Lecturer l Doctoral Candidate/ABD in History and Sociology of American Media Representation of Race, Class, and Public History, Rutgers, New Brunswick. NO JUSTICE NO PEACE \>\> BLACK LIVES MATTER. I always follow back. Just give me a bit of time. #histodon #historodons #journodons #Commodons #TwitterMigration
Rodney King suffered a fractured skull and cheekbone after being beaten by 4 Los Angeles, CA police officers, who were charged with a number of offenses. Many Angelenos felt certain of a conviction. A
Rodney King suffered a fractured skull and cheekbone after being beaten by 4 Los Angeles, CA police officers, who were charged with a number of offenses. Many Angelenos felt certain of a conviction. After all, there was irrefutable proof in the form of a video captured by George Holliday, then, blasted across the airwaves. Wrong! Not guilty!
3 hours later, Los Angeles was in flames.
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In WW2, the movement of millions of American troops to Britain, known as the “friendly invasion,” brought to light stark differences concerning racial segregation. Many Britons struggled to understand
In WW2, the movement of millions of American troops to Britain, known as the “friendly invasion,” brought to light stark differences concerning racial segregation. Many Britons struggled to understand or accept the institutionalized discrimination that Black soldiers faced in White America, leading to tensions between the two allied nations on the matter of civil rights.
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Issued on July 26, 1948, Harry Truman’s Executive Order 9981 eradicated segregation in military. The response from the military units, however, ranged from muted to outright hostility. This was no sur
Issued on July 26, 1948, Harry Truman’s Executive Order 9981 eradicated segregation in military. The response from the military units, however, ranged from muted to outright hostility. This was no surprise. Truman’s decision & the reactions to it symbolized Black Americans’ broad struggle for dignity, respect, opportunity, and freedom in the United States of America.
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Exactly 75 years ago, President Harry S. Truman repudiated 170 years of officially sanctioned discrimination when he signed Executive Order 9981, calling for desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces. Th
Exactly 75 years ago, President Harry S. Truman repudiated 170 years of officially sanctioned discrimination when he signed Executive Order 9981, calling for desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces. This event marked the first time a U.S. commander in chief used executive order to implement a civil rights policy, inspiring America to embrace desegregation in the future.
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Black-American musical expression during enslavement laid the foundation for blues, jazz, country, gospel, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, & popular music. Emerging from oppression, it reflected resilience & crea
Black-American musical expression during enslavement laid the foundation for blues, jazz, country, gospel, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, & popular music. Emerging from oppression, it reflected resilience & creativity, becoming anthems for civil rights movements the world over. The emotive force and cultural distinctiveness of those early songs endure, nurturing the ongoing struggle for a more just world.
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Field hollers, work songs, shouts, & cries held immense significance for enslaved Black Americans. Sounding like noise to slaveowners, these songs conveyed secrets through encrypted codes, retold Bibl
Field hollers, work songs, shouts, & cries held immense significance for enslaved Black Americans. Sounding like noise to slaveowners, these songs conveyed secrets through encrypted codes, retold Bible stories, or offered solace. They bore witness to the resilience & endurance of the enslaved, forging a legacy that impacts musicians worldwide.
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The exclusion of Black families from GI benefits had a significant cost, as it deprived America of countless Black professionals in various fields. Recently, Reps. Seth Moulton, James Clyburn, and Sen. Reverend Raphael Warnock introduced the GI Bill Restoration Act to provide housing and education assistance to the surviving spouses and direct descendants of Black WWII veterans.
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The immense public resources invested in the GI Bill ultimately bolstered the private wealth of a privileged few, deepening racial inequalities and opportunity costs for Black Americans.
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In addition to the economic consequences, the GI Bill's impact on the nation was compromised by the missed opportunities it presented. By favoring a specific group, the legislation failed to fulfill its potential as a powerful tool for social mobility, much like the race-neutral Homestead Acts of the late 1800s.
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The exclusion of Black Americans from the benefits of the GI Bill contributed to the vast wealth disparity between white and Black families. In 2019, the median wealth of Black families in the United States was less than 15 percent of white families, and Black homeownership and inheritance rates were significantly lower.
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While white veterans benefited from the GI Bill by accumulating wealth and finding skilled positions in newly created suburbs, Black veterans were deprived of such opportunities. Skilled jobs were predominantly given to white workers, exacerbating the racial wealth gap.
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Black volunteers and draftees played a crucial role in the war effort, often fulfilling labor-intensive tasks and facing segregation within the military. Despite their sacrifices and courage, Black troops returned to a nation that undervalued their contributions. They endured violence, including lynching, in the South and were subjected to discriminatory policies that adversely affected their community for generations.
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A study by the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity at Brandeis University revealed that the GI benefits received by Black individuals were worth only 40 percent of what their white counterparts received. This disparity created long-term economic inequalities.
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Black servicemembers, who constituted less than 7 percent of the armed forces, received 22 percent of these blue discharges between December 1941 and June 1945. Black newspapers provided guidance on rejecting these discharges and appealing against them. if a service person, received a dishonorable discharge, he or she would not be eligible for G.I. benefits.
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Another problem that dovetailed with the distribution of G.I. fun was that, during World War II, over 10,000 Black servicemembers were unjustly given blue discharges, which made them ineligible for benefits. These discharges were often issued without a court-martial or legal proceeding, and Black soldiers labeled as "troublemakers" were coerced into accepting them.
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The restricted collegiate opportunities in the South for Black Americans decreased the effect of the G.I. Bill for this group, contributing to the disparities in collegiate attainment compared to whites and Black Americans in the North. Limited choices of public and private institutions, with few offering education beyond the bachelor's level, hindered Black veterans in the South.
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Overall, for white men, World War II service and the G.I. benefits positively impacted college attainment, with an increase in college completion. However, the results for Black men differed based on their birthplace. Black men born outside the South experienced an increase in educational attainment, while those born in the South saw limited gains in collegiate participation.
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The underfunding and insufficient resources of HBCUs couldn't adequately accommodate the surge in demand from servicemembers seeking degrees. As a result, a large number of qualified Black veterans were turned away. Overall, only 12 percent of Black veterans compared to 28 percent of white veterans were able to attend college on the GI Bill, further widening educational and economic gaps between Black and white Americans.
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Weary from the segregated military, Black veterans opted for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) whenever possible, even if it meant waiting due to overcrowding. However, HBCUs were scarce in the North, limiting opportunities for Black veterans in pursuing higher education.
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Opportunities for college education differed greatly along racial lines. Northern and Western colleges admitted only a few Black students, and racist VA counselors hindered Black veterans from using GI Bill funds for education expenses. Most white colleges didn't accept Black students, and Black colleges couldn't meet the post-war demand, resulting in thousands of qualified Black veterans being turned away.
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Despite the theoretical equality granted by Congress, racial segregation in higher education institutions barred a significant portion of Black veterans from earning college degrees. While millions of World War II veterans benefited from the G.I. Bill, most Black veterans were left behind, widening disparities in employment, college attendance, and wealth between white and Black Americans.
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The VA encouraged Black veterans to pursue vocational training instead of university admission and arbitrarily denied educational benefits to some students. The overwhelming majority of Black veterans ended up at underfunded and unaccredited Black colleges that couldn't accommodate the influx of applicants.
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Even for those who did pursue education, Black veterans faced significant disadvantages compared to their white counterparts. Poor preparation in public education, lack of prior educational attainment due to poverty and social pressures, and racial barriers prevented Black students from accessing universities. Black veterans were often left out as Northern universities hesitated to admit them, while Southern colleges barred their admission.
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The G.I. Bill, which provided educational support to World War II veterans, was race-neutral in its terms. But in practice, it was another matter. The G.I. Bill had different effects on educational attainment for Black and white veterans. Despite the promise of reducing educational gaps, it actually widened the economic and educational differences. Many Black veterans couldn't afford to forgo work and take advantage of the bill's benefits.
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Over a million Black men served in the military during the war and were eligible for educational benefits, including tuition payments and a stipend for college or training. However, the impact of military service and educational benefits differed by race and geography. Black men returning to the segregated South faced limited opportunities at historically Black institutions.
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Consequently, Black veterans were largely excluded from benefiting from the postwar housing boom and the accumulation of property equity, which is a key pathway to generational wealth.
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The G.I. Bill created the prosperity & laid the groundwork for the American superpower. But the postwar boom stopped at the color line. Black American frustration at discriminatory distribution of G.I
The G.I. Bill created the prosperity & laid the groundwork for the American superpower. But the postwar boom stopped at the color line. Black American frustration at discriminatory distribution of G.I. benefits would soon erupt into the modern Civil Rights Movement. These discriminatory practices and systemic barriers faced by Black -American veterans under the G.I. Bill had far-reaching consequences that persist today.
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The perception of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X is one where the two men are diametrically opposed figures in the battle against white supremacy (political insider vs. political renegade). The
The perception of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X is one where the two men are diametrically opposed figures in the battle against white supremacy (political insider vs. political renegade). The truth is more nuanced. King and Malcolm X shared "convergent visions" for the betterment of Black America. However, their strategies to attain their shared goal were shaped by their disparate upbringings.
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In 1640, John Punch, a Black-American indentured servant, received a sentence of lifelong servitude for his act of fleeing with two white indentured servants. The two white servants were given an addi
In 1640, John Punch, a Black-American indentured servant, received a sentence of lifelong servitude for his act of fleeing with two white indentured servants. The two white servants were given an additional four years of servitude as punishment. Punch’s case served as the starting point for the establishment of race-based slavery through legal means in Virginia.
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By today’s standards he seems mild. Even Obama praised him. Along with Lincoln, Republicans trot Ronald Reagan out every time Democrats praise the communication wizardry of Obama, Clinton, or Kennedy,
By today’s standards he seems mild. Even Obama praised him. Along with Lincoln, Republicans trot Ronald Reagan out every time Democrats praise the communication wizardry of Obama, Clinton, or Kennedy, or the stalwart composition of FDR or integrity of Truman. In reality, Reagan was an impenetrable facade of congeniality who was quite hostile to civil rights.
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"40 Acres and a Mule" symbolizes the enduring struggle of Black Americans. This phrase originated in the Civil War era when the U.S. government initiated a land redistribution program to aid newly fre
"40 Acres and a Mule" symbolizes the enduring struggle of Black Americans. This phrase originated in the Civil War era when the U.S. government initiated a land redistribution program to aid newly freed Black Americans, only to have it foiled by Southern powerbrokers & racists as well as clueless administrators. It reveals the challenges faced by Black folks in the ongoing pursuit of equality & justice.
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In 1961, a mob of armed KKK attacked the Monroe NC neighborhood of NAACP leader, Robert F. Williams. But they messed with the wrong ones that day. Williams & his followers engaged in an intense confro
In 1961, a mob of armed KKK attacked the Monroe NC neighborhood of NAACP leader, Robert F. Williams. But they messed with the wrong ones that day. Williams & his followers engaged in an intense confronration that sent the Klan bolting. Contrary to the prevailing narrative that they were hapless victims of violence, Black Americans regularly handled business protecting themselves & their families from KKK & other racist mobs.
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The Exodusters were Black Americans who migrated westward, particularly to Kansas, in the late 19th century fleeing southern violence & discrimination. In 1879, 1000s of Exodusters embarked on an ardu
The Exodusters were Black Americans who migrated westward, particularly to Kansas, in the late 19th century fleeing southern violence & discrimination. In 1879, 1000s of Exodusters embarked on an arduous journey, hoping to finally find freedom, land, & economic independence. It is known as the Exoduster Movement and it was the first great migration of Black Americans after the Civil War.
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On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered his greatest speech, "What to the Slave is the 4th of July?" Resonating with principles of freedom & equality, this speech was a powerful indictment of Am
On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered his greatest speech, "What to the Slave is the 4th of July?" Resonating with principles of freedom & equality, this speech was a powerful indictment of American hypocrisy & moral decay, as a nation simultaneously celebrated freedom while it enslaved millions. He compelled white Americans to confront the inherent moral contradictions in their society or face dire consequences.
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59 years ago, Pres. Johnson signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act, shaping America as we know it today. 60 years ago, everyday activities like dining, hotels, & public trans were pockmarked by segregation
59 years ago, Pres. Johnson signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act, shaping America as we know it today. 60 years ago, everyday activities like dining, hotels, & public trans were pockmarked by segregation & discrimination. This Act is the most comprehensive civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, & we owe it all to the tireless efforts of ordinary citizens in the American civil rights movement.
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The history of Affirmative Action is rooted in a complex interplay of historical circumstances, executive orders, legislation, & court decisions. It was a response to racial inequalities faced by marg
The history of Affirmative Action is rooted in a complex interplay of historical circumstances, executive orders, legislation, & court decisions. It was a response to racial inequalities faced by marginalized groups. It aimed to counteract discrimination & create a more diverse & inclusive society by implementing policies that provided additional support to underrepresented individuals. These are the facts.
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The Great Migration in America saw mass movement of millions of Black Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North, Midwest, & West in search of economic opportunity, & escape from racis
The Great Migration in America saw mass movement of millions of Black Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North, Midwest, & West in search of economic opportunity, & escape from racism. Historians divide the Great Migration into 2 distinct periods:1910-1940 & 1940-1970, reflecting the changing dynamics of the migration waves during different time periods. Both had profound impact on society & culture.
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Both Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin were “rebellious,” the white and Black establishment BOTH looked down on them, and neither was the first Black person to refuse to give up their seat for a white p
Both Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin were “rebellious,” the white and Black establishment BOTH looked down on them, and neither was the first Black person to refuse to give up their seat for a white passenger in Montgomery. The fight for equality and against injustice was long and difficult and it was a collective struggle, not an individual one.
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Blues, once a popular and influential musical genre, has become scarce in many Black communities, with seeming abandonment by young Black-Americans. At just 24 years years old, Kingfish (Christone Ing
Blues, once a popular and influential musical genre, has become scarce in many Black communities, with seeming abandonment by young Black-Americans. At just 24 years years old, Kingfish (Christone Ingram), represents a resurgence of the blues due to his remarkable talent, life story, youthful energy, & dedication to the blues.
The Blues is in safe hands.
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