Wiki History!

    In this month (March, that is), we have been examining famous marches in history like the Bloody Sunday march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. Of course, we know that the marches did not make it all the way to Montgomery on that fateful day. But they did make the march to Montgomery a few days later—and that was also an historic moment in the civil rights movement.    Another famous march was the iconic March on Washington—also known as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In the second wiki history podcast on marches, we examined less famous marches and we focused on marches in only one city: Oakland, California. Remember we chose Oakland, California because it has been called—and rightly so—a hotbed of radical activism.  We discussed marches in that city like the 12-man march (remember,  it was about racial profiling) and the marches in support of Oscar Grant, Alan Blueford and other young Black men killed by law enforcement.  And we briefly mentioned Oakland’s African American mayors: Lionel

  Hello and welcome back to robinlofton.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history.  Today, we are continuing with our wiki history podcast series about marches and protests. March seems like the perfect month for this interesting topic.    America is legendary for its famous marches and protests.  From the furtive Boston Tea Party to the legendary March on Washington and beyond, the United States is a country of marching and protesting. With its diverse citizenry and constitutionally protected speech, people feel free to take to the streets, wave a sign, hold hands, and shout, march, sit or even lay down.   In the first podcast, we discussed two famous marches: the March from Selma to Montgomery (or the bloody Sunday march), about which a recent biopic film was recently released. I just saw it and think that it was a fantastic film that portrayed the problem (voting rights for African Americans), the marches and the players in a fair and realistic light. Then, of course, we discussed the

Welcome back to robinlofton.com!  This is the place where we are remembering history and the place where we are making it. March is an interesting month: winter melts into spring, schools take a long—and much-needed break and many of us are still on a high from last month’s Black history month celebrations and remembrances. With all the great stories, achievements, and contributions, Black history month is a very hard act to follow. But March does have its strengths.  This month, the theme will be marches. You know, when people get out and march, protest and make demands on the government for changes, improvements and justice.  I’m talking about that important and powerful form of protest: marching.    Yes, in March, we will discuss marches. We’ll discuss famous marches. We’ll discuss not-so-famous marches.  We will also examine why we march.  And, during March month—and every month—I would love to hear from you if you’ve ever been involved in a march. What was it like? What were you marching about?  What do

The last two podcasts, we have been enjoying a discussion of Black History Month. On first day, we looked at what Black History month actually is and what people can do to recognize and celebrate it. Yes, it is a time for learning and it is also a time for celebration. I love food so I’m celebrating it by making food from my heritage every day this month. And I’ve put the pictures on my Facebook page. I hope that you have seen the Jollof Rice and plantains that I posted.  I hope that you are thinking of more ways to celebrate this great month. Remember, yes, history is very important but you can also commemorate the month through cultural activities (like music, art, or food) or political activities like attending a rally.  One great way to celebrate Black History Month is to celebrate the Black family. Spending time together as a family is a wonderful way to honor the month. You can even remember or set a place for the ancestors.   On the second day, we discussed who founded Black History Month. We noted th

Yesterday, I introduced Black History Month.  I discussed what this month is and means and all the ways great and small that people can celebrate this great month.  I also noted that everyone is invited to participate in Black History Month. It’s not just for African Americans (or even just for Black peopld worldwide) but also for all cultures and ethnicities, genders, ages, and interests.   Today, I will discuss the person who initiated or founded Black History month.   Have you heard of Dr. Carter G. Woodson?  Listen and prepare to be impressed!   Carter G. Woodson was born in Virginia in 1875,  the son of former slaves. As the eldest son of nine children, he helped to support the family by working as a sharecropper and a miner. But he was always an avid reader and interested student.  He graduated from Douglass High School, the University of Chicago, and, in 1912, became the second African American to receive a doctorate from Harvard University. (W.E.B. Dubois was the first.)   Throughout his studies, he n

What is Black History Month?    Black History Month is a time for learning about the African American experience, which includes the history and other issues, events, and experiences that are important to the African American community. And might actually be important to all Americans. After all, we are one country.    This is a time for learning about the contributions of Black people, learning about the struggles, the victories, the difficulties, and the successes of African Americans.  As a child, Black History month was a time when we would change the focus from great American figures like Thomas Jefferson to “other” great Americans like Martin Luther King.  But we wouldn’t stop there. We would learn about “lesser known” African American “greats” like Benjamin Banneker, Bass Reeves, and Mary McLeod Bethune, Ida B. Wells. Just recently, I learned about Bessie Coleman who was the first Black woman aviator—she wasn’t permitted to learn to fly in the United States, so she taught herself French, moved to Fran

Welcome back to robinlofton.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history. Today we’re also studying history.    We’re continuing our examination into the modern Civil Rights movement in the United States.  In Part I, we looked at the early movement beginning around the turn of the century and some of the iconic people who set the stage for the modern movement.  We looked at the transition of the movement into an organized and concerted effort toward ensuring equality and equal rights for African Americans. This was, by no means, a chance occurrence.  Leaders in the African American community, particularly the churches, had been patiently awaiting the right moment, person, and opportunity to make a strong statement and begin the modern movement. On December 1, 1955, when Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to get up her seat on a segregated bus, the movement was begun.  The modern movement was marked by organized marches, protests, sit-ins, freedom rides and other acts of civil disobedience.

History is Power: The Civil Rights Movement   Welcome back to robinlofton.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history!  Today, we are continuing with next part of our History is Power Lecture series.  Today’s lecture is about Civil Rights but let’s back up for a moment for those who are just joining us or to refresh our memory.   Remember, we began by asking why it is important to know African American history. I think that the legendary Jackie Robinson answered that question by encouraging us to believe in fairy tales. Remember on his first day playing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, he almost could not believe it because he thought that an African American might not ever play in the major leagues and he thought that he would never be the first to do so.  But they did and he was the first. So, he says that he believes in fairy tales…that fairy tales do come true because it happened to him. At the end of the first lecture, we concluded that if it could happen to him, then it can happen to

Kwanzaa Day Two: Kujichagulia   Heri za kwanzaa!   Welcome back to robinlofton.com where we are working our way through the 7 days of Kwanzaa. Actually, I will say that we are celebrating our way through the 7 days of Kwanzaa because Kwanzaa is indeed a celebration of seven principles of African culture.  Yesterday, we studied and celebrated the foundation of the Kwanzaa celebration, which is Unity (or Umoja).  I hope that you had a good celebration. I would love to hear how you celebrated this important and foundational first day so please let me know at robinlofton.com.   But let me begin with the greeting in the Swahili language of Habari gani!   Do you know your response? No problem, we’re just learning it. Your response on this second day of Kwanzaa is Kujichagulia! The response will change for each day of Kwanzaa.   Today, we move on to the second day of Kwanzaa. Today, we study and celebrate Self-Determination or Kujichagulia (remember that’s the word in Swahili). It encourages us to define ourselve

Kwanzaa Day One: Unity     Heri za Kwanzaa! (Happy Kwanzaa in Swahili)   Habari Gani! (a Swahili greeting that we use during the 7-days of Kwanzaa)   Welcome back to robinlofton.com! Today, we begin to learn about the celebration of Kwanzaa. As we learned in the last podcast, which was a basic introduction, Kwanzaa is a 7-day celebration of the “first fruits of harvest.” It is a holiday that was created in 1966 by Dr. Ron Karenga to encourage African Americans and Blacks around the world to reconnect with their African roots, traditions, and customs.  In fact, each day of Kwanzaa, which officially begins on December 26, focuses on a particular principle, and has customs and rituals associated with it.   So, why did I say Habari Gani?  Because it is the pan-Africanist greeting (in Swahili) used during the Kwanzaa celebration.  The response is the Swahili word that represents the principle for the day, which for today is Umoja. So, I say again: Habari Gani:   Let’s begin at the beginning: Kwanzaa Day One:   T

Introduction to Kwaanza!   Welcome back to robinlofton.com!  Thanks for listening this December because the podcasts this month are very special. Actually, all the podcasts are special (like November’s Wiki history podcasts about Blacks in the Military or October’s wiki history lecture series about Black Explorers). The wiki history lecture series this month will recognize a holiday and discuss ways to celebrate this holiday.   So, without further ado, what is the holiday?  Kwanzaa!   That’s right, the wiki history lecture series is about Kwanzaa. Last month, I promised to do this series about this important holiday so that’s what we’re gonna do.  I hope you remembered that the History is Power! lecture for December has been delayed until January so that we could devote more time to studying Kwanzaa (which you will hear is a great mixture of history, culture, politics, Pan-Africanist principles, and spirituality).  But the History is Power! Lecture series will return in January and will discuss the civil rig

The African American experience has become a popular topic in the movies. From examining slavery to civil rights and beyond, African American history is being shown on the big screen in authentic, sensitive, and compelling manner. One aspect of the African American experience takes place in the military.    African Americans have fought or served in the military during every American war. This experience has differed from war to war and person to person. Yet there is a connection between the experiences and stories. Some have been positive and courageous. Others have shown discrimination and discouragement. Yet they are all facets of the African American experience and have been shown in movies.  Here are some of the best movies showing different aspects of the African American experience in the armed forces.   Glory (1989)   This is the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which was the first all African American army platoon.  The setting of the story is the Civil War.  President Lincol

Welcome back to robinlofton.com for Part II of the African Americans in the Military wiki history podcast!   In Part I, we examined the strong presence of African Americans in every U.S. war since the American Revolution. We also looked at problems of segregation, racial bias, and unequal treatment of Blacks in the military. And I mentioned that this these podcasts are dedicated to Nabvets, which is the National Association of Black Veterans, for their great contribution to improving the lives of Black veterans and their families. Thanks to your help (listening to this podcast series), I have been able to make a good contribution to this organization. But I want to donate more so keep listening because it’s about to get even more interesting. At the end of this podcast, you will learn how to contribute to this organization.   In this podcast, we will discuss African Americans who have distinguished themselves in the armed forces. There are regiments that have served the U.S. with honor and distinction. I have

Welcome back to robinlofton.com for another Wiki History Lecture!         November is the month that Americans remember and honor its veterans—the brave men and women who fought for freedom and liberty both within the country and around the world. As of 2013, there are nearly 20 million veterans living in the United States.  Of that number, more than 2 million veterans are African American.     African Americans have fought in every war beginning with the Revolutionary War.   Civil War: 200,000 African Americans served. World War I: 375,000 African Americans served World War II: 1 million African Americans served   I won’t continue through all the wars but I’m sure that you send the trend!   Indeed, the African American presence in the military was always strong and is continuing to grow stronger. There were difficulties, particularly racial discrimination, there were victories and triumphs, there have been heroes (lots of heroes!) and yes, there have been defeats. The history is long and varied so I th

Part I Coming to America: Slavery and Abolition   Hi and welcome to the Wiki History lecture series called History is Power! Produced by robinlofton.com where history is power.  In the introductory lecture, we read a journal entry by Jackie Robinson about how he felt that he was living in a fairy tale on the day that joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. His moving entry helped us to understand that fairy tales (or happy endings) can happen to everyone, including you and me. And that is one reason to learn history: inspiration.   Today, we continue our Wiki lecture series about the importance of knowing African American history.  We can ask again: why is history important?   Let’s begin with another journal entry.   Look at www.robinlofton.com for the written excerpt by Frederick Douglass.   That was from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. He very eloquently describes how slaves were treated with such inhumanity, nearly like animals, and kept ignorant of even their identity. And this is

Black Explorers Part II   Welcome back to robinlofton.com for another Wiki History lecture. Today is the second lecture about black explorers. In the first Wiki history lecture, we discussed Matthew Henson, who was the first person to reach the North Pole. While there is some dispute about this, we recognized that Henson made incredible contributions as a navigator, ocean surveyor, and explorer.  There is a lot more to know about this great man and his explorations so I encourage you to listen to the first Wiki History lecture and to read his book, A Negro in the North Pole, which you can find on robinlofton.com.   In today’s wiki lecture, we will discuss explorations that are out of this world!  These black explorers went longer and farther than many people ever dream of going.  They are great examples of why we are studying explorers. We can learn so much from them. They had a grand vision and never-ending determination. They worked hard and never gave up. Remember it took 20 years and numerous failed attem

The African American Explorers 1   October 13th was Columbus Day in the United States. He is celebrated for his explorations to/around India in the 15th century. Today, we know that he didn’t actually make the trip to India and we don’t want to discuss what he did in the Americas, but there is no denying that Christopher Columbus was an explorer. Of course, there have been (and still are) many people who show the courage to leave their own shore in search of distant lands.  We hear their shories of courage (and sometimes conquest) in history classes and on the Discovery Channel or PBS. But we don’t often learn about African American explorers and their burning desire to explore strange new lands and go boldly where no one has gone before.   This podcast will introduce you to African American explorers and show you that while the world is getting smaller and smaller, the adventures and explorations are getting greater and bolder. The boundaries are endless. The only limit is your imagination, your courage, an

  The Importance of African American history: Believe in fairy tales!   Hi and welcome to the Wiki History lecture series called History is Power! Produced by robinlofton.com where history is power. Today, we begin our 5-minute lecture series about the importance of knowing African American history.  We begin by asking why is history important? Great question. Perhaps the answer can be found in this famous journal entry, which says,   Next time I go to a movie and see a picture of a little ordinary girl become a great star, I’ll believe it.   And whenever I hear someone read fairy tales to my little boy, I’ll listen.   I know that dreams do come true.   I know because I am now playing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the big leagues!   I always dreamed about playing for the Dodgers, but honestly, I always had my doubts. I used to tell myself: “Something will happen. It just isn’t in the books for you to play in the majors. You’re a Negro. Negroes haven’t been in the big leagues. Some day they will be. But you wo

This is an introduction to robinlofton. It discusses the great features, discussions, blog posts, and podcasts that the visitor will find here. You will find information about Maya Angelou and Ida B. Wells, Frederick Douglass and Trayvon Martin. You will find information about African American history and current events that affect the Black community.