This week's threads have focused on minstrel performers and black actors who were successful being stereotypes and wearing blackface. Today's post will highlight the inventor or Father of tap dancing and the first black minstrel performer. Master Juba (ca. 1825 – ca. 1852 or 1853) was an African-American dancer active in the 1840's. He was one of the first black … [Read more...] about Friday Open Thread: Famous Depictions of African-American Stereotypes and Blackface
Friday Open Thread
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
Friday Open Thread: African-Americans and the Revolutionary War
It's Friday! It's the end of the work week and the start of the weekend. Continuing with the theme of the week, I will highlight the accomplishments of Thomas Peters. Thomas Peters (also known as Thomas Potters) (June 25, 1738 in Nigeria - 1792 in Freetown, Sierra Leone) was one of the Black Loyalist Founding Fathers of Sierra Leone. Peters, along with David … [Read more...] about Friday Open Thread: African-Americans and the Revolutionary War
Friday Open Thread: Black Radio Jockeys
Today I am highlighting the career of Tom Joyner. Thomas "Tom" Joyner (born November 23, 1949) is an American radio host, host of the nationally syndicated The Tom Joyner Morning Show, and also founder of REACH Media Inc., the Tom Joyner Foundation, and BlackAmericaWeb.com. Joyner was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, the son of Frances and Hercules L. Joyner. Tom came from an … [Read more...] about Friday Open Thread: Black Radio Jockeys