Tag Archives: United States

Black literature is under attack.

Demand Randolph County reverse its ban on Invisible Man at tonight’s meeting.

It took just one letter from an angry parent to convince a North Carolina school district to remove Ralph Ellison‘s Invisible Man from school libraries in the county. A short board meeting prompted by a single letter — describing one of the most significant pieces of Black literature in American history as “filthy” — was all that five members of the Randolph County Board of Education needed to feel justified in voting to ban the novel last week.¹ It’s just the kind of quiet injustice — and officially-sanctioned bias — that happens behind closed doors in towns across the country all of the time. But this time, we have an opportunity to push back.

Just days after Randolph’s decision made national headlines, the school board called an emergency special meeting for tonight regarding the ban.² If a couple of bad press hits is enough to make Randolph reconsider, imagine how powerful thousands of our voices can be.

The Board is meeting TONIGHT. Will you join us in demanding that the school board reverse its decision and return Invisible Man to library shelves? It only takes a moment.

This isn’t the first time in recent months that books by Black authors depicting American racism have been attacked. Earlier this month, the president of the Ohio Board of Education called Toni Morrison‘s The Bluest Eye “pornographic.”³ And in July, a Detroit-area school district came under fire for dumping a collection of over 10,000 volumes of invaluable Black books and artifacts.⁴ Enough is enough.

Banning Black stories not only alienates Black students, it denies all students the opportunity to engage with and discuss important themes like racial enmity in society and the development of personal identity. For elected officials concerned with the education of our young people, it’s particularly perverse that Randolph’s school board failed to recognize the irony of banning a book that’s about silencing critical voices and the ways in which racist culture restricts individuals from reaching their full human potential.

Please join us in calling on the Randolph County school board to reverse its book ban at tonight’s meeting. Together we can send a message about the critical value of Black literature in our schools.

Thanks and Peace,

–Rashad, Arisha, Matt, Kim, Hannah, Johnny and the rest of the ColorOfChange team.
September 25th, 2013

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References

1. “Invisible Man Banned: Ralph Ellison’s Landmark Novel Banned From School Libraries,” Huffington Post, 09-19-13
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2956?t=9&akid=3136.1174326.F-YN-i

2. “Board to reconsider its ‘Invisible Man’ ban,” Asheboro Courier-Tribune, 09-20-13
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2957?t=11&akid=3136.1174326.F-YN-i

3. “ACLU to Ohio schools leader: Toni Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye’ not porn,” News Channel 5, 09-12-13
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2958?t=13&akid=3136.1174326.F-YN-i

4. “Discarded Black history books incite protests in Detroit,” Amsterdam News, 08-10-13
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2959?t=15&akid=3136.1174326.F-YN-i

~ Culture & History, ~ In the Library

Black History Month: The Need Remains … a repost

02/12/2024 Nativegrl77 5 Comments

Lonnie Bunch, museum director, historian, lecturer, and author, is proud to present A Page from Our American Story, a regular on-line series for Museum supporters. It will showcase individuals and events in the African American experience, placing these stories in the context of a larger story — our American story.A Page From Our American StoryEditor’s Note: This edition of A Page from Our American Story was originally a speech made by Lonnie Bunch. It is reprinted here in its entirety.Knowing the Past Opens the Door to the Future
The Continuing Importance of Black History Month

Carter Woodson,
father of Black
History Month,
was commemorated
by the United States
Postal Service with
a stamp in his
image on
February 1, 1984.

No one has played a greater role in helping all Americans know the black past than Carter G. Woodson, the individual who created Negro History Week in Washington, D.C., in February 1926.

Woodson was the second black American to receive a PhD in history from Harvard — following W.E.B. DuBois by a few years. To Woodson, the black experience was too important simply to be left to a small group of academics. Woodson believed that his role was to use black history and culture as a weapon in the struggle for racial uplift. By 1916, Woodson had moved to DC and 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. Woodson was a strange and driven man whose only passion was history, and he expected everyone to share his passion.

This impatience led Woodson to create Negro History Week in 1926, to ensure that school children be exposed to black history. Woodson chose the second week of February in order to celebrate the birthday of Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. It is important to realize that Negro History Week was not born in a vacuum. The 1920s saw the rise in interest in African American culture that was represented by the Harlem Renaissance where writers like Langston Hughes, Georgia Douglass Johnson, Claude McKay — wrote about the joys and sorrows of blackness, and musicians like Louie Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Jimmy Lunceford captured the new rhythms of the cities created in part by the thousands of southern blacks who migrated to urban centers like Chicago. And artists like Aaron Douglass, Richard Barthe, and Lois Jones created images that celebrated blackness and provided more positive images of the African American experience.

Woodson hoped to build upon this creativity and further stimulate interest through Negro History Week. Woodson had two goals. One was to use history to prove to white America that blacks had played important roles in the creation of America and thereby deserve to be treated equally as citizens. In essence, Woodson — by celebrating heroic black figures — be they inventors, entertainers, or soldiers — hoped to prove our worth, and by proving our worth — he believed that equality would soon follow. His other goal was to increase the visibility of black life and history, at a time when few newspapers, books, and universities took notice of the black community, except to dwell upon the negative. Ultimately Woodson believed Negro History Week — which became Black History Month in 1976 — would be a vehicle for racial transformation forever. Read the full speech now…

	All the best,

	Lonnie Bunch Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Back to the back alley? In Memory of Women’s Rights taken and a reminder

02/07/2024 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

The Post below originated in 2011, it’s tough to say, but Republicans back then actually walked this “redefining Rape” Bill, but the Republicans of today, conservatives in SCOTUS have jumped their lanes from being the highest court in the land supposedly providing checks and balances to telling Society what they can and cannot do! Instead, they have taken away the Rights of Voters, POC, Blacks, and Women without so much as a blink of how their rulings impact the Nation, thus tossing it into chaos … is that their job? How many feel less safe since trump packed the Court with his Justices while the elder conservatives took a deep dive into behavior that probably needs an Ethics investigation, but conservatives seem to have tossed out their Oaths! SCOTUS should be on the side of Checks and Balances, but America is far from that perfect Union when all we see is a chaotic attempt at forcing folks to live an extremely conservative lifestyle…

Rape has increased since the conservatives in SCOTUS and Congress decided Women basically had no Reproductive Rights

Big news: Thanks in part to you and the 581,053 others who signed the “Redefining Rape?” petition, the Republicans are back-pedaling from their attempt to redefine rape.1 Your support made a real difference.

But this legislation is still terrible for women. Rep. Carolyn Maloney called it “the deepest attack on a woman’s right to choose in my lifetime.”2 Expert Jessica Arons said it would “accomplish the unstated end of making abortion as difficult to obtain as possible without actually criminalizing it.”3

Among other things, the bill would effectively prevent women from using their own money to purchase insurance that includes abortion coverage in the new insurance exchanges. Experts warn this could lead to insurance companies dropping abortion coverage entirely.4

And it’s only one part of the Republicans’ attack on women’s health. A second bill would allow hospitals to let a pregnant woman die rather than perform the abortion that would save her life.5It’s reprehensible. We can’t let the GOP force women back into the back alley. You stood up against the disgusting “forcible rape” provision—now can you stand together to tell Congress to oppose these attacks on women’s right to choose by signing the petition below?

http://pol.moveon.org/wontgoback/?id=26019-17809870-opCKlFx&t=3 The petition says: “Stop the GOP war on women’s health. Please oppose the bills that would restrict abortion coverage and erode a woman’s right to choose.”

On Tuesday, local MoveOn members in “We Won’t Go Back to the Back Alley” T-shirts will deliver your petitions during a hearing on Capitol Hill. Anti-choice activists are sure to be out in full force at the hearing, so we need a huge stack of names to show Congress and the news media that voters won’t stand for this attack.

These GOP bills are a full-throated attack on women’s reproductive freedoms. Their legislation would:6

Effectively ban abortion coverage in the new health insurance exchanges even if people pay for coverage with their own money.

Impose tax penalties on small businesses that pay for health plans that cover abortion and people who pay for abortion care.

Force the District of Columbia to impose all of the above laws, instead of letting the city decide its own laws.

Permanently ban abortion care for women insured by the government.

And a recently added provision is perhaps the most disgusting: allowing hospitals to deny a woman a life-saving abortion. If this bill passes, hospitals will be allowed to turn away a woman seeking an abortion, even if she’ll die without it—a major change from current law.7

Will you sign the petition today and stand up for a woman’s right to choose?

Don’t let the GOP send us back to the back alley. Sign the petition and share with your friends today:

http://pol.moveon.org/wontgoback/?id=26019-17809870-opCKlFx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Eli, Milan, Carrie, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. “House Republicans drop controversial ‘forcible rape’ language,” CNN, February 3, 2011

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205960&id=26019-17809870-opCKlFx&t=5

2. “Democratic Reps. Unimpressed With New House Abortion Bill,” Talking Points Memo, February 3, 2011

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205966&id=26019-17809870-opCKlFx&t=6

3. “Extreme Abortion Coverage Ban Introduced,” Center for American Progress, January 20, 2011

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205961&id=26019-17809870-opCKlFx&t=7

4. “An Analysis of the Implications of the Stupak/Pitts Amendment for Coverage of Medically Indicated Abortions,” The George Washington University Medical Center, School of Public Health & Health Services, November 16, 2009

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205972&id=26019-17809870-opCKlFx&t=8 (PDF)

“Study: Stupak Amendment Will Eliminate Abortion Coverage ‘Over Time For All Women,'” Tal king Points Memo, November 18, 2009

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205973&id=26019-17809870-opCKlFx&t=9

“A Quick Note on the ‘No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,'” Mother Jones, January 20, 2011

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205975&id=26019-17809870-opCKlFx&t=10

“Extreme Abortion Coverage Ban Introduced,” Center for American Progress, January 20, 2011

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205961&id=26019-17809870-opCKlFx&t=11

5. “New GOP Bill Would Allow Hospitals To Let Women Die Instead Of Having An Abortion,” Talking Points Memo, February 4, 2011

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205974&id=26019-17809870-opCKlFx&t=12

6. “Extreme Abortion Coverage Ban Introduced,” Center for American Progress, January 20, 2011

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205961&id=26019-17809870-opCKlFx&t=13

7. “New GOP Bill Would Allow Hospitals To Let Women Die Instead Of Having An Abortion,” Talking Points Memo, February 4, 2011

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/new-gop-law-would-allow-hospitals-to-let-women-die-instead-of-having-an-abortion.php.

~ my 2cents ..., ~ Recent Post

The Hyde Amendment … a reminder~~STARTED 12/13/1971 ENDED 1/22/1973 internet

01/22/2024 Nativegrl77

Unhappy Birthday to the Amendment That Started the War on Women

I received a like & a few comments from someone from the extreme right, well, a breitbart team member. I have no respect for what breitbart represented.

I also have issues with FOX being considered a news program that is actually a Republican station, so any use of them as a resource is just not going to fly. When it comes to Election2012, I am definitely concerned about the folks that Ryan represents the fact that he not only follows, but also quotes Ayn Rand while quietly plotting out a plan to overturn roe V wade. The top of the ticket is an even scarier thought because Ryan like Romney along with other Republicans have planned NOT to give Americans the necessary information to make intelligent choices. Though folks are starting to tune in this – is the most important election Americans have had to participate in and Republicans are doing whatever they have to in order that left leaning folks right to vote is suppressed in election2012. I am, particularly concerned about a woman’s right to choose as Republican Governors took it upon themselves to pass unacceptable legislation ,screamed about their religious freedoms have been violated. While women all over the World watched in horror as a panel of men who not only refused to listen to Sandra fluke, they denied Eleanor Holmes Norton a seat at the table as well. I don’t know about you but I was pissed, scared and determined not to let a group of men turn back the clock in a fight for by women who suffered from a lack of Equality in all its forms, I mean are these men serious? do they think women are too stupid to make their own health care decisions or is there another reason for the sudden need to ban birth control possibly trash roe V wade. Maybe. I know Women’s suffrage was about a whole lot more than reproductive rights and we all must remember VAMA and the Equal pay Act are bills sitting waiting to become laws. While those in Congress, specifically republicans have decided, no business is good for their Elections there is a lot of Republican talk out there about birth control and abortion, which should scare Women. As VP Joe Biden stated in the debate, roe V wade is only as safe as the Supreme Court justices allowed to sit on the court are objective. The Hyde amendment was a knee jerk reaction from a man or group of men who believed that had the right to invade a Woman’s personal space, life and their right to choose. Unfortunately, in the end it became a law. We all know 98% of women use birth control. I know plenty girls (women) who have had abortions at 18, some are now married , have kids doing quite well thank you… went to college have good jobs and some are in that 47% because they are single parents . As a person of colour and mom, I am more than scared to be governed by Romney/Ryan … imagine that finger wagging Gov. Brewer did ; only it will be Romney/Ryan after having eliminated all social programs warning all of us brown, black ,mixed and whites folks considered a part of that low life 47%. So, as we gasp at most if not at all of what Conservatives are saying we hear so-called Republican, Trump and the rest of the new Republicans the notion that the time has come for the Rich to Rule America is in full effect this very moment.

I grew up thinking America was a good place to live for everyone but given the push from the “have it all” but it’s not enough seem to be trying to buy Election2012 Votes, we must all stay the course, fight back with our votes to fight the mission to turn back the clock or change our democracy. I have some serious doubts, especially with what I am reading on your blog – Republicans have taken a big risk and trashed 47% ,do not forget this includes Vets, teachers, firefighters police …City County and State workers have been cut, slashed and burned by the GOP.

I know the write up was negative … Though it might be a good opportunity to trade information, find out exactly why ideology rates higher than the greater good … well, at least ask.

FYI … from the Center for American Progress

Unhappy Birthday to the Amendment That Started the War on Women

… birth control become controversial?” In some ways, we can thank former Rep. Henry Hyde (R.-Ill.) for setting us on this path. The attacks on contraceptive coverage can be traced back to an amendment of his that turns 36 years old today. The Hyde Amendment…

By Jessica Arons | Monday, October 1, 2012

Introduction: 30 Years is Long Enough, by Jessica Arons
Part One: Hyde Amendment History, by Marlene Gerber Fried
Part Two: Dignity and Justice for Some?, by Sarah Horsley
Part Three: Does the Hyde Amendment Violate Human Rights?, by Patty Skuster and Jamie D. Brooks
Part Four: Expanding Reproductive Choice, by Susan Jenkins
Part Five: The Future of Hyde, by Toni M. Bond Leonard

~ my 2cents ...

Black History… is American History

01/17/2024 Nativegrl77

The featured image is by -Alice Ravenel Huger Smith, 1876-1958 “Loading a Rice Schooner”,c.1935

“I am no friend of slavery, but i prefer the liberty of my own country to that of another people, and the liberty of my own race to that of another race. The liberty of the descendants of Africa in the United States is incompatible with the safety and liberty of the European descendants. Their slavery forms an exception (resulting from a stern and inexorable necessity) to the general liberty in the United States.”

– Henry Clay

***********************************

Richard Powell said, “Jacob Lawrence maintained that he was not a “protest” painter but a depictor of scenes. He had ambitious visions and experimented considerably with his styles over the decades. Some of his works in the series”Over the line” are a bit clumsy, but most likely intentionally so and always strong and there is little ambiguity about his sympathy for his subjects.”

I strongly suggest looking reading and researching the works …”scenes” of the great Jacob Lawerence … they speak loud and clear – say what so many of us are feeling yet too timid to express.

– Richard Powell

Please checkout the link below …

https://whitney.org/www/jacoblawrence/overview.html

I am a big Jacob Lawrence fan … met him; he was very calm quiet and gracious and UW was very fortunate to have him as an “Artist in Residence” and faculty member. Anyway, his “scenes” speak to the current social conditions of today and the quote I choose to use for my rant is from Henry Clay … a symbol of conservatism … in a bad way and could explain the need for both the “Harriet Tubman” and”Migration of the Negro” series – Nativegrl77