On this day in 1870 (150 years ago), Hiram Revels was sworn in as senator from Mississippi, becoming the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate. Revels is one of only 11 African Americans ever to have served in the United States Senate. Discuss this anniversary with the values of equity and voice.
Tag: racial justice
The NAACP Image Awards
Tonight at 8pm ET, The NAACP Image Awards will “celebrate the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.” The event provides a prime-time opportunity to uplift the importance of cultural strategies and representation to achieving racial justice. Cite the values of voice and equity.
Slave Rebellion Reenactment
On this day in 1811, 500 enslaved Africans, representing 50 different nations with 50 different languages, revolted and fought against U.S. troops and militias not just for their own emancipation, but to end slavery. The ultimate goal of the “German Coast Uprising” (as it came to be known) was to create an independent Black republic with New Orleans as its capital. Artist Dread Scott organized aSlave Rebellion Reenactment as a profound “what if?” story for freedom.
W. E. B. Du Bois
On this day in 1868, W. E. B. Du Bois was born. He was a sociologist, historian, Pan-Africanist, author, and editor, was one of the co-founders of the NAACP in 1909 and the leader of the Niagara Movement. Discuss his birthday as another example of working for racial justice. Cite the values of equity and voice.
The War on Poverty
On this day in 1891, folklorist, anthropologist, and author Zora Neale Hurston was born. Hurston is best known for her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. In her work for the Works Project Administration (WPA), she also documented songs and life histories of interesting, everyday people, including labor conditions. Discuss Hurston’s birthday by citing the values of Voice, Equality, and Community.
The Lemon Grove Incident
The struggle for desegregated schools is often seen as an East Coast issue. On Jan. 5, 1931, however, the principal of the Lemon Grove Grammar School refused to admit Mexican-American and migrant children. The resulting legal case, Roberto Alvarez vs. the Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School District, became the first successful school desegregation court decision in the history of the United States. Cite the values of Voice, Equality, and Community.
Remembering Oscar Grant
On Jan. 1, 2009, Oscar Grant III was fatally shot by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police in Oakland, California. On the 13-year anniversary of Grant’s death, ending police brutality and re-defining community safety continue to ground advocacy to move beyond policing. Cite the values of safety, community, and equity when recognizing this anniversary.
Nina Simone
On this day in 1933, singer, songwriter, pianist, and activist Nina Simone was born. Throughout her career, Simone fearlessly spoke out against injustice. Use the anniversary of Simone’s birth as the opportunity to talk about the example she provided for artists to be activists and cultural influencers. Cite the values of voice and equity.
State of Indian Nations
Each year, the president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) presents the State of Indian Nations around the same time as the U.S. president’s State of the Union. To facilitate direct engagement, a member of Congress is also invited each year to deliver a congressional response.
Day of Remembrance: Japanese American Incarceration
On this day in 1942, the War Relocation Authority was established to relocate Japanese-Americans to internment camps. Discuss the significance of this anniversary by emphasizing the values of community and safety.
