Smithsonian’s Black History Museum website launches - and it is genius

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The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has not opened yet, however, people can begin their experience online.

I said the website is genius and this is why: with software donated by IBM, the site incorporates social networking. I know, you are probably thinking ‘like MySpace?’ Nope, you are not going to have profiles with people half-naked and such. What you will be able to do is share “Memories”.

The “Memory” feature allows people to share their own Black History experience via stories, photographs, etc. The museum plans to add video capabilities in the near future.

I created a profile and plan to explore some of the features and will definitely contribute.

I feel allowing people to submit their experiences is great because it reminds people that they are part of the history. What better assignment could a teacher assign his/her students than to submit their experiences to the site?

The museum monitors all submissions for a couple reasons:

• To get ideas for future exhibits
• To watch for historical accuracy
• To filter and delete any racist posts or comments (like posts from those who feel Black History is racist)

The website functions as a virtual museum and provides a new resource for research.

I urge you all to check out the site, create a profile, share your experiences, and let us all know what you think below.

Also, what do you think about the feature being called “Memories”? Black History is being made today with Barack Obama running for president, so do you think the name is accurate?

I think it is fine, I could easily post a story regarding my memory of Barack Obama announcing his bid for president or his stance on the Jena 6 situation, for example.

Little Rock Nine 50th Anniversary

This week mark’s the 50th Anniversary of federal troops escorting nine black students into, then all-white, Central High School.

One of those students, Terrance Roberts, says:

This country has demonstrated over time that it is not prepared to operate as an integrated society.

Do you agree?

The Little Rock Nine

Following the landmark Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Topeka Board of Education, schools were set to be integrated, forcefully if needed.

Yep, you guessed it, force was definitely needed.

The NAACP registered nine black students to attend Central High because the Little Rock School Board agreed to comply with the Court’s ruling that segregated schools were unconstitutional.

When the time came for the students to attend, many segregationists blocked the entrance to the school and Governor Orval Faubus sent the Arkansas National Guard to support them. In response, President Eisenhower sent armed federal troops to Arkansas to escort the students (see image to the left). Governor Orval backed down. This is what many call the Little Rock Crisis.

HBO is set to mark the 50th Anniversary with its documentary Little Rock Central: 50 Years Later.

My challenge to African Americans on the internet

Over the past couple days my fire has been lit as a result of a blog written by Adrianne Curry, former America’s Next Top Model, chastising Black History Month and BET.

I responded to her blog - not because I particularly care about what she has to say, rather, because there are an untold number of people who agree with her. The sad part is that some of them are African American.

The response I wrote attempted to educate people on just why Black History Month and BET exist. So my challenge to African Americans on the internet is this - show your support of education link the hell out of the article.

This does not just apply to African American’s of course, I specifically said us because we have to be in the mentality of fixing our own house before others can help.

So, back to the challenge:

• link to the article from your websites
• email links to the article to your friends and family
• post a bulletin on MySpace, BlackPlanet, or wherever, containing the link to the article
• feel free to print the article to distribute to others, however, DO NOT COPY THE ARTICLE AND PUT IT ON YOUR OWN BLOG/SITE (but you may quote excerpts in your own discussions)

Again, the purpose of this challenge is to educate everyone on why Black History Month and things like BET exist.

Here is the article: America’s Next Top Model calls Black History Month racist

Are you up to the challenge??

African Americans and Brazil

The Los Angeles Times has a pretty interesting article discussing Brazil’s link to African Americans.

It examines how thousands of Americans are visiting the town of Cachoeira and the vast majority of them are African American.

From the article:

With its varied and exotic attractions, Brazil has long been a travel mecca, drawing more than 700,000 U.S. citizens annually. But the big attraction for many black Americans is Brazil’s flourishing African heritage, most evident here in Bahia state, where vast slave plantations once serviced Europe’s craving for sugar and tobacco.

“The different African traditions have certainly been better preserved here,” said Paulette Bradley, a marketing manager who was visiting with a group from Atlanta. “It seems that African heritage was more diluted in the States.”

“African heritage was more diluted in the States”

This is true, it happened as a result of a couple things, including the following:

• Forced assimilation and cultural genocide - Have you seen Roots? Then you should remember the ‘your name is Toby’ scene.
• Assimilation as a result of a disconnect - Many African Americans don’t have a sense of their own history, and thus, assimilate and the sad part is that many of them express disdain at those who express cultural pride.
• Assimilation as a means of survival - After being told for generations by the majority that you, your practices, and your very being are inferior, you are going to emulate the majority to be more like them.

Be sure to check out the article, it breaks down the areas rich in African history. Maybe you will want to go…

Adrianne Curry supporter comments and I respond

Not surprising, an Adrianne Curry supporter showed up to comment on my answer to her calling Black History and BET racist. I suspect that others will show up due to the large number of views the article has received in such a short amount of time.

Here is the comment he left:

Troy Stoner on September 23rd, 2007 4:50 am

I agree with the model. Which is shocking because Miss South Carolina couldn’t form a coherent sentence. I’m impressed that a model could say something meaningful and true. When humans do not FIRST understand what makes us connected, pointing out and “bringing self esteem” to our differences, only polarizes the idea of black and white. Instead of greyish pink humans and brown ones. You demonize white power, but black power is ok????????????????????????????????????????????????

Time to respond Read more

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