Category Archives: ~ Culture & History

Celebrating Our American Story

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, 1940s. Scurlock Studio Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.

It’s Black History Month; 28 days to recognize and celebrate some of the African Americans who have influenced, improved, and shaped our country.

In support of this tradition, I’d like to tell you about Carter G. Woodson, the visionary who first created Negro History Week in February 1926.

Woodson was an impressive scholar, the second African American to receive a Ph.D. in history from Harvard (W.E.B. Du Bois was the first). He was passionate about African American history and, by 1916, he had established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and Culture, an organization whose goal was to make black history accessible to a wider audience.

Ten years later, Woodson created Negro History Week to ensure that schoolchildren be exposed to black history. He believed Negro History Week—which became Black History Month in 1976—would be a vehicle for empowerment.

Today, Carter G. Woodson’s vision for black history as a means of pride and empowerment is as relevant as ever. While Black History Month has evolved from its roots, it is still a catalyst for change … and it is still needed to highlight the contributions, achievements, and continued progress of African Americans in our country.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture tells stories like Carter G. Woodson’s all year long. And during this special month of celebration and recognition, you’re invited to learn more about Carter G. Woodson and other African American individuals, groups, and moments that helped build our nation:

	*Tuskegee Airmen* From the early days of World War I, African Americans wanted to serve as pilots in the Army Air Force, but were repeatedly denied because of their race—until these patriotic Americans served with heroic success.Learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen.
	*America Sees the Truth* The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, in which four young girls were killed, has been called a turning point of the civil rights movement. Learn more about how the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing awakened a complacent nation.
	*The Harlem Renaissance* The Great Migration drew to Harlem some of the greatest minds and brightest talents of the day. Between the end of World War I and the mid-1930s, they produced one of the most significant eras of cultural expression in the nation’s history. Learn more about the new spirit of self-determination, pride, and activism that came from the Harlem Renaissance.
	*Mahalia Jackson: Gospel Takes Flight* “A voice like hers comes along once in a millennium.” That’s what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said of legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Learn more about this iconic singer’s life and how she changed the future of music in America.
	*An Indomitable Spirit: Autherine Lucy* Despite determination and courage, many African Americans’ journeys along the road to equality did not end in a clear victory, but their stories helped shape our country and must be told. Learn more about Autherine Lucy’s long battle to attend the University of Alabama.

Read our full collection of stories, available worldwide on our award-winning website.

All the best,
DD YE year end 1 signature
Lonnie G. Bunch III
Founding Director

P.S. Our nation has been shaped by many brave African American heroes, visionaries, and leaders—including those whose stories have not been told until now. These stories remind us that history never stands still, but keeps marching forward. Thank you for your support. I hope you will consider joining as a Member or making a donation today.

Marian Anderson, 2014.150.10.1. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Estate of Lloyd W. Yearwood

Rosa Parks, 2016.116.5. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Roderick Lyons, © Roderick Lyons

Former President Barack Obama by Tony Powell/NMAAHC

Martin Luther King Jr., 2015.245.4. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Building by Alan Karchmer/NMAAHC

The body of the PT-13D Stearman Kaydet aircraft in NMAAHC. Photo by Alan Karchmer/NMAAHC.

Stained glass rosette shared from the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Family of Rev. Norman C. “Jim” Jimerson and Melva Brooks Jimerson. 2013.138a-c.

Photograph of Louis Armstrong recording at the CBS Studio in New York. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. 2014.63.92ab.

Mahalia Jackson with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Paul and Claire Blumenfeld. 2014.141.3

Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Mrs. H.C. Foster (Autherine Lucy), prior to civil rights rally at Madison Square Garden, New York City. Library of Congress, LC-USZ62-111444.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture – repost

02/17/2018 Nativegrl77

NEW ACQUISITION: 19th Century Slave Cabin from Point of Pines Plantation, Edisto Island, S.C.

19th Century Slave Cabin, Point of Pines

The 19th century slave cabin that was recently transferred from Edisto Island, S.C. to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture’s collection. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has acquired a slave cabin from the first half of the 19th century, currently located at Point of Pines Plantation on Edisto Island, S.C. The Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society donated it to the museum after receiving it originally from the Burnet Maybank family, the current owners of the plantation.

The one-story, rectangular, weatherboard-clad cabin was dismantled piece by piece at its original location, removed from the Point of Pines Plantation and is now being preserved. Once preservation is completed, it will be transferred to the NMAAHC collection. Smithsonian representatives were present during the deconstruction to conduct additional research on the structure and those who lived there.

The reconstructed cabin will be on view in the “Slavery and Freedom” exhibition when the museum opens in late 2015. This exhibition will focus on the crucial role slavery played in the making of America and its impact on generations of enslaved Africans and their descendants.

NEW APPS: View NMAAHC and Changing America: To Be Free

Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963

Now extended until September 7, 2014!

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in collaboration with the National Museum of American History (NMAH) is presenting an exhibition, featuring historic photographs, paintings, new film footage and objects, that explores the historical context of these two crucial events, their accomplishments and limitations, and their impact on the generations that followed.

The exhibition will be on view through Sept. 7, 2014 in NMAAHC’s temporary gallery on level two at American History, 14^th St NW and Constitution Ave NW. Metro: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle.

For more information, visit www.nmaahc.si.edu.

While the Smithsonian’s newest museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is currently under construction, its building and content can be explored in the palm of a hand. The museum has unveiled two free mobile phone apps, “View NMAAHC” and “Changing America: To Be Free,” that allow the public to virtually experience the museum before its opening in 2015.

To see what the museum will look like when completed, the “View NMAAHC” augmented-reality app will give the public a peek into the future. Users who are visiting the museum’s Washington, D.C., construction site can view a three-dimensional architectural model of the building. Other immersive experiences, available to all users regardless of their location, include a 360-degree view of the museum’s site and an architectural fly through of the museum’s interiors.

For those curious about how individuals across the nation reacted to the Emancipation Proclamation, the “Changing America: To Be Free” app commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation by providing personal accounts of those who were affected by President Abraham Lincoln’s executive order. This app offers users the ability to search, sort and read personal stories from across the North, South and border states from men and women of all ages. The app is a digital component of the museum’s current exhibition, “Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and The March on Washington, 1963,” on view at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History until Sept. 7, 2014.

The “View NMAAHC” app is currently available for iPhone, iPad and Android and is available for download from the App Store or Google Play.

The “Changing America: To Be Free” app is available for the iPad from the App Store or Google Play, and will soon be available for iPhone and Android.

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One Love …

04/28/2017 Nativegrl77

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HUGE ruling for our planet … with the help from 8 kids- Will this win be repealed

03/29/2017 Nativegrl77

Jay Inslee Logo

Eight courageous kids went to court to compel us adults to take action on climate change. I’m happy to say that they won.

These eight kids know that our state can do more to fight climate change — and I do, too. Their case has been a call for action to no longer ignore our climate and our kids. And now, the court has affirmed that our plan to reduce carbon pollution is the right thing to do, and now is the right time.

While we fight for better schools and an economy that works for everyone, making sure we do our part to protect our air and water for generations to come must be a critical issue for all of us.

Now, we need to stand together, along with those eight kids, and continue our commitment to taking action. Will you add your name right now in support of a strongClean Air Rule for our state?

Thanks to those eight kids, the court has affirmed our plan to act, contrary to the assertion of those who continue to obstruct action on climate change and ocean acidification. Hundreds of people have participated in the creation of our state’s Clean Air Rule and the draft will be out this month.

It’s a powerful statement that these kids took legal action to fight for the future of our planet — for their future. I’m grateful that they did. Their generation has so much more at stake when it comes to climate change. That’s why this election is so important.

We must continue to fight to reduce our carbon pollution immediately. We’re also going to build a clean energy economy — one where Washington leads.

Add your name right now to show your support for a strong Clean Air Rule worthy of our kids’ future.

This is about our future. This is about our kids’ future. Taking action is an imperative — I’m grateful to have you on my side for this effort.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee

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room and board … 1 in 10 Cal State students … homeless – reminder

03/14/2017 Nativegrl77

Essential California logo

Essential California

Alice & Shelby – L.A. Times

Room and board
One in 10 Cal State students is homeless and 1 in 5 doesn’t have enoughfood, according to a new study. “We’re going to find solutions that we can take to scale,” said Chancellor Timothy P. White. Cal State is the largest public university system in America. Los Angeles Times

Housing crisis
The Los Angeles city attorney is going after property owners who evicted tenants and converted the units into rentals for Airbnb. The official allegation is that the owners are operating rent-controlled apartments as hotel units. City Atty. Mike Feuer’s action is seen as a sign the city will more aggressively go after landlords who break L.A. laws during its housing crisis. Los Angeles Times

Paying for help: Los Angeles city officials say they need $1.8 billion to help the tens of thousands of Angelenos sleeping on the streets and in their cars. This week, the City Council is considering two separate tax proposals, though voters will only see one of them on the Nov. 8 ballot. This Q&A breaks down the confusion over the competing proposals. Los Angeles Times

Homeless coverage: Columnist Robin Abcarian looks at how 70 news organizations, most in San Francisco, came together this week to cover one topic: homelessness. “Instead of coming off as hand wringing — or overkill — it felt like a great force was shaking the city’s shoulders: Wake up, people. This is not an intractable problem. It can be fixed,” she writes.Los Angeles Times

What would you do…: If you found yourself homeless on the streets of San Francisco with $20 and two children to care for? This simulation offers up the difficult choices you might have to make. BuzzFeed