News with a historical perspective
Vanity Fair takes you through an oral and visual recount of the first 14 days after the murder of George Floyd. From Minnesota politicians and friends of the victims to activists at the frontlines of the Black Lives Matter protests, rallies, and marches, we hear from pivotal voices who paint a picture of their observationsContinue reading “Where Do We Go From Here? | Voices of the Black Lives Matter Movement – Black History Month”
Duane L. Jones (April 11, 1937 – July 22, 1988) was an American actor and theatre director, best known for his leading role as Ben in the 1968 horror filmNight of the Living Dead.[1][2] He was later director of the Maguire Theater at the State University of New York at Old Westbury, and the artistic director of the Richard Allen Center for Culture and Art in Manhattan. PriorContinue reading “Duane Jones | A Starring Role – Black History Month”
On February 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin, an African American teen walking home from a trip to a convenience store, is fatally shot by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer patrolling the townhouse community of the Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Florida. Zimmerman later claimed to have shot the unarmed 17-year-old out of self-defense duringContinue reading “This Day in History: The Killing of Trayvon Martin – Black History Month”
Death is an Americanrock band formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in 1971 by brothers Bobby (bass, vocals), David (guitar), and Dannis (drums) Hackney. The trio started out as a funk band but switched to rock after seeing a concert by The Who.[1] Seeing Alice Cooper play was also an inspiration.[2] Music critic Peter Margasak retrospectively wrote that David “pushed the group in a hard-rock direction thatContinue reading “Before There Was Punk: Death – Black History Month”
Bad Brains are an American rock band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk,[1][2][3] though the band’s members have objected to this term to describe their music.[4] They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of other genres like funk,[5] heavy metal,[1] hip hop and soul.[5] Bad Brains are followers of the Rastafari movement.[5] Originally formed as a jazzContinue reading “Bad Brains – Black History Month”
The Harlem Renaissance was an intellectual and cultural revival of African American music, dance, art, fashion, literature, theater and politics centered in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, spanning the 1920s and 1930s. At the time, it was known as the “New Negro Movement“, named after The New Negro, a 1925 anthology edited by Alain Locke. The movement also included the newContinue reading “The Harlem Renaissance – Black History Month”
Mardi Gras Indians (also known as Black Masking Indians) are black carnival revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana, who dress up for Mardi Gras in suits influenced by Native American ceremonial apparel. Collectively, their organizations are called “tribes”. There are about 38 tribes which range in size from half a dozen to several dozen members. The groups are largely independent, but a pair ofContinue reading “Mardi Gras Indians – Black History Month”
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (/djuːˈbɔɪs/ dew-BOYSS;[1][2] February 23, 1868 – August 27, 1963) was an American sociologist, socialist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, author, writer and editor. Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Du Bois grew up in a relatively tolerant and integrated community, and after completing graduate work at the University of Berlin and Harvard, where he was the first African American to earn a doctorate, he became a professor ofContinue reading “W.E.B. Du Bois – Black History Month”
Gerald Anderson “Jerry” Lawson (December 1, 1940 – April 9, 2011)[1][2] was an American electronic engineer. He is known for his work in designing the Fairchild Channel F video game console as well as leading the team that pioneered the commercial video game cartridge.[3] He has been dubbed by some as the “Father of Modern Gaming”.[4] Lawson was born in Brooklyn, New York City,Continue reading “Gerald “Jerry” Lawson | The Father of Video Games – Black History Month”
Eunice Kathleen Waymon (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003), known professionally as Nina Simone, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, arranger, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned a broad range of musical styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop. The sixth of eight children born to a poor family in Tryon, North Carolina, Simone initially aspired to be a concert pianist.[1] With theContinue reading “Nina Simone – Black History Month”
Among the Fray 