Do Young People Need a History Lesson?

Does the date July 4, 1776 mean anything to you? Obviously it should; it was the day that the United States declared its independence. However, a Marist poll released recently has shown that only 58 percent of Americans know when we declared our independence. What is even worse to me is that only 31 percent of adults under 30 years old say that 1776 is when we declared independence.  About one in four Americans also don’t know what country we declared our independence from. Only 67 percent of those under the age of 30 know that it was Great Britain.

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Justin Burkhardt

146 Years Freedmen, Celebrating Juneteenth 2011

As a native Texans and Houstonian, I have always been exposed to “Juneteenth” celebrations. Juneteenth events recognize the day, June 19, 1865 when enslaved African-Americans in Texas first got word that they had been freed. On September 22, 1862 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Proclamation which took over two years before generals landed on Galveston Bay to render the news. 146 years ago this year, marks the day that Union General Gordon Granger and about 2,000 federal troops (some black union soldiers from the north), to ensure that the freeing of the enslaved Africans on plantations in America’s South.

Many of the formerly enslaved persons migrated from the plantations on along the Brazos River to Houston. Once they reached Houston, they wasted little time coming together and getting organized. A historic neighborhood called, “Freedman’s Town” was erected and was where Blacks from Houston lived. Freedman’s Town, named to describe them being “Free Men,” was located in an areas of Houston designated as the “Fourth ward.”

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Christina Sanders

Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter still fighting long after boxing days pass

“He once boxed to make a living — because, he said, blacks in the 1940s and ’50s had few options outside being a criminal or entertainer — but he fights today because innocent people in prison rarely have anyone in their corner. After enduring a portion of his prison bid and being instrumental in an oscar performance by Denzel Washington, Rubin Carter examines himself as he stares in the “Eye of the Hurricane” in his new book. CNN takes us back and then prepares us for the release of his latest production.

Posted by:

DJWillieShakes

Egypt Is NOT The United States! And Give Yourself More Credit!

Over the last several weeks, I’ve seen a number of articles and Facebook status updates asking why our nation’s youth aren’t in the streets protesting corruption in the same way that our generational counterparts are in Egypt. After all, the dedication that we are seeing broadcast live on the Internet highlights how committed our young African counterparts are to their futures.

But I don’t think it’s healthy to compare our generation’s struggles here in the United States with those in Egypt. While Color Lines highlights how similar the socio-economic realities of young Egyptians are compared to that of young people of color, specifically young blacks, I think we are denying our own movement history if we go too far with the comparison.

More after the jump.

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Biko Baker

The Truth About Blacks and Abortion |99Problems.org

“I never understood Planned Parenthood, Cause I never met nobody plan to be a parent in the hood” says a joyful Kanye West on his underground release, ‘The Joy’.” “Taking refills, of that plan B pill, another shorty that won’t make it to the family will,” he continues. It sounds funny but a lot of my people can relate to that line which is why they chuckle when they stumble upon that line in the song. … Continue Reading

Posted by:

DJWillieShakes