A Story Often Left Out of History Many Americans learn about Fred Hampton through a brief mention in history class, if they learn about him at all. The story is often presented as a police raid that ended in a violent confrontation between law enforcement and members of the Black Panther Party. What is frequently
Fred Hampton and the Power of Solidarity Read More »
The Power of a Grandmother’s Faith Some of the most important lessons in life do not come from classrooms, universities, or professional training. They come from people who believe in us before we believe in ourselves. This reflection begins with a grandmother whose faith never wavered, even when circumstances suggested she should doubt. To Maya
When You Get, Give. When You Learn, Teach. Read More »
A Question That Continues to Create Debate One of the most common questions in discussions about race, identity, and language is why certain groups can use words among themselves that outsiders are discouraged from using. Some people see this as a contradiction. Others view it as a matter of history, context, and social relationships. The
Why Context Matters: Understanding In-Group Language and Social Boundaries Read More »
When Colorblindness Sounds Good but Falls Short For many years, parents, teachers, and community leaders promoted the idea of being “colorblind” as a way to reduce racism. The message sounded simple and well-intentioned. If people stopped focusing on race, perhaps racial divisions would disappear. Many parents believed they were teaching fairness by encouraging children not
The Problem With Raising Black Children to Be “Colorblind” Read More »
Why the Conversation Refuses to Disappear Few subjects in American history generate as much debate as reparations. Some people argue that slavery happened long ago and that society should move on. Others respond that the consequences of slavery did not end when slavery ended. The reflection presented here comes from that second perspective. The argument
Reparations, Historical Memory, and the Legacy of Unpaid Labor Read More »
The Story Behind the Story Throughout American history, slavery is often taught through a narrow lens. Students learn about plantations, forced labor, and a handful of famous figures. They learn about suffering, but they frequently learn far less about resistance. As a result, many people grow up with the mistaken impression that enslaved Africans simply
The Hidden History of Black Resistance: Why Stories Like Anna’s Matter Read More »
A Man Who Risked Everything for Equality American history often remembers presidents, generals, and famous battles, but many people who fought hardest against slavery and racial injustice are discussed far less than they deserve. One of those people was Charles Sumner. Sumner was a United States senator from Massachusetts during one of the most violent
Charles Sumner, Frederick Douglass, and the Cost of Standing Against Slavery Read More »
Creating Something the World Did Not Yet Understand One of the hardest things in life is building something before the world believes it matters. That is the central idea behind this reflection about the early days of hip hop. Today hip hop is a global industry worth billions of dollars. It influences music, fashion, sports,
The People Who Built Hip Hop Before the Money Arrived Read More »
Why Conversations About Dr. King Are Often Incomplete Every year, America honors Martin Luther King Jr. as one of the nation’s most admired leaders. Children learn about his dream of equality, politicians quote his speeches, and his name appears on streets, schools, and a national holiday. Yet many people believe the version of Dr. King
Martin Luther King Jr., Black Resistance, and the Idea of the “Safe” Black Leader Read More »
Why the Economic Story of Slavery Is Often Softened In American classrooms, slavery is usually taught primarily as a moral tragedy and a system of human suffering. Students learn about whippings, auctions, family separation, plantation violence, and the brutality inflicted upon enslaved Black people. All of that history is essential and true. However, what is
Slavery, Cotton, and the Hidden Wealth That Built American Power Read More »