Tag Archives: history

“No sense of identity” and “menaced by a lack of vision” (James Baldwin)

James Baldwin was born on August 2, 1924, which happens to be the same year my grandmother was born. It is strange to think of them being in the same age cohort. That is a rumination for another day! If you haven’t seen I Am Not Your Negro, do that as soon as you can.Continue reading ““No sense of identity” and “menaced by a lack of vision” (James Baldwin)”

“People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them” (James Baldwin)

One of the things I am proudest of for this spring semester is that I was able to get students interested in history…the history that isn’t often told in school, to be specific. The first session of my Social Movement/Social Change class happened on January 13, a week after the events at the Capitol. IContinue reading ““People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them” (James Baldwin)”

Black history is American history

Black history is American history, all year long, not just in February. That being said, the textbooks and curriculum most often used in the US still minimizes the contributions of Black people with respect to scientists, educators, inventors, writers, and others. As Sachel Harris wrote in February of 2020, “With 80% of teachers being whiteContinue reading “Black history is American history”

Roots and wings and (social justice) dreams

The picture of Vice President Elect Kamala Harris walking alongside the shadow of 6 year old Ruby Bridges has been giving me life the past few days. I have taught three classes this week and shown the picture in 2 of them. In one of the classes (a freshman seminar focused on social change), noContinue reading “Roots and wings and (social justice) dreams”