So you mean to tell me that someone down your ancestry line survived being chaıned to other human bodięs for several months in the bottom of a disease-infested ship during the Middle Passage, lost their language, customs and traditions, picked up the English language as best they could while working free of charge from sun up to sun down as they watched babies sold from out of their arms and women rapęd by ruthless sIave owners.
Took names with no last names, no birth certificates, no heritage of any kind, braved the Underground Railroad, survived the Civil Wąr to enter into sharecropping... Learned to read and write out of sheer will and determination, faced the burning crosses of the KƘK, everted their eyes at the black bodies swinging from ropes hųng on trees...
Fought in World Wąrs as soldiers only to return to America as boys, marched in Birmingham, hosed in Selma, jailed in Wilmington, assassinated in Memphis, segregated in the South, ghettoed in the North, ignored in history books, stereotyped in Hollywood...
and in spite of it all, someone in your family line endured every era to make sure you would get here, but you receive one rejection, face one obstacle, lose one friend, get overlooked, and you want to quit?
How dare you entertain the very thought of quitting. People, you will never know, survived from generation to generation so you could succeed. Don’t you dare let them down!
It is NOT in our DNA to quit!
Today, I joined CSPAN's Washington Journal to discuss the 2024 election and take live calls. People were spicy (and downright disrespectful) for 8AM, but it was light work for me, and I didn't break a sweat. Here are some of my fav segments from the 45-minute discussion. I especially appreciated being able to set the record straight on both VP #KamalaHarris's and Donald Trump’s records.
#ReecieWithTheReceipts #reeciecolbertshow
On this day in 1924, Novelist, playwright, poet and social critic, the late James Baldwin was born.
“To be African American is to be African without any memory and American without any privilege.” —James Baldwin
“When we organize, mountains move.
When we mobilize, nations change.
And when we vote, we make history.”
— @VP Harris ended her speech at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s 71st Boulé with a powerful and inspiring message.
OMG! Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers just DESTROYED Donald Trump at Biden’s campaign rally “We will vote to make sure the guy who has more felonies than Baskin-Robbins has flavors stays the hell out of The White House!” BOOM!
The kindest words from @lukecombs : « What an unreal Grammy week to say the least. There were so many laughs, tears, hugs, and cheers that it almost doesn’t seem real (…) When it comes to the performance it’s still hard to process how amazing it really was to be up there on that stage. No doubt a defining moment of my career.
Tracy, I want to send my sincerest thanks to you for allowing me to be a part of your moment. Thank you for the impact you have had on my musical journey, and the musical journeys of countless other singers, songwriters, musicians, and fans alike. I hope you felt how much you mean to the world that night. We were all in awe of you up there and I was just the guy lucky enough to have the best seat in the house. »
🥹 Thank YOU for everything!
From a perspective of education - equity & social justice raises the question: What do students furthest from educational justice need to be successful?
The 'Real Life Mulan', Cathay Williams.
Cathay had to pose as a MALE to be enlisted as a union soldier during her time. She was part of the 38 Regiment Infantry Division and was called a Buffalo Soldier!
—Cathay was born and enslaved in 1850 in Jackson County, Missouri. In September 1861 Union troops impressed Cathay and she joined the Army to work as a cook and washerwoman for Union Army officers.
On November 15th, 1866 Williams disguised herself as a man and enlisted as William Cathey, serving in Company A of the 38th Infantry, a newly-formed all-black U.S. Army Regiment, one of its earliest recruits.
Cathay initially served at Jefferson Barracks outside St. Louis and was later posted at Fort Cummings and Fort Bayard in New Mexico Territory. Like other black soldiers stationed, she endured inadequate supplies and inferior weapons.
Cathay concealed her femininity for two years despite numerous Army hospital visits before her true gender was discovered by the Fort Bayard post surgeon. She was discharged at Fort Bayard on October 14, 1868 on a surgeon’s certificate of disability.
Cathay was hospitalized circa 1890 for over a year in Trinidad. In June 1891 she filed an invalid pension application based on medical disability incurred during military service as William Cathey.
The Army rejected her pension claim on February 8, 1892, citing no grounds for a pensionable disability, but did not question her gender identity as William Cathay. The date of Cathay Williams’ death is unknown.
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#Classic music: someone tagged me in this video from back in the day. Tom Jones used to always invite artist to sing with him. If I was to remake this song, tag a male artist who you think would be a good fit with me🤔🤔🤔