#Black American History

[thechanelmuse]

Juneteenth is a Black American holiday. 

We call Juneteenth many things: Black Independence Day, Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day. We celebrate and honor our ancestors. 

December 31 is recognized as Watch Night or Freedom’s Eve in Black American churches because it marks the day our enslaved ancestors were awaiting news of their freedom going into 1863. On January 1, 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. But all of the ancestors wouldn’t be freed until June 19, 1865 for those in Galveston, Texas and even January 23, 1866 for those in New Jersey (the last slave state). (It’s also worth noting that our people under the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations wouldn’t be freed until April 28, 1866 and June 14, 1866 for those under the Cherokee Nation by way of the Treaties.)

Since 1866, Black Americans in Texas have been commemorating the emancipation of our people by way of reading the Emancipation Proclamation and coming together to have parades, free festivities, and later on pageants. Thereafter, it spread to select states as an annual day of commemoration of our people in our homeland. 

Here’s a short silent video filmed during the 1925 Juneteenth celebration in Beaumont, Texas:

(It’s also worth noting that the Mascogos tribe in Coahuila, Mexico celebrate Juneteenth over there as well. Quick history lesson: A total of 305,326 Africans were shipped to the US to be enslaved alongside of American Indians who were already or would become enslaved as prisoners of war, as well as those who stayed behind refusing to leave and walk the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma. In the United States, you were either enslaved under the English territories, the Dutch, the French, the Spanish, or under the Nations of what would called the Five “Civilized” Native American Tribes: Cherokee, Creek (Muscogee), Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminoles. Mascogos descend from the Seminoles who escaped slavery during the Seminole Wars, or the Gullah Wars that lasted for more than 100 years if you will, and then settled at El Nacimiento in 1852.)

We largely wave our red, white and blue flags on Juneteenth. These are the only colors that represent Juneteenth. But sometimes you may see others wave our Black American Heritage flag (red, black, and gold).

Juneteenth is a day of respect. It has nothing to do with Africa, diversity, inclusion, immigration, your Pan-African flag, your cashapps, nor your commerce businesses. It is not a day of “what about” isms. It is not a day to tap into your inner colonizer and attempt to wipe out our existence. That is ethnocide and anti-Black American. If you can’t attend a Black American (centered) event that’s filled with education on the day, our music, our food and other centered activities because it’s not centered around yours…that is a you problem. Respect our day for what and whom it stands for in our homeland. 

Juneteenth flag creator: “Boston Ben” Haith 

It was created in 1997. The red, white and blue colors represent the American flag. The five-point star represents the Lone State (Texas). The white burst around the star represents a nova, the beginning of a new star. The new beginning for Black Americans. 

Black American Heritage Flag creators: Melvin Charles & Gleason T. Jackson

It was created in 1967, our Civil Rights era. The color black represents the ethnic pride for who we are. Red represents the blood shed for freedom, equality, justice and human dignity. Gold fig wreath represents intellect, prosperity, and peace. The sword represents the strength and authority exhibited by a Black culture that made many contributions to the world in mathematics, art, medicine, and physical science, heralding the contributions that Black Americans would make in these and other fields. 

SN: While we’re talking about flags, I should note that Grace Wisher, a 13-year-old free Black girl from Baltimore helped stitched the Star Spangled flag, which would inspire the national anthem during her six years of service to Mary Pickersgill. I ain’t even gon hold you. I never looked too far into it, but she prob sewed that whole American flag her damn self. They love lying about history here until you start unearthing them old documents. 

In conclusion, Juneteenth is a Black American holiday. Respect us and our ancestors.

[thewomanwhoreads]

Neighbourhood children greet Ms. Gibson upon her return to Harlem after winning Wimbledon in 1957

[uzumaki-rebellion]

Before I forget, Happy Juneteenth. Saying it early cuz I know I'll forget tomorrow if I don't. Shout out to the Texas Fam (especially Galveston, Dallas-Fortworth, Beaumont, and Houston!)

[lionheartapothecaryx]

BIBLIOMANCY: THE PSALMS 📖🔮🕯️


During the many centuries of American history, Black African Americans had contact with various different religions and ethnic cultures ie; multiple Indigenous Tribes, Jews, Appalachians, Dutch, Swedes, Caribbeans, Haitian Kreyols and many more, through the Chattel Transatlantic Trade an land migration. These pivotal interactions are introduced the assimilation of many ritual practices. Hoodoo is a multiculturally mixed practice, with many nuances and intersections. It reflects the attitude and practices of many different generations, cultivated, passed down and preserved. While purists believe in keeping Hoodoo strictly traditional, the realist and preservationists, see Hoodoo as a constantly evolving and cunning art form, always adaptable to the times. Throughout the 1600 - 1900s, multiple different denominations of the Abrahamic faiths were wide spread through the United States influencing Black American folk magic and way of life. 
Bibliomancy was already a common folk practice at and slowly making into the consciousness of Black American folk Magick. 

The first book printed in North America to contain the psalms was The Bay Psalm Book, published in 1640 in Cambridge, Massachusetts by Minister an Planation Owner, Joseph Glover, who was well known for being the pioneer of printing in the English colonies and was one of the co-founders of Harvard University. Without sufficient historical evidence we can only speculate that this is the it’s one possible origins of the usage of the psalms in Black American Folk Magick. Glover was a Rector aka a parish priest for the Church of England and was decently educated. It is highly likely during his studies in England he had access to Jewish Psalm Prayer Books which inspired him to publish one of his own, when he came to America. There were also a small afro-jewish populations and various intersectional social connections with the black community, with the Jewish, Catholic and other various Christian religious denominations that were also clear influences.


The Church was a place of indoctrination but also social relief, community and emotional escapism for Black Americans during these times. Throughout the centuries the Indoctrination of the Church became the only source of solace and safety for Black American mental health & society during ever shifty and dangerous social climates. Deeply imbedding itself into consciousness of the black community, subconsciously and consciously, which we can still see in modern times. 
As the ability to read and write increased within the black community, in addition to the growth of printing more books access to reading the Bible and the Psalms became easier and easier. Now the Psalms were seen as a powerful book of spells in African American folk magick, with a multitude of different uses. Psalms could be scratched in the mud, written on doorways, or just simply spoken or prayed over folks, tools, plant allies, talismans, mojo bags, roots, other items, water, candles and more. The intent could be love, justice, abundance, peace and even hexing. Eventually, this belief trickled down to usage of other verses, from other Bible, an influenced African American communities, all over the country. Each community like their own little tribes, some with similar or different practices and rituals, regionally. 
In practice, The power of the psalms was unmatched, people swore by it by its success rate and still do to this day, which is why the practice has stuck in modern times.

The Psalms were a vehicle of rejuvenation and life, these scriptures were considered living words of power. I’ll go into the sacred mythos behind that, for members of my Patreon, later on this month.


For some Black Americans it’s easy to overlook and even discard the power of bibliomancy especially when they have deep religious trauma when it comes to any Abrahamic faith (Baptist, Catholic, Christian, Cogic etc) which is understandable. These feelings are valid & practicing Hoodoo, means understanding the many intricate nuances of the intersection and history of this folk culture. Others also see the value in Bibliomancy and continue this ancestral practice in modern times, knowing two things can be true at once. There is a great deal of duality in Hoodoo, which is something many of us have come to accept and honor at the same time. Respecting this balance demands a deep sense of self and cultural respect, a discerning eye and great deal of empathy, whether practitioners like it or not.

Using the Psalms is a powerfully easy way to reconnect and heal with ancestral Black American practices and medicine. It’s not a requirement of course, but it’s fun to encourage other black Americans to practice and discover all of its hidden powers. Many African folk practices, were hidden out of survival, requiring a level of covert cunning. Bibliomancy was a clever way hide in plain sight without attracting too much attention. Think of our ancestors as secret agents of truth, justice with a covert strategic mentality that still has important place in modern times. Some magick requires a keen mind, good sense, without calling any attention to itself, teaching us the practice of self control and discipline. This is why the practice of bibliomancy is important, allowing you to tap into this energy and honor your ancestors and yourself.

Examples of Bibliomancy


Psalms 54 - Help In Times Of Need. Mastering Negative Thoughts, Revenge Against Enemies. 
Psalms 60 - Put The Past Behind You. 
Psalms 41 - Help With Money Troubles 
Psalms 23 - Protection, Abundance, Stability & Healing

HAPPY HOODOO HERITAGE MONTH ✨

🕯️🕯️🕯️

[historicity-was-already-taken]

Bayard Rustin

Back when I was working as an archivist at the American Jewish Historical Society at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan, one of the most interesting figures I had the pleasure of learning about was proudly and publicly gay Civil Rights activist, advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, and firm believer in the importance of Black and Jewish American communal solidarity: Bayard Rustin.

Bayard Rustin standing on a stage and speaking to a crowd from a podium at the 1967 NAACP Conference in Albany, New York. Image courtesy of the NMAAHC.

Check out the small, but fascinating collection here! The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture highly recommends this study of Mr. Rustin, and the NMAAHC has a fantastic bio here, with a link to further collections materials. I also highly recommend taking a look at some of the photos and related collections held by the Library of Congress.

As some of you may know, a well-received biopic of this fascinating figure was recently released. And incidentally, my dear friend and DC-based actor, Emily Gilson, had a small, but impactful role in the film as "Little Rock White Girl."

Check it out! Or at least, check out some of these fantastic collections.

[fdrlibrary]

The Social Security Act, signed on this day in 1935, provided retirement and unemployment benefits to Americans, but it didn’t include farm and domestic workers, who were disproportionately Black. This kept nearly two-thirds of Black workers out of the program.

Learn more in our current special exhibition: BLACK AMERICANS, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND THE ROOSEVELTS: https://fdrlibrary.org/civil-rights-special-exhibit

Photo: Domestic workers march to demand inclusion in the Social Security program and New Deal legislation establishing a national minimum wage. (c) Joe Schwartz Photo Archive

[scionafreynan]

badass women of history ↝ angela davis, black american activist

i am no longer accepting the things i cannot change. i am changing the things i cannot accept.

[tani-b-art]

This movie was amazing! Full of pride. Full of grace. Full of beauty. Just so much fullness. Fullness until your cup runneth over with so much emotion. I felt so full as soon as it ended.

Kerry Washington portrayed Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams so beautifully! Milauna Jackson’s portrayal of Captain Abbie Noel Campbell was equally beautiful too! They both did such incredible, honorable portrayals of these women! Stellar performances—outstanding acting from these ladies!!! Y’all, Kerry was fantastic! Phenomenal acting!

Their friendship and relationship as peers and co-workers and fellow commanding officers…the strength in that dynamic was so powerful. It’s fierce and a force. Again, that Black woman sisterhood is so vital! Telling Corporal Lena Derriecott King’s story through it is impactful. So glad she was able to see it and have her story told before her passing.

They willingly wanted to serve our country to help liberate another. While facing domestic racism & mistreatment, the same abroad and within the ranks. Despite it, they accomplished what they were sent out on mission to do even with all the odds placed and stacked against them. That is power!

Overwhelmingly a great, historical film about all these beautiful, brave, heroic Black American women! I pray all their descendants are proud of them and their rich legacy.

[heavensdoorways]

Mark Reigelman, “Threshold” (2023)

“Threshold” by sculptor Mark Reigelman will be a public artwork celebrating the principles of equality and community-building that have been integral to the history of New Bedford. Inspired by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) who inhabited the city in the late 17th century as well as the aesthetic of New England’s archetypal colonial doorways, Mark Reigelman beckons viewers toward Threshold’s partially opened door, shining down on Custom House Square from its 17-foot-tall perch.

Threshold will draw on the unique architecture of the federal doorway of the oldest building in New Bedford’s Abolition Row Historic District, constructed mainly from wood and steel, an important site in the early Black freedom struggle. Its double-sided door references the community’s diverse history, with its blue façade facing the Wharf and rising sun as a nod to the city’s fishing roots. At the same time, its massive arched window is tiled with colorful mirrored pieces, capturing the various identities and cultures that have made up the city.

[katiajewelbox]

Happy Juneteenth! On this date in 1865, the formerly enslaved people in Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation which officially ended slavery in the USA. Juneteenth is a celebration of Black American culture and history. If you mark this occasion, I hope you and yours have a joyful Juneteenth.

Black American culture has a rich tradition of herbal medicine and agricultural knowledge. I encourage you to read this fascinating article "Roots of African American Herbalism" in this blog post from the @herbalacademy . Please copy and paste it into your browser window to read it.

#juneteenth #blackhistory #herbalmedicine #americanculture

[thechanelmuse]

"Mother" Lessie Benningfield Randle

One of the two last living survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, celebrated her 110th bornday on Nov. 10, 2024. ❤️

Beloved elders, Lessie and Viola Fletcher (also 110), are still fighting for reparations for government-sanctioned domestic terrorism. God willing someone will peep the play and let go of their time-wasting attorney who filed their case for this massacre under that ridiculous "public nuisance" framework. Twice. Dismissed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court and a lower court because it's the wrong claim. No shocker there. A public nuisance framework is not reparations and it's disrespectful to the history, victims, and survivors.

God willing they will get everything that's owed and more with a competent attorney who files the correct paperwork while they're still here with us.

[panafrocore]

Lanny Smoot: Prolific Inventor Of The HoloTile Floor and Innovator at Disney

Lanny Smoot, born on December 13, 1955, is not just an American electrical engineer and inventor, but also a prolific scientist and creator of theatrical technology. With a staggering achievement of over 100 patents, he stands as Disney’s most prolific inventor and is considered one of the most prolific Black inventors in American history. Throughout his career, Smoot has been dedicated to…

[bantuotaku]

A Black People's History of Parties

[uzumaki-rebellion]

One of my paternal great-grandfathers used to smuggle moonshine inside coffins back in the day, and every time I hear the line in American Requiem about a moonshine man, I giggle, like yeah, our great grandpappys took risks to survive. Fuck this country. All day every day.

[robotvitamins]

"Rhythm and blues was too good to remain a black secret for long and as the fifties dawned, certain musically adventurous white DJs started to add it to their playlists. By 1956 a quarter of the best-selling US records would be by black singers. This move was accelerated by the dramatic commercial success of some of the new black stations, exemplified by WDAI in Memphis - since 1948 the first black-owned radio station - which, as well as being home of DJs BB King and Rufus Thomas (he of the 'Funky Chicken'), was extremely profitable.

In adopting this subversive music, white DJs also started adopting black slang. This 'broadcast blackface', as Nelson George calls it, let them speak (and advertise) to both the black community and younger whites. Dewey Phillips of Memphis's WHBG was so successful at integrating his audience that the wily Sam Phillips of Sun Records chose him to broadcast Elvis Presley's first single.

The idea of the 'white negro' was still born of racism, however. George recounts the amazing tale of Vernon Winslow, a former university design teacher with a deep knowledge of jazz, who was denied a radio announcing job on New Orleans' WJMR simply because he was black. After what seemed like a successful interview, Winslow, who was quite light-skinned, was asked, 'By the way, are you a nigger?' Denied an on-air job merely because of his race, Winslow was hired for a most extraordinary job. He was to train a white DJ to sound black. Winslow had to feed a white colleague - now christened Poppa Stoppa - with the latest local slang, teaching him to say things like 'Look at the gold tooth, Ruth' and 'Wham bam, thank you ma'am'. The show became a smash. One night, frustrated by his behind-the-scenes existence, Winslow snuck a turn at the mic. He was fired immediately. WJMR kept the Poppa Stoppa name and continued using a white man, Clarence Hamman, to provide Poppa's voice. (Winslow had his revenge, though, as Doctor Daddy-O on New Orleans' WEZZ where he would become one of the country's top ten DJs.)"

- excerpt from Last Night a DJ Saved My Life by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton