Although the abolitionist movement is often said to have started when the Mennonite and Quaker communities of Pennsylvania published a pamphlet condemning slavery in 1688, organized resistance by Africans was recorded as early as 1522. By the time the Civil War ended and the Thirteenth Amendment was enacted in 1865, the fight to end slavery…
Anna Murray-Douglass and Claudette Colvin are little-known figures in African-American history, often being left out of narratives involving prominent contributions towards black liberation. Anna Murray-Douglass grew up in the 19th century as the first emancipated child to her newly-freed parents. While she played a pivotal role in American history, most of us know her…
Queen Nzingha, or Ana de Sousa Nzinga Mbande, was an African ruler who was born in 1583 in Angola. She held dominion over the Matamba and Ndongo Kingdoms of Angola’s Mbundu people from 1631 until her death, attributed to natural causes, on December 17th, 1663. Queen Nzingha ruled long enough to earn several nicknames,…
It is generally believed that black people first came to England as slaves. That assumption is a common misperception and one that historian Miranda Kaufmann is working to correct with her first book, Black Tudors: The Untold Story. This remarkable book explores the heretofore unknown history of black people in 16th century England—individuals who lived freely…
As we observe Black History Month in February, educators and historians are busy collaborating with artists, community leaders and activists for the purpose of preparing lessons, exhibits and events to highlight the importance of African ancestry and history to the development of North American society. Traditionally, Black History Month celebrations in the United States focus…
Democrats today took to the House floor to debate an impeachment resolution set to catapult Donald Trump into infamy as the first President in the history of the United States to face possible removal from office for a second time. A swift and surprisingly bipartisan vote to condemn his role in “incitement of insurrection” as…
Members of the National Guard were deployed to the US Capitol ahead of the Congressional vote on impeaching President Trump for a second time. The soldiers were observed standing inside the building with their weapons, whilst some of them lay casually on blankets on the floor. Defense department officials announced that the troops, who are…
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democrats in the House of Representatives released the final text of their warp-speed resolution to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time on Tuesday January 11th. The remarkable and history making twice around charges read as “incitement of insurrection,” with a direct reference to the storming of the US Capitol on…
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced he was banning President Donald Trump from the platform indefinitely. Zuckerberg, alluding to the US Capitol siege, said he was disturbed at the shocking events, and that they clearly demonstrated Trump’s “[intention] to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power” to president…
Democrats across the country celebrated the blue sweep of Georgia Senate seats as Rev Warnock and Jon Ossoff reversed two of the hardest fought races in recent history. Jubilant Black Georgia voters, who were largely responsible for swinging the race, can now reasonably hope to expect the passing of policies that benefit African Americans, especially…
