  In this final podcast in the marches series, I will discuss Dr. Martin Luther King’s views on marches, why they are important and how they can create change.  Be prepared for interesting insights and a few surprises. And, as always, I would like to hear your views about whether you think that marches are important. Or are they just a waste of time and energy?  Everyone has a right to their opinion and you’re free to share them at robinlofton.com soon to be rememberinghistory.com.   And please remember that for every time that someone listens to these podcasts in March, I will donate $1 to the Association for the Study of African American Life & History. Founded by Carter G. Woodson—the father of Black History month—this organization works tirelessly to keep African American history alive and respected around the world. Feel free to visit them at asalh.org.   And feel free to visit robinlofton.com or rememberinghistory.com. I hope to hear your comments and marching experiences.  And I hope that that you will join me for the next marches podcast where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Bye for now!

Welcome back to robinlofton.com!  This is the place where we are remembering history and the place where we are making it. March is an interesting month: winter melts into spring, schools take a long—and much-needed break and many of us are still on a high from last month’s Black history month celebrations and remembrances. With all the great stories, achievements, and contributions, Black history month is a very hard act to follow. But March does have its strengths.  This month, the theme will be marches. You know, when people get out and march, protest and make demands on the government for changes, improvements and justice.  I’m talking about that important and powerful form of protest: marching.    Yes, in March, we will discuss marches. We’ll discuss famous marches. We’ll discuss not-so-famous marches.  We will also examine why we march.  And, during March month—and every month—I would love to hear from you if you’ve ever been involved in a march. What was it like? What were you marching about?  What do you think of marching? Was it effective?  In short, I want to hear from you about your marching experiences.   I can begin with one of my marching experiences. I was an undergrad at UCLA.  During the 1980s (yes, I’m revealing my age bracket here), the United States was one of the last countries to maintain economic ties with South Africa. This was during the time when South Africa was in the grip of apartheid. The Black Students Association (or BSA as it is known by people in the know) organized several large marches on campus to demand that the UC Regents divest our funds from South Africa. We also demanded a full economic boycott against South Africa while it maintained the system of apartheid and while Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and other members of the ANC remained in prison. Today, we know how the story ended:  Apartheid was dismantled. South Africa became an isolated symbol of racism throughout the world. And Nelson Mandela was freed from prison and became the first Black African president of South Africa. We know that he was much more than that—his legacy of power, peace, equality, and justice endure today, long after his death. And the other political prisoners were released.  Did the Black Student marches accomplish all that?  Probably not—at least not alone. But these marches were happening all over the country and I think that we all contributed to dismantling apartheid and making South Africa into a free and democratic country.  The marches at UCLA—all non-violent I should add—were events that brought us together as a community working towards a single and just cause.  We felt empowered and strong. We felt unity (remember Umoja (in Swahili) from the first day of Kwanzaa?) and a collective passion to join the struggle with people thousands of miles away who desired equality, justice and freedom.  To answer my own questions: Were our marches effective? Absolutely. Would I do it again?  I already have!  But that’s for another podcast.   Let’s back up and do a bit of housecleaning before we begin part 1 of the marches podcast series.   I hope that you enjoyed the Black History month wiki history podcasts where we answered basic questions about Black History Month: What is it?  Who started it and why?  And one of the most relevant questions (which also happened to be the most popular podcast of the month): do we still need Black History month?  That presented a great question and really made people think about why, with a Black president, we continue to need Black history month. In fact, I remember seeing the hashtag #28daysisnotenough.  It really isn’t so I will continue to learn, remember and honor Black history.  If you haven’t listened to the Black history month wiki podcasts, please take a bit of time to go back to them. They are not long. Remember that they’re wiki lectures. That means (in the Hawaiian language), that you can learn a lot really fast.       One more thing before I forget and before we start discussing famous marches:  robinlofton.com is taking a new name. This website, podcast, and blog will be called rememberinghistory.com.  I will still be the host and the front person but the name will change to reflect more closely my real goal. To remember history. To honor history. To learn from and be inspired by history. And, ultimately, to make history.  So, rememberinghistory.com.  There’s nothing that you need to do.  You can go to robinlofton.com where you’ll be forwarded to rememberinghistory.com. Or you can, of course, just visit rememberinghistory.com. Looking forward to seeing you there.   Now for the marches.               I know as I begin this podcast, you might be thinking about the blockbuster historical movie, Selma.  That’s great. I love historical movies because they help to bring history to life and remind us of the important events in history—even if they were not so long ago. And Selma, Alabama was the scene of an important march on what has come to be known as Bloody Sunday. It was March 7, 1965. There were other marches that took place around the same time, lasting for another 18 days. The Turnaround March, for example.  This was one of the most famous marches in U.S. history.  What was the march about? Voting rights for African Americans. The marchers were demanding the passage of a Voting Rights law that prohibited discrimination in the right and practice of voting. As the bloody Sunday name suggests, this non-violent march ended with police and state troopers attacking the unarmed marchers. Many were injured. Some were killed.  This march was effective: President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law just five months later, on August 6, 1965. There is lots more about the Voting Rights Act—it is a fundamental and revolutionary document that is constantly under attack—and I have a wiki history podcast that discusses it called Civil Rights Movement: The Laws & Supreme Court cases.  Back to the Selma march, the march was also a response to the killing of Jimmie Lee Jackson by an Alabama State trooper. Mr. Jackson was killed while fleeing violence that had erupted at a voting rights rally. The Selma march was also a response to the killing of Rev. James Reeb by four members of the Ku Klux Klan who objected to Rev. Reeb dining at an integrated restaurant. Well, if you want to know more about the Selma march, I encourage you to see the movie or listen to my podcast called The Civil Rights Movement: Marches and Protests. Actually, you can do both if you like!   One of the most famous and largest marches, not just in U.S. history, but in world history was the March on Washington, which was held on August 28, 1963. Did you know that full name was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom?  Yes, that really tells it all. It was the largest march ever held for economic and social rights for African Americans. 250,000 people attended the march, including 60,000 whites. It was absolutely an integrated (or multicultural in modern lingo) movement—and that was very rare at the time. This is when and where SCLC president Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.   In fact, there was a long list of speakers including A. Philip Randolph who gave the opening remarks, SNCC Chairman John Lewis (who would be a central figure at the Selma march 2 years later), National Urban League director Whitney Young, and NAACP Executive Secretary Roy Wilkens who led a moment of silence for WEB Dubois had died in Ghana on the previous night.  There was also a long list of performers like Mahalia Jackson, Marion Anderson, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. How effective was the March on Washington? That is open to a lot of debate.  There was criticism on all sides: Some people, including Malcolm X, thought that the issue and goal of the march were too diluted as a result of multicultural support and conflicting agendas. Some people in the Kennedy Administration felt that the march was too radical and inflammatory because many speakers were questioning the effectiveness of the current civil rights bill. Still, others (particularly white segregationists) were angered that Black people and civil rights issues had been provided with so much power and coverage. Most of the participants felt that the march was an historic and life-changing experience. To me (no I wasn’t there), that historic and life-changing feeling by itself shows that the march was effective and powerful.  Following the march, President Kennedy did actually meet with civil rights leaders—that was a huge step on its own—but he had not signed the civil rights bill before his assassination. Eleven months later, his successor Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law.   So, those are two of the most famous marches.  There is a lot more to say about them but I encourage you read about them for yourself.  Two good books are This is the Day: The March on Washington by Leonard Freed and March from Selma to Montgomery by Michael Uschan (by the way, Michael Uschan has written a lot about African American history and his books are very readable and informative.) If you’re more the visual type, go see Selma if it’s still in the theaters. If not, then a great DVD is Selma, Lord, Selma. And a good DVD about the March on Washington is called The March, which is a documentary with Denzel Washington. I just mention these books and DVDs but you can find them all and others (with reviews) on robinlofton.com and rememberinghistory.com. Look in the store section on Marches. You can’t miss it!       And, while you’re at the website, please give me your comments about the marches, the books, the movies, or anything else that it is on your mind. I love to hear from my listeners. Remember we are part of a community and I definitely believe in freedom of speech and expression.  If you actually attended one of these marches—or another march—tell me your experiences, thoughts, and beliefs about the marches.    In the next wiki podcast, we are going to discuss some of the lesser-known marches.  These marches are not unknown, but they certainly were not on the scale of the March on Washington or the Selma to Montgomery march in terms of participation and numbers. But you might just find that they were powerful, effective and memorable in their own right. And to make it even more interesting, I am going to focus on a single city for the wiki history podcast on these lesser-known marches. I will not tell you the name of the city but here’s a hint: This city has been described as a “hotbed of radical activism.” That’s a quote. Well, think about it and tune in next time for the name of this “hotbed of radical activism” and the marches that have occurred there.  Just to jump ahead, the final podcast in the marches series will discuss why we march and examine the march as an effective tool for change. We will examine specific and modern marches so it will be quite interesting.  There is a reason that Gandhi marched and that we continue to march.   Finally, every time someone listens to these podcasts, I will donate $1 to the ASALH, the Association for the Study of African American Life & History.  This organization, founded by Carter G. Woodson, is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year and is a great organization that keeps African American history alive, growing and respected. Feel free to visit them at asalh.org.   And feel free to visit robinlofton.com and rememberinghistory.com. Hope that you enjoyed this “march” down memory lane (sorry, but I couldn’t resist that one), I hope to hear your comments and experiences, and I hope that you will join me at the next marches podcast where we are remembering history and we’re making history.   Bye for now!