#zinga fraser

[danb2424-blog]

History of Braids

It is no secret that braids have been around for Centuries. Some historians have traced the origins back as far as 5000 years in African culture to 3500 B.C. “The discovery of ancient stone paintings depicting women with cornrows in North Africa shows that braids date back thousands of years” (Dirshe). The exact origins are unknown, but many have attributed the origins to the Himba people of Namibia. According to Zinga Fraser, an assistant professor at Brooklyn College in New York, “African women have a rich history in terms of the ways they adorn their hair”. For a long time, before the emergence of the transatlantic slave trade in the fifteenth century, African women would go to great lengths to present their hair beautifully. These women used accessories and turned their braids into an art form. It is a common misnomer that the origins of braids can be traced back to France. It is likely that this misconception was due to the French presence in North Africa in the early to mid-1800s. Braids were introduced to North America via enslaved African Women. Fraser says, “it is impossible to understand the history of braids, and Black American hair culture in general, without looking at the impact of slavery on African Women”. She goes on to explain that in some cases when captured, traffickers would shave their heads in a brutal attempt to strip them of their humanity. It is possible that these traffickers recognized the value of the art that these women had created for themselves. When these women were enslaved, their braids served an alternate purpose. “They became a secret messaging system for slaves to communicate with one another underneath their masters’ noses” (Dirshe). This was shocking to me. The intricacy of communication simply to have a chance at freedom is astonishing. It was not until the Black Power Movement took shape in the 1960s that the African roots of braids began to be honored. Today, braids are seen in many places in popular culture and artists such as Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, and Solange Knowles have all been lauded for their pride in their braids.

https://www.byrdie.com/history-of-braids

DIRSHE, SIRAAD. “Respect Our Roots.” Essence, vol. 49, no. 2, June 2018, pp. 42–47. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=asn&AN=129735821&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

[shirleychisholmproject]

Dr. Zinga Fraser Discusses Shirley Chisholm 1972 Candidacy with Throughline NPR

Dr. Zinga Fraser Discusses Shirley Chisholm 1972 Candidacy with Throughline NPR

On February 6th, Chisholm Project Director Zinga Fraser was featured in a “She Got Next”, an episode of NPR’s Throughline podcast dedicated to three pioneering Congresswomen who ran for president—Margaret Chase Smith, Shirley Chisholm and Pat Shroeder.

[Pictured above: Drs. Fraser (left) and Carter (center) at the Black Women’s Roundtable Discussion for Chisholm Day 2018 at Brooklyn College]

In…

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Happy Friday!

This weekend Northwestern University will be holding a two-day symposium ("Hinesight: A Symposium on the Work of Darlene Clark Hine") on African American women’s history in honor of Professor Darlene Clark Hine as she retires from Northwestern University.

The director of the Shirley Chisholm Project Dr. Zinga Fraser will be giving a talk this Saturday May 13th at 10:45 am "Hinesight: Transforming Black Women's History through Theory and Praxis"

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“She was a Revolutionary”: Dr. Fraser; Congresswomen Lee & Bush Discuss Shirley Chisholm in a History Channel Documentary

“She was a Revolutionary”: Dr. Fraser; Congresswomen Lee & Bush Discuss Shirley Chisholm in a History Channel Documentary

Dr. Zinga A. Fraser joins Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) in a short-form documentary on Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign produced this month by the History Channel.  In that documentary, “Shirley Chisholm: A Groundbreaking Legacy”, Dr. Fraser characterizes Shirley Chisholm as a Black woman who “dared to be herself,” and a coalition-builder who sought to activate the…

[shirleychisholmproject]

Dr. Fraser & Rep Lee Discuss the Personal & Political Dimensions of Shirley Chisholm

Dr. Fraser & Rep Lee Discuss the Personal & Political Dimensions of Shirley Chisholm

Yesterday, on the eve of International Women’s Day, Dr. Zinga A. Fraser and Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined Higher Heights to celebrate Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. While Chisholm is increasingly remembered for her now-legendary campaigns, Sunday’s panelists sought to take the story of her life further. Both panelists argued that the public narrative around the Congresswoman should be…

[shirleychisholmproject]

Dr. Fraser & Rep. Lee (D-CA) to Reflect on Shirley Chisholm's Legacy For International Women's Day

Dr. Fraser & Rep. Lee (D-CA) to Reflect on Shirley Chisholm’s Legacy For International Women’s Day

On Sunday, Dr. Zinga Fraser and Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) will engage in a dialogue on the life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm. Their discussion will be part of a special episode of “Sunday Brunch With Higher Heights” to commemorate International Women’s Day.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee is a leading voice in the progressive wing of the House Democrats and former chair of the Congressional…

[shirleychisholmproject]

The Chisholm Project congratulates our Director, Dr. Zinga A. Fraser for her nomination as the honoree of the 2021 Shirley Chisholm Conference. Dr. Fraser is being recognized for her work to expand the public consciousness around Rep. Shirley Chisholm and Black women’s political leadership—and for her numerous contributions to promote social justice, politics, education, and community…

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"I WOULD SAY SHE WAS A WINNER": Dr. Zinga Fraser Sets the Chisholm Record Straight on Swedish National Radio 

“I WOULD SAY SHE WAS A WINNER”: Dr. Zinga Fraser Sets the Chisholm Record Straight on Swedish National Radio 

In a reflection of the international interest growing around Shirley Chisholm’s legacy, Dr. Zinga Fraser, Director of the Chisholm Project, spoke with Swedish National Radio last week. In the interview, Dr. Fraser pointedly dispelled some  common misconceptions about the Congresswoman and her 1972 presidential campaign.

  First, Dr. Fraser said, Shirley Chisholm was far more than a first. She was…

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Dr. Fraser to Speak on Black Women's Politics at Centennial Celebration of the 19th Amendment

Dr. Fraser to Speak on Black Women’s Politics at Centennial Celebration of the 19th Amendment

On August 18th 1920, the 19th Amendment of the Constitution was ratified. Tomorrow, Dr. Zinga A. Fraser, the Director of the Chisholm Project will be speaking at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Women’s Right to Vote.

Dr. Fraser will be speaking on the power of Black Women’s Politics and the role of Black women in strengthening, preserving and innovating the democratic process.

The event will…

[shirleychisholmproject]

Dr. Zinga Fraser on CBS News: Shirley Chisholm Embodies What It Means To Be "A People's Candidate"

Dr. Zinga Fraser on CBS News: Shirley Chisholm Embodies What It Means To Be “A People’s Candidate”

DEPICTED ABOVE: Presidential Candidate Shirley Chisholm speaking to delegates, followers and public figures at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.

After Joe Biden selected Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on the Democratic ticket for the U.S. presidency, the political work of Shirley Chisholm re-emerged to the forefront of national conversation. Dr. Zinga Fraser, who has worked…

[shirleychisholmproject]

"How Do We Re-Imagine Liberation?"---Dr. Zinga Fraser Speaks on Freedom Day & Black Liberation

“How Do We Re-Imagine Liberation?”—Dr. Zinga Fraser Speaks on Freedom Day & Black Liberation

In a wide-ranging talk, Dr. Zinga Fraser discussed the significance of Juneteenth with the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation during its virtual Juneteenth celebration. On Friday, she presented historical context for the holiday and described its practical significance to African-American communities who continue to fight for liberation, long after the collapse of chattel slavery as a…

[shirleychisholmproject]

ITS TIME FOR A "RECKONING" ON WHITE SUPREMACY says Dr. Zinga Fraser on TRT World News

ITS TIME FOR A “RECKONING” ON WHITE SUPREMACY says Dr. Zinga Fraser on TRT World News

On Tuesday, amidst the sixth consecutive day of global protests in the name of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery,  and other African-American victims of state violence, Dr.  Zinga Fraser spoke with TRT World about the need for “substantial institutional and structural change” to address white supremacy in the United States.

[Above: demonstrators gather at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn

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Dr. Zinga Fraser Teaching Course on "Race, Gender & Inequality" at Brooklyn College

Dr. Zinga Fraser Teaching Course on “Race, Gender & Inequality” at Brooklyn College

This Fall, Dr. Zinga Fraser will be teaching her course “Race, Gender & Inequality.” Professor Fraser will be drawing on her expertise as a historian, former Congressional staffer, non-profit strategist and Director of the Shirley Chisholm Project to engage students on the present-day consequences of  longstanding structural inequalities.

Emphasis will be placed on how the COVID-19 pandemic…

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Dr. Fraser Discusses the Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color

Today, Sunday April 19 Chisholm Project Director Dr. Zinga Fraser will be speaking at #TheThread – a virtual conference by @TstmkrsAfrica bringing leaders from the continent and the Diaspora together to talk about how we win together.

Join Dr. Fraser at 11:10 A.M. for the Opening | Why We’re Here” a fireside chat with Cherae Robinson where they explore “what’s become” and “what’s to be” amidst…

[shirleychisholmproject]

Dr. Fraser Featured in NY Times Article "

Dr. Fraser Featured in NY Times Article “

Dr. Zinga Fraser, Director of the Chisholm Project was featured in the article “2019 Belongs to Shirley Chisholm” which was published this weekend in The New York Times Sunday Review:

“A number of scholars have been doing a lot of work to expand the discourse on Shirley Chisholm for about six years knowing that there would be the 50th anniversary of her election to Congress,” said Zinga A.…