Continuing of this week's theme with more African-American firsts, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment was a Continental Army regiment from Rhode Island during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). Like most regiments of the Continental Army, the unit went through several incarnations and name changes. It became well known as the "Black Regiment" because, for a time, … [Read more...] about Tuesday Open Thread: More African-American Firsts
Education
Monday Open Thread: Famous Depictions of African-American Stereotypes and Blackface
This week's open thread will focus on performers who made their living acting out African-American stereotypes and/or blackface. Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry (May 30, 1902 – November 19, 1985), better known by the stage name Stepin Fetchit, was an American comedian and film actor.Perry parlayed the Fetchit persona into a successful film career, eventually … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: Famous Depictions of African-American Stereotypes and Blackface
Saturday Open Thread: Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement
This week's open thread has highlighted the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. These were folks you wouldn't find in your high school or college history textbook, but they are very important. "Until the killing of black men, black mothers' sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother's son. We who believe in freedom cannot … [Read more...] about Saturday Open Thread: Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement
Friday Open Thread: Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement
Today's unsung hero is the late Clyde Kennard. Clyde Kennard (June 12, 1927 – July 4, 1963) was an American civil rights pioneer and martyr from Mississippi. In the 1950s, he attempted several times to enroll at Mississippi Southern College (now known as University of Southern Mississippi) to complete his undergraduate degree started at University of Chicago. USM was still … [Read more...] about Friday Open Thread: Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement
Wednesday Open Thread: Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement
Myles Falls Horton (July 9, 1905 – January 19, 1990) was an American educator, socialist and co-founder of the Highlander Folk School, famous for its role in the Civil Rights Movement (Movement leader James Bevel called Horton "The Father of the Civil Rights Movement"). Horton taught and heavily influenced most of the era's leaders. They included Dr. Martin Luther King … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement