Wiki History!

Kwanzaa Day One: Unity

Heri za Kwanzaa! (Happy Kwanzaa in Swahili)

Habari Gani! (a Swahili greeting that we use during the 7-days of Kwanzaa)

Welcome back to robinlofton.com! Today, we begin to learn about the celebration of Kwanzaa. As we learned in the last podcast, which was a basic introduction, Kwanzaa is a 7-day celebration of the “first fruits of harvest.” It is a holiday that was created in 1966 by Dr. Ron Karenga to encourage African Americans and Blacks around the world to reconnect with their African roots, traditions, and customs. In fact, each day of Kwanzaa, which officially begins on December 26, focuses on a particular principle, and has customs and rituals associated with it.

So, why did I say Habari Gani? Because it is the pan-Africanist greeting (in Swahili) used during the Kwanzaa celebration. The response is the Swahili word that represents the principle for the day, which for today is Umoja. So, I say again: Habari Gani:

Let’s begin at the beginning: Kwanzaa Day One:

The Principle of Unity

On the first day of Kwanzaa, we focus on Unity or Umoja. (Remember in the introduction to Kwanzaa podcast, I used the English names for each principle but I said that, in these podcasts I would also use the Swahili names.) So, that was the Swahili word that I used for Unity. Umoja.

Umoja is the first and foundational principle of Kwanzaa. It is the most basic principal of the celebration, tradition and custom. But just because it is the most basic that does not mean that it is simple or easy. It is the foundation upon which the other six principles are built. If umoja is not understood and followed, then all the other principles and practices will suffer. In other words, if there is no unity, then the other principles of self-determination, collective work and responsibility, faith and so on can not be realized.

What is meant by umoja (or unity)?

This is a good question and one whose concept should not be assumed or underrated.

Unity (or umoja) is both the principle AND the practice of togetherness and harmony. Both parts are necessary: (1) togetherness and (2) harmony. One without the other is not umoja. In fact, we could even call umoja: harmonious togetherness. You might have noticed that I said umoja is both principle and practice. That’s a great observation and a very very important one. Understanding the principle of umoja (unity) is essential but it is not the end of the story. One must also take steps to practice umoja—to practice harmonious togetherness.

You know, I see so many people—especially around the holidays—feeling dread, frustration, or even fear about meeting with their families. Or feeling anxiety while waiting for their families to arrive to spend the holidays with them. And then families get together but argue, bicker, clash, and criticize over big and small issues and events past and current. That is not Umoja. Yes, they are together. But they are together in an inharmonious environment. Sadly, many people believe that this is the natural way for families to interact even around the holidays. But Kwanzaa takes a different approach: Umoja underlies all the meetings, interactions, and customs. Harmony is essential and accepted. Harmony is the natural way.

The principle of umoja has family as the focal point but it is more. First, let me emphasize that the family is not just the nuclear family but is actually includes the extended family—cousins, aunts, uncles, and different generations like grandparents and great grandparents. Umoja also includes—and this is really interesting—the ancestors. Those who have come and gone (or lived and died) before us, but were and still are a part of our family, a part of our history. This is a concept that is very entrenched in African culture but has been largely forgotten in many western cultures. But our ancestors have played an important role in who were and who we are. The practice of Umoja encourages us to include, remember, and honor them.

Beyond the extended family, Umoja also applies in an even larger sense to society. It encourages building together, struggling together, acting together, maintaining together—all for mutual benefit. Unity connects villages, towns, countries, and can even extend to the entire human family. It is an awareness of similarity (and sameness) that gives an identity as a people.

So, I think that you get the concept of Umoja: Togetherness and Harmony. But “getting it” is only the first step. Remember practice is essential.

Speaking of practice, let’s get back to the practice of Umoja in the celebration of Kwanzaa:

What to do? Gifts, candles, colors

Remember, I mentioned a communal cup in the first podcast on Kwanzaa. Now is your time to bring it out if you haven’t already done so.

The Unity or Umoja cup is called the Kikombe Cha Cup. It represents gravity that pulls and holds everyone together in joy and harmony. Place the Kikombe Cha Cup where it is central to the family and the family’s activities.

Light the first candle:

On the first day of Kwanzaa, you will light the black candle. The candle (or Kinari) represents and is symbolic of the people. The lesson is that we light the black candle first to reinforce the value of making our family a priority. Notice that it is in the center of the candelabra. An African proverb says, “The ruin of a nation begins in the home,” The Unity principle encourages family members and neighbors to respect and care for each other. The candle lighting activity presents one of the best moments for family members to assess their practice around “unity” and make a specific commitment to practice “unity” during the next year.

How to celebrate Umoja:

There are so many different ways that people, families, societies can celebrate Umoja! You can get creative here and find ways to acknowledge the living family members and remember the members who are no longer with us.

• Pour a drink for your family members who are present and who are no longer living

• Set a place at the table for the ancestors or other family members that are not present for whatever reason (for example: living far away, celebrating with another family, etc.)

• Tell stories about your family--remember your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, significant others

• Look through pictures of family members and remember past times together (happy times and difficult times)

• Couples can talk about your history together and the things which you have done together with brings you joy, events that have brought you closer, struggles that you have overcome together or anything that comes to mind for you as a couple.

• Sing Along-play music and sing together

• Celebrate Celebrate, Celebrate: family, achievements, the common good,

• Remember the African Feast (called the Karamu). One of my favorite parts! Make a special meal or just one special dish for the family. This is my day to make sweet potatoes! Or just wait and have the big feast on the 6th day of Kwanzaa (which is also new year’s eve.)

• Pass the unity cup (the Kikombe Cha) around the table and drink from it. Say something positive, admirable or encouraging about a living or past family member or even yourself. Remember to place the cup back in its place for all the family members to remember its role and importance in holding the family together.

• Remember that many of these activities can be done for classes, organizations, or any larger group. Umoja extends beyond the family!

Practice Umoja every day. Kwanzaa is only a 7-day celebration but it is meant to remind us of important principles and practices in and for our daily lives.

So, this brings us to the end of the first day of Kwanzaa. You see, it is really a celebration, a festival of joy. This first day is the most important day because it is the foundation for the following days. In fact, if you can only practice one day of Kwanzaa, then make it the Umoja day. And keep practicing it every day.

In the next podcast, we will study Day Two of the Kwanzaa celebration. It is self-determination or Kujichagulia. Yes, that’s a big word and it is a big concept. That is the focus for December 27.

Again, I want to thank you for listening to this podcast on Umoja (or Unity) on the first day of Kwanzaa. Perhaps this concept is new to you, perhaps some of the practices, or maybe just some of the words, but unity is important. And not just for Black people or other peoples of African descent, but for the entire human family. We all share this planet, its resources, and its fate. Togetherness and harmony—umoja--are essential.

Remember that for everyone who listens to this podcast, I will donate $1 to the Association for Study of African American Life & History. This excellent organization helps to keep African culture and history alive, respected, and shared around the world. It is a great representative for the Kwanzaa celebration. And I want to thank the Kwanzaaguide.com website for its contribution to this podcast. You can visit that website for more ideas and discussion about Kwanzaa.

Finally, please leave your comments, questions, and ideas at robinlofton.com. I enjoy making these podcasts but I also enjoy hearing from my listeners. It’s a great and active community of people who are interested in learning history and learning from history. Umoja is right here too. Hope to see you there soon at robinlofton.com.

See you next time for Day Two of the Kwanzaa celebration.

Heri za Kwanzaa!

Introduction to Kwaanza!

Welcome back to robinlofton.com! Thanks for listening this December because the podcasts this month are very special. Actually, all the podcasts are special (like November’s Wiki history podcasts about Blacks in the Military or October’s wiki history lecture series about Black Explorers). The wiki history lecture series this month will recognize a holiday and discuss ways to celebrate this holiday.

So, without further ado, what is the holiday?

Kwanzaa!

That’s right, the wiki history lecture series is about Kwanzaa. Last month, I promised to do this series about this important holiday so that’s what we’re gonna do. I hope you remembered that the History is Power! lecture for December has been delayed until January so that we could devote more time to studying Kwanzaa (which you will hear is a great mixture of history, culture, politics, Pan-Africanist principles, and spirituality). But the History is Power! Lecture series will return in January and will discuss the civil rights movement—lots of interesting information and stories there so don’t miss it next month.

Back to Kwanzaa! Let me begin by wishing you, “Heri za Kwanzaa!” which means Happy Kwanzaa! In this wiki history podcast, I will introduce Kwanzaa: what it is, how it developed, why it’s important, who celebrates it and how it can be celebrated. Let’s get started.

What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is a 7-day celebration that honors the African heritage in African American culture. It was founded by Dr. Maulauna (Ron) Karenga in 1965 and first celebrated the following year in 1966. Dr. Karenga (who is a very interesting and inspirational person) believed (and still believes) that it i important for African Americans to get more in touch with their African roots, culture, traditions and customs.

This is not a recent development. During the Black Nationalist movement of the 1960s, African Americans started looking beyond the United States to discover or re-discover what had been systematically stripped away from us during slavery: our connection to Africa, culture, heritage, language, and way of life. So,

Kwanzaa is one way to help African Americans and other Blacks around the world to reconnect with their cultural and historical legacies. This is done through studying African principles, recognizing African traditions and customs and practicing specific rituals.

But it is not heavy and boring. Kwanzaa is a celebration. It is uplifting, motivating, and fun!

We will broadly discuss the principles in the podcast but let’s back up for a moment. What do you know about the word, Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is a Swahili word, which is from East Africa. It is the language used by Pan-Africanists. The full name of the holiday is actually Matunda ya Kwanza. It means the “first fruits of the harvest.” This gives us a little hint into the focus of the celebration. But there is much more to it that we’ll learn about later.

As I mentioned at the beginning, there are 7 principles of the Kwanzaa celebration. I will simply mention the principles today and I’ll say them in English. But in later podcasts, I will go into much more detail and use their Swahili names.

Here are the principles:

First principle: Unity

Second principle: Self-Determination

Third Principle: Collective Work and Responsibility

Fourth Principle: Cooperative Economics

Fifth Principle: Purpose

Sixth Principle: Creativity

Seventh Principle: Faith

So, there you have them: the seven principles of Matunda ya Kwanzaa. Dr. Karenga developed them (he said) from the best African thinkers and practitioners.

Let me repeat them: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.

We will discuss these seven principles over the next seven podcasts so stay tuned.

Together with these principles are the traditions, rituals, and symbols. I will just briefly mention the seven symbols that accompany the seven principles—this could give you an opportunity to go out and buy these items. They’re not hard to find! You might even find some of them in your own home. But they are important and you’ll learn why in the coming shows. They are:

1. A decorative mat

2. Corn or other crops (remember, it’s the first harvest)

3. Candle holder with seven candles

4. A communal cup (that’s a cup for sharing)

5. Small gifts

6. Sign or poster of the seven principles

7. Flag with red, black and green

See? These items aren’t weird or unusual but they are meaningful. And don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to collect these items for your daily Kwanzaa celebration.

And what to wear? That is usually one of my first questions when I receive an invitation: what should I wear?

It’s not complicated:

Traditionally, men wear dashikis (or shirts) and women wear kaftans (or dresses).

Finally, you might be wondering how many people celebrate Kwanzaa? Great question!

It’s difficult to know how many people celebrate Kwanzaa around the world but the number falls somewhere between 2 million and 30 million. It is celebrated in Canada, France, Great Britain, Jamaica, Brazil as well as the United States.

So, that is almost all for today.

The next seven podcasts will be dedicated to each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. And you will hear great ways to celebrate and recognize the holiday—in big and grand ways or in small and subtle ways. Whichever way that you choose will be uplifting and inspirational and lots of fun for everyone. The next podcast will discuss the first principle of Kwanzaa. Do you remember which principle it is? Unity. It’s a great principle to start with.

I just want to tell you that my reasons for introducing and discussing Kwanzaa. I know that many of us are thinking of other holidays right now like Christmas, Hanukkah, Boxing Day, or the Dongzhi Festival. But Kwanzaa is special to me because it is a unique and authentic way to learn about, recognize, and connect with African culture. And you (or I) can still celebrate these other holidays, if you choose. Hey, I love Christmas but I don’t ever want to forget where my people came from or what they have endured and overcome for me to be who, what, and where I am today.

Because African culture is so important, keeping it alive and showing it the proper respect are critical to knowing who we are, I am supporting (through these podcasts) the Association for the Study of African American Life & History. It was established in 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson (remember him?) to promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture around the world. And for the past 100 years (yes, they’re about to celebrate their centennial anniversary!) this organization has been working hard to promote Black history and culture worldwide. They have an active organization and website: the address is www.asalh.org where you can join, get information about their activities, purchase their black history theme kits, books and journals, and find lots of great information. I just want to add as well that they are participating in an Oral History Project on Black Veterans to ensure that African American voices will be amply represented in the history of American wars. If you enjoyed my November podcasts about Blacks in the military, I think that you will be fascinated by their Oral History Project on Black Veterans.

I strongly support the Association for the Study of African American Life & History and I hope that you will too. You can also follow them on Twitter and Like them on Facebook. For every person who listens to these Kwanzaa podcasts in December, I will make a donation of $1 to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. So, tell your friends! It is my honor and pleasure to support such an important organization. Remember, the Association for the Study of African American Life & History. www.asalh.org.

I hope that you have enjoyed this wiki history lecture introducing Kwanzaa. And I hope that you will attend the entire wiki history lecture series this month. See you next time for the first wiki history Kwanzaa lecture about Unity.

Remember to visit robinlofton.com. Leave your comments and questions. Tell me how you celebrate Kwanzaa or other ways that you keep African history and culture alive in your family. Share your experiences. I love to talk but I always love to hear from my listeners.

And a big thank you to Jon Knox who has composed this special music for these Wiki History Kwanzaa lectures. He always does such great work; these podcasts wouldn’t be the same without his music.

See you next time at robinlofton.com. Heri za Kwanzaa!

The African American experience has become a popular topic in the movies. From examining slavery to civil rights and beyond, African American history is being shown on the big screen in authentic, sensitive, and compelling manner. One aspect of the African American experience takes place in the military.

African Americans have fought or served in the military during every American war. This experience has differed from war to war and person to person. Yet there is a connection between the experiences and stories. Some have been positive and courageous. Others have shown discrimination and discouragement. Yet they are all facets of the African American experience and have been shown in movies. Here are some of the best movies showing different aspects of the African American experience in the armed forces.

Glory (1989)

This is the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which was the first all African American army platoon. The setting of the story is the Civil War. President Lincoln is on the verge of signing the Emancipation Proclamation when the troop is formed. Initially, the troop is given only menial jobs, which causes much frustration. The film’s major highlight is the troop’s deployment to South Carolina and attack on Fort Wagner. The movie shows the determination of the Black soldiers to fight for their country and freedom, the discrimination that they endured, and the varied backgrounds of the Black union soldiers. One of the most interesting and powerful soldiers was Private Trip (played by Denzel Washington who received an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role). Excellent early U.S. history film about the Civil War, slavery, and the country as it approached abolition.

The Walking Dead (1995)

This movie is a fictionalized account of the experience of four black marines in the Vietnam War. The marines had been sent on a mission to rescue prisoners of war in an enemy camp. Most of the platoon had been decimated upon landing behind enemy lines. However, these four men survived. The movie follows their lives after they return home. Each man is a distinct and strong personality. Each had a personal reason for joining the military. Well-written and illuminating, everyone will relate to (at least one) of the men and circumstances. This movie also takes the viewer through a wide range of emotions. The flashbacks are neatly cut into the story. Sometimes heavy, occasionally humorous, but primarily absorbing, The Walking Dead is a lesser-known movie about an important time in U.S. history.

Tuskegee Airmen (1995)

This fictionalized HBO television movie is about the work and exploits of the real-life Tuskegee Airmen who were the first African American combat pilots. The airmen (known as Red Tails because of the red stripe on their planes) acted as escort planes for the White pilots in World War II. The movie shows the difficulties and triumphs, racism and ignorance, and growth and heroism of both black and white airmen. An interesting (and rarely seen) event in the movie shows the Congressional hearings about whether to continue to Tuskegee airmen “experiment” in light of the bigoted research, which concluded “Negroes are incapable of handling complex machinery.” This excellent movie is worth the effort to see because of the excellent performances, particularly by Laurence Fishburne, and its glimpse into an important part event in African American and military history.

Buffalo Soldiers (1997)

This television movie brings to life the story of the Buffalo soldiers. Although the movie is a fictionalized story, the buffalo soldiers were a completely real (and often forgotten) part of American history. Formed by Congressional Act in 1866, the Buffalo Soldiers were six African American military (4 infantry and 2 cavalry) units. They were charged with protecting the settlers as they moved westward. They also built infrastructure in the west. But the Buffalo Soldiers also fought many battles in the post-Civil War period. This movie shows the hunt for the Apache leader, Victorio. With a talented cast led by Danny Glover, Buffalo Soldiers is an excellent movie that brings the reconstruction period to life and reveals the lives of one group of newly freed slaves. The Buffalo Soldier regiment was deactivated in 1944.

Men of Honor (2000)

This is the true story about Carl Brashear, who became the first African American master diver in the U.S. Navy. Brashear (played by Cuba Gooding, Jr.) left Kentucky and life as a sharecropper in 1948 to join the Navy where he was first assigned to menial jobs. Later, he showed an affinity for diving and worked hard to pass the written and physical tests to train as a master diver. Along the way, he faces racism from many different fronts. He also encounters people who join his struggle, particularly his senior officer played by Robert DeNiro. This was one of the stand up and cheer movies of 2000 and remains an inspiration to all persons pursuing a dream.

Two Documentaries:

Men of Bronze (1977) focuses on the Harlem Hellfighters who fought in World War I.

For the Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots is a comprehensive documentary that discusses Blacks in the military from the 1700s to today. It features stories about African American women in the military.

Movies are an important way to present history. The African American military experience is a unique genre in filmmaking. Yet it is familiar to many of the two million African Americans who served their country. Each of these movies shows a different perspective of African Americans in the military—and each made an important contribution that should be remembered and honored.

Welcome back to robinlofton.com for Part II of the African Americans in the Military wiki history podcast!

In Part I, we examined the strong presence of African Americans in every U.S. war since the American Revolution. We also looked at problems of segregation, racial bias, and unequal treatment of Blacks in the military. And I mentioned that this these podcasts are dedicated to Nabvets, which is the National Association of Black Veterans, for their great contribution to improving the lives of Black veterans and their families. Thanks to your help (listening to this podcast series), I have been able to make a good contribution to this organization. But I want to donate more so keep listening because it’s about to get even more interesting. At the end of this podcast, you will learn how to contribute to this organization.

In this podcast, we will discuss African Americans who have distinguished themselves in the armed forces. There are regiments that have served the U.S. with honor and distinction. I have to begin with an apology that I cannot list or discuss every one of them—there are just too many!—but I hope that you will be inspired by the great achievements that you will hear about today. Remember those 3 important words from Part I? Courage, Determination, Honor. These heroes today showed all these qualities and have raised the bar to give us something to strive for.

We will begin with the Harlem Hellfighters.

Is that name familiar? Hopefully, it will be one day because these men have earned the right to be known, remembered, and written into our history books!

The Harlem Hellfighters were an African American regiment (remember the regiments used to be segregated) who fought in World War I. They were one of the few African American combat units (remember again that most Blacks were relegated to service or general labor duties). The Harlem Hellfighters were originally called the 15th New York Colored Regiment. Later, they were called the 369th Infantry unit.

So, what did they do? The Harlem Hellfighters were the longest serving and most decorated unit in World War I. They spent 191 days under enemy fire. Now, that’s courage under fire to an extreme! They are also credited with numerous courageous acts on the battlefield.

What about the name “Harlem Hellfighters”? Former commander, Colonel Reginald Sanders explains: "We did not give ourselves our name [the Harlem Hellfighters]. Our enemies gave us our name, [which] is an honor." The Hellfighters were actually given two different names from the Europeans. The French called them Men of Bronze out of respect. In fact, the French government gave the regiment the prestigious “croix de Guerre” award in 1918. But it was the Germans who gave them the name of “Hellfighters” out of fear for their acts in combat. That’s not surprising since the Hellfighters were cited 11 times for bravery under fire.

While the Europeans showed lots of respect for the Harlem Hellfighters, they didn’t get the same respect back at home. The French gave them the opportunity to fight though it was denied to them by the American army, which had them unloading ships and working as waiters. They had also received their training in South Carolina where they were confronted with racism and race-motivated violence. There were numerous standoffs between the Hellfighters and the white residents who resented the increased presence of Blacks in their town.

And, following the end of the war, the Hellfighters returned home to what was called the Red Summer of 1919, which was the worst racial violence in U.S. history and saw a nation racial frenzy of riots, massacres, and lynchings throughout the North and South, all were started by whites who were angry about Blacks serving in the military and getting better jobs while whites were away at war. No, that was definitely not the welcome that the Hellfighters deserved after serving their country so courageously.

Martin Miller, who was 16 when he joined the Harlem Hellfighters, recalled arriving in Europe and beginning the fight: “That day, the sun was shining, and we were marching. And the band was playing," Miller told an interviewer for the 1977 documentary Men of Bronze. "Everybody's head [was] high, and we were all proud to be Americans, proud to be black, and proud to be in the 15th New York Infantry."

They made us proud!

Moving on to another African American regiment that made history and served with honor and distinction. And made us proud, too.

The Buffalo Soldiers

The name might be familiar from the iconic Bob Marley song. But how much do we know about the Buffalo soldiers? Well, now’s the time to learn a bit more.

The Buffalo soldiers were formed in 1866 by an act of Congress. They were actually a group of units: 6 army units, 2 cavalry (the famous 9th & 10th cavalries) and 4 infantry units.

They were charged with protecting the settlers that moved to the western states and supporting westward expansion by building infrastructure for the settlers and government. They rebuilt towns, escorted wagon trains and stagecoaches through hostile territory, and fought in the Spanish-American war and both World Wars. However, in the U.S., the Buffalo soldiers could serve only west of the Mississippi River because of prevailing and persistent attitudes about Blacks following the American Civil War. But they had a very strong presence everywhere that they served.

How did the Buffalo soldiers get their name? Great question. There are a few theories that I’ll mention but you will have to decide for yourself. And, by the way, I would love to hear your theory so send me a note/message on robinlofton.com.

1. The soldiers’ curly hair reminded the Native Americans of buffalo fur.

2. The soldiers’ fierce and brave nature and tenacity as fighters reminded the Native Americans of how buffalos fought.

3. The soldiers’ wore thick mats in the winter made of buffalo hides.

The Buffalo soldiers units were formed during the Indian wars. This was actually a series of around 40 conflicts that decimated the Native American population. There were massacres, destruction of food sources, poisoning of fresh water wells, germ warfare, and large-scale removals. More than 45,000 Native Americans were killed.

Were the Buffalo soldiers involved in this reprehensible behavior? While they did their duties as U.S. soldiers (such as engaging in battle against the Cherokees), there is no record of the Buffalo soldiers engaging in that type of genocidal behavior.

In fact, the Buffalo soldiers had a good relationship with many native American tribes, perhaps from a shared understanding and experiences, based on the racial situation at the time. If you have heard differently, send me a message at robinlofton.com—truth in history is my objective always.

The Buffalo soldiers also faced racism. Reportsshow that these soldiers were frequently subjected to the harshest of discipline, racist officers, race-motivated violence from the European colonists, and poor food, equipment and shelter. White regiments were supplied with silk-embroidered banners but the Buffalo soldiers clothing had to be homemade (remember the buffalo hide theory?) and was tattered and worn.

In spite of this treatment and their deprivations, the morale of these soldiers remained high and their commitment was strong. The Buffalo soldiers had the lowest desertion rate in the army, though their army posts were often in the worst areas in the west.

Some white commanding officers were proud to lead these men and publicly expressed these feelings. But I have to add that this was not the norm. Most white officers didn’t want to command the black soldiers. The famous Colonel Custer, for example, accepted a lower rank rather than lead an African American unit.

In the end, 20 black soldiers received the Medal of Honor, the highest award this country gives for the most outstanding performance under enemy fire. The last Buffalo soldiers regiments (the 27th and 28th cavalry units) were disbanded in 1951.

Great work, guys! You make us proud.

Frederick Douglass said that once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship."

Frederick Douglass

Oh, I wish that we had more time but we are keeping it wiki (meaning quick in the Hawaiian language) so we have to move on to discuss other heroes who have also made us proud.

And there have not only been men who have made us proud—and who were deserving of citizenship and all the rights that it affords. Women were and are doing their part, too. African American women have participated in every war since the Revolutionary War, despite the dual problems of race and gender discrimination. There were only a few Black women regiments because women were not allowed to officially join the army until the early-20th century. But women did participate in several different roles, one might really surprise you.

Women worked as nurses, postal clerks, stenographers, switchboard operators, and typists. They also served as scouts and spies. One famous spy (during the Civil War) was Harriet Tubman (is that name familiar?). She was so impressive and effective that the soldiers called her General Tubman! One woman actually served as a Buffalo soldier in the Indian conflicts. After being freed from a Missouri plantation, Cathay Williams served a support role during the Civil War. The following year (in 1866), she changed her name from Cathay Williams to William Cathay and registered for the Buffalo soldiers where she served for more than two years! She was eventually discovered and forced to leave, but she had served as an important member of one of the elite infantry units as a woman disguised as a man! That’s dedication, commitment, and ingenuity!

In the Spanish-American War, Black women served as nurses and in other support roles. During the height of the yellow fever epidemic, at least 30 so-called Black “immunes” (women who had suffered but survived yellow fever) were recruited as nurses to care for people suffering from the deadly disease. Other nurses were told that they couldn’t catch it because black skin is thicker and therefore protected African Americans from getting the disease. Of course, this was not true and many Black nurses were exposed to and died from yellow fever.

At the outset of World War I, many trained black nurses enrolled in the American Red Cross hoping to gain entry into the Army or Navy Nurse Corps. As the war escalated, public pressure increased to enlist black women. Finally, shortly after the Armistice, 18 black Red Cross nurses were offered Army Nurse Corps assignments. Assigned to Camp Grant, Illinois, and Camp Sherman, Ohio, they lived in segregated quarters and cared for German prisoners of war and black soldiers.

One of these pioneering women, Aileen Cole Stewart, later wrote,The Story of the Negro nurse in World War I is not spectacular. We arrived after the Armistice was signed, which alone was anticlimactic. So we had no opportunity for "service above and beyond the call of duty;" But each one of us...did contribute quietly and with dignity to the idea that justice demands professional equality for all qualified nurses.6

World War II would spawn the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and Major Charity Adams, its first black officer. She commanded the first all-black female unit, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Film-maker Frank Martin who made a documentary about the battalion noted that “Every single piece of mail that went to Europe passed through this postal battalion. Major Adams and her 855-member unit would spend the last year of the war clearing enormous backlogs of mail, first in England and then in France.

By the way, this is a fascinating documentary called “For the Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots.” I will give you more information about that documentary in the next podcast. I think that you’ll absolutely love it.

When President Truman opened the army in 1948, more than 2,000 African American women enrolled in the Cadet Nurse Corps. But the Women’s Army Corps was where most Black women served the war effort, starting in World War II. Many Black women returned to the corps during the Korean and Vietnam wars, serving in nursing and supportive roles because of the ban on women in combative positions.

What about today?

Starting from the 1990s, things were very different for Black women in the armed forces. Black women are now well represented in today’s military. In Desert Storm, 40 percent of the 35,000 women active operations were African-American. That amounts to 14,000 Black women! And women are in active combat. Black women make up 30 percent of the military. 13 percent of officers are Black women. The military is indeed changing. Yet we should not forget that it has been a long and difficult road for Black women who have chosen a life in the armed forces. And much is still new: it was just in 2013 that the Pentagon lifted its ban on women in front-line combat roles. There is still much work to be done.

I would like to end conclude this section with a quote from Commander Charity Adams Earley, who you might remember led the first African American women’s battalion in World War II. She recently said:

The future of women in the military seems assured.... What may be lost in time is the story of how it happened. The barriers of sex and race were, and sometimes still are, very difficult to overcome, the second even more than the first. During World War II women in the service were often subject to ridicule and disrespect even as they performed satisfactorily.... Each year the number of people who shared the stress of these accomplishments lessens. In another generation young black women who join the military will have scant record of their predecessors who fought on the two fronts of discrimination—segregation and reluctant acceptance by males.8

But we won’t forget. Ever. And I hope that these podcasts help you to remember them and their contributions.

So, that’s all for today. This wiki lecture can’t cover everything about blacks in the military or everyone who served like Dorie Miller, a cook in the Navy who distinguished himself during the attack on Pearl Harbor or the Tuskegee Airmen, the Red Tails who served so courageously in World War II or Sojourner Truth who was a nurse during the civil war or now retired General Colin Powell who has had a long a distinguished career as National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commander of the Army Forces, and Secretary of State. And there are so many more. But we are keeping it wiki here. And I might add that there is one more part to this interesting lecture series.

Part III discusses films about Blacks in the Military. Some of these films are older, others were made more recently. But they definitely bring the Black experience in the military to life. And it gives us a chance to discuss other Black heroes and feel inspired by their stories.

Honor. Courage. Determination.

You will see how they lived these principles and how important they are to everyone.

Please don’t forget that November is the month to remember and honor our veterans. The National Association of Black Veterans works all year long to support and assist black veterans. That’s why I’m giving $1 to the Nabvets for every person that listens to this podcast this month. They have a great website at www.nabvets.org. It’s my honor to show support for them—like they have shown support for our veterans over the years. And shown us honor, courage, and determination.

I hope that you have enjoyed this podcast at robinlofton.com. Please leave your comments, questions, and thoughts. I love to hear from my listeners or anyone who is interested in African American history.

See you next time to review movies about Blacks in the military at robinlofton.com. And a big salute to Jon Knox for making that great music—I just wanted to get up and march!

Hug and veteran today and I’ll see you soon at robinlofton.com.

Welcome back to robinlofton.com for another Wiki History Lecture!

November is the month that Americans remember and honor its veterans—the brave men and women who fought for freedom and liberty both within the country and around the world. As of 2013, there are nearly 20 million veterans living in the United States. Of that number, more than 2 million veterans are African American.

African Americans have fought in every war beginning with the Revolutionary War.

Civil War: 200,000 African Americans served.

World War I: 375,000 African Americans served

World War II: 1 million African Americans served

I won’t continue through all the wars but I’m sure that you send the trend!

Indeed, the African American presence in the military was always strong and is continuing to grow stronger. There were difficulties, particularly racial discrimination, there were victories and triumphs, there have been heroes (lots of heroes!) and yes, there have been defeats. The history is long and varied so I think that we should get started discussing this fascinating but often forgotten history.

This is African American history at its finest! But you might be asking yourself: what can I learn from it?

Great question.

Here’s the answer: Courage. Determination. Honor.

Great qualities! Everyone can benefit from these qualities—whether military or civilian, male or female, rich or poor, Black or white. Everyone.

And these stories about African Americans in the military--their bravery to face obstacles like racism, their determination to fight for their country and their freedom, their courage under fire whether it came from Nazis in 1944, from the Vietcong in 1969 or from other American soldiers—these stories will inspire you to transcend any hardships that might be in your own life. So, let’s get begin at the beginning.

Did you know that African Americans fought in the Revolutionary War? Well, you can believe it because both free and enslaved Africans fought on both sides of the war (at least in the beginning). You might wonder why, in the 1770s) any Black person, especially slaves, would fight for the American Patriots or for the British Loyalists. There were, of course, many different reasons but most boiled down to fighting for their freedom or believing in the republican principles of liberty and equality. Many enslaved Blacks (on both sides) were promised their freedom. During that time, blacks served as soldiers, spies, guides and messengers. Yet free and enslaved Africans were not initially welcomed to join the Americans. In fact, General George Washington fervently refused to recruit Blacks into the Continental Army and actually took steps to keep them out. In fact, General Washington, in 1775, issued an order to army recruiters, ordering them not to enroll "any deserter from the Ministerial army, nor any stroller, negro or vagabond". That was not his highest moment. But he eventually was forced to accept Blacks into the army when the British general granted freedom to all slaves willing to serve the British forces.

Still, there were many Blacks who served with distinction and honor. Crispus Attucks (hopefully, this is a familiar name), a runaway slave was one of the first people killed by the British in 1770, which was a major step towards Revolution. That is a long story, which I won’t go into right now, but he died in the Boston Massacre and was viewed as a martyr by both whites and Blacks at the time and still is today as well. In fact, a Crispus Attucks Monument was erected in Boston.

Peter Salem was also a man that served with honor and distinction for the Americans during the Revolution. He was a true hero at the battle of Bunker Hill. Salem was a slave whose owner allowed him to join the militiamen. At the famous Battle of Bunker Hill, the Americans were just about to surrender when Salem stepped forward and shot and killed the commander of the British forces. After that heroic feat, the Americans gained renewed energy and eventually won that important battle. Because of his courage under fire, Salem was put on a postage stamp, but not until in 1968. Better late than never!

In total, more than 5,000 Blacks fought on the American side during the Revolutionary War. There is no denying that African Americans made substantial contributions to the victory that created the United States of America.

There are a lot more wars and experiences to discuss so let’s move on. This is the beginning of a long and continuing story of African Americans serving in the armed forces.

But since this is a wiki history lecture, we will not discuss the African American presence every U.S. war—that would take a very long time—so we will focus on the important or recurrent themes that marked the military experience for African Americans. And we would be remiss in failing to mention a few special people and military units who distinguished themselves in combat.

One prevailing theme (briefly touched upon in the previous section) is racial discrimination in and by the military. Even as Crispus Attucks was fighting (and dying) for the American cause, racial discrimination was a major factor in determining who could fight for freedom and, indeed, who was “entitled” to freedom in the American colonies. Despite the promises made and the rights proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, which said that “all men are created equal,” Africans were not included in these republican principles. (Remember that Crispus Attucks was, himself, an escaped slave.)

Racial discrimination has been rampant in the military since the formation of the Continental Army in the 1700s. Although African Americans have fought in every major war in America, they were not afforded the rights or given the duties that white soldiers were readily granted. The discrimination and bias were expressed in different ways.

1. Segregation

From the American Revolution through the mid-20th century wars, the military endorsed racial segregation. In other words, Blacks and Whites were kept separate in living, eating, training, and even combat situations. The war department felt that racial segregation in the military just as in civilian life was the most logical and efficient way to manage the presence of Blacks in the army.

In World War II, for example, more than 1 million African Americans served in the military. However, Blacks were not permitted to join the air force or marines. And the segregated regiments (called “colored regiments”) were not treated equally. African American units often had inferior accommodations, food, and training. Still, by World War II, African American enlistment in the military was at an all-time high because Blacks wanted to serve their country and fight the growing threat from Nazi War Machine. In 1948, President Truman ended segregation in the military. Of course, segregation remained the norm throughout in civilian life.

2. Assignments

Another form of racial discrimination in the military was with the assignments that were given to African Americans. One type of assignment was simply support. For example, African Americans in the Navy could serve only as cooks or waiters. This extended to the rest of the military. White soldiers and officers did not want to train or give arms to Black soldiers. Others felt that Blacks were unable to learn and were intellectual inferior to Whites so they could only serve to support the white soldiers or as general labor to the military.

Later, when Blacks were allowed to participate in combat, they were given the most dangerous assignments that often resulted in high levels of casualties. During the Civil War, for example, the Black death toll was 40 percent higher than the death toll for whites. And this is an interesting story. In World War I, when the Americans arrived in Europe, France requested soldiers for its armies. American General Pershing was reluctant to give U.S. soldiers to the French army but he finally agreed to give the Black soldiers. In response, the French army assigned the Black soldiers to the hardest, dirtiest, and most dangerous assignments. Casualties were enormous. And this problem was also noted in the Vietnam War, in which 40 percent of African Americans draftees were given combat assignments and suffered twice the casualty rate of white military draftees.

Racial bias was also evident in the military draft and recruitment. Again, the Vietnam War serves as an example. Remember the draft was used to obtain most of the soldiers for that war. Of course, there were exceptions to the draft and many of them favored white Americans. For example, deferments for college attendance and certain civilian occupations favored whites over Blacks. In fact, 41 percent of draftees were African American though Blacks accounted for only 12 percent of the population. The casualty rates of African Americans constituted nearly 20 percent of all combat deaths during the Vietnam War. I just want to add that the Vietnam War was the first war in which conscientious objectors had a strong voice, the most famous of which was Muhammad Ali. He refused to enlist (despite receiving his draft notice) and was stripped of his boxing titles but, after a lengthy appeal, the Supreme Court overturned his criminal conviction and reinstated his titles.

Just briefly, I want to mention that the numbers of African American officers was very low until recently. And Black officers could not command white units and faced heavy discrimination. Black officers were not eligible for certain honors and awards. However, the number of Black officers has been steadily increasing since the Persian Gulf Wars. Today, 13 percent of officers are African Americans. This part of the story is a success and a great place to stop for today—on a high note.

Yes, there is so much more that can be said about racial discrimination in the military but this is just a short introduction. But we are still focusing on Blacks in the military. In the next podcast, we’re going to examine Black heroes in the armed forces and special units like the Tuskegee Airmen. Many people have heard of them and that’s great. But we will also examine other special units. Have you heard of the Harlem Hellfights? Well, you’re gonna love these guys—they were tough, patriotic, and Black!

Stay tuned for their stories. In the third and final podcast about Blacks in the military, we will examine a few of the best movies about African Americans in the military.

Let’s remember our veterans this month and every month. Let’s never forget their commitment and sacrifices so that we all could be free and safe. Not all were heroes. Not all were patriots. And not all came home. But their memory endures.

Because of my appreciation for their great service, I am dedicating these wiki history podcasts about Blacks in the military to a Black veterans organization called the National Association of Black Veterans or nabvets. They are an excellent resource for Black veterans and their families. They provide assistance with filing claims, have lots of information for veterans, and provide chaplain services. They have offices around the United States. Or you can visit their website at www.nabvets.org. For every person who listens to this (or any of my November wiki history podcasts, I will donate $1 to the National Association of Black Veterans Association. It is an honor and privilege to support this organization and I hope that you will too. They also have incredible volunteer opportunities. Remember www.nabvets.org.

Remember our veterans: Honor. Courage. Determination. Great goals for us all. And please visit robinlofton.com. Leave your questions or comments. And I would love to hear from our veterans or women and men who are currently serving in the military. You are a great inspiration.

See you next time to hear about the individual black heroes and groups of heroes that have served the U.S. with distinction.

And a special thanks to Jon Knoxx who composed the music for this podcast.

See you next time at robinlofton.com!

Part I Coming to America: Slavery and Abolition

Hi and welcome to the Wiki History lecture series called History is Power! Produced by robinlofton.com where history is power. In the introductory lecture, we read a journal entry by Jackie Robinson about how he felt that he was living in a fairy tale on the day that joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. His moving entry helped us to understand that fairy tales (or happy endings) can happen to everyone, including you and me. And that is one reason to learn history: inspiration.

Today, we continue our Wiki lecture series about the importance of knowing African American history. We can ask again: why is history important?

Let’s begin with another journal entry.

Look at www.robinlofton.com for the written excerpt by Frederick Douglass.

That was from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. He very eloquently describes how slaves were treated with such inhumanity, nearly like animals, and kept ignorant of even their identity. And this is where we begin our lecture.

Today’s wiki lecture is called Coming to America: Slavery and the Abolition movement.

I know that some of my listeners are now rolling their eyes and asking themselves: why do we need to know about slavery? African slavery is finished and has been for almost 150 years. Why can’t we just move on and forget about it?

Those are good questions and this is a good time to address them.

There is a great quote by a very wise man, Daniel Boorstin (a former librarian of Congress) who said: “Trying to plan for the future without a sense of the past is like trying plant cut flowers.”

I will repeat it because it is so relevant to this question of why it is important to know history.

“Trying to plan for the future without a sense of the past is like trying to plant cut flowers.”

In other words, it is impossible for African Americans to move forward and build a true and meaningful presence in America without knowing our history. Slavery is just one part of our history. Of course, there are other parts including our important contributions to the United States and the world. Contributions in areas like music, language, science, medicine, law, religion and spirituality, art, literature, and culture are all important parts of our past that we should know and cherish just like we should know about the parts that include slavery, injustice, suffering, and struggle. These are aspects of our history that have had a direct effect on us as individuals and as a people. And those effects are still felt today. So, we will examine slavery today and learn of its lasting effects on African American culture.

Slavery in America was a unique and terrible institution. It was marked by violence, brutality, and degradation. It also broke up families, and destroyed traditions, cultures, and languages. It used fear, torture, ignorance, and severe punishments to control the growing slave population. Whippings, executions, and rapes were common. In the antebellum (pre-civil war) South, slaves constituted one-third of the population. These measures were used to control the large and growing number of slaves in the region.

Slaves were considered as property. They were bought and sold as one would buy or sell a horse or a cow. There are many slave narratives that discuss the brutality and difficulties of life as a slave. But they also discuss how slaves worked to keep their dignity, develop and maintain relationships, and how they struggled for survival for themselves and their families. One of the best slave narratives is written by Frederick Douglass. There is also a very moving collection of narratives called Remembering Slavery. This collection also contains audio recordings by former slaves about life during slavery. Here is an interview with Phoebus, a former slave in Virginia, reflecting on her grandmother’s experiences working in the fields as a young child:

Grandma said slaves had to pick so many pounds of cotton a day, they were given an awful whipping if they didn’t get this amount. My grandma said that she was small and just couldn’t get her proper amount, but was jolly and always ran to get water for the other slaves when they wanted it. At the end of the day, one of the men would tell another, “Give that little black girl five pounds of cotton. She’s all right.” When they evened her up, she wouldn’t get a beating but lots of time she would come up short and would have to take the whippin. All the slaves who had fallen short had to stand in line with their backs bare for their whippin. Grandma said that often she was whipped until she could barely move.

From the arrival of the first slave ships in the American colonies in 1619 until slavery was abolished in 1865, the slaves fought for their freedom. They never just accepted their fate. They never accepted themselves as less than human. And they fought to maintain their dignity. Freedom was always on their mind and in their hearts.

There were slave rebellions and organized revolts. And, of course, slaves continuously tried to escape and reach the so-called “free” states or even Canada. Nat Turner’s Rebellion in Virginia was one of the largest and most famous rebellions, consisting of more than 70 free and enslaved Black people. The rebellion was quick and violent. On August 21, 1831, Nat Turner and his band went from house to house setting free every slave that they found. More than 60 people were killed on that night. Nat Turner and the others were caught and executed.

So, slaves were constantly fighting for, struggling for, or running towards freedom. The response was often harsh punishment, torture, and death to the slaves themselves and sometimes to anyone who helped them. Although some historians label the slaves as “exceptionally docile”, there were as many as 300 such rebellions by slaves who sought freedom. In fact, slave owners deeply feared rebellions and took brutal measures to deter and suppress them.

The peculiar institution of slavery divided the United States. This was partially the fault of the delegates who wrote the national Constitution in 1787. Although certain sections of the Constitution made vague references to slavery, it was never formally addressed by the document. Delegates on both sides fought fervently for their position. Yet slavery was left as an issue belonging to the states. Nevertheless, the movement to abolish slavery was gaining momentum.

By the 1850’s, the abolitionist movement had a lot of support. It was promoted by both African Americans, notably Frederick Douglass (himself an escaped slave who became an eloquent orator, prolific author, and leading abolitionist figure both nationally and internationally), Sojourner Truth (also escaped from slavery who became a leading abolitionist and suffragette), Harriet Tubman (who led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom along the Underground Railroad, and worked as a spy and nurse during the Civil War), and Benjamin Banneker (who was born free but wrote notable letters to President Thomas Jefferson accusing him of violating the “self-evident” rights of all people). There were also white people who demanded the abolition of slavery like Harriett Beecher Stowe (who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin), John Brown (who led an important revolt at Harper’s Ferry and who gave an eloquent speech about his desire to free the slaves before his execution) and William Lloyd Garrison (who founded the American Anti-Slavery Society and demanded the immediate abolition of slavery).

It was, indeed, a multicultural movement! Countless others contributed to the movement to end slavery in great and small ways. Some contributed money. Others opened their homes to escaped slaves. Still others wrote articles, gave speeches, taught slaves to read and write. And each contribution was important to end the peculiar and terrible institution of slavery in the United States. Following abolition, many of these same people fought for equal rights for Black persons and for equality of all people.

Abolition of slavery and the beginning of the reconstruction era were two big steps for African Americans. Freedom was important, it was imperative but it was just the beginning. The story (or the “fairy tale”) continued and is still being written today.

Slavery was without a doubt one of the most difficult times for African Americans. The violence and brutality are heartbreaking and infuriating. But the slaves’ bravery and courage are moving and inspiring. We should never forget what they suffered for generations, what they endured for centureis Or the effects of hundreds of years of slavery. Yes, slavery is over. But the story continues.

In the next History is Power! Podcast, we will continue our “fairy tale” . It moves from the fight for freedom to the fight for equality. We will examine the struggle for civil rights. Some names and events will be familiar, particularly those from the civil rights movement. But others will be new and surprising. The struggle for equal rights began long before the 1950s. And you will hear about them in the next podcast in the first week of December.

I hope that you enjoyed this History is Power lecture at robinlofton.com. Please remember to subscribe so that the wiki history lectures and the History is Power! lectures will be sent directly to your mailbox. I also encourage you to make comments, ask questions, or just leave me a message. I love to hear from you all.

Remember to keep believing in fairy tales and never plant cut flowers.

See you again soon!

Black Explorers Part II

Welcome back to robinlofton.com for another Wiki History lecture. Today is the second lecture about black explorers. In the first Wiki history lecture, we discussed Matthew Henson, who was the first person to reach the North Pole. While there is some dispute about this, we recognized that Henson made incredible contributions as a navigator, ocean surveyor, and explorer. There is a lot more to know about this great man and his explorations so I encourage you to listen to the first Wiki History lecture and to read his book, A Negro in the North Pole, which you can find on robinlofton.com.

In today’s wiki lecture, we will discuss explorations that are out of this world! These black explorers went longer and farther than many people ever dream of going. They are great examples of why we are studying explorers. We can learn so much from them. They had a grand vision and never-ending determination. They worked hard and never gave up. Remember it took 20 years and numerous failed attempts for Matthew Henson to reach the North Pole. But he eventually made it. And that’s what we can learn from these explorers.

Let’s get started with today’s great Black explorers.

Today’s explorers won’t go north or south. Today, they go up!

We begin with Guion Bluford, who on August 30, 1983, was the first African American astronaut to make a space flight. But let’s back up for a minute. Dr. Bluford was born in Philadelphia in 1942. He earned his pilot’s license when he was just 24. Then he went on to earn his doctorate in aerospace engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1978. He also joined NASA in 1978. And made his maiden voyage in space was just 5 years later. He operated the remote manipulator system, Spacelab-3 experiments, shuttle systems, and the flight systems lab. During his career, Dr. Bluford made numerous space flights and spent a total of 688 hours in space before his retirement from NASA in 1993.

Other African Americans also dedicated themselves to space flight and exploration.

Frederick Gregory was the first Black person to actually command a space shuttle mission. In 1985, he served as a pilot on Challenger for a 7-day mission. Commander Gregory joined NASA shortly after receiving his masters degree in information systems. In 1989, he was given command of the Discovery mission, which orbited the Earth 79 times in 120 hours. In total, he commanded 3 major space missions and spent over 450 hours in space. By the end of his career, he reached the rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force.

In 1987, Mae Jemison was the first black woman astronaut and the first Black woman to fly in space. She was the science mission specialist on the historic 8-day mission on the Endeavor space shuttle. By her retirement from NASA, Dr. Jamison logged in 190 hours in space. Her educational background is as varied as it is impressive having graduated from Stanford University with a degree in both chemical engineering and African American studies. She also earned a doctorate degree from Cornell University and worked as a staff doctor for the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone. Today, Dr. Jamison owns a private firm, called the Jamison Group, and teaches at Dartmouth University.

Coming out of the shuttle, Bernard Harris, Jr. became the first black astronaut to actually walk in space. He walked in space for 5 hours and logged in more than 230 hours in space. He was also a medical doctor and trained as a flight surgeon. After leaving NASA, he founded the Harris Group, which is a Texas-based organization that works to empower individuals, in particular minorities and other economically and/or socially disadvantaged, to recognize their potential and pursue their dreams. Dr. Harris first became interested in being an astronaut watching the Apollo 11 mission on TV in 1969. Twenty years—and lots of hard work and determination later—he was asked to join NASA. By the end of his career, he logged more than 4,164,183 miles in space.

Finally, and sadly, in 1986, Ronald McNair became the first black astronaut killed during a space mission. He was aboard the ill-fated Challenger when it exploded shortly after liftoff. Dr. McNair was an extraordinary explorer who was born in South Carolina and able to read and write by the age of three. At the age of four, he successfully challenged the whites-only borrowing privileges at the local library. In 1976, he received a scholarship to MIT where he graduated magna cum laude with a doctorate in physics. He was invited to join NASA in 1978. Dr. McNair is remembered as having encouraged and supported young black engineers and scientists in the aerospace program. In his short life, he was an extraordinary student, physicist, and astronaut.

He once said, "Whether or not you reach your goals in life depends entirely on how well you prepare for them and how badly you want them. . . ..You're eagles! Stretch your wings and fly to the sky."

Words to live by!

There are so many others that have contributed to space exploration. However, we only have time to acknowledge the contributions of these five astronauts who committed themselves to exploring where no one had gone before. And they also made great contributions on earth too.

Remember the names: Guy Bluford, Frederick Gregory, Mae Jamison, Bernard Harris, and Ronald McNair. Great explorers. Great scientists. Great people!

Now here is another great explorer. She was not an astronaut. She did not go into outer space. But she set her sights high and she reached incredible heights: The top of Mount Everest!

Sophia Danenberg was always a high flyer and explorer. Born in Illinois in 1972, Sophia became the first African American woman and the first Black woman from anywhere in the world to climb Mt. Everest.

Sophia became involved in mountaineering after receiving her degree from Harvard University. For 2 years, she did technical rock climbs with her local Appalachian Mountain Club.

Danenberg's first major climb was at Mount Rainier, in Washington State in 2002. Over the next two years she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya, Mount Baker in Washington state and Mount Kenya. In 2005 she scaled five peaks plus Mount McKinley in Alaska. That’s right, she climbed the highest peak in North America.

But her great challenge was yet to come. In the spring of 2006, at the age of 34 and with only one week of planning, she started climbing Mount Everest—the highest mountain in the world.

She signed up for an unguided climb, which meant that she had to carry all of her own gear, pitch her own tent, and make all the decisions, and basically find her own way. On May 19, 2006, after two months of climbing, she reached the summit of Mount Everest at 29,000 feet. She was suffering from bronchits, a stuffed nose and frostbitten cheeks but she was determined to push through the bad weather and sit on top of the world!

But she did not stop with Everest. She has now climbed more than 19 peaks around the world.

Back on lower elevations, Sophia Danenberg has continued her upward journey. She received her masters in economics from the University of Connecticut and works with inner city children.

About her historic climb, she says, “It’s not really about having the ability to climb. It’s about this ability to say, ‘I can do it really well.”

That’s a great goal. Whatever you do, do it really well.

Thank you for visiting robinlofton.com for this Wiki history lecture about great Black explorers. Remember to subscribe so that the Wiki History lectures will come directly to your mailbox. Please visit robinlofton.com and leave your comments. I would love to hear about your explorations. Future Wiki History lectures will focus on Blacks in the Military (lots of interesting information and lessons from the African Americans who fought in America’s wars beginning with the Civil War) and we will post Part II about the importance of African American history and how it can inspire and motivate us.

Remember that we can learn a lot from the great explorers. We can learn from their courage, vision, determination, and positive outlook. Life is an exploration. Keep exploring higher and farther! See you again soon.

The African American Explorers 1

October 13th was Columbus Day in the United States. He is celebrated for his explorations to/around India in the 15th century. Today, we know that he didn’t actually make the trip to India and we don’t want to discuss what he did in the Americas, but there is no denying that Christopher Columbus was an explorer.

Of course, there have been (and still are) many people who show the courage to leave their own shore in search of distant lands. We hear their shories of courage (and sometimes conquest) in history classes and on the Discovery Channel or PBS. But we don’t often learn about African American explorers and their burning desire to explore strange new lands and go boldly where no one has gone before.

This podcast will introduce you to African American explorers and show you that while the world is getting smaller and smaller, the adventures and explorations are getting greater and bolder. The boundaries are endless. The only limit is your imagination, your courage, and your willingness to test your personal limits.

What is your limit? How far are you willing to go for glory?

These stories will show that exploration is not about finding gold or other riches (many explorers, including Columbus, have forgotten that golden rule.) Exploration is a test of your limits and transcending them. And that’s about more than finding new lands…it applies to any new activity like taking a new job or following a new career, getting an education or going back to school, learning a new language or studying a new subject, moving to a new city or country and evening learning more about yourself.

The people in this podcast series on African American explorers challenged themselves and more. They went beyond their perceived limits and ultimately expanded their life, their worlds, and themselves. And this continued long after they “returned home” from their journey.

If you’re up to the challenge, let’s begin our journey with an African American man who endured many obstacles and hardships simply to reach a pole: The North Pole!

Matthew Henson: The First Man to Sit on Top of the World!

Born in Maryland in1866, Matthew Henson was an explorer (in every sense of the word) and so we begin our discussion of Black explorers with this incredible—though sometimes forgotten African American—pioneer.

Henson had what one could call a challenging childhood. He was orphaned when he was only 10 years old. Relatives then took care of him and his sisters. At age 11, he ran away from home and went to live with his aunt in Washington, D.C. There, he would listen to stories about the sea from his friend, Baltimore Jack, and eventually he started walking to Baltimore to hang around the waterfront to talk with the other sailors.

A year later, at the tender of 12, he became a cabin boy on a merchant ship called the Katie Hines and sailed around the world. By the age of 18, he had traveled to China, Japan, Philippines, France, Russia, and Africa. He was a skilled navigator, an experienced sailor, and very well traveled. But his adventures were just beginning.

In 1887, Matthew Henson met Commander Robert Peary (is that name familiar?). This team would make history. Peary hired Henson to travel with him to Nicaragua to survey a canal route. Four years later, Henson and Peary prepared for their first attempt to reach the North Pole. It failed. However, seven was their lucky number. On their 7th attempt, they finally reached the North Pole on April 6, 1909. Yes, it took Henson nearly 20 years to reach the North Pole! That’s determination and Henson had plenty of it.

He was the first person to reach the North Pole!

But it took more than determination and the burning vision that Henson had set on reaching the North Pole. His experience, skill, and hard work all played a huge role in his success. While preparing for reaching the North Pole, Henson learned the Inuit language. He learned their culture. And he learned Arctic survival skills, including building igloos, hunting, and sled driving. He was prepared and primed to reach the North Pole. Henson also personally trained every member of the team, including Peary himself.

Of course, interesting and conflicting theories have been reported about the race to the North Pole.

For example, while many people credit Robert Peary with reaching the North Pole first, there are stories that Matthew Henson was the first to reach the Pole, beating Peary to the Pole by 45 minutes. Henson blazed the trail ahead of Peary, whose toes were frozen and was being pulled on the sled.

Others claim that Robert Peary (and also Matthew Henson) never actually reached the North Pole in 1909. Over the years, this achievement has been confirmed by some sources and denied by others.

And many people only acknowledged Robert Peary for reaching the North Pole. Because of racism, the general public discounted or even omitted Matthew Henson’s accomplishments and contributions. People constantly praised Peary. But Henson was ignored and forgotten. To his credit, Peary acknowledged and repeatedly talked about Henson’s indispensable contribution to the mission, saying that “he could not have made it to the Pole without Henson.” Yet the general public tried to silence this fact.

But none of this really matters.

What matters most, particularly today, is that we know Matthew Henson started life as an orphan and eventually became a world explorer. He had life experiences that many people only dream of. He developed unique skills, learned a unique language, and had a unique (and prosperous) life. He became the first man to sit on top of the world!

Although his accomplishments were discounted or omitted because of racism, we can now give this incredible man, this great explorer, the acknowledgment that he deserves. We can also learn from his experiences.

By the way, in better late than never fashion, Presidents Truman and Eisenhower later acknowledged Matthew Henson’s contribution to reaching the North Pole. And the prestigious Explorers Club elected Henson for membership in 1937, making him the first African American to join the club.

In 1912, Henson published a book about his explorations called A Negro Explorer at the North Pole. It’s an inspiring story about this great explorer and his lifelong journey to the North Pole. I encourage you to read it for yourself and to read it to your children. You won’t be able to put it down. And it will definitely lift you up!

Speaking about his explorations, Matthew Henson said, “The lure of the Arctic is tugging at my heart. To me, the trail is calling. The old trail. And the trail that is always new."

There are other African American explorers that felt the lure of the Arctic tugging at their hearts. They also braved the fierce cold of the Polar Regions. I just want to briefly mention George Gibbs who in 1939 became the first Black person to set foot on Antarctica. A U.S. Navy man selected from 2,000 applicants, Gibbs was a member of Admiral Byrd’s third expedition to the South Pole. And his explorations did not stop there. He later became a civil rights leader in Rochester, New York where he organized the local chapter of the NAACP and challenged segregation in social organizations, including the Elks Club. And he emerged victorious.

So, we know Matthew Henson’s trail led to the North Pole. George Gibbs trail led to the South Pole. Where does your trail lead?

Each of us has our own trail. In the next podcast, our Black explorers have their sights, not going northwards or southwards. But going…upwards. Next time, we look to where no “African American” man or woman had gone before!

See you next time on robinlofton.com. Thanks to Doug, the lawyer explorer. You can find Doug at www.lawyerexplorer.com. Remember to find your own trail and keep exploring!

The Importance of African American history: Believe in fairy tales!

Hi and welcome to the Wiki History lecture series called History is Power! Produced by robinlofton.com where history is power. Today, we begin our 5-minute lecture series about the importance of knowing African American history. We begin by asking why is history important? Great question. Perhaps the answer can be found in this famous journal entry, which says,

Next time I go to a movie and see a picture of a little ordinary girl become a great star, I’ll believe it.

And whenever I hear someone read fairy tales to my little boy, I’ll listen.

I know that dreams do come true.

I know because I am now playing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the big leagues!

I always dreamed about playing for the Dodgers, but honestly, I always had my doubts. I used to tell myself: “Something will happen. It just isn’t in the books for you to play in the majors. You’re a Negro. Negroes haven’t been in the big leagues. Some day they will be. But you won’t be the lucky guy.

Can you guess who wrote this entry? Jackie Robinson. In 1947--following his first major league game with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie Robinson was the first Black person to play major league baseball. He made history. And he went on to win the leagues MVP award in 1949. During his career, he would play in 6 World Series. He concluded this entry by saying,

Being up here is absolutely wonderful. That’s why I’m a believer in fairy tales now. You see, it actually happened to me!

It was said that Jackie Robinson endured more racial insults and threats of violence than anyone in history. But we know that Jackie Robinson made history. And history is power.

We can learn a lot from history—and that can empower us, too. We’ll hear about many African Americans that made great accomplishments. We will learn that they faced lots of obstacles, problems, and rejections. And most importantly we will learn that they still made history. You see, just like Jackie Robinson said: fairy tales are real. They happened to him. And they can happen to you, too.

But we need to know the African Americans who came before us; what happened before us—the successes, the defeats, the victories and the challenges. We need to know the African Americans who helped to build the United States and, indeed, who helped to shape the world. Some names will be unfamiliar from the past: Dr. Carter G. Woodson who wrote the Negro National Anthem (yes, we have one!) and who founded Black History Month. Ida B. Wells who fought against the horrible (but at-the-time accepted) practice of lynching. And, of course, the mathematical genius, Benjamin Banneker, who made great discoveries in astronomy and developed theories about relativity. Did I mention that Benjamin Banneker was born in 1731, a descendant of slaves?

And, like Jackie Robinson, the road was not easy yet they endured. Others did too. There was James McCune Smith, who moved to Scotland to earn his medical degree because no American universities would accept a Black man. He graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1837 becoming the first African American to receive a medical degree. Dr. Smith then returned to the U.S. where he had a distinguished medical career in private practice, opened two pharmacies, and trained young doctors.

And there is Marcelite Harris who is the first Black woman to become a brigadier general in the US Air Force. However, she had to apply three times before her application for training was accepted.

And did you know that Michael Jordan was cut from the basketball team in his sophomore year?!

You see; nothing came easy for any of them. But these people were not afraid to be first. Or to stand out. Or even to stand alone. They weren’t afraid to fail. They never gave up. Neither should we.

We can learn a lot from them. We can begin by asking ourselves:

• What was it like to be alive during their time?
• What it was like to walk in their shoes?
• What motivated them?
• What were they afraid of?
• What didn’t they know?

But remember that history is not just the study of the past. It is interesting because nobody ever lived in the past. People have only lived in the present. Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, and Harriet Tubman didn’t think of themselves as living in the past. They were living in the present. The difference is that it was their present. They were caught up in the living moment exactly as we are today. They didn’t know how things would turn out. Neither do we. Jackie Robinson didn’t know what would happen when he joined the Dodgers and stepped on the field that day. Dr. Smith did not know what would happen when he moved to Scotland to study medicine. But we can use their stories and strength (their fairy tales) to be empowered, inspired, and moved to make our own fairy tales.

We know the history. And history is power.

History teaches us that we can believe in fairy tales.

This 3-part series will span 400 years of the African American experience: from freedom to equality to justice. And the conclusion will empower and inspire you. Please look at my website, robinlofton.com for the complete schedule.

Part I will discuss slavery and the fight to abolish that terrible institution.

Part II will present the civil rights movement and the struggle for equality.

Part III is about racial violence and the fight for justice.

Don’t worry. Each part will only last around 5 minutes! Remember this is called Wiki history!

Join me for Part I of the History is Power! series on Thursday, November 6 when we will officially begin our “fairy tale” journey.

Moving on, October is dedicated to learning about Black explorers—those who stepped boldly into the unknown and gave us stars to steer by. You will learn about the contributions and courage of these explorers (some of whom were born during slavery) and even learn about the first Black woman to climb Mount Everest!

You can find more even more fun and fascinating facts as well as more “fairy tales” on robinlofton.com, especially on my bodacious Blog. And remember to subscribe.

See you there and, keep believing in fairy tales! They can happen to you, too.

This is an introduction to robinlofton. It discusses the great features, discussions, blog posts, and podcasts that the visitor will find here. You will find information about Maya Angelou and Ida B. Wells, Frederick Douglass and Trayvon Martin. You will find information about African American history and current events that affect the Black community.