#black History

[btwxsixesandsevens]

did I just bookmark her podcast on spotify? I surely did.

[lila-rae]

I’ve always enjoyed learning about places where Black people were free to exist and have true community. I’m saddened to see that California’s first middle class Black neighborhood has burned down with these fires.

I’m not a religious person but I’m praying and hoping they’ll be able to contain and eliminate the fires soon without further devastation.

[whenweallvote]

“We knew that our fight was bigger than us. We were part of a movement that was changing the world, and we were determined to see it through to the end.” – Charles Person

We are saddened to hear that Charles Person, the youngest original Freedom Rider, passed away yesterday. He played a key role in challenging segregation and advancing civil rights, dedicating his life to the fight for equality and civic engagement. His legacy will inspire generations to come.

Rest in power, Mr. Person. ✊🏾🕊️

[queerasfact]

Happy Rosetta Tharpe Day!

Each year on the eleventh of January, Pennsylvania marks Rosetta Tharpe day, celebrating the queer, Black woman who pioneered rock and roll.

Known as the godmother of rock and roll, Rosetta Tharpe (right) had her first hit song in 1938 and continued to perform almost up until her death in 1973.  Her fame brought the music of her Black, working-class gospel church to the world. Her sound - especially her distinctive guitar-playing - was a pioneering influence on men like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Chuck Berry, but Rosetta was only admitted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

Rosetta never spoke publicly about her sexuality, but friends remember that she was attracted to both women and men, and that she and her musical partner Marie Knight (pictured left) were lovers.

Check out our podcast on Rosetta to learn more!

[alexa-santi-author]

I missed a chance to see her speak at Cal State Dominguez Hills just before COVID broke out and now I regret it.

Revolutionary Angela Davis interview in Chicago, 1972

[afriblaq]

Did you know America’s first paramedics were 25 Black men from Freedom House They didn’t just save lives—they pioneered a system that’s still used today. This is the history they don’t teach you

[maviriss]

Her şeyin güzel olacağına inanıp beklemektense, her şeyin daha da boka saracağına inanmak ve öyle yaşamak daha güvenlidir. Ve bazen bir şeylerin iyi olmasına gerçekten gerek yoktur…”

[theblack-awakening]

Fa sho!

[the-blueprint]

Sesame street makes it debut #forourculture #luthervandross appeared on the show in the earlier episodes

[city-of-ladies]

When she rose to lead the Tlokwa people in southern Africa, Mmanthatisi (c. 1784–1847) emerged as a remarkable strategist and politician, guiding her people through an era of turmoil.

Mother and chief

Born with the name Monylue, Mmanthatisi was the daughter of the chief of the Basia people, in what is now South Africa. She married her cousin Mokotjo, the chief of the Tlokwa people. Around 1800, she adopted the name Mmanthatisi because she had given birth to a daughter, Nthatisi.

In 1804, she gave birth to a son, Sekonyela. When Mokotjo died in 1813, Sekonyela was only nine years old and too young to rule. Mmanthatisi stepped in as leader of the Tlokwa people. Following a common practice of levirate marriage in many African societies, she also had a daughter with her late husband's brother.

The warrior queen

Mmanthatisi governed a population of 35,000 to 40,000 during a time of drought, warfare, and widespread displacement. As the expansionist Zulu kingdom threatened her territory, she chose to lead her people westward. Her leadership proved exceptional, securing significant victories against neighboring groups. She wielded full civil and military authority, forging alliances and resolving disputes among her people.

Although she did not personally fight in battles and raids, Mmanthatisi planned and directed military campaigns—a rare role for a woman in this patrilinear society. In 1817, her warriors triumphed over the Ndwandwe, capturing numerous cattle. While she enjoyed success in many battles, she also faced defeat.

During one notable episode, she cleverly outwitted an attack by the Hlubi people while her warriors were away. She mobilized women and children, positioning them on a hilltop to create the illusion of a large army, which deterred the attackers.

Her fame spread and roaming groups came to be called "mantatees," a distorted version of her name. Despite leading one of the smaller nations in the region, Mmanthatisi successfully prevented her people from being conquered.

Though her son Sekonyela assumed the role of chief in 1824, Mmanthatisi remained a formidable political figure.

Reverend Alfred T. Bryant once wrote: “Many nations have had their Boadiceas, but none greater than Mantatisi.”

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Further reading

Momodu, S., “Mmanthatisi”

Sheldon Kathleen,  “Mmanthatisi”, in: Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong Henry Louis Gates (eds.). Dictionary of African Biography

Weir Jennifer, “Mmanthatisi”, in: Kefeli Agnes, Smith Bonnie G. (eds.). The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History

[theafroamericaine]

📷 singkirbysing 🇺🇸

[sankofaspirit]

[softblackgirlsworld]

[generatedblacklove]

Generated Black Love