The African American Story Part 7

(The Fourth Era)

Over 500 years of African
The Finale American history makes all of us
aware of the profound strength,
insights, and courage of the black
experience. From the abolitionist
movement to the civil rights
movement, African Americans have
been at the forefront social activism
in an intrepid fashion. Also, African
Americans include some of the
greatest inventors and scientists in
human history. Art, music, the
sciences, math, dance, oratory,
sports, and education all encompass
our lives too. During the time of
Embrace Your early 2018, we recognize many
anniversaries and we will continue
Dreams & to advocate for the goal of freedom
for all black people. I have learned
Always Thrive so much as a result of this historic
series and this is the final work in
for Excellence this series.

2017 and Beyond for Black America.

We live in a new decade of the 2010’s. During this decade, we witness new changes in Black America. We see more
diverse voices of black people in the movies, the arts, theater, and other aspects of our lives. We glimpse at the
further growth of technology from Netflix, cloud gaming, Hulu, Twitch, Twitter, Vine, and to the more advanced cell
phone technologies. America continues to be the most powerful nation in terms of GDP while China’s GDP’s
growth has radically increased. There is more concern on environmental issues and populations globally have aged
massively. Vegans and vegetarians have grown during this decade with too along with more innovative fashion
trends. Music has evolved more and we see continued political polarization. This polarization deals with liberals
and conservatives (plus others) debating the role of government and many other issues (from social issues to
foreign policy issues). Black Americans (during the past and the present) have always talked about important issues
like economics, the war on terrorism, the environment, health care, civil liberties, police brutality, civil rights,
housing, education, job creation, etc.

During this time, progressive messages of democracy and love of wisdom are true and relevant. There is no
liberation without unity. Unity doesn't mean that we agree on every single issue. Diversity of thought is heavily
found in the black community. Unity does mean that we agree on the final goal, which is freedom and justice for
our people. There is always a need to learn more from others. The reason is that other people have valuable
insights too. Asking questions, researching, and getting great advice are great ways to develop yourself. I always
love my melanin. I love my Blackness and I love Africa. We are in this together, which means that unity makes us
stronger and loving our black African heritage is a prerequisite for spiritual, physical, and emotional liberation. Yes,
BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL.

African Americans also have written books, created studies, made classic music, developed glorious architecture,
and lived lives all around the globe in order for us to achieve our own sense of happiness. During this age of Trump,
we see many rollbacks of some of the progressive victories that we have established for generations. One example
is how many environmental regulations are gutted, the GOP law has draconian cuts to social programs, and there is
an authoritarian travel ban too. In other words, black people, refugees, immigrants, women, and other minorities
deserve their rights to be protected and maintained one hundred percent. 2018 is here and our mindset is to fight
for justice. 2020 is not far away either. This is my last commentary of this African American history series. It has
been fun to learn and to grow over the course of more than one year. I have gained great insights about my people
and I'm glad to show what I know to the world. I have learned so much about real issues and unsung black heroes
whose sacrifice was magnanimous. Now, it's time to show the following facts about what is going on from 2017 to
the present (which is now in early 2018).
Many young people are standing up for what is right. A 10-year-old girl is adding her voice to those calling for some
mercy for Haitian immigrants in America. Her name is Ronyde Christina Ponthieux of Florida. She has said the
following words: “We are not criminals. Like my parents, like your parents, like you, they are hard working honest
people who just want a safe place to raise their families,” the little girl said in her video to Trump. “They have deep
roots in their communities; they pay taxes; they contribute to the social, economic and political fabric of this great
nation.” Tonya Lewis Lee is an advocate for women’s health and infant mortality. Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi,
Phillip Agnew, Patrisse Cullors, and other young black people are on the front lines fighting for justice. Black
America always sees this current reality (of oppression, police terror, and the vicious prison industrial complex) as
nothing new. We have experienced the Maafa and slavery and we survived. We experienced Jim Crow and we
survived. We will survive the Age of Trump. The deal is that we have to continue to fight. Fighting revolves around
forming institutions that build up the black community, organizing resistance against oppression, mentoring, and
opposing any injustice. Trump is overt in his ending of the climate change agreement, pardoning Arpaio, sending
provocative threats against North Korea, and his evil words in calling neo-Confederate marchers in Charlottesville
“fine people.” Trump is obsessed with criticizing Barack Obama, but he refuses to clean up his own house.
Therefore, the Trump regime deserves no coddling. They deserve our resistance and we will continue to stand up
and speak up for our human rights as black people.
The Supporters of Trump
Most supporters of Donald Trump are conservatives. Many of them believe in his extremist, nationalist views too.
One sign of such of a supporter involve them wearing the contradictory hat with the words of “Make America
Great Again” on it. My question is when was America this great Utopia? America has a long history of brutality,
hypocrisy, slavery, racism, police brutality, sexism, and other injustices. Therefore, we want America to be great in
the future as America has not lived up to the ideals of democratic freedom during the past. Not to mention that
many of Trump supporters unconditionally try to make rationalizations of his policies even when Trump is wrong.
One example is when Trump falsely said that some fine people marched to defend the statue of a Confederate
slave owner (whose name is Robert E. Lee) in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Confederacy was defeated and it was
notorious to advocate for slavery and racism (as documented by its own documents). Some folks still try to defend
Trump. Trump has shown the world his bigotry and his vulgarity. He is no role model and his Presidency is filled
with disgrace. Also, there are many black people who support Trump. Many of Trump’s supporters include
Kellyanne Conway, Mike Pence, Jeff Sessions, and other people.

Many black people support Trump since some of them believe in the evil of xenophobia (in that some want to
blame immigrants instead of capitalism, racism, austerity, discrimination, or neoliberalism for economic issues in
the black community). The xenophobes omit that undocumented immigration has decreased in recent years and ,
eugenics is linked to radical anti-immigration rhetoric. The one percent uses various tactics as a way for them to
play immigrants and others against each other when the 1 percent is the entity involved in the oppression of us all
regardless of immigration status. Undocumented immigrants and all people are created equal and are entitled to
unalienable human rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness period. Some Trump supporters are
plain conservatives who believe in the Horatio Alger myth that respectability politics and patriarchy can cause true
freedom. Some believe that he can build urban centers in the black community, which is not the case as urban
rebuilding requires public investment (not laissez-faire capitalism). Some of these supporters use spiritual or
religious justifications, but Trump has publicly said that he doesn't ask God for forgiveness, and he calls women out
of their names on many occasions. Trump uses profanity on the regular, and he wants the NFL to fire players who
refuse to stand for a racist national anthem. So, Trump is antithetical to true spiritual or moral principles. Some
black supporters believe in the deception that de-emphasizing the real problem of racial oppression & any form of
oppression (in advancing post racialism) is key in causing true reform. We know many of their names. They (or
African American Trump supporters) include George Foreman, Paris Dennard, Burnlle Donald-Kyei, Ray Lewis, Jim
Brown, Stacey Dash (who recently disrespected Maxine Waters. Dash is totally wrong for her reprehensible actions.
Maxine Waters gave an excellent, inspirational speech at the Black Girl Rock celebration in 2017), Omarosa
Manigault (until she was fired by the White House), Diamond and Silk, etc.
Today, Omarosa has left the White House by 2018 in January. For a long time, she has made the serious mistake to
support Trump (whose views and actions are antithetical to the interests of the black community and other
Americans in general). First, Trump is clear that he wants the death penalty for the innocent Central Park Five. He
has shown vulgar language against women, especially against black women. Trump has gone out of his way to
support a bill that benefits multinational corporations and doesn't help the majority of the poor or middle class.
Trump has threatened a war with North Korea and he believes that peaceful protesters should be fired from the
NFL (as he doesn't like the social activism of so many heroic anti-police brutality activists). Omarosa (who recently
denied being dragged out of the White House by Secret Service) has been disrespectful to not only journalist April
Ryan, but to other women like Symone Sanders. Omarosa is incorrect to support Trump's campaign and we won't
bow to Trump. Trump is not my God and he isn't my President. April Ryan is a woman is an incredibly
compassionate woman to take the high road. Supporting black interests is clear. It is about promoting progressive
education, health care, anti-police brutality measures, racial justice, economic justice, civil liberties, advancing
freedom. She or Omarosa was paid $187,000 and Trump made a sick moral equivalency among white supremacists
plus neo-Confederates and anti-hate protesters. Now, I don't believe that Omarosa should be disrespected in an
inappropriate way, but I have every right to disagree with Omarosa on many issues. No one should ally with a
racist, sexist bigot like Trump. So, Robin Roberts, Angela Rye, and others talked about this situation too.

There is no compromise about this issue of opposing injustice. Trump once again shows that he's a racist and a
white supremacist by overtly showing disdain and racism against Haitians, Africans, and Central Americans (on
January 2018. I send great credit to Joy Reid and others in exposing Trump's offensive bigotry as we have a total
obligation to counteract evil). It is a historical fact that Haitians and Africans have made great contributions
throughout world history. One man from Ghana rescued many people in saving lives during the NYC fire recently.
His name was Private Emmanuel Mensah. Many Haitians are famous actors, actresses, musicians, authors,
scientists, and other scholars. We know many people in Latin and Central America making great contributions in
the arts, science, and other endeavors. Senator Durbin of Illinois has confirmed that Trump has said those
despicable comments during a discussion about immigration issues. These discussions relate not only about DACA
(which includes immigrants who deserve to stay in America), but other matters as well. Trump has some nerve to
criticize Haiti when it was American forces who unjustly occupied Haiti brutally during the 20th century (from 1915
to 1934). It is no secret about what Donald Trump desires. He wants the militarization of the border, a border wall,
drastic cuts to the visas for family members of legal immigrants, and he wants to gut the diversity visa lottery for
immigrants from Africa, Central America and other regions of the world (whose populations are mostly people of
color). Those aims are reactionary, wrong, and extremist. GOP members, who are silent on Trump's bigotry, should
be ashamed of themselves.

The African Union had condemned Trump's racist comments. The European Union wants Trump to have an
apology. The United Nations human rights office on Friday labeled President Donald Trump's words as racist.
Trump's words threaten the lives of Americans overseas and his words are totally evil. We see how Homeland
Security has said that they are ending the legal status of about 250,000 Salvadorans who lived in America for
decades. Some in Congress agree with a policy in the FISA law having surveillance against Americans without
warrants in Section 702. I deplore that policy because I believe in human civil liberties. It doesn't matter if
Democrats or Republicans believe in Section 702. It's still wrong. Sessions and Trump can use this policy to monitor
us too. I agree with the ACLU on the FISA issue. Back to immigration, America is enriched by its immigrants (who
pay taxes, are hardworking, and believe in wisdom). Trump has disgusting views and it is important to make sure
that progressive policies exist in order to protect immigrants (as ICE agents do go around to harass immigrants
today). ICE agents are randomly asking people on citizenship status on buses, trains, and other locations in upstate
NY plus everywhere. That's wrong. There are camps that house Mexicans, Haitians, and other immigrants
nationwide. We are not silent on this issue. We love our black people and I am an African American. Also, we stand
in solidarity with immigrants in general.
Trump has said racist, vile words for years. He demonized Mexicans, women, and wants the Central Park Five to be
in jail (when they are innocent). Trump called racist neo-Confederates in Charlottesville "fine people" when they
are bigoted extremists. He has been sued over housing discrimination back during the 1970's. This isn't new and
any supporter of Trump (regardless of his or her race) is complicit in his racism period. That is why it is important to
oppose xenophobia, racism, imperialism, and any evil. The words of Ezra Lazarus ring true and the ideal of justice
for all is what we hold dear forever.

They or the Trump supporters have made their choice. They have the First Amendment right to speak their minds. I
have the First Amendment right to vigorously disagree with them.

The Resistance (in opposition to the Trump Regime)

The Resistance which continues to oppose the Trump regime is diverse and large. Black people have headed the
resistance since the beginning. The 2017 Women’s March existed on January 21-22, 2017. It was the single largest
protest in American history. The leaders of this march were Tamika D. Mallory (who is a black woman. She recently
opposed the backlash against the courageous actions of Kaepernick), Linda Sarsour, Carmen Perez, and Bob Bland.
About 500,000 people marched in Washington, D.C. About 4.6 million people protested in America and up to 5
million people protested worldwide. The marchers were about opposing an administration whose agenda is the
suppression of the human rights of people worldwide. Many of these marchers protested in favor of women’s
rights, racial equality, immigrant rights, healthcare solutions, environmental justice, the freedom of religion,
LGBTQIA+ rights, workers’ rights, and an end to Islamophobia. They came out in the streets after the inauguration
of Donald Trump. The Washington March was streamed live on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Many people
stood up in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Antarctica. Many people marched in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City,
and Seattle. Tamika D. Mallory was one black woman who was a leader of the march. She made it clear that the
concerns of black people have the right to be heard. The march wanted to promote social justice and human rights.
She is a political organizer and former executive director of the National Action Network.

Linda Sarsour is the executive director of the Arab American Association of New York and Carmen Perez is an
executive director of the political action group The Gathering for Justice. Bob Bland is a fashion designer who
focuses on ethical manufacturing. The march wanted to build bridges and not walls. Many speakers were there in
Washington, D.C. to give their views. On July 2017, the Women's March official twitter feed celebrated the birthday
of Assata Shakur, an African-American revolutionary, who was falsely accused of murder. She currently lives her life
in Cuba. Additionally, many people have opposed the Trump regime in boycotts, protests, organizing, and other
heroic efforts after the Women’s March.

Praise for Black Women

We always celebrate the humanity of Black Women forever. They include our educators, our scholars, our artists,
and our leaders. They experienced much mistreatment and they continue to rise up to present excellence in the
Universe. Black women have the right to their own human autonomy. The showing of the Black Girls Rock
celebration (as found in BET) is historic and necessary too. Beverly Bond is the founder of the movement. First, the
human family in general owes a debt of gratitude to black women. Black Women are the mothers of the human
race. All people came from a Black Women period. Therefore, we always send great respect and honor to black
women, who heroically fought oppression, raised families, and achieved magnificent accomplishments in
education, STEM fields, athletics, theology, fashion, music, sociology, legal matters, and other aspects of human
endeavors. In the final analysis, there is no liberty for all without the liberation of black women. These words are
real Talk. We will continue to speak out and stand up for our rights also. Therefore, we should always acknowledge
the strength, the sacrifice, and the genius of Black Women.

Yes, Black Women Rock.

 Illustrious, Great Black Women of the 19th and 20th Centuries

Charlotte Forten Susie King Taylor Josephine St. Pierre Nannie Helen
Grimke was born in worked for the Union Ruffin was a long time Burroughs promoted
Philadelphia. She was and she was the first African American education. She was a
an African American black Army nurse. She journalist, publisher, businesswoman, an
anti-slavery activist, a worked with the all abolitionist, civil rights orator, a religious
poet, and an educator. Black regiment named leader, and suffragist. leader, and she
She taught school for the 1st South Carolina She was the editor of believed in civil rights.
the freedmen in South Volunteers. She the Woman’s Era, In Washington, D.C.,
Carolina. Her worked hard which was the first she founded the
documents offer a rare throughout her life. newspaper published National Training
glimpse of black She kept in contact by and for African School for Women and
women in the with the veterans’ American women. She Girls in Washington,
antebellum North. group, “The Grand and her husband D.C. She lived to be 82
Army of the Republic.” helped to recruit Union years old (living from
She lived in Boston for black soldiers to defeat 1879 to 1961).
years after the Civil the Confederacy. She
War. was a great heroine.

Bless Black Women Forever

Trump Scandals
One of the most controversial political scandals in history is the Russian scandal. It involves the situation of Russian
actors interfering with the 2016 elections of the United States of America. There is the allegation that the Trump
team colluded with Russians in order to promote an electoral victory. Time will tell the complete truth. In the
meantime, it is important to chronologically show information about this scandal. By Spring of 2015, the U.S.
intelligence community intercepted conversations of Russian government officials discussing associates of Donald
Trump in a high volume. Trump announced his candidacy for President in June 15, 2015. Later, a hack occurred
against at least one DNC computer system as exposed by a FBI special agent. On Hugh Hewitt’s radio program,
Trump says, “The oligarchs are under [Putin’s] control, to a large extent. I mean, he can destroy them, and he has
destroyed some of them… Two years ago, I was in Moscow . . . I was with the top-level people, both oligarchs
and generals, and top-of-the-government people. I can’t go further than that, but I will tell you that I met the top
people, and the relationship was extraordinary.” Trump wanted to build a Trump branded building in Moscow,
but it doesn’t materialize.

On November of 2015, Trump associate Felix Sater emails Trump lawyer Michael Cohen: "Michael, I arranged for
Ivanka to sit in Putin's private chair at his desk and office in the Kremlin [...] Our boy can become president of the
USA and we can engineer it. I will get all of Putin's team to buy in on this.” Michael T. Flynn (who is a retired
General) gave a paid speech on world affairs in Moscow. The dinner was created by RT News or an English language
Russian network. Flynn was on RT as an analyst. By February 29, 2017, Paul Manafort submits a five-page proposal
to Trump outlining his qualifications to help Trump secure enough convention delegates and win the Republican
presidential nomination. Manafort describes how he had assisted rich and powerful business and political leaders,
including oligarchs and dictators in Russia and Ukraine: “I have managed presidential campaigns around the world."
Russian officials and the Trump team contact each other from April 2016 and beyond. Manafort becomes Trump’s
campaign manager. Reports surface about his 2007 to 2012 ties to former President of Ukraine Victor Yanukovych,
whom Manafort had helped to elect. On June 9, 2016, Jared Kushner, Manafort and Trump Jr. were in Trump
Tower with Goldstone, Natalia Veselnitskaya, a Russian attorney, Rinat Akhmetshin, a Russian-American lobbyist,
Ike Kaveladze, a representative of the Agalarovs' Crocus Group, and a translator.

Veselnitskaya is best known for lobbying against the Magnitsky Act, an American law that blacklists suspected
Russian human rights abusers. Donald Trump Jr. gave conflicting accounts about the meeting to this day. On July
22, 2016, WikiLeaks publishes 20,000 emails from seven key officials of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
The emails show them disparaging Bernie Sanders and favoring Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential primaries.
Trump wants Russia to find Clinton’s emails. James Comey of the FBI uses an investigation to find out the truth
about allegations of Russian interference by July of 2016. Brennan calls his Russian counterpart Alexander
Bortnikov, head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), to warn him against meddling in the presidential election.
Sessions met with Russian official Kislyak at least 2 times.

By September 29, 2016, Comey testified before the House Judiciary Committee, confirming that federal
investigators have detected suspicious activities in voter registration databases, as stated in the August 18 alert.
Putin denied accusations of Russian interference in elections on October 27, 2016. Through the "red phone",
President Obama tells President Putin to stop interfering or face consequences on October 31, 2016. Kislyak denies
that Russia was involved in U.S. election hacking on November 2016. On that same day, in a private Oval Office
meeting, Obama warns Trump against hiring Flynn. During early December 2016, in Russia, Sergei Mikhailov, FSB
cyber chief, Ruslan Stoyanov, senior researcher with Kaspersky Lab, and Dmitry Dokuchayev, a hacker known as
“Forb”, are arrested for treason. On December 26, 2016, Oleg Erovinkin, a former KGB official, is found dead in the
back seat of his car in Moscow. He was suspected of assisting former MI-6 agent Christopher Steele in compiling a
dossier alleging Trump ties to Russia as part of opposition research. The dossier accuses Trump of doing adultery.

Sanctions come against Russia by Obama by December 29, 2016. In a confirmation hearing before the Senate
Judiciary Committee, Sessions denies communicating with the Russian government in the course of Trump's
election campaign. Flynn was fired in less than a month in office. By March of 2017, Sessions comes under scrutiny
after reports that he had contact with Russian government officials during the election campaign, even though he
denied it during his confirmation hearings. So, Jeff Sessions is a liar. Democratic representatives ask Sessions to
resign his post as United States Attorney General. Sessions announces that he will recuse himself from any
investigations into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. On May 8, 2017, in an Oval Office
meeting, Trump informs Kushner, Pence and McGahn of his intention to remove Comey, and gives them copies of
the Miller draft. McGahn objects to the angry tone of this letter and convenes a separate meeting later that day
with Sessions and Rosenstein, who had previously considered removing Comey from office. Rosenstein is given a
copy of Miller's draft and agrees to write a new memo that would support the dismissal, using Comey's handling of
the Hillary Clinton email investigation as the main rationale. Yet, Trump is angry over Comey’s investigation of the
Russian scandal.

Comey is fired on May 9, 2017. Trump reportedly tells Lavrov and Kislyak that he fired Comey to relieve pressure
caused by the investigation. On May 12, 2017, Trump threatens Comey with alleged secret recordings of their
conversations. Rosenstein appoints former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the
investigation into Russian election interference and related matters on that same day.

On July 26, 2017, The FBI conducts a pre-dawn raid on Paul Manafort's home, seizing documents and electronic
devices. The raid was on the day Manafort was scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Mueller investigates Trump’s business actions. House Intelligence Committee issued subpoenas to the FBI and the
Department of Justice for documents relating to the Trump dossier. They were not complied with by the
September 1 deadline; so the deadline was extended to September 14. The Washington Post and NBC report that
Mueller has issued subpoenas to several lobbying firms connected to Flynn and Manafort, including Mercury Public
Affairs and SGR LLC. Politico reports that Mueller has teamed up with New York Attorney General Eric
Schneiderman to set up a separate method of charging people in the case, if Trump tries to use his pardon power
to stymie the investigation. On September 7, 2017, in a five hour long questioning with the Senate Judiciary
Committee's staff, Donald Trump Jr. states that he met with a group of Russians in Trump Tower in June 2016 in
order to seek damaging information about Hillary Clinton, but that no such information was forthcoming. The
Washington Post reported that Special Council Robert Mueller gave the White House the names of 6 aides he
expects to question in Russia probe (Hope Hicks, Sean Spicer, Reince Priebus, Don McGahn, James Burnham and
Josh Raffel). The investigation continues.

On October 28, 2017, there is historic and breaking news. Ex-Trump foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos
has been charged with lying to the FBI. George has pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI. Papadopoulos tried to set up
additional meetings or contacts between people in the Trump campaign and Russians. Manfaort and Rick Gates
have been charged with conspiracy against the U.S. Both Manafort and Gates of course deny all charges of
conspiracy. The Justice Department indictment on Manafort and Gates contains 12 counts: "conspiracy against the
United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading FARA
statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts."
Manafort's bond is set at 10 million dollars and Gates's bond set is set at 5 million dollars. Both of Gates and
Manafort are ordered to have home confinement. They are monitored all of the time and they can't leave their
homes unless for specialized reasons. Manafort's attorney Kevin Downing has called the indictments ridiculous.
Manafort and Rick Gates has pleaded not guilty in federal court Monday to all the charges announced earlier
Monday. Papadopoulous has cooperated with the FBI. The ultimate allegation is that some Russian hackers
infiltrated election procedures during the 2016 election in an illegal fashion.

On December 1, 2017, Michael Flynn pleads guilty at federal court to giving false testimony to the FBI about his
contacts with Kislyak. As part of Flynn’s negotiations, his son, Michael G. Flynn, is not expected to be charged.
Bloomberg reporter Eli Lake speculates in an opinion piece that Jared Kushner is the individual mentioned in
Flynn's plea documents who is said to have ordered Flynn to contact Russia. On December 2, 2017, CNN reports
that Trump admitted knowing that Flynn lied to the FBI in his tweet that “I had to fire General Flynn because he
lied to the Vice President and the FBI." On December 3, Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), the ranking member of the Senate
Judiciary Committee, says on Meet the Press that her group is "putting together of a case of obstruction of justice"
against the president. White House Communications Director Hope Hicks was interviewed by Mueller's team from,
December 7-8, 2017 2 times.
On February 16, 2018, the federal government has indicted 13 Russians for the election interference. Mueller
mentioned that these people were involved in using crooked tactics in using a campaign since 2014 to influence the
election. The indictment is detailed and it said that the Russians used fake identities, sending operatives in
America, troll accounts, and other tactics. Trump has denied collusion, but Mueller's investigation is not finished.
Trump has been very evasive about any interview from the Mueller team. The grand jury indictment represents the
citizenry being convinced that illegal activity took place. This indictment exposes what has been going on among
governments and intelligence groups internationally for a long time. Russian meddling in the election of 2016 using
nefarious means has no justification and it's wrong period. Mueller seems to take his time with the indictments and
future indictments could take place in the future. Also, it is important to expose both Putin’s authoritarian
nationalism and U.S. imperialism. Some folks want to solely expose Putin’s evil policies as an excuse to omit the
crimes of U.S. imperialism (which has existed for a long time). We must expose both.

We can handle the truth. Regardless of where this leads into, we have the right to seek answers and anyone who
has done wrong (even if the President Trump is involved); they must be held accountable for their actions.

Black Activism and Self-determination

Black people have always had a legacy of political activism and the promotion of self-determination. Self-
determination is part of our history and culture. Regardless of whether our political views may exist as, we have
promoted self-determination for decades and thousands of years. Self-determination precisely means that human
beings can determine their destinies and their lives without unjust outside influence and without oppression
basically. It is the means where black people can establish their way of life, culture, music, institutions, and other
aspects of our lives in an independent, autonomous fashion. Therefore, we believe in self-determination. In Brazil,
the Quilombo were people of African descent who formed settlements in their lands of Brazil (which were in
opposition to slavery, racism, and oppression). The Maroons of Jamaica and the Caribbean formed their
settlements too. Black leaders as diverse as Marcus Garvey, Dr. King, Malcolm X, Amy Jacques Garvey, Claudia
Jones, Paul Robeson, and other human beings advanced the principle of self-determination. All of these people
believed accurately that black people must gain economic and political power. We do so in our generation as well.
It is always important to desire power. There is nothing wrong with power when it is used correctly to benefit the
masses of the people. Part of this fight for self-determination is the call for economic justice. There are many who
call out for “black capitalism” and we know of their names.
They are in the Internet, they are in YouTube, and they have many conferences nationwide. Many of them believe
in the premise even that poor black people are to be blamed for the conditions of poverty and oppression today.
Of course, I disagree with that lie, which is nothing more than a promotion of the evil of social Darwinism. The
problem with “black capitalism” is that it is simplistic and narrow-minded into assuming that forming businesses
alone will liberate black people in the world. Businesses alone can never do it since black people not only need
economic justice, but health care, environmental protections, civil liberties, educational opportunities, access to
healthy foods, the strengthening of families, and other necessities that go beyond businesses. There is nothing
wrong with forming legitimate enterprises, but that is not enough. We must also address poverty, economic
inequality, and expose the stigma that many black poor and black working class people have (along with stopping
the scapegoating of them). Therefore, wealth must be redistributed fairly in order for economic inequalities to be
eliminated.

The New Great Migration

The image of Downtown Houston here (in the far left) outlines the significance of the New Great Migration
It is the reversal of the Great Migration. It involves black Americans
Definition increasingly traveling into the South from the Northeast, Midwest, and
West Coast.

Since 1965, the deindustrialization of cities in the Northeast and the

Midwest existed. New jobs in the South grew with lower costs of living,
family, and other ties. Therefore, African Americans traveled into the
Reasons
Southern United States in large numbers.

By 2014, more and more African American millennials have traveled into
Demographics the South. Many of the people involved in the new Great Migration are
college graduates and middle class black human beings.

Destinations of the
New Great The cities include Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Dallas, Raleigh, Tampa, San
Migration (in terms Antonio, Memphis, Nashville, Jacksonville, etc. The states include Georgia,
of cities and states). North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas.
As the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has said in 1967, “…And one day we must ask the question, Why are there
forty million poor people in America? And when you begin to ask that question, you are raising questions about
the economic system, about a broader distribution of wealth. When you ask that question, you begin to question
the capitalistic economy. And I'm simply saying that more and more, we've got to begin to ask questions about
the whole society...”

True economic justice comes with an elimination of laissez faire capitalism and the establishment of progressive
realities. This fight for justice is also a fight against imperialism for we don’t want the West to have a monopoly of
the world’s resources in a neo-colonial fashion. We endorse people to independently develop their own resources
equitably and with concern for the rights of humanity. The problem with mainstream, free market capitalism is that
it is by definition amoral. It neither seeks or promotes moral principles or advances social responsibility. Its major
purpose is to establish profit by any means necessary among the owners of capital (regardless of who it is). Its
functioning mechanisms desire exploitation and its history has been linked to the Maafa and the Trans-Atlantic
slave trade (as documented by authors and scholars for years and decades). That is why you need a value system in
advancing any economic endeavor. Black capitalist proponents like Tony Brown fail to see that it is impossible to
force every black adult to have a business when some black people don’t desire to create one voluntarily.

Many of the black capitalists refuse to advocate policies to rebuild poor communities, establish emergency
programs to address poverty, or even advocate for cooperatives or collectives to give food and housing services to
the poor. Many of the proposals of the black capitalists today include a pro-middle class alone approach which
ignores the needs of other African Americans. That is why buying stock alone can never save us. When you think
about it, some become black capitalists in order for them to replace white exploiters with themselves being black
exploiters of the black community. There is nothing wrong with credit unions, someone forming small businesses,
people learning about economics, and inspiring change. Yet, a comprehensive approach is needed that addresses
police brutality, poverty, community issues, etc. Therefore, demonizing the poor is no solution. We know that
capitalism by its nature perpetrates economic inequality. Most black people aren’t rich. Many black families need
resources for food, housing, clothing, rent or mortgage. While the conservatives are right that the federal
government can’t solve every problem, the conservatives are wrong in saying that the federal government can’t be
part of the solution making process. The Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act are progressive federal laws;
therefore, since the people ought to be represented in the federal government, we have the right to call on the
federal government to do its job of promoting the general welfare and send resources to humanity (while we
promote plus advance self-determination in our communities at the same time).

At the end of the day, we have power within ourselves. That is why we have to fight for our freedom by standing
up for our human rights (and develop our independent institutions). That is why being independent is always
important.
The poor and the working class have every right to unite and find common cause in confronting economic
exploitation. The engaging of political and social activism is important for freedom is never won without a struggle.
Every victory of black people in general existed by struggle and courage. We reject socialism for the rich and
capitalism for the poor. We want egalitarianism and true democratic policies that can help black people,
irrespective of our background. Also, it is important to reject elitists. Many Hoteps (some are made up of the Black
petty bourgeoisie) have a tendency to talk down on black people (like Umar Johnson saying that black people are
"trifling" for not funding him enough, which is very evil) and claiming that they have the answers alone. Some are
outright arrogant and many cultural nationalists have even demonized black people, which is wrong.

Elitism is wrong since it denies human freedom and it ignores the contributions of the masses of black people.
Revolution deals with land too. We must deal with land and the poor and working class people must control the
resources in the land in order for true liberation to come about. Our liberation isn’t just national. It’s international
as black people live internationally. That is why Pan-African movements are correct to promote solidarity with
Afro-Canadians, Afro-Latinos, Africans, Afro-French, Afro-British, Afro-Germans, Afro-Brazilians, and all black
people of African descent globally (and oppose oppression against anyone period). That is why grassroots political
organizing and social activism (against racism plus against the capitalist system) is very important to execute. Doing
that causes real self-determination among people of black African descent for real.
 21st Century Examples of Black Excellence (of the 2010's)
Black Excellence flourished continuously from 2010 to our time in early 2018. On February 14, 2010, The New Press
published Michelle Alexander’s book “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindess.” This
book is historic as it exposes once again the disproportionate enforcement of harsh drug laws against black people
(which causes economic dislocation and social problems in many families of the black community). It appeared on
the NY Times bestseller list for 10 months. Sister Michelle Alexander exposes the current prison industrial complex
as a New Jim Crow which disenfranchises minorities, especially people of color. America has only 5 percent of the
world’s population, but about 25 percent of the world’s prisoners are Americans. Nearly 40 percent of U.S.
prisoners are African Americans. Many felons can’t vote even after they have paid their debt to society and even if
they have a nonviolent drug offense. The Movie Precious received many accolades and nominations. Mo'Nique
won best supporting actress for her role as Mary Lee Johnson (the mother of Precious played by Gabourey Sidibe).
Mo’Nique congratulated Miss Hattie McDaniel for her sacrifice and courage. On March 14, 2010, Disney officially
coronated its first African American Disney Princess named Tiana. On April 26, 2010 the revival of August Wilson’s
Tony award winning play Fences opened at the Cort Theater on Broadway in New York City. African American
Kenny Leon was the director and Denzel Washington was the lead role of Troy Maxon. Troy Maxon was a former
Negro League player who is confronting his mortality as a worker in Pittsburgh. James Earl Jones had the role in
1987.

Both Denzel Washington and Viola Davis (who plays the wife of Troy named Rose) won Tonys for Leading Actor and
Leading Actress in a Play. Kenny Leon continues to create plays and win awards. On February of 2011, the 53rd
annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles have Carolina Chocolate Drops win the Best Traditional Folk Album with
their album. The group was based in Durham, North Carolina. Rhimain Giddens traveled into Gambia in 2006 to
study West African music. He is the lead vocalist in the group. On 2011, the Oprah Winfrey Show aired its final
episode after 25 years. She launched OWN or the Oprah Winfrey Network in 2011. Tyler Perry on 2011 increases
his influence as the first African American to own his own major television and film studio (the Atlanta based Tyler
Perry Studios). On January of 2012, the biracial duo of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele debut their show Key
& Peele that deals with race, relationships, comedy, sex, and life in general. On February of 2012, Octavia Spencer
won Best Supporting Actress in an Oscar for the role of Minny Jackson in the film The Help (which deals with race,
the civil rights movement, and workers). Shonda Rhimes’ created the network drama Scandal starring Kerry
Washington. It was the first time in more than thirty years that a black woman has been cast as the lead in a
drama. Rhimes’ production company of Shondaland ran Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, etc.

This year of 2012 represented a new era of TV in which new shows not only show racial complexities, but more
complex story lines including the group of web-based TV institutions like Netflix. Fred Luter Jr. on June 19, 2012
became the first African American president of the Southern Baptist Convention. The SBC is the largest Protestant
body in America. Luter helped to rebuild his church after the Katrina disaster. On July 2012, 49 year old Donald
Thompson was the first black President of the McDonald Corporation. On August 2, 2012, then 16 year old Gabby
Douglas was the first black teenager to win the individual all-around gold medal in the women’s gymnastics at the
Summer Games in London. The 2012 London Olympics featured record accomplishments from those of black
African descent. On November 2012, Barack Obama became the first African American to be re-elected in
American history. The last of the Scotsboro Boys were pardoned by the Board of Alabama Pardons and Paroles on
April 4, 2013. Orange is the New Black premiered on the futuristic video steaming outlet Netflix on 2013. It has
many African Americans in the prison series.

By September 17, 2013, Glenn H. Hutchins donated $15 million to build the Hutchins Center for African & African
American Research at Harvard University. Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. was its inaugural director. The movie
Fruitvale Station (directed by Ryan Coogler, who is a famous black director), which is about the last hours of Oscar
Grant’s life in 2013 won acclaim and awards. The historic film 12 Years a Slave shows graphic violence and the
reality of slavery. It is a movie about the 1853 memoir of Solomon Northrup (who was a free black man from New
York. He was kidnapped and sent into slavery in Louisiana before he finds freedom from bondage). The actor
Chiwetel Ejiofo and actress Lupita Nyong’o achieve great awards (by 2014). In 2014, John W. Thompson is the
chairman of Microsoft. In 2014, Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson (or the director of the Hayden Planetarium in
New York City) presented a 13 episode documentary series called Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey on the Fox
network. Tyson met Carl Sagan (the creator of the original 1980 Cosmos) before. Lupita Nyong’o was named People
as the Most Beautiful woman in the world. She has won the Oscar in 2014. Lupita represents the total refutation of
colorism and she has a beautiful, intellectual personality and spirit. Her dark skin complexion is not only beautiful,
but glorious. Kara Walker released the phoenix structure of the “A Sutelty or the Marvelous Sugar Baby” which
wants to expose how evil economic and sexual exploitation of black women is.

On April 5, 2014, Maya Angelou smiled at the unveiling of her portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in
Washington, D.C. On June of 2014, theater star and great vocalist Audra McDonald was the first performer to win 6
Tony Awards for acting. She played the legendary blues singer Billie Holiday in the play of “Lady Day at Emerson’s
Bar and Grill.”

Audra McDonald publicly acknowledges the excellence of those who came before her by saying, “I am standing on
Lean Horne’s shoulders. I am standing on Maya Angelou’s shoulders. I am standing on Diahann Carroll and Ruby
Dee, and most of all, Billie Holiday.”

Norm Lewis (a black man) was in Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera and Keke Palmer (a black woman) played in
Hammerstein’s Cinderella. By August 25, 2014, then 13 year old Mo’Ne Davis was the first teenage girl pitcher to
earn a win in the Little League World Series. She is shown on the Sports Illustrated magazine. She is the first girl to
pitch a shutout a Little League postseason game.

By September 30, 2014, “The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross” was released. It is Henry Louis Gates’ six
part, six hour documentary about the five hundred year history of African Americans. It won the Emmy Award for
Outstanding Historical Program, Long Form. The documentary won the Peabody Award, the Alfred I. DuPont
Columbia University Award, and an NAACP Image Award. I watched the entire documentary before and it certainly
inspired me to write out this information too. By 2014, Mia Love was the first African American woman Republican
in Congress from Utah. Tim Scott of South Carolina was the first African American senator to serve Congress from
the South since Blanche K. Bruce left office in 1881. Bruce was from Mississippi. Proposition 47 was passed in
California (by November of 2014) which reduced many felonies that was used to reduce mass incarceration among
minority communities. On December 25, 2014, Selma the movie is released. It was directed by Ava DuVernay, who
is a great black woman director. Selma was a film about the voting rights campaign in Selma, Alabama which
resulted in the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The movie featured the stories of Annie Lee Cooper, Jimmie Lee Jackson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and many
unsung heroes’ actions. While many people were at the film’s premier in New York City, the cast posed in “I Can’t
Breathe” T-shirts on the steps of the New York Public Library. They wanted to show solidarity with the movement
against police brutality and for racial justice. This was after Eric Garner was choked to death by a brutally
aggressive NYPD cop. Selma won many awards. The soundtrack had the song “Glory” done by Common and John
Legend, which becomes a soundtrack for the new generation of social activists and African Americans in general.
Glory is an excellent song. By February and March of 2015, remembrances exist about the 50th year anniversary of
the Selma movement including Bloody Sunday. This comes after the Ferguson rebellion and other events. John
Lewis, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and other people gather to commemorate the sacrifice
of those who fought for human rights. On May of 2015, the musician Akon announced that his foundation Akon
Lighting Africa will cause the first solar academy to Africa called the Solektra Solar Academy (which will help people
develop solar technology skills).

On November 1, 2015, Michael Bruce Curry becomes the first African-American

Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, having been elected by an
overwhelming margin on the first ballot of the 78th General Convention the
preceding June. In 2015, April Star (a then-10 year old girl) has promoted a
positive body image and she has vitiligo. She is inspired by Winnie Harlow, who is
a woman who has vitiligo too. The creators of the “School of Thought” line, Mars
Five and Philadelphia Printworks feature shirts from fictional universities. The
best part: The faux institutions are built on the philosophies of seminal black

Yodi Tewolde (who was thinkers and leaders. Among the celebrated: Audre Lorde, James Baldwin,
born in Eritrea and raised in Marcus Garvey and Harriet Tubman. Haben Girma was the first deaf and blind
Dallas, Texas) is a black graduate of the Harvard Law School. She is a lawyer and advocate of disability
woman who is a great rights. On July 20, 2015, Girma met with US President Barack Obama at the White
criminal defense attorney. House to highlight the importance of accessible technology. She provided
Always an advocate for social introductory remarks on the occasion, the 25th anniversary of the Americans
justice, she has always spoken with Disability Act. In 2015, at the age of 20, Jewell Jones was elected and sworn
in favor of humanity. Yodi into the Inkster City Council.
Tewolde has educated people
on their constitutional rights. In 2015, Loretta Lynch was sworn in as the first African American woman to be
She completely believes in the U.S. Attorney General on April. In 2015, the biracial actress Amandla
transparency and justice. Stenberg wrote words defending black womanhood and refuting cultural
appropriation in her work, “Don’t Cash Crop my Cornrows: A Crash Discourse on
Black Culture.” On October of 2015, (during Breast Cancer Awareness Month), Pittsburgh Steelers running back
DeAngelo Williams announced that he was purchasing 53 mammogram tests for women in honor of his mother.
Sandra Hill, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2014. She was 53 years old when she died (hence his decision
to provide said number of mammograms). Misty Copeland made many contributions in dance in 2015 and beyond.
The 25-year-old Jasmine Twitty became the youngest person to be named a judge in Easley, S.C.

The 2016 Rio Olympics is another example of tons of Black Excellence. Simone Manuel at 20 was the first black
woman swimmer to win an individual gold medal at an Olympic Games involving swimming ever. Simone Biles won
gold in the women’s gymnastics team all around completion including 3 more medals (which shows her legacy as a
great athlete). Gabby Douglas won a gold medal in the Rio Olympics too. Ibtihaj Muhammad was the first woman
to compete for an U.S. Olympic team while wearing a hijab (she is a Muslim) and she helped the women’s fencing
team to win bronze in the team saber competition. Jenny Arthur is a black woman who was involved in
weightlifting during the Rio Olympics. She set an American record in lifting 252 kg or 535 pounds. Daryl Homer was
the first American to win silver in the saber completion since 1904 and the first American medalist in the saber
competition since Peter Westbrook (who is also a black man) won bronze in 1984.

I love my Black People Forever.

Michelle Carter also made history, but in her case, it was by becoming the first American woman — and the black
American woman — to ever win gold in the women's shot put competition. She now constitutes one-half of Team
USA's first ever father-daughter Olympic medalist pair: Her father, Michael Carter, won silver in men's shot put in
1984. Sister Ashleigh Johnson was the first black athlete ever to make the U.S. Olympic women’s water polo team.
She won gold as a team in Rio. This was the second consecutive Olympic victory for the team. Sister Claressa
Shields won the gold medal for middleweight women boxing. She is from Flint, Michigan. Afro-Brazilian woman
athlete Rafaela Silva won gold in judo. Nzingha Prescod is a great black woman fencer. Usain Bolt won many
medals in the 2016 Rio Games. He is the greatest sprinter in human history. Brianna Rollins won gold, Nia Ali won
silver, and Kristi Castlin won bronze in the 100m hurdles race. They praised God for their victory. Allyson Felix,
English Gardner, Tianna Bartoletta, and Torie Bowie won the 4X100 relay race. Allyson Felix won many individual
medals too including Torie Bowie and others. The women 4X4 00 relay was won by Courtney Okolo, Natasha
Hastings, Phyllis Francis, and Allyson Felix. Arman Hall, Tony McQuay, Gil Roberts, and Shawn Merritt (from
Portsmouth, VA) won the 4X400 m relay. The African American players in the men and women’s USA national
basketball teams have shown excellence too.

On 2016, Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green is one of fewer than 100 black female physicists in the country, and the recent
winner of $1.1 million grant to further develop a technology she’s pioneered that uses laser-activated
nanoparticles to treat cancer. Director Ava DuVernay released the documentary 13th which exposes the cruelty of
the prison industrial complex or mass incarceration. 13th is in reference to the 13th Amendment, which says that
all people are free except under imprisonment. It talks about race, the War on Drugs, and the suppression of
rights of citizens (even after they paid their debts to society). The film explores the role of ALEC, backed by
corporations, that has provided Republican state and federal legislators with draft legislation to support the prison-
industrial complex. Only after some of the relationships were revealed did corporations like Wal-Mart and others
receive criticism and drop out of the organization. It criticized Republicans and Democrats for its role in the
acceleration of the reactionary prison industrial complex policies. The documentary won many awards. Also, Ava
Duvernay created Queen Sugar in September of 2016, which dealt with employment, social activism, family, sex,
and black life (involving siblings) in the South.

On December 2016, Hidden Figures was released. It was an autobiographical film that gives respect to the
contributions of African American women mathematicians who worked at NASA. They were key in making sure
that space missions were run successfully with their advanced knowledge of mathematics. The film stars Taraji P.
Henson as Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who calculated flight trajectories for Project Mercury and other
missions. The film also features Octavia Spencer as NASA supervisor Vaughan and Janelle Monáe as NASA engineer
Mary Jackson, with Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Glen Powell and Mahershala Ali in supporting
roles. In 2017, many black people were involved in the historic Women’s March like Tamika Mallory. On April 27,
2017, the Jackie Robinson Foundation Breaks Ground on the Jackie Robinson Museum in NY. The 18,500-square
foot space will honor the late sports legend Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball
and played an active, pioneering role in the modern civil rights movement. “Jack lived his life with such great
purpose,” said Rachel Robinson, JRF Founder and wife of Jackie Robinson. “I hope that visitors to the Museum
will not only learn about his journey and experience his energy, but that they will be inspired to view each day as
a chance to make a difference.” The Jackie Robinson Museum, when it is completed, will be found in Downtown
Manhattan, just blocks north of the 9/11 Memorial.
 More Unsung Examples of Black Excellence

Kevin Durant gave $10 million
to the College Track program.
This money is being used to
help many children from the
Prince George County public
school system. It will
especially give disadvantaged
students college
opportunities. We live in a
new generation where more
athletes and other adults are
giving back to their
communities in excellent
ways.
These women are known as Sister Allyson Felix is a true role
the Great Eight. They are the model and one of the greatest
Ph.Ds from Indiana track and field athletes in history.
University on May of 2016. Now, she continues to give back
Their names are Demetrees to the Crenshaw YMCA (in Los
Hutchins, Jada A. Phelps- Angeles) where she played
Moultrie, Jasmine M. basketball as a young person
Haywood, Johari S. Shuck, many years ago. She helped young
Juhanna N. Rogers, Nadrea R. children created balloon
Njoku, Shannon McCullough, propelled vehicles as a science
and Tiffany S. Kyser. They are experiment (in relation to
heroic and very hardworking advance STEM fields to the
people. We, as a people, are youth). The Y back then and
hugely known, for educational today promotes after school
greatness. Congratulations to programs and important help to
all of them. families. The Y has STEM related
programs for kids, college
readiness services, diabetes
assistance strategies, and
mentorships for the kids.

On August of 2017, Briana Scurry became the 1st African-American Woman elected to National Soccer Hall of
Fame. In August of 2017, when musician Darryl Chamberlain noticed that school music programs in his native
Kansas City had been decimated by budget cuts, he decided to do something about it. Teaching lessons and buying
instruments secondhand, he launched the A-Flat Orchestra, made up of children ages 10 to 17. Tianna Bartoletta
won her bronze medal in the long jump during the final days of the 2017 IAAF world championships (in London).
The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, is commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the first
Black residential students on campus by creating a mural that will be permanently displayed at the university’s
Swen Library. In the fall of 1967, Lynn Briley, Karen Ely, and Janet Brown became the first African American
students to live in residential housing. All three black women graduated four years later in 1971. In August 2017,
the mural was released. The women used their faces in order for the bronze casts to exist. We will see more
contributions in the future too. Black people have always had the entrepreneur spirit spanning centuries and
thousands of years. Black Excellence continues to be a reality during this year of 2017 and it will flourish during
future generations. Congratulations to Sister Rosalind Brewer (for being Starbuck's first black woman COO) on
September of 2017. So, this accomplishment of Rosalind Brewer represents the continued existence of Black
Excellence.
One of the most inspiring stories of our generation is of the story of Sister Ida Keeling. She is a runner and she is
102 years old. She lives in Harlem, NYC. She holds Masters records in 60 meter and 100 meter distances for women
in the 95-99 and 100-plus age groups. Keeling's story was featured in a segment in the Carl Reiner-hosted
documentary If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast, on aging over 90, which premiered on HBO in June 2017. She
started to run at the age of 67. She also gives secrets on how she lived so long on this Earth too. These secrets are
the following:

-Escape drama
-Ally with positive people
-Promote positivity.
-Sticking it out on accomplishing your goals.

So, she is a great role model and an inspirational human being. The Election of 2017 is very history for black
Americans and other Americans of many backgrounds. Sister Shelia Oliver became the new Lt. Governor of New
Jersey. She is the first black woman to be the lieutenant Governor of New Jersey. Vi Lyles is the first African
American woman mayor of Charlotte on 2017. Sudanese-American Mazahir Salih became the first Muslim and first
immigrant to win a seat on the city council in Iowa City, Iowa. Andrea Jenkins is now the first openly trans black
human being elected to the city council of a major U.S. city (in Minneapolis). Virginia's Lt. Gov-elect Justin Fairfax
becomes just the second African American elected statewide since Civil War. Since I'm from Virginia, another
important note of history is that Elizabeth Guzman and Hala Ayala both defeated Republican incumbents tonight to
become the first-ever Latinas elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. Kathy Tran came to the U.S. as a refugee
from Vietnam when she was an infant. In 2017, she became the first Asian American woman elected to the Virginia
House of Delegates. Sister Yvonne Spicer is 1st mayor of the new city of Framingham, Massachusetts. More
African Americans won for the first time in the various locations like: Jonathan McCollar in Statesboro, Georgia,
Brendan Barber in Georgetown, South Carolina, Mary Parham Copelan in Milledgeville, Georgia, Wilmot Collins in
Helena, Montana, Booker Gainor in Cairo, Georgia, and Melvin Carter in St. Paul, Minnesota.
One recent great news is that Tonya Boyd became FDNY’s 1st Black woman Deputy Chief. She has made history
and it's glorious news. She has worked in emergency services for decades in order for her to save lives literally. “I’m
so excited and I am so blessed,” the EMS officer told the Daily News. “After hearing about the promotion, I couldn’t
believe it. I feel like I’ve knocked down a door and opened it for a lot of EMTs just starting on this job,” said Boyd.
“African-American women will see someone who looks like them as a deputy chief and they will know more is
possible — their careers won’t top out at paramedic or even lieutenant,” said the captain of Station 39 in Brooklyn.
She has worked hard throughout her entire life and this news will inspire more human beings to follow their
dreams and aspirations. Congratulations to Sister Tonya Boyd. On February of 2018, the historic Black Panther film
has been released worldwide. It is a historic film where black actors and black actresses have been part of the
project. Many people are supporting the film with a great black director Ryan Coogler too. We live in a unique time
in world history. These characters in this science fiction movie not only promote Afrofuturism. We believe in the
clear message to the world that Africa is Beautiful and Black is Beautiful too. I wish all of the best for those involved
in the film and the magnificence our culture will remain powerful forever.

Sessions' Extremism
Jeff Sessions is the 84th Attorney General of America. He is a Trump supporter since the beginning of his campaign.
He is from Alabama. By during the 1980’s, he failed to be nominated to a federal district court. The reason was that
he was opposed by progressives and civil rights activists like from the NAACP, the Leadership Conference on Civil
Rights, and People for the American Way. Back then, Sessions slandered the NAACP and the ACLU as un-American
and Communist inspired (and Sessions has mentioned that the NAACP forced civil rights down the throats of
people, which is ludicrous and racist). Thomas Figures, a black Assistant U.S. Attorney, testified that Sessions said
he thought the Ku Klux Klan was "OK until I found out they smoked pot.” Back then, Coretta Scott King, who was
the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., wrote to the Senate Judiciary Committee to oppose the nomination of
Sessions. By 1986, he was not nominated. He became an Alabama Attorney General and an U.S. Senator. He was
very conservative as a Senator. We know that he met and discussed information with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
Before, he was the U.S. Attorney General, many people opposed him. NAACP President Cornell William Brooks was
arrested at a January 2017 sit in after he protested the nomination. As Attorney General, Session has shown
blatant extremism. He wants to review consent decrees (that expose police terrorism in communities nationwide).

He has ordered federal prosecutors to seek the greatest criminal charges possible. Sessions endorses the War on
Drugs. He opposes fights to end voting rights restrictions. He wants mandatory sentencing to exist. On July 19,
2017, Sessions signed an order reviving federally adopted civil asset forfeiture, which allows local law enforcement
to bypass state limitations on seizing the property of those suspected but not charged of crimes. He opposes
compassion shown to undocumented immigrants. He omits the epidemic of police terrorism. He supports the
Trump travel ban. He wants to prosecute people who provide even medical marijuana. This is not unusual since he
is one of the most reactionary politicians in America. He even opposed legislation (when he was a Senator in the
U.S. Congress) banning the U.S. military from engaging in torture. The amendment passed. He is opposed to many
environmental regulations. Sessions endorsed the Supreme Court decision to gut parts of the 1965 Voting Rights
Act and he supports voter suppression Voter ID laws. Therefore, Jeff Sessions represents the extremism found also
in the Trump regime.

The slander of the FBI of black activists of being labeled "Black Identity Extremism" is an old tactic of the FBI to
monitor and demonize any black person who is opposed to racial injustice, police brutality, and any form of
discrimination in general. This slander omits white supremacist extremism and the increase of hate crimes in
America since Trump was selected as President. Right wing extremism has been in epidemic levels in America. Over
400 groups of white supremacist groups exist in America alone. The FBI tactic of monitoring black activism is truly
disgraceful.

Jeff Sessions is a total enemy of black people.

Black Lives Matter.

Cornrows can exist in simple patterns or complicated geometric or curvilinear designs. Many years ago, one
Black people have worn cornrows in Africa for centuries and thousands of years. During woman educated me on
the ancient times, cornrows related to status, ethnic group, and other characteristics. hair types in an alphabet
number system. It is
Sister Tamar based on the diameter of
Braxton with the hair wave, curl, or

Our Hair her gorgeous

shaved head
shows that
coil. Type 1 is straight
hair, Type 2 is wavy hair,
Type 3 is curly hair, and
Hairstyles are an important part of our culture definitely. We we can show Type 4 is kinky hair in
have shown our hair without apology for centuries and our hair in tight coil (or tightly curled
thousands of years. From cornrows, weaves, being bald, fades, diverse ways. hair). Type 4A means a
and Afros, African Americans have shown hair in a myriad of hair that is filled with
tight coils.
different manifestations. Despite what anyone says, black
people have the right to wear their hair natural or with weaves
Sister India
period. When we appreciate our hair, we appreciate our own
Arie is a
beings in a purely sacred fashion. We love our hair and we love
gorgeous
that we can express our hair in any way that we see fit. That’s
black woman
real talk.
whose hair is
majestic.

Black women in salons for a long time have

The black barbershop is not just a place where hair is cut. It
is a place where Brothers and many Sisters can speak their
minds openly on any subject and have that camaraderie
plus fun as part of one community. It is a place to reflect,
relax, and to show humor too.
increased friendships, shown great creativity, and
built up a powerful sense of Sisterhood globally.
Care, hours being used, and love for hair care
exemplify the atmosphere in hair salons.

Black Hair is diverse and it will

BE YOU SINCE BEING YOU IS WORTH IT. be expressed forevermore.
 Sister Augusta Savage was a great sculptor,
teacher, and civil rights activist. She wanted
more African Americans to participate in
art. She lived during the Harlem
Renaissance. She was born in Florida and
her sculptors included images of black
people and other human beings.

Our Art
One of the greatest legacies of black African American relate to art. Art is This photograph is called
wide ranging. It involves the paintings of Jacob Lawrence, the sculptures American Gothic and it was
from Augusta Savage, the photographs from Lorna Simpson, and the made by the legendary
spoken word performances done by so many Brothers and Sisters (like photographer Gordon Parks.
Saul Williams, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Jessica Care Moore,
He was a writer, film
Abiodun Oyewole, Crystal Valentine, Aaliyah Jihad, Dominique Christina,
Sonya Renee Taylor, Aja Monet, Jennifer Falu, etc.). Art is tied with dance director, and musician. He
and dance performances exemplify art to the fullest too. Art is meant to documented the experiences
inform, to inspire, to question, and to advance our curiosity involving the of working class African
matters of life. Art can be abstract too. Americans thoroughly.

Jean-Michel Basquiat
One of the greatest artists
was a legendary artist
who dealt with abstract, and photographers in our
graffiti art, etc. He generation is Dr. Deborah
made neo-expressionist Willis. She has worked in
paintings all over New studying photographic
York City. His work history. She is the Professor
Brother Jacob dealt with the
dichotomies of wealth and Chair of the Department
Lawrence was a
Sister Nina versus poverty, of Photography and
great artist.
integration vs. Imagining at Tisch School of
Chanel Abney
segregation, and inner the Arts of New York
is a young vs. outer experience. University. She has written
artist who is His genius was ahead
many books and celebrates
extremely of its time.
African American art culture
talented. to this very day. She has co-
produced the 2014
documentary film, “Through
a Lens Darkly: Black
Photographers and the
Emergence of a People.” It
is based on her book
BLACK ARTISTS ALWAYS MATTER “Reflections in Black” that
deals with the diversity of
African American
photography.
Charlottesville, Virginia (A Turning Point in America)
The tragic events of Charlottesville once again represented a new era of America. It showed the world that the alt
right movement is not only racist, but filled with criminals. It outlined how debased white supremacists are and it
caused even some of Trump’s most virulent supporters to not support him anymore. The events even caused many
lawmakers in a higher level to call for Trump’s impeachment. Black Americans have told the world about the
viciousness of white racism for years, decades, and centuries, but many didn’t listen to us. Now, more people are
listening and rejecting the hate speech from the previous “Unite the Right” rally. This isn’t about left vs. right. It is
about right vs. wrong. Trump’s responses to the tragedy found in Charlottesville has been disgraceful, which is why
he responded multiple times. If he was so comfortable in his original words (which didn’t go far enough), then he
wouldn’t have responded again and again. Yet, he responded more times since he knows that he is wrong. Trump is
a total disgrace and he isn’t my President.

First, it is time to show the background of these horrendous events. The Unite the Right rally dealt with a gathering
of white supremacists, white nationalists, neo-Confederates, neo-Nazis, some militias, etc. who wanted to
intimidate the innocent people of Charlottesville, Virginia. Also, they wanted to oppose the planned removal of the
statue of the slave owner Robert E. Lee from Emancipation Park (it was once called Lee Park months earlier). After
the coward murdered nine people during the 2015 Charleston Church shooting, courageous people fought to get
rid of Confederate monuments from public spaces and renamed streets named after Confederate traitors. Many of
their efforts were successful. Also, many people, who wanted the statues up, were conservatives and neo-
Confederates. The United the Right rally was created by Jason Kessler. In 2016, he hated Wes Bellamy (the vice
mayor of Charlottesville) since he wanted to remove the statue in Emancipation Park. Another organizer of the
hate rally was Nathan Damigo (who promotes white nationalism). As early as May 13, 2017, the white nationalist
Richard Spencer protested the planned removal of the statue of Lee. Many of the white nationalists used torches
near the statues. A candlelight counter protest took place. On July 8, 2017, the Klan had a rally in Charlottesville.
50 Klan people were there and 1,000 counter protesters existed. The Klan cowards left in about 45 minutes. Many
counter protestors met in the First United Methodist Church used by over 600 people as a safe space.

The August hate rally included neo-Nazis and far right people from Neo-Nazis, David Duke, Matthew Heimback,
Christopher Cantwell, and other evil people. The counter protesters were diverse. They were unified in opposing
white supremacy and bigotry in general. They included religious people, Black Lives Matter, Antifa, the Industrial
Workers of the World, The Workers World Party, Anti-Racist Action, the National Council of Churches, etc. Jason
Kessler had a permit for the march, but they were taken from them when the march turned very violent. Prior to
the rally, counter protesters obtained permit(s) to gather at McGuffey Park and Justice Park, both less than a
quarter-mile distant from the Emancipation Park rally. Charlottesville City Council spokeswoman Miriam I. Dickler
later stated that counter protesters did not need permits to protest the rally at Emancipation Park.

August 11, 2014 was the time when a group of white nationalists in about 100 marched throughout the University
of Virginia’s campus. They chanted racist, white supremacist, and anti-Semitic slogans. Some of the hate speech
that the crowd used included phrases like "you will not replace us" and "Jews will not replace us." These people
were mostly middle class and rich not poor as Andrew Young has said on Meet the Press. They held onto tiki
torches. Many of them chanted the Nazi slogan “Blood and Soil.” The white racists marched from Nameless Field to
the Lawn. Counter protesters were at the Rotunda. The racists and the counter protesters met and a brawl
happened. People were hit with pepper spray. The white nationalist racists were swinging and throwing their lit tiki
torches. Virginia State Police came to break up the brawl.

Meanwhile, clergy led a pre-planned ecumenical Christian and interfaith prayer service at St. Paul's Memorial
Church on University Avenue in opposition to the Unite the Right rally. Rev. Traci Blackmon was in the church too
and she opposed the alt right movement. The Cavalier Daily reported, "While waiting for rides at Nameless Field
after the march, several of the 'alt-right' protesters hurled anti-Semitic, homophobic and misogynistic slurs at
several reporters and community members asking them questions. One man asking questions was thrown to the
ground and surrounded by marchers after a brief physical altercation." Mayor Michael Signer condemned the
gathering, writing the following: "When I think of candlelight, I want to think of prayer vigils. Today, in 2017, we are
instead seeing a cowardly parade of hatred, bigotry, racism, and intolerance march."

August 12, 2017 was the date of more conflict in another level. Protesters and counter protesters gathered at
Emancipation Park in the start of another rally. White nationalist protesters again chanted white supremacist and
Nazi slogans. Many of the racists waved Confederate flags. They held anti-Semitic posters which disrespected
Jewish people. They also shouted racist slurs and called Charlottesville mayor Michael Signer anti-Semitic slurs.
They waved Nazi flags and signs. Many of the racist signs read, “Jews are Satan’s children.” That is wrong as anti-
Semitism is literally satanic and degenerate plus evil. Dozens of the alt right protesters wore Donald Trump’s red
“Make America Great Again” campaign hats. The counter protesters started with an interfaith, interracial group of
clergy who linked arms, prayed, and sang songs of peace. They sang songs like “This Little Light of Mine.” Harvard
professor Cornel West, who organized some of the counter-demonstrators, said that a group "20 of us who were
standing, many of them clergy, we would have been crushed like cockroaches if it were not for the anarchists and
the anti-fascists who approached, over 300, 350 anti-fascists."
 COURAGE SHOWN AGAINST HATE
The protesters, who are against the neo-Nazis and the bigots in
Charlottesville, Virginia, have shown courage, power, and determination.
They have shown the face of progressive Americans who resist injustice and
desire human liberation.
Cornell West stated, "The
neofascists had their own
ammunition. And this is
very important to keep in
mind, because the police,
for the most part, pulled
back.” On that day, the
white supremacist
assaulted clergymen and
clergywomen. Rev. Traci
Blackmon had to be sent
away, so she wouldn't be
assaulted by the racists.
Virginia is an open carry
state; so many
demonstrators (who were
white supremacists) had
semi-automatic weapons
with them. The police did
a disgraceful job in
protecting people. Many
protesters and counter
protesters had shields,
sticks, and clubs plus
body armor and helmets.
DeAndre Harris was a
black Charlottesville
young man who was
brutally beaten by white
supremacists in a parking
garage. The assault was
captured by photographs
and video footage. The
attack is being
investigated by the
Charlottesville police
with help from the
Virginia State Police and
FBI. By close to noon,
protesters and counter
protesters faced off.
There was punching,
kicking, bottles thrown,
and chemical spraying
justice causes. 19 other
people were injured. One
injured person was Bill
Burke from the ISO. He
is from Athens, Ohio.
occurring. Following the Virginia State Police This was a deliberate
rally, four warrants for declared the gathering an terrorist attack done by a
the arrest of white unlawful assembly via criminal. The murderer is
supremacist Christopher megaphones, and riot named James Alex Fields
Cantwell were issued police cleared the scene. Jr. He is a 20 year old
after Cantwell was Following this, "a hard white supremacist from
charged by Virginia core of about 100 far- Ohio who expressed
prosecutors with felonies right protesters" moved sympathy for Nazi
related to "illegal use of to McIntire Park about 2 Germany when he was a
gases, and injury by miles (3 km) away, where student at Cooper High
caustic agent or they gathered to hear School in Union,
explosive." Separately, speakers who had been Kentucky. He was
The Hill charged with second
journalist degree murder, three
Taylor counts of malicious
Lorenz wounding and failure to
said that stop following an
she was accident resulting in
punched death, and held without
by counter bail. On August 18,
protestors 2017, Fields was
during the charged with three
violence; a Dr. Cornel West helped lead a group of counts of aggravated
man was clergy and local activists on a march on malicious wounding and
arrested downtown Charlottesville. Later, they two additional counts of
the same knelled in prayer on the south edge of malicious wounding.
day and Emancipation Park. Fields was at the rally
charged holding a shield with
with assault and battery. scheduled for the "Unite the logo of the white
An estimated 500 the Right" event.
supremacist organization
protesters and more than Vanguard America (who
a thousand counter At 1:45 pm, a man drove denied that Fields was a
protesters were on the his car toward a crowd of member). Many people
site. At least 14 people counter protesters. It hit immediately called this
were injured in street several people and
attack an act of domestic
brawls. Virginia stopped by a sedan. It
terrorism. That was an
Governor, Terry later hit a stopped act of domestic terrorism
McAuliffe declared a minivan that was in front period. Heyer's mother
state of emergency in of it. One person was said she wanted Heather's
Virginia. murdered who was a 32
year old paralegal from name to become "a
rallying cry for justice and
At about 11:40 a.m., Charlottesville named
equality and fairness and
shortly before the rally Heather D. Heyer. Heyer
compassion."
was scheduled to begin, was involved in social
Heyer's memorial service was held at Charlottesville's Paramount Theater on August 16. A helicopter crash
happened in the area which killed two Virginia state troopers named Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen (of Midlothian,
Virginia who was 48) and Trooper Pilot Berke M. M. Bates (who was 40 of Quinton, Virginia). Many people criticized
the police handling of the rally in the beginning. Some cited the lack of any physical barriers between the
protesters and counter protesters. When people were attacked, the police at first allowed it to go on. A. C.
Thompson wrote that in "one of countless such confrontations," police watched passively as "an angry mob of
white supremacists formed a battle line across from a group of counter protesters, many of them older and gray-
haired, who had gathered near a church parking lot. On command from their leader, the young men charged and
pummeled their ideological foes with abandon. One woman was hurled to the pavement, and the blood from her
bruised head was instantly visible." Many people made the mistake of defending the police actions in in its initial
actions. The Unite the Right participants failed to follow the previously agreed upon plan for entering Emancipation
Park. Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas wrote that, “They also chose to leave the park on a number of
occasions, entering the area designated for counter protesters, walking along the street and confronting counter-
protestors."

The pictures show rallies and candlelight vigils (from left to right) in Washington, D.C., Charolettesville,
Virginia, and Berlin. They expressed opposition to intolerance, racism, and any form of bigotry.

On August 13, 2017, good people nationwide and worldwide used vigils to support racial tolerance and oppose
white supremacy. They wanted Confederate monuments to end. There were vigils in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
Washington, D.C., and Berlin. In Brooklyn, NYC, demonstrators at the "Peace and Sanity" rally heard addresses by
Public Advocate Letitia James and City Comptroller Scott Stringer. In Los Angeles, hundreds gathered on the steps
of City Hall to condemn white-nationalist violence and honor those who are fighting for justice. In NYC, protesters
opposed Trump and said shame. Pro-Trump people waved American flags yelled the racist words of “Make America
White Again" at protesters. One man gave a Nazi salute to the passing presidential motorcade. White supremacists
David Duke and Robert Spencer praised Trump. Protests existed in Virginia on Tuesday on August 15. The white
supremacist site The Daily Stormer had its editor Andrew Anglin made derogatory comments about the victim of
the car ramming. So, Google canceled the site’s registration for violations of its terms of service. GoDadday wanted
The Daily Stormer to move its website’s domain into another provider. PayPal suspended accounts of the right-
wing extremist groups run by several of the rally organizers for violating the website's terms of service, which
forbid raising money for "activities that promote hate, violence or racial intolerance.” Anonymous shut down many
websites associated with racist Klan and Neo-Nazi groups. Many people rightfully identified white nationalist and
white supremacist people on Twitter, so the public can know about their identities.

Many people from Terry McAuffle and others condemned the white supremacists. Charlottesville Mayor Michael
Signer said that the person Donald Trump inflamed racial tensions by his racist rhetoric during his 2016 campaign.
University of Virginia for Politics director Larry J. Sabato (who lives on the university grounds) said that the white
supremacist march was part of pure evil. German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the violence and the racist
far right violence. German Justice Minister Heiko Maas condemned the violence, antisemitism, and racism of the
Neo-Nazis in the rally.

Donald Trump is a disgrace. His first statement was on August 12,

2017. He said that the following, “…we condemn in the strongest
possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and
violence on many sides, on many sides… What is vital now is a
swift restoration of law and order…” That statement didn’t
condemn white supremacy and white nationalism by name. It used
a moral equivalency between Neo-Nazis and racists and counter
protesters who oppose bigotry and racism. He was rounded
criticized by Democrats, Republicans, and other Americans. The
Congressional Black Caucus condemned Trump for using dog
whistle politics. White supremacy is to be blamed for the violence
since the Unite the Right rally wanted to intimidate people and Black Lives Matter
promote the mythology of neo-Confederate lies. Later, Republican
U.S. Representative Justin Amash and Senators Cory Gardner, Jeff
Flake, Orrin Hatch, and Marco Rubio all called upon Trump to specifically condemn white supremacists and neo-
Nazis; in a tweet that was retweeted by Flake, Gardner said: "Mr. President – we must call evil by its name. These
were white supremacists and this was domestic terrorism." Senator Orrin Hatch said that his brother was killed in
action during World War II, and he tweeted that his brother dying fighting Hitler should be motivation to condemn
Nazi ideas in home. When reporters told him to condemn white nationalism by name during his first statement,
Trump walked out of the room. Nancy Pelosi, Larry Sabato, David A. French, and others called for Bannon to be
fired. Bannon was fired on August 18.

On August 14, 2017, Trump responded again. This was his second statement and he was reluctant to do it. He said
the following words: “…To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend's racist violence, you will be held fully
accountable. Justice will be delivered. [...] Racism is evil. And those who cause violence in its name are criminals
and thugs, including the K.K.K., neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to
everything we hold dear as Americans.” Many people condemned his statement as hollow. Senator Tim Scott said
that the second one came too late. His third statement was worst. He said these words on August 15, 2017. He said
that blame is on both sides and many people marching to preserve the monument of Lee were fine people. He
supported the existence of Confederate monuments on public lands. This is his motivation all along. Eliminating
racist monuments is not about erasing history, but condemning racism and bigotry. Trump lied and said that
counter demonstrators lacked permits. A municipal spokeswoman noted that the counter-protestors did have a
permit for two other nearby parks and "counter protesters did not need permits to protest that rally" in
Emancipation Park.

More than 60 Democratic and Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States
Senate condemned Trump's remarks. Among those were Senators Bernie Sanders, John McCain, Tim Scott, Susan
Collins, Chuck Schumer, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Flake, Orrin Hatch, Heidi Heitkamp, Claire McCaskill,
Dean Heller and Tammy Duckworth, and House members Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, Don Beyer, Barbara Comstock,
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Will Hurd and Gerry Connolly, as well as Ohio Governor John Kasich and former Massachusetts
Governor Mitt Romney. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, "The president's continued talk of blame 'on
many sides' ignores the abhorrent evil of white supremacism..." Speaker of the House Paul Ryan stated, "We must
be clear. White supremacy is repulsive. This bigotry is counter to all this country stands for. There can be no moral
ambiguity."

Former Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush stated that, "America must always reject racial bigotry,
anti-Semitism, and hatred in all forms. As we pray for Charlottesville, we are reminded of the fundamental truths
recorded by that city's most prominent citizen in the Declaration of Independence: we are all created equal and
endowed by our Creator with unalienable rights. We know these truths to be everlasting because we have seen the
decency and greatness of our country." On August 16, Representatives Jerrold Nadler of New York, Pramila Jayapal
of Washington State and Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey unveiled a resolution that the three House
Democrats co-authored, which would censure Trump for his "inadequate response to the violence", his "failure to
immediately and specifically name and condemn the white supremacist groups responsible for actions of domestic
terrorism," and for employing chief strategist Steve Bannon and national security aide Sebastian Gorka despite
their “ties to white supremacist movements.” Barack Obama tweet a quote from Nelson Mandela about how
people are not born to hate, but taught (in advancing racial equality and human tolerance). 21st century Fox CEO
James Murdoch criticized Trump’s remarks too.

Some people have called for Trump's impeachment. Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee said that he will
introduce articles of impeachment against President Trump in a press conference. Mike Pence defended Trump.
Heather Heyer’s mother refuses to meet with Trump. Trump’s fourth statement was on the reactionary Phoenix,
Arizona rally on August 22, 2017. He then accused people of "trying to take away our culture" in reference to the
removal of the Confederate statues. This means that Trump is defending racist Confederate statues and defending
the history of slavery and the Confederacy overtly. Many people by this time have resigned from Presidential
advisory council like Kenneth Frazier (the CEO of Merck) and others for Trump’s evil statements. Yet, Trump has a
long history of making racist and sexist remarks for years. They should have never ally with the Trump regime in
the first place. A Washington Post/ABC News national poll of American adults taken in the aftermath of the rally
showed that 56% disapproved of Trump's response to the violence in Charlottesville, while only 28% approved. The
same survey showed that 83% of Americans said that holding neo-Nazi views is unacceptable, while 9% said such
views were acceptable. At least 9 percent of Americans are traitorous Nazis or Nazi supporters. Many religious
groups condemned the evil at Charlottesville. The false equivalency lie isn’t new. Princeton University historian
Kevin M. Kruse said that segregationist politicians often equated white supremacists with the civil rights
movement, condemning both the KKK and the NAACP. Also, the Confederacy’s goal was to destroy America,
promote slavery, and advance racism as documented in Confederate documents.

Confederate statues have been removed in Baltimore. Mayor Catherine Pugh did the right thing in Baltimore. In
Durham, North Carolina, a statue of a Confederate was taken down. Four activists were arrested. 3 Confederate
statues were moved from the University of Texas in Austin. One statue in Montreal was removed. The statue was
of Jefferson Davis. Statues are planned to be relocated in Lexington, Kentucky, Memphis, and Jacksonville, Florida.

The Boston Free Speech rally was held on August 19, 2017 in Boston common. It was made up of the alt right
movement. Only 50 people attended the rally. One positive sign was that about 40,000 counter protesters existed
to promote tolerance and human equality. The police was out in force and 33 people were arrested. The counter
protesters were inspired to fight racism and to stand up for love. They marched throughout Boston.

The events of Charlottesville represent a call to action to defeat fascism. The far right extremists will never win.
Many people, in favor of progressive freedom not hate, have been galvanized. When counterdemonstrators heard
that the fascists wanted to harass the low income residents of Charlottesville, the counterdemonstrators came to
defend the community. The far right crowd has always wanted to terrorize, intimidate, and destroy progressive
change. We see their lies. We know that Confederates have said that that the Confederacy was based on slavery
and racial oppression. Alexander Stephens, the vice president of the Confederacy, who declared in his famous
"Corner Stone" speech: “Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea [from the "equality of
races"]; its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white
man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new
government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth.”
We believe in racial equality.

The Democratic mayor of Charlottesville Mike Signer (who is Jewish) was slandered by white racists in Twitter via
anti-Semitic attacks. We know that America was founded on the backs of black slaves and Native Americans. We
know that black people (and others) have said that Trump is an extremist, a racist, and a sexist. Now, more people
know this truth.
Monuments that glorify traitors and Confederates represent a bad heritage not a righteous one. Those monuments
should come down period. The Klan is a terrorist organization that has murdered, raped, harmed, and slandered
black people (and other human beings). Trump has appealed to the racists and even pardoned former Arizona
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, convicted of contempt of court for refusing to obey an order to stop illegally arresting Hispanic
people on suspicion of being undocumented immigrants. To defeat racism and injustice is to never ignore it. It is to
confront it and defeat it with public policies, activism, building institutions of community development, etc. Black
people want justice. We desire freedom and our rights. We want liberation.

The 2017 Alabama Senate race

I only have one response: I had faith. It is ordained that the South can redeem this nation. First, it was Virginia.
Then, it is Alabama. This election involving the Alabama Senate seat proved that tons of people in Alabama have
took a step forward for decency, for humanity, and against bigotry. My Birthday came about on December 12, 2017
and this is one event that I will cherish as a gift. The people of Alabama have rejected Roy Moore (who believes
that pre-Civil War America was great, which is ludicrous and wrong). Voters (of every color and of every
background) have come together in unison to not only vote, but to come about together to make history. Doug
Jones even admitted that the work is not over. He wants to make common ground and he wants to rejoice. Doug
Jones has certainly expressed a powerful speech which outlines the truth clearly that the people of Alabama have
moved a little closer among the moral arc of the Universe into justice. ALSO, AFRICAN AMERICANS WERE KEY TO
GIVING THIS VICTORY FOR DOUG JONES IN A MASSIVE TURNOUT AS WE (WHO ARE BLACK PEOPLE) HAVE GREAT
POWER. OVER 90 PERCENT OF BLACK PEOPLE VOTED FOR DOUG JONES. Black media matters too. Grassroots
political campaigning was key to the victory. This victory for change happened on my Birthday, so I will remember
this forever. My state of Virginia has done the right thing and Alabama has made history too.

The people of Alabama rejected the agendas of Trump (recently Trump expressed a disgusting, sexist Tweet about
Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand), Bannon, and Moore at the same time. This was Alabama's moment and from
Jim Crow to near 2020, Alabama has grown into a better state with this victory. When people gave up on Doug
Jones, Jones continued forth in his campaign with passion and zeal. I had faith, because I knew that the people of
Alabama would do the right thing. You can be respectful of human dignity and still be from Alabama. This is a
victory for us since real Americans love diversity and human rights. This era is a change. It signifies that the South
has something to say and the South has many progressive voices, which will change the world greatly.

Moore is so extreme that he believes that the Constitution should stop after the 10th Amendment. That means
that there would be no voting rights for women, no end to slavery, no Civil Rights Act, no 15th Amendment, no
Voting Rights Act, and no other laws legally. Therefore, Moore is an extremist. Today is the time of an important
issue. Today, the election of a Senate seat among Alabama candidates is over. Doug Jones has won. The stakes are
high. Also, it is important to reiterate about Moore's bad character. Many women have heroically came out and
said that Moore abused him and that he's a pedophile. These women have suffered slander, disrespect, and lies
from extremists. So, the victims deserve respect. Roy Moore is so extreme that many Republicans have publicly
repudiated him and refused to vote for him. Moore was a prosecutor and former judge on the Alabama Supreme
Court. His supporters include white nationalist and right wing extremist Steve Bannon and extremist Donald Trump
(who has been caught disrespecting women for years. People want him to resign, because women have come
forward to give their stories about Trump's sexual misconduct against them). Roy Moore is a stone cold bigot.

Moore called Asian people and Native Americans slurs. He said that Islam is responsible for 9/11, which is a lie. He
wants military troops on the U.S./Mexico border, which is ludicrous. He claims that 1965 was when new rights
were created, which is a lie. The 1965 Voting Rights Act wasn't about forming new rights. It was about rights that
are inalienable being enforced on the federal level. The right to vote is a human right. Moore certainly doesn't
want expansion of health care rights, civil liberties, economic justice, social justice, and environmental justice.
Therefore, we know the truth and the people of Alabama did the right thing to reject Moore's bigotry, intolerance,
and extremism. Also, it is antithetical to spiritual principles to deprive human rights, to abuse women, to be
xenophobic (as the Good Samaritan story pretty much promotes compassion to the immigrant or the refugee), and
to embrace bigotry. We, who are from Virginia, did the right thing to reject Gillespie. Now, Alabama has done the
right thing. There are some people who are in the wrong side of history from pro-segregationists to others. The
good people of Alabama are what we support. People have voted and rejected Roy Moore. We reject Moore's
views 100%.

Some (out of many) African Americans Making Political History (from the 2017
Elections)

Yvonne Spicer is the first Melvin Carter is the first Vi Lyles became the first Sheila Oliver is the first
African American mayor of African American mayor of black woman mayor of African American woman
Framingham, St. Paul, Minnesota. She Charlotte, North Carolina lieutenant governor of the
Massachusetts. She was a was a former city council in 2017. state of New Jersey.
Museum of Science member in Minnesota. He
education executive and promotes investments in
former teacher. She is the public education.
area’s first mayor.
 The historic United States Senate special election in
Alabama (of 2017)

December 12, 2017

Turnout 40.57%

Nominee Doug Jones Roy Moore

Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 673,896 651,972
Percentage 50.0% 48.3%

County Results

Jones Moore

50-60% 40-50%
60-70% 50-60%
70-80% 60-70%
80-90% 70-80%
80-90%
 The Virginia gubernatorial election, 2017
Date: December 7, 2017
Turnout 47.6% (voting eligible)

Nominee Ralph Northam Ed Gillespie

Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,409,175 1,175,731
Percentage 53.9% 45.0%

This is the Virginia gubernatorial election map. The color blue and its contrasts
denotes counties/independent cities won by Northam. The color red and its contrasts
denotes those same areas won by Gillespie.
Also, as Angela Rye, April Ryan, Joy Reid, and Symone Sanders have mentioned eloquently, we all need to praise
Black Women. Black Women came out to vote against Moore and against Trump in the highest numbers of any
demographic in America. We owe black women our lives, because the human race came from a black woman. My
mother is black. Therefore, every single day of our lives, we should always give respect and praise to black women
(who have done so much in the black freedom movement and the human rights movement in general). About 98%
of black women voted against Moore and for Doug Jones. 93% of black men voted for Doug Jones. The majority of
white men and white women voted for Roy Moore in Alabama. Black women should receive all of the credit in the
world for helping society in enumerable ways. This reality refuted the lie that black people won't vote. We will
vote. The last week of the Alabama election campaign coincided with the visit to that state by the UN Special
Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. The UN Special Rapporteur went to rural areas of the state
where conditions are so abominable, in terms of water and other infrastructure, dilapidated housing, and poverty.
He said that he had never seen it that bad in any industrialized country. Also, Doug Jones has the responsibility to
address our issues like economic inequality (Alabama has no state minimum wage), huge poverty in Alabama,
health care, education, the environment, human rights, and other important issues. That is why voter suppression
laws must end and black people must always be respected period.
Political Independence
Political Independence means that we are black people who are aware that our allegiance isn’t to any political
party. It is an allegiance to the black community and to black people internationally. We know about the
imperfections of the Republicans and the Democrats. That is why we believe that our ideologies and our
intellectual power are based on free thinking, human autonomy, and independence. Many white and black
conservatives have promoted numerous political lies recently. One lie is that liberalism is responsible for poverty,
police brutality, educational issues, and other problems in the black community. The truth is that the reforms from
the New Deal, the New Frontier, and the Great Society caused some positive results. Poverty was cut in half from
1960 to 1970. There was the growth of black people in college and many occupations during the late 1960’s and
early 1970’s. The problem was that the problems in the black community weren’t caused by liberalism, but by
neoliberalism, capitalist exploitation, and reactionary policies executed by both Democratic and Republican
politicians. During the 1970's, corporate elites used deregulation and massive cutbacks on social programs which
caused an increase of income inequality and poverty in many communities of America. One example is that during
the Reagan years, many Democratic mayors allowed austerity policies upon urban communities. Many
communities in America suffer not because of old school liberalism or progressive policies. Communities suffer
because of austerity, neglect, poverty, discrimination, racism, economic oppression, and a lack of investments.

These austerity policies have harmed many lives. Austerity deals with investment cuts and that is antithetical of
progressive policies. Also, many Republicans harmed the black community with the War on Drugs, mandatory
minimum sentences, and other massive social program cuts in many black communities. Supply side economics
obviously doesn’t work. That form of economics has crippled many families and many people for years and
decades. Supply side economics is not part of a liberal economic philosophy at all. Another lie is that far right wing
people claim that black people must be Republicans in order to escape a “Democratic plantation.” That is false for
many reasons. One is that to compare one’s political choice to a plantation (where people were raped, murdered,
abused, and whipped) makes a mockery of slavery and the experiences of our black ancestors. Classifying people
as part of a Democratic "plantation" is disrespectful and it's racist. Many Democratic politicians from Clinton to
Obama have spoken to middle of the road concepts of discipline and respectability politics (of bootstrapping) in
their speeches.
Also, black people have the right to believe in what we want. We will not be intimidated to join a far right
movement that seeks to strip rights instead of giving people their rightful human rights. Also, we have the right to
reject imperialism and war mongering which many Republicans and many Democrats advance. So, we (as black
people) should always think for ourselves.

The African American National Museum of History and Culture

In terms of architecture and its breadth of history plus culture, it is a location filled with excellence and beauty. It
has been visited by thousands and millions of people worldwide. It has been the dream of our ancestors. It has
been planned since the early 20th century and now the National Museum of African American History and Culture
has been opened to the general public on September 24, 2016. A history of African Americans can never be
complete without a mentioning of this historic, magnificent museum. This museum is not just an extraordinary
museum. It is a museum that is a tribute to the courage, strength, beauty, excellence, and perseverance of African
Americans. The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is part of a Smithsonian
Institution, but black people have led the way in creating it. It was designed by many people in a collaborative
effort like Freelon Group, Adjaye Associates, and Davis Brody Bond. It is located very close to the National Mall in
Washington, D.C. It has over 30,000 objects that relates to black history and black culture (from the arts, family,
civil rights, slavery, segregation, Black Power, community, and the modern age). Today, the Director of the museum
is Lonnie Bunch and the Curator is Jacquelyn Serwer. Also it is very important to honor the many African American
museums nationwide as our history is found in a diversity of locations. Museums matter. In order to get an
understanding about the historic museum, we have to comprehend information about how the National Museum
of African American History and Culture was created in its history. As early as 1915, African American veterans of
the Union Army met at the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. These human beings suffered
discrimination. They formed a committee to build a memorial to various African American achievements.

By 1929, President Herbert Hoover appointed Mary Church Terrell, Mary McLeod Bethune, and 10 other human
beings to a commission charged with building a "National Memorial Building" showcasing African-American
achievements in the arts and sciences. Yet, back then, Congress didn’t support the project. Private fundraising
wasn’t enough. By the 1970’s, a movement started to promote a national museum again. In 1981, Congress
approved a federal charter for a National African-American Museum in Wilberforce, Ohio. It was built and funded
by private money. It was opened in 1987. Tom Mack promoted economic development and education in the black
community. He was the chairman of the tourist bus company named Tourmobile. He created the NCEED or the
National Council of Education and Economic Development. Mack used the NCEED as a way to promote a national
African American museum in Washington, D.C. in 1985. He won federal support. He worked with Representative
Mickey Leland to sponsor a non-binding resolution (H.R. 666) advocating an African-American museum on the
National Mall, which passed the House of Representatives in 1986. The congressional attention motivated the
Smithsonian to improve its presentation of African-American history. In 1987, the National Museum of American
History sponsored a major exhibit, "Field to Factory," which focused on the Black Diaspora out of the Deep South in
the 1950's. Mack spent his life to promote such a museum. This plan wasn’t without opposition. Some from the
African American Museum Association (AAMA) felt that the museum would strip money from local black museums
and end jobs that were went for those in local and state black museums. Kinard and the AAMA wanted money
from Congress to fund local black history museums in solving problems. Some questioned whether the
Smithsonian should be part of an effort of a national African American museum in the first place. Some wanted
total independence.

The image to the left shows Rep. Mickey Leland, D-Texas, Carmen Delgado Votaw, AA to Rep.
Fuster, and Patrice Johnson, LD to Leland. This took place on May 3, 1988. The former Rep.
Mickey Leland was one early supporter of the forming of an African American National Museum.

By 1988, Rep. John R. Lewis and Rep. Leland (both are African Americans) introduced legislation for a stand-alone
national African American history museum within the Smithsonian Institution. It faced opposition. It was opposed
because of its cost. Some wanted a compromise, but it failed during that time. Lewis and Leland introduced
another bill in 1989. It failed again, but the Smithsonian institution supported such a museum. Leland died in 1989.
By 1991, after debate, the Smithsonian support a national museum dedicated to African American history and
culture (via a vote from its Board of Regents). There are funding issues and disputes of a location during the 1990’s.
Some Smithsonian members backtracked. This was criticized by Mary Campbell Schmidt, saw this as a step
backward, a characterization Smithsonian officials strongly disputed. During the 1990's, other cities had new
African American great museums. The city of Detroit opened a $38.4 million, 120,000-square-foot (11,000 m2)
Museum of African-American History in 1997, and the city of Cincinnati was raising funds for a $90 million,
157,000-square-foot (14,600 m2) National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (which broke ground in 2002).

By 2001, John Lewis and Representative J. C. Watts re-introduced legislation for a museum in the House. There was
a new leader and Secretary Lawrence Small of the Smithsonian Board of Regents. Small wanted a stand-alone
national museum detailing African American history. The Smithsonian asked Congress for a study which was
federally funded. Congress agreed. President George W. Bush was one of the leading supporters of this project. On
December 29, 2001, President George W. Bush signed legislation establishing a 23-member commission to study
the need for a museum, how to raise the funds to build and support it, and where it should be located. At the
signing ceremony, the president expressed his opinion that the museum should be located on the National Mall.
The study concluded that the museum was a necessity and it must be constructed. The National Museum of African
American History and Culture Council (the museum's board of trustees) sponsored a competition in 2008 to design
a 350,000-square-foot (33,000 m2) building with three stories below-ground and five stories above-ground. The
building was limited to the 5-acre (20,000 m2) site chosen by the site selection committee, had to be LEED Gold
certified, and had to meet stringent federal security standards.

The cost of construction was limited to $500 million ($556,182,380in 2016 dollars). The design submitted by the
Freelon Group/Adjaye Associates/Davis Brody Bond won the design competition. The above-ground floors featured
an inverted step pyramid surrounded by a bronze architectural scrim, which reflected a crown used in Yoruban
culture. The government approved the plan. Added to the entrance on Constitution Avenue were a pond, garden,
and bridge, so that visitors would have to "cross over the water" like slaves did when they came to America against
their wills. Oprah Winfrey on June 10, 2013 donated $12 million to the NMAAHC. She donated $1 million to the
museum in 2007. The Smithsonian said it would name the NMAAHC's 350-seat theater after her. The GM
Foundation announced a $1 million donation to the museum on January 22, 2014, to fund construction of the
building and design and install permanent exhibits.

The groundbreaking took place on February 22, 2012. President Barack Obama and museum director Bunch were
among the speakers at the ceremony. Actress Phylicia Rashad was the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Poetry
and music was performed by Denyce Graves, Thomas Hampson, and the Heritage Signature Chorale. Clark
Construction Group, Smoot Construction, and H.J. Russell & Company won the contract to build the museum. The
architectural firm of McKissack & McKissack (which was the first African American-owned architectural firm in the
United States) provided project management services on behalf of the Smithsonian, and acted as liaison between
the Smithsonian and public utilities and D.C. government agencies. A worker was severely injured at the
construction site on June 3, 2015, when scaffolding on the roof collapsed on top of him. 35-year-old Ivan Smyntyna
was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died. The 350,000 square feet (33,000 m2) building has a total of 10
stories (five above and five below ground). The construction was done in a serious fashion. Commemorative copies
of the 13th Amendment and the Emancipation Proclamation were sent to the museum.
 The image on the bottom right shows Sister Ruth Odom Bonner with a shovel.
The grand opening of the National Museum of African American history and Culture existed on September 24,
2016. President Barack Obama opened the new museum along with four generations of the Bonner family (from 99
year old Ruth Bonner, who is the daughter of Elijah B. Odom of Mississippi, an escaped slave down to Ruth’s great
granddaughter Christine). I saw the opening ceremony on television too. The Obamas and Ruth Bonner along with
her family rang the historic bell to officially open the museum. The bell was from the first Baptist church organized
by and for African Americans (which was founded in Williamsburg, Virginia. Back then, laws made it unlawful for
black people to congregate or preach. Now, things are different). The museum is extremely popular today. In its
first three months alone, more than 600,000 people visited the museum. In November 2016, NBA player LeBron
James donated $2.5 million to support the museum's exhibit on the accomplishments of boxer Muhammad Ali. All
visitors must have a ticket to enter. After six months, about 1.2 million people visited the NMAAHC. It is now one of
the four most visited Smithsonian museums. Patrons spend an average of six hours at the museum, which was
twice as long as had been estimated before the museum’s opening. In 2007, the NMAAHC became the first major
museum to open on the Web before completing a physical structure.
The web site included the museum's first exhibit, mounted in New York City. The site was also designed to
encourage collaboration between scholars and the public. The main feature of the web-based initiative was the
Memory Book application, which allowed individuals to contribute to the web site pictures, a story, or an audio
application to spotlight unique experiences in African-American culture. Collections number in the
thousands. Renée Anderson, the NMAAHC's head of collections, oversaw the effort. The museum has items
owned by Harriet Tubman, the sunken slave ship from the Sao Jose Paquete Africa (it was evacuated from the coast
of South Africa), the jacket and skirt worn by Marian Anderson at her 1939 Lincoln Memorial concert, a Tuskegee
Airman flight jacket, and photographs from hip hop artists are found in the museum too. There is also a letter by
Toussaint L'Ouverture, leader of the Haitian Revolution slave revolt in 1791. There is the Sweet home Café, which is
a 400 seat luncheon only restaurant. Jerome Grant is the executive chef, and the restaurant is managed by
Restaurant Associates in association with Thompson Hospitality. Joanne Hyppolite, NMAAHC curator for cultural
expressions, oversees the restaurant as well as the museum's exhibits on food ways and cuisine. The cafeteria
opened on September 24, 2016. It was named a 2017 semifinalist by the James Beard Award for Best New
Restaurant. People from the New York Times to the Wall Street Journal have praised the museum. The National
Museum of African American History and Culture outlines the representation of black life in concrete, great terms.
It inspires us, speaks to us, and motivates us in this long journey for human justice. We, as black people, still rise.
 More Facts about the National African American Museum of History and Culture
Established December 19,
2003 and it was
opened on
September 24,
2016
Location Washington,
D.C.
Collections African
American
This is the location of the history, art, and This is the Paradox of Liberty
Contemplative Court with the music exhibit. It has statues of Phillis
waterfall. It allows natural light. Collection ca. 33,000 Wheatley and Benjamin
It includes quotations from size Banneker who lived during and
black heroic human beings. Director Lonnie Bunch after the Revolutionary War.
Curator Jacquelyn We remember these brave
Serwer black people as a way for us to
Architect Freelon be further inspired to advocate
Group/Adjaye for the liberty that we all
Associates/Davis cherish dearly.
Brody Bond
Website nmaach.si.edu

Awards celebrating black achievement

More about Black Culture
Celebrations
*Juneteenth *Black History Month *African
Countries’ Independence Days *Black Love
Day *AfroPunk *Harlem Cultural Festival
*Odunde Festival
Landmark African American legislation
*Civil Rights Act of 1964 *Civil Rights Act of
1965 *Civil Rights Act of 1968 *The 13th,
14th, 15th, 19th, and 24th Amendments
Largest African American populations (in
cities)
*New York City *Chicago *Philadelphia,
*Detroit *Houston *Baltimore *Los Angeles
*Washington, D.C. *Dallas
*NAACP Image Awards *Trumpet Awards *The BET
Honors *BCALA Literary Awards *Spingarn Medal
*Black Movie Awards *Soul Train Music Awards *BET
Music Awards *Candice Award *Langston Hughes
Medal
Historical eras of African American History
*Ancient civilizations *Atlantic slave trade *Maafa,
Reconstruction Era *Jim Crow *Great Migration *The
Civil Rights Movement (1865-1895, 1896-1954, 1954-
1968) *The Second Great Migration * The Black Power
movement *Post-Civil Rights era *Barack Obama’s
Presidency *Black Lives Matter
African American people who are the firsts in their
achievements
*William Wells Brown *Martin Delany, Cathay Williams
*John Stewart Rock *Mary Eliza Mahoney *Blanche K.
Bruce * Moses Fleetwood Walker *Mary Fields
*Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones
 "...My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some
passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style..."

-Sister Maya Angelou

Conclusion
Today, the African American journey has lasted over 500 years in the Americas. We have experienced pain,
brutality, victories, joys, and happiness. We have shown the world the light of perseverance and courage. We have
inspired every social movement for change imaginable by our power, by our love of justice, and by our strength. On
this time and on this occasion, we recognize our bonds among family and friends. This time also tell us to be
reminded that the audacious journey for human liberty continues. We have seen those whose lives were harmed
startlingly by poverty, massive fires, and other natural disasters. Also, we know of the compassionate spirit found
among many people (in tons of backgrounds) who have enacted charities, shown genuine love, and given their lives
via sacrifice to enrich the human lives of men, women, and children. Therefore, I will always have glorious faith in
the future. We know of the extremism of a person who calls himself President in the White House, but we witness
protesters who legitimately oppose his reactionary agenda. That is why we are obligated to believe fully in the
democratic principles of the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, and the right to petition the
government. These precepts advance scrutiny along with alerting the people on truth plus candor. An illumination
of inspiration of truth is our responsibility to share. We are more than atoms and biochemical functions. We have a
mind and a soul. In essence, our duty is to inform and to fight for change, which outlines a true, indispensable
prescript.

Transparency is important for anyone to embrace, so we reject secret plans by some to manipulate society that can
benefit the oligarchy alone. Society ought to function in an egalitarian fashion. I forever respect my African
American heritage, which is filled with beauty, grace, honor, strength, intellectual greatness, and excellence in
general. From the literature of Toni Morrison to the heroism of Harriet Tubman (who rescued so many people and
she was born in the Eastern Shore of Maryland), black Americans have made huge, lasting contributions
throughout human history. While, we know that we have a long way to go in our black community, we realize that
good news does exist in our community too. The myth is that there is no good news. There is plenty of good news.
Tons of black people have made magnificent accomplishments in the world, helped humanity in great ways and live
life greatly. The murder rate in the black community has declined since 1980 nationwide in America. There is a
lower teen pregnancy rate in the black community since 1992. Black people having new HIV/AIDS diagnoses have
declined recently. There is a higher life expectancy in the black community since the year 2000. The death rate for
African American adults declined by 25 percent between 1999 and 2015, with the largest declines in those older
than 63. Since 2000, the imprisonment rate among African-American women has dropped 47 percent, and the rate
of imprisonment of African American men has tumbled 22 percent since 2000. There are new firsts among African
Americans too in STEM fields, academics, athletics, and other aspects of human life. The unemployment rate in the
black community is lower than years back. A solution is not only economic empowerment (which we must have),
but to eliminate the racial, gender, and economic discrimination in our world too. Therefore, we are renewed in
our commitment to justice and liberation.

We, who are African Americans, have a long legacy of culture, of music, of the arts, of legal affairs, of education, of
agriculture, of STEM field contributions, of politics, of spirituality, and of so many aspects of human living. We are
taught about nonviolence from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We are taught about black strength from Malcolm X. We
are taught about resiliency from Harriet Tubman. We learn about grace from Marian Anderson. We learned so
much of our history from John Hope Franklin and John Henrik Clarke. Our history is filled with unsung heroes too.
Ella Baker, Robert F. Williams, Denmark Vesey, Assata Shakur, Eddie Conway, etc. have shown revolutionary power
in their lives. This struggle for black liberation is an international affair as we desire all black people globally to be
free. Blackness is more than a way of life. It is a gift that we cherish and we inspired to do right and to acknowledge
the courageousness of our black ancestors. The fight for justice continues. We won’t back down too. We will speak
up, inspire, educate, and be blessings for the human family.

Yes, we still rise.

Peace and Blessings Y'all. This is the final chapter of
this great, historic series on the African American
story.
 The Characteristics of the African American community
“Learning expands great souls.” –Namibian proverb
Total Population Religion
40,695,277 people (as of *Predominantly Protestant (78%)
2015) *Roman Catholic (5%)
*Jehovah Witness (1%)
*Muslim (1%)
*Irreligious (12%)
Regions where Other members of the African
populations live Diaspora
In all 50 States and all U.S. *Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latinos,
territories especially in the Afro-Canadians, Americo-Liberians,
South and urban areas Afro-Europeans, Africans, Afro-
Iranians, Afro-Turkish peoples, etc.

Languages Civil/Economic Groups

English, Louisiana Creole *The SCLC, TransAfrica Forum,
French, Gullah, and a NAACP, UNCF, the Association for
diversity of other languages. the Study of African American Life
and History (ASALH), the National
Urban League, etc.
 Epilogue
I could never end this work without mentioning the following issues. African Americans have a long
history of triumph and overcoming struggle. We are the descendants of Africans and our story is a story of
the miraculous. I believe in miracles, because centuries ago, my ancestors were in chains. Today, I witness
tons of black Americans and others of black African descent making monumental contributions in
science, athletics, engineering, mathematics, and other aspects of our society. Most of my people
descended from West and Central African people. We survived the Maafa, slavery, racial segregation or
Jim Crow apartheid, and other injustices. We are the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and we have
lived to see the first African American elected President of the United States in 2008, who is Barack
Obama. We all lived to see the first black woman First Lady who is Michelle Obama. Also, we realize that
we have so far to go. There is racism in the world and economic injustices. Many hurting people have
experienced many forms of exploitation and abuse. That is why we have the responsibility to speak up and
to be part of the solution by working in our communities, showing empathy to our neighbors, and
realizing that when one person doesn’t have freedom, then we all don’t have it. As we live in the Post-Civil
Rights era of African American history, we witness the paradox of new, complex realities and the same
fight for the same goal of racial plus social justice. We are human beings and we are interconnected with
each other either directly or indirectly. That is why this story of African Americans is so important as the
history of African Americans is the representation of the vitality of the human experience. After all of
these years, my core convictions are still the same. I will have hope and keep the faith. So, the following
four sections describe important parts of African American culture that we all appreciate dearly.

African Americans & STEM

The future always deals with STEM fields. From ancient times to the present, black people have always mastered
the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In recent years, we
know about the Hidden Figures or the great African American women engineers and
mathematicians who helped NASA's space missions to be a complete success. Today,
tons of black people embrace STEM fields not only because of the love of these
components of civilizations. They embrace them, because we have always loved STEM.
Benjamin Banneker and Bettye Washington outlined the wonders of STEM fields
throughout their careers. It is no secret that STEM field related jobs holds many benefits.
They can increase productivity in the formations of inventions and other resources. It can
provide black men and black women more economic opportunities to better their standard
of living. It can increase learning in a wide spectrum of avenues from mathematics to
technological development. Many people in pharmaceutical sciences and administration
earn a great amount of economic benefits. A degree in architecture or engineering can Annie Easley (1933-
change one's life to witness the beauty of building and it creates the reminder that a great 2011) worked at NASA
civilization revolves around organization, analysis, and building structures of value (from and was an expert in
hospitals to schools). human computing. She
learned how to code
Also, we have to continue to fight racial discrimination as that is a serious problem in
and had a mathematics
STEM fields too. Many greatly qualified black women and black men have difficulty in
getting STEM jobs because of racial discrimination. So, engineering, teaching, social work, degree. She supported
doctors, lawyers, attorneys, judges, and other vitally important occupations must be many NASA programs
cultivated in a higher level in our community. George Washington Carver and Percy Lavon prodigiously.
Julian used chemistry and other fields of study to innovate crops and other forms of
chemicals in enriching human lives.

The scientist Alice Ball was an African American chemist who made an injectable oil that was used to treat leprosy
for years. She was the first woman and the first African American to receive a master's degree from the University of
Hawaii. She was the first woman chemistry professor at the university. Therefore, recognizing past and present
black expert scientists, engineers, and scholars makes our souls better.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

One engine of black culture has always been HBCUs. They have grown greatly since the 19th century and they
remain as pure testaments to our intellectual greatness. When we think of HBCUs, we think about science
laboratories, lawyers, parades, sports, manufacturing, and other aspects of the importance of educational services.
The new documentary Tell Them We Are Rising (which has been shown in PBS) fully describes the necessity and
the perseverance of HBCUs thoroughly over the course of more than 150 years. They are the places where
intellectuals, revolutionaries, and scholars from Ralph Ellison, Alice Walker, Common, Booker T. Washington, and
other Brothers and Sisters who refined their skills and made our world better. Many of my relatives are graduates of
HBCUs and I appreciate them now and forevermore. To learn about the history of historically black colleges and
universities is to understand American history. The Institute for Colored Youth was formed in 1837. It was created to
teach black Americans about skills like math, mechanics, and agriculture along with reading and writing. Many
religious institutions during the 19th century (like the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the United Church of
Christ, the Presbyterian including American Baptist churches funded many schools). Cheyney University was the
oldest historically black school of higher education. It was created in 1837 by Quaker Richard Humphreys. One
famous alumnus was the educator plus civil rights activist Josephine Silone Yates.

Josephine Silone Yates was one of the first black teachers of Lincoln
University in Jefferson City, Missouri. She was the first black woman to
be head of the college science department. She taught chemistry,
English literature, and elocution (or how to eloquently give a speech
with great diction). In a 1904 essay, Josephine Silone Yates wrote: "The
aim of all true education is to give to body and soul all the beauty,
strength, and perfection of which they are capable, to fit the
individual for complete living." Wilberforce University was created by
the AME Church in 1856. The United Church of Christ created the
These are students in a Howard University LeMoyne-Owen College in 1862 in Memphis. 1865 was the years
graduation ceremony. Howard is based in when many HBCUs were established. In 1865 alone, Bowie State
Washington, D.C. and recently it celebrated University was created in Baltimore, Clark Atlanta University was
its sesquicentennial anniversary of being in created (by the United Methodist Church), and Shaw University
existence for over 150 years since 1867. opened in Raleigh, NC by the National Baptist Convention. Fisk
University in Nashville, Lincoln in Jefferson City, Missouri, and Rust
College in Holly Springs, Mississippi were established in 1866. Morgan State University (which is found in Baltimore,
Maryland) was created in 1867 and Hampton University was formed in 1868. The vast majority of HBCUs were
formed in the Southern United States after the American Civil War. Many of them were formed by black leaders,
religious groups, and other human beings who believed in the
importance of educating human beings.

Some HBCUs were funded by the Morrill Act. In our time, HBCUs
include engineering classes, cultural centers, science research
facilities, great libraries, various organizations, social gatherings,
parades, athletics, graduation ceremonies, and tons of other
educational services. Many of my relatives graduated from historically
black colleges and universities (like Norfolk State University).
Therefore, HBCUs should definitely be funded and respected of their
contributions in human history. The Higher Education Act of 1965 gave Morgan State University is the largest
federal grants to HBCUs including federal matching of private HBCU in Maryland. From its Historic
endowment contributions. There is no question that black people at Holmes Hall to its new student union
HBCUs increase their belonging, financial well-being, and community building, it has advanced excellence in
activism after experiencing HBCUs. Many alumni are found to be some education for over one century.
of the most heroic African Americans in history. Dr. King started his
studies at Morehouse College.
Althea Gibson studied at Florida A&M University. W.E.B. Du Bois (who graduated from the HBCU Fisk University)
was a professor of history, sociology, and economics at Clark Atlanta University between 1897 and 1910. Anika
Noni Rose attended Florida A&M University where she earned a bachelor's degree in theater. She is one leading
actress of the BET show The Quad, which outlined a realistic depiction of HBCU life during the 21st century (and
makes known of issues like racism, rape, police brutality, class, social media, peer pressure, and the lives of black
people in general). The great African American mathematician Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson graduated from
West Virginia State College. She was involved in NASA to help the missions of Alan Shepard, John Glen, and the
1969 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon. Taraji P. Henson graduated from Howard University in 1995 with a major of
Theater Arts. Oprah Winfrey graduated from Tennessee State University in 1973 with a major of Speech and
Performing Arts. Wendy Raquel Robinson's alma mater was Howard University for Drama. She graduated cum
laude and said that some of her best relationships in her life were formed at Howard University.

The Names of Many Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Florida A&M Howard North Carolina Jackson State Texas Southern Prairie View
University A&T University University University A&M University

Tennessee North Carolina Southern Morgan State Norfolk State Alabama State
State University Central University and University University University
University A&M College

Bowie State Virginia State Alabama A&M Grambling State Hampton Savannah State
University University University University University University

Fayetteville Winston-Salem Bethune- South Carolina Delaware State University of

State University University Cookman State University University Maryland
University Eastern Shore

Clark Atlanta Coppin State Benedict Tuskegee University of Xavier

University University College University Arkansas-Pine University of
Bluff Louisiana

More HBCU Alumni

Chadwick Boseman is an
actor and alumnus of
Howard University.
Elijah Cummings is a Tim Reid graduated from Anika Noni Rose is an
Congressman of the House Norfolk State University in American actress and
of Representative in 1968. singer who won a Tony
Maryland and he Award and made other
graduated from Howard accomplishments. She is
University. an alumnus of Florida
A&M University.
Spike Lee graduated from Morehouse College in 1979 with a degree in Mass Communication. Samuel L. Jackson
graduated from Morehouse in 1971 with a Major in Performing Arts. Keisha Knight Pulliam graduated from Spelman
University in 2001 with a Major of Sociology. Toni Morrison graduated from Howard University in 1953 with a Major
of English. Phylicia Rashad graduated in 1970 from Howard University with a degree in Fine Arts. HBCUs
remain a large part of the African American experience. Bless HBCUs.

Fashion
There is no question that fashion and black culture go hand in hand. Black people
worldwide know how to dress from many styles of shoes to shirts. There are many
companies owned by black people that have a wide array of shirts, dresses, suits,
blouses, shoes, and other forms of clothing. Today, many people have tried to imitate
the fashion of African Americans, but they can never duplicate our creative energy
period. Black fashion designers deserve our support and solidarity. There can be
endless essays and books written about African American fashion. Back during the
18th and 19th centuries, many African Americans wore some of their greatest fashion
in church. Church services occurred on Sundays and it was a time when there was a
temporary expression of worship and celebration. Many people wore suits, dresses,
and other elaborate clothing. Some African Americans back then wore African clothing
as being direct descendants of Africans. Black people fought for our rights too. During
1881, black laundress striked for better wages in Atlanta. They created the Washing
Society. By the turn of the 20th century, many black women wore conservative, high
necked dressers, tight corsets, and necklines with ruffles or bows. Other black women Rudy Dee and Ossie Davis
wore other forms of clothing too.
were the epitome of black
During World War II, many women in construction jobs wore bandannas as a form of fashion excellence.
fashion. Glamorous gowns and different hairstyles dominated many groups like the
Supremes. Many black men wore suits and hats during the early to mid-20th century. The Harlem Renaissance
accelerated more fashion styles like zoot suits, hats, more colorful dresses, and other types of items. When
President Kwame Nkrumah came to America in 1958, he has the kente cloth. This inspired African Americans to
wear more African related clothing from cloths to other forms of attire. By the 1960's, more African Americans wore
the kente cloth like Muhammad Ali. The Black Panthers wore black leather suits, black berets, gloves, etc. The
Afro-hairstyle in fashion has been used for a long time in America during the
1940's. The early civil rights movement (of the 1950's and the 1960's) had many
black people wore their "Sunday's best" clothing. It was popularized again
during the 1960's and the 1970's. During that time, many people wore vest, bell-
bottoms, bandleader jackets, and other styles. Also, Motown, disco, and other
forms of black dominated the time and it influenced fashion in great terms. Mary
Lovelace O'Neal (a civil rights leader and a magnificent artist) wore an Afro too.
Today, fashion is diverse in African American culture. During the 1980's, many
African Americans had aerobics fashion, leotards, crop tops, knee high socks,
and other clothing. Many women wore power suits during the 1980's too. There
were boomboxes, large glasses, large jackets, and large chains worn by African
Americans who loved early hip hop culture. Hip hop is not just music. It is part of
a culture that the 1980's was filled with in terms of fashion.

Naomi Sims was a legendary
black fashion model, writer,
businesswoman and a gorgeous
black woman. Oxford, Mississippi
was the place of her birth. She
was one of the first models to sign
to the Wilhemina Agency. She
was the first black model to cover
Ladies Home Journal in 1968. She
was the first African American
supermodel. She lived from 1948
to 2009.
During the late 1980's and the 1990's, T-Shirts with anti-apartheid, and pro-
black messages grew. The 1990's saw the further growth of fashion
opportunities for African American models (both black women and black men.
We have so far to go too even in our time). Windbreakers, designer shoes, and
logos of fashion items were found throughout 1990's fashion.
There are tons of African American fashion designers who changed the game.
Elizabeth Keckley (ca. 1818-1907) was one such human being. She was born
into slavery. She was a dressmaker. Later, she brought her way to freedom for
her and her son with her talent. She moved into Washington, D.C. Later, she
opened a shop and dressed the wives of the city's politicians. Keckley was a
dresser of the First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. She created her memoir. It was
entitled, "Behind the Scenes, or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the
White House." It showed information about her life during slavery and facts
 about Mrs. Lincoln's life. Ann Lowe lived from 1898 to 1981. Her grandmother and mother taught her how to sew.
She was a famous dressmaker. She moved to Florida and in New York by 1927. She also opened her own Madison
Avenue dress salon. Lowe designed Jacqueline Bouvier's wedding dress for her marriage to John F. Kennedy. Her
contributions should be honored. Zelda Wynn Valdes (1905-2001) created the first black owned store on Broadway
(called Chez Zelda) in 1948. Zelda was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. She helped to dress stars like
Dorothy Dandridge, Joyce Bryant, Mae West, Ella Fitzgerald, Josephine Baker, and Gladys Knight. She worked as
the head costume designer for the newly founded Dance Theater of Harlem.

She also dressed the entire bridal party for the 1948 wedding of Marie Ellington
and Nat "King" Cole. She worked for 18 years before retiring at the age of 83.
Arthur McGee was born in 1933. He worked hard in the fashion industry. He paved
the way for many designers like Willi Smith and Aziza Braithwaite Bey (Elena
Braith). He grew in the ranks of the Manhattan fashion industry by the 1950's. He
was the first African American to run a design room of an established apparel
company. It is called Bobby Brooks. He opened his own store during the 1960's.
Patrick Kelly lived from 1954 to 1990. He used color in a creative way. He showed
his first collection in 1985. He was the first American admitted to the Chambre
Syndicale or France's prestigious organization of fashion designers. He has
Sister Azede Jean-Pierre is a shown works that dealt with race and politics. Arthur McGee, Jay Jaxon, Patrick
Haitian-born fashion designer Robinson, Dapper Dan, Patrick Kelly, and John Haggins contributed heavily in
who is making great African American fashion history too. One of the most talented models during the
contributions in the fashion 1960's was Arlene Hawkins. She was the founder of Arlene Hawkins Cosmetics.
industry. She can create linen Pat Evans was a model who rocked her hair bald back during the 1970's.
dresses, blazers, and trousers Bethann Hardison discovered Naomi Campbell. Alek Wek, Joy Bryant, and other
with a diversity of colors and models have continued to create their own legacies as well.
designs. She has lived in Atlanta,
Savannah, and now works
heavily in New York City. She
has dressed former Atlanta
Black Fashion is Eternal
Mayor Shirley Franklin and
former First Lady Michelle
Obama. She loves her Haitian
heritage and she continues to
spread her light globally. I wish
the absolute best for her.

Black Love is Always Beautiful

 The Evolution of Fashion over the Generations
The 1940’s The 1960’s The 1980’s The 21st Century

These Brothers are The Supremes was a This took place in First Lady Michelle
wearing suits and hats. Motown group that 1981 when Michael Obama is a genius
During this spread the power and Jackson and Diana fashionista. Her
generation, many talent of black music Ross sang and danced dresses and clothing
African Americans internationally. They together. Both of them has been praised by
were influenced by the didn’t play any games were very close those everywhere. Her
Harlem Renaissance, when it came to friends. Their clothing dress is from Tracy
zoot suits, stylized fashion. The Supremes is similar too with their Reese. This is her at
dresses, and other are known for their bright colored jackets. the 2012 Democratic
creative clothing. sharp colored dresses Convention in
and their amazing Charlotte, North
musical voices. Carolina.

No one can surpass our swag.

In 2018, we have human beings wearing hoodies and those wearing name brand clothing (from Nike, Addidas,
Reebox, Champion, Fendi, Under Armour, etc.). We have black people forming fashion independently and
advancing it in our communities too. The many examples of black owned fashion companies include: Sample
Industries, Power in One, Street Knowledge (created by Howard University alumni Leslie Antonoff), 10.Deep, 8&9,
the Cierra Lynn Collection, BuriedNKulture, Kashmir.VIII, Christian Omeshun, etc. Elegant dresses have been worn

by Michelle Obama too. We see jeans, dresses, and jackets in a diversity of colors and accessories on the fashion
of our people. We have T-shirts with messages like "I Can't Breathe", "Melanin on Fleek", and "Black Lives Matter"
that outline importance messages about black liberation and opposition to any injustice.
The Celebration of the African Diaspora
It is crucial to promote pan-African unity. Black people exist globally. There are billions
of black people in the world from Afro-Caribbeans to Africans. That is why we respect
and honor the power of the African Diaspora. The more that we learn about the African
Diaspora, the more we appreciate our black beings in general. Therefore, it is always
important for us to unify economically, socially, politically, and culturally with the African
Diaspora one-hundred percent. The African Diaspora is wide ranging. More black
people live in Brazil than any other location of the Americas. There are 55.9 million
black and multiracial people in Brazil, 46.35 million black people living in the United
States of America, and over 10 million black Haitians. Black people exist in the
Dominican Republic, Colombia, France, Venezuela, Jamaica, the United Kingdom,
Mexico, Peru, Canada, Cuba, Italy, Puerto Rico, Germany, and throughout the world.
Dr. Jemima Pierre (who
One of the greatest leaders of the black African Diaspora is a black woman from Brazil has a Ph.D. from the
whose name is Benedita da Silva Sampaio. She has dedicated her life to fight for equal University of Texas at
rights for all Afro-Brazilians. She is the first woman and Afro-Brazilian governor of the Austin) is an expert on
State of Rio De Janiero and later Minister Secretary of State. She promotes African Studies and
egalitarianism and women's rights. According to Da Silva, "Racial democracy only African Diaspora Studies.
exists in school books and official speeches; the elite in Brazil have promoted the myth She teaches, writes
of racial harmony to make people accept certain forms of discrimination and to deny articles, and has written a
the need for affirmative action." She is absolutely correct. She grew up in the favela (or book as well on Ghana.
a poor community in Brazil) and she knows what it is like to be poor. She fought to form She is one of the great
st
the National Awareness Day of Black Consciousness to recognize Zumbi. Zumbi was a scholars of the 21
leader of the anti-colonial resistance of the quilombo (or maroon community) in century.
Palmares. She worked to pass the Law No.10.639/03, which “made the teaching
of African and Afro-Brazilian culture and history obligatory in Brazilian schools.”
She is a devoted spiritual woman and we salute her contributions to the freedom for
humanity. Learning about Afro-Brazilian history and culture is about learning about
ourselves since we have the same African origin. Brazil banned slavery in 1888. Back
then and today, Afro-Brazilians are fighting against police brutality, racism, and other
injustices. Samba is displayed by Brazilians and capoeira. The Black Brazilian Front or
the Frente Negra Brasileira was created during the 1930's to fight for black candidates
in Brazil. The group called A União dos Homen do Cor (the Union of Men of Color) was
formed in 1943 in Porto Alegre. It would establish 10 chapters throughout Brazil. The
organization would promote civil and human rights for Afro-Brazilians.

Sister Ibarguen Mena is a

great Afro-Colombian
athlete who has a gold
medal at the 2016
Summer Olympics in Rio,
a silver medal at the 2012
Summer Olympics in
London, and other awards.
She is a gorgeous black
woman who competes in
the high jump, the long
jump, and the triple jump.
She is blessed.
Black Brazilians are now fighting for affirmative actions in schools in Brazil including for justice in general. I
support their honorable cause. Afro-Haitians have given us the first black Republic in the Americas since 1804. We
know of Jamaican heroes too. African Americans are highly found in Mississippi, Louisiana, the District of Columbia,
Virginia, New York, Maryland, Texas, and everywhere in the States. Many
Afro-Canadians came from America from during the Revolutionary War
period, during the Underground Railroad, and from immigration from the
Caribbean. There are from 1.8 to 5 million Afro-French people. They live
heavily in Paris, Lyon, Marseilles, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nantes, Lille, the
French West Indies, French Guiana, Reunion, Mayotte, and New Caledonia.
They speak French, many African languages, French Creoles, and other
languages. The Representative Council of France's Black Associations
(French: Conseil représentatif des associations noires de France, CRAN),
have fought for racial justice for years in France. Christiane Taubira is the
Justice Minister of France. Aime Cesaire is the mayor of Fort-de-France and
These are Afro-Brazilian black girls deputy from Martinique for the PCF/Martinican Progressive Party. Rama Yade
at the Candomble ceremony. is a former minister. Christine Arron is a retired track and field sprint athlete
(she has won many awards in the Olympics, World Championships, European
Championships, and Mediterranean Games). Arron is a legend indeed in terms of track and field. Vanessa James is
a famous Olympic figure skater. Isabelle Yacoubou (she was born on April 21, 1986) is a Bénin-born French
basketball player. She plays for France women's national basketball team. She has competed in the 2012 Summer
Olympics where France won a silver medal. Rodrigue "Roddy" Beaubois is another Afro-French basketball player.
Afro-Sister Dominique Michalon is a famous singer too. She was born in Sarcelles, France.

It is also important to honor martyrs of our generation too. Recently, an Afro-Brazilian Sister named Marielle Franco
was shot and murdered in Brazil on March 14, 2018. She was shot 9 times and her driver was murdered too (whose
name was Anderson Pedro Gomes). Marielle was an advocate for the poor, for Afro-Brazilians, and for women in
Brazil. She was a Brazilian political leader who wanted changes in the favelas (or what we call poor neighborhoods
in the States). She wanted not only justice for the poor. She wanted liberation for Afro-Brazilians including black
women in Brazil. There is an epidemic of police brutality in Brazil and she was never afraid to expose such injustice.
Just before she was murdered, she left a meeting where people promoted empowerment of black women in Brazil.
She was from Rio de Janeiro and she was a powerful heroine. Her Afro-Brazilian college classmate Lua Nascimento
praised her. Amnesty International wanted her death to be thoroughly investigated. As others have said, there is
genocide of black people in Brazil and it must end period. Franco was the part of the liberal Socialism and Liberty
Party (PSOL) in Rio de Janeiro. She grew up in the favela of Mare. She was a black women who spoke truth to
power and cared a great deal for black people. We honor her memory by standing up for the causes that she has
stood for in a powerful fashion. She had a daughter too. She was militant, strong, intelligent, and proud.

Rest in Power Sister Marielle Franco.

 Heroes of the African Diaspora

The late Brother Abdias Afro-Brazilian Sister Afro-Colombia Sister

Nascimento lived for 98
years (1914-2011). He was a
great Afro-Brazilian civil
rights activist. He fought the
good fight during the
1930’s. He created the
Experiment Theater of the
Negro (TEN) in 1944 and
the Institute for Research
and Studies Afro Brazilian in
1981 to fight for the black
people (for education,
culture, etc.). He was a
Congressman, Senator, and
believed in black liberation
throughout his long life.
Benedita da Silva
continues to fight
inequalities in Brazil to this
very day. She is a woman
who fights racism, sexism,
violence, and economic
inequality. She rightfully
rejects Eurocentric white
supremacy and patriarchal
oppression. Also, Afro-
Brazilian leader like Sister
Cetila Itas is the leader of
the #VidasNEgrasImportam,
which promotes justice in
Brazil. We are in solidarity
with these Afro-Brazilian
heroes.
Francia Elena Marquez
Mina has been a fighter for
the rights of Afro-
Colombians for long years.
She works hard in the
Yolombo village in Northern
Cauca region of Colombia.
She has been awarded the
Defender of the Year by
Diakonia for 2015. Francia
has fought to promote the
housing rights of Afro-
Colombian human beings.
She has traveled the world
from America to Panama to
speak truth to power
courageously.

The African Diaspora influenced the world's music, culture, cuisine, and politics. Also, us (who are in the African
Diaspora) have been great educators, inventors, scholars, athletes, and profound leaders paving the way to so
many. Hip hop, reggae, jazz, blues, rumba, samba, gospel, and other musical genres existed from the African
Diaspora too. Capoeira or a form of Afro-Brazilian martial arts was created by Afro-Brazilians (of Angolan descent)
in Brazil. We are diverse in our nationalities and our backgrounds, but we are unified in our same black African
origin.
 Sister Esther Roniyah
Stanford-Xosei (Sister
Ekua) is a well-known
Pan-African advocate for
justice, women’s rights,
reparations, helping the
environment, and black
liberation. We all salute
her wisdom and social
activism.

*One of the most important recent events of our history is the opening of the National Memorial for Peace and
Justice, informally known as the National Lynching Memorial, on April 26, 2018. It is found in Montgomery,
Alabama which has so much history relating to the black freedom movement in general. The new memorial
commemorates the victims of lynching in America which includes black men, black women, and black children.
Lynching is a crime against humanity. Our black people not only fought lynching, but used many organizations to
combat racist injustice. Back decades ago, anti-black pogroms existed from 1919 Red Summer to other vicious
pogroms against black people in Tulsa, Memphis, and other places of America. This came about as an attempt to
end the black liberation movement, but the movement for justice has not been crushed. We are here and we
honor our ancestors' courage as our ancestors used rebellions and other acts of resistance to fight back against
racist terrorism that transpired in diverse manifestations.

According to the historian Crystal Feimster, close to 200 black

women were lynched in Alabama from 1880 to 1930. In a
recent report, Lynching in America, researchers documented
4,075 lynchings of African-Americans (by white racists) from
1877 to 1950 in the southern states of Alabama, Arkansas,
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Ida B.
Wells and other heroes fought against lynching courageously.
Lynching is a form of domestic terrorism. Many racists used sick gatherings to watch black people being murdered
and lynched. Laura Nelson and Mary Turner were martyrs. Laura and her son were lynched. The Equal Justice
Initiative has been key in supporting this crucial memorial.
Today, we advocate for the human race to have their human rights respected and for any injustice to be abolished
100 percent. During the 21st century, we are further strengthened to fight for our rightfully justice that should be
ours by birthright.

Black Lives Matter

The drums of our creative spirits remain and our cause for
black liberation is righteous.

'Ase

By Timothy