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A Grandfather's Gift:
​From the Underground Railroad to Thoughts on Race


Map: Compiled from "The Underground Railroad from Slavery to Freedom" by Willbur H. Siebert Wilbur H. Siebert, The Macmillan Company, 1898.[1], Public Domain.
If you are new to this site, please click here to read the story behind A Grandfather's Gift.

A Man Was Lynched Yesterday

1/30/2023

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Nancy Kendall's life of working with the Underground Railroad is a constant reminder that there are good Samaritans out there who risked their lives as Nancy Kendall and Andrew Kendall did to help others.

They are often lost in the background. I think they are not mentioned, because their lives don't seem dramatic enough. And, because many of them were, and are, Black themselves. 

We all know Harriet Tubman, of course. But, how many of us have heard of Walter White?

Walter White was a Black civil rights leader who helped form the NAACP. He was a white news reporter who let the rest of America, and the world, in on Jim Crow laws, lynchings, "unsolved" murders, and the crimes committed against Black citizens by white America. 

"White Lies: The Double Life of Walter F. White and America's Darkest Secret" by A.J. Baime uncovers the details of a remarkable life - Walter F. White, a Black activist who risked his own life investigating racist murders while passing for white. He was fair skinned with a racially mixed background who passed easily, leading a dangerous double-life, using white privilege to shine a light on the America's darkest crimes. 

In the wake of yet another Black man's death at the hands of those who were supposed to protect and serve, we take courage in the fact that there are those in the past and present who work to change the course of justice in America. Their stories must be told.
​
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Building Houses & the Hearts of Children

11/21/2022

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Guest post by D. A. Smith

A dear friend recently loaned me the children's picture book "Build a House", by Rhiannon Giddens. I wanted to share it with my two daughters. We sat together, the three of us, in the sun and read this extraordinarily simple but beautiful book.

The moving illustrations, by Monica Mikai, convey the nuanced emotions that the words stoically imply. Its message is full of understanding and dignity - the overarching struggle and triumph of a people, displaced, enslaved, ultimately freed and allowed to establish their own homes is outlined in poetry and song. 

After reading through the book and spending time looking at the illustrations, we watched the accompanying music video. Rhiannon Giddens, joined by Yo-Yo Ma, gives melody to the tale. It’s steady, strong and a little haunting. My children have been singing it ever since we first listened to it and have asked several times to hear it again. 

This morning my older daughter sang “you brought me here to build a house…” and my younger daughter corrected her, saying “It's, ‘you brought me here you build YOUR house…’” to which the elder replied “Oh, that’s right,” and quickly went back to singing. 

Their understanding was clear to me then. Children are thoughtful and often guided by an inner compass that points to justice. They were moved by the story, of course. But it was the music that really settled it into their memories.  They quietly sing to themselves and think about what it all means, as they work on other projects. 

I’ve been humming it, too. The words and melody remind us again and again of Rhiannon Giddens' gentle but powerful telling of a story worth cherishing.


​“Through the rhythm of words, the lyricism of images, and the power of song, Rhiannon Giddens makes storytelling come alive. Build a House is a story to tell and to remember.” - Yo-Yo Ma
​The perfect holiday gift for the children in your life. And the grown-ups, too: Order Build a House
Read our previous post to learn more about Rhiannon Giddens. 
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A Class Act, but a Difficult Legacy

9/27/2022

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When Silence Reigns
​
As we tell Nancy Kendall’s story, we often see modern parallels.  The recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II brought criticisms to the fore regarding the history of the monarchy and its brutal acts of imperialism as it built the Commonwealth.  For those of us in the US, we cannot help but find similarities between those unspeakable acts of cruelty and those in which our young and growing republic engaged. 


As a developing nation, we were desperate to escape the rule of England, King George the III.  We fought and paid dearly to break away from the monarchy. We subsequently wrote our own laws, both brilliant and flawed, to establish our hard-won independence.  
​

Everything about imperialism and colonization seems evil, particularly its treatment of the people whose homelands are gobbled up. For centuries, the British Empire was single-minded in its pursuit of reigning over subjects in far off lands.  

As we built our newly independent country, we also journeyed to foreign lands to capture and enslave human beings for our use. We treated them as property with no rights or respect, simply because people of color were considered lesser-beings, and “should” be subservient. 

We nearly succeeded in our efforts to wipe out the original inhabitants of this continent, along with their rich cultures.  Our attempted destruction of Native Americans, and our kidnapping and enslavement of Africans, rank as similarly atrocious acts to the imperialistic takeovers committed by the armies of Britain at the behest of the monarchy.  

Nation building in any form is often cruel and unfair.  We now watch in horror as the leader of Russia pushes ahead, seemingly no cost too great, in his quest to conquer Ukraine and its people.   

Both the US and the UK have only just begun the difficult discussions, not only to face the past with honesty, but also to amend the wrongs with reparations to the peoples the nations conquered.  

We must learn from our own acts of imperialism and vow never to repeat this part of our history.  May the passing of the long reigning Monarch bring forth a new era of progressive thinking for the UK, the US and the rest of the world.     

To learn more about the monarchy and its dubious past, read:
  • How the British royal family has turned a blind eye to its racist past
  • Queen Elizabeth seemed sweet, the monarchy isn't
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Did Nancy Kendall Think About the Climate?

8/17/2022

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"In their minds, cutting down thousands of acres at a time would improve the weather."
Guest post by Shelly Michell
What does the historic passing of the Inflation Reduction Act have to do with our beloved Nancy Kendall, you might ask?  I keep thinking of the climate changes we now experience and how our thinking quickly evolved in such a short period of time.  

Did early settlers in this country think about the long-term negative effects of their land clearing, their coal burning, and farming techniques?  Probably not.  Many people still feel that humans have not contributed much to these changes in the atmosphere and weather patterns and such.  We had not yet gained the knowledge then about the effects of the industrialism that was just beginning in her time. 

Now we are faced with both the scientific evidence and the opportunity to mindfully make changes to improve the health of our planet. Nearly 370 billion dollars in this Act will help us make those changes.  

Communities of color are disproportionately affected by climate change. More than half of African Americans in the United States live in the South, an area that is and will continue to see stronger hurricanes and increased flooding due to climate change. 
​
Historic segregation means many Black Americans live in less desirable, low-lying and flood prone areas throughout the United States.  Many of these communities are adjacent to power plants, petrochemical plants factories and other sources of pollution. A large number of African Americans and other people of color face living in unhealthy conditions that severely impact their lives.

I applaud this legislation for many reasons, not the least of which is that it addresses racial inequity and fights to change it.  Nancy Kendall would be proud. 

In the "What Were They Thinking?" Category:

For an interesting perspective on climate beliefs of early settlers, scientific thinkers, and propagandists of the era, read "The first American settlers cut down millions of trees to deliberately engineer climate change," by Stephanie Buck.      
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The Songs of Slaves

7/7/2022

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Rhiannon Giddens

Songs of survival. Songs of hope. Songs of a better life. Songs of identity. Songs of despair. And, songs as warnings for fleeing slaves along the Underground Railroad. The songs enslaved people sang, and those they sang after gaining freedom, tell their stories. And, singer-songwriter Rhiannon Giddens is making sure their stories don’t die.

In an interview on the PBS series Fresh Air with Terry Gross, Giddens talks about her music and why telling these stories is so important. Although her music spans many genres, her album, “They’re Calling Me Home” is filled with songs based on the lives of the enslaved.  

With the most astonishing voice I’ve ever heard, Giddens is a joint Grammy Award Winner, composer, speaker and podcast radio talk show host.  I urge you to check out her music, and in particular, “They’re Calling Me Home.”
​


​Giddens is also a writer, soon to publish a children’s book, “Build a House.”
Preorder here.


Did you know? Harriet Tubman, the Moses of her People, used a traditional Negro Spiritual to warn slaves to get into the water to deter the scent-sniffing dogs on their trail?

“Wade in the water, wade in the water children
Wade in the water,
God's gonna trouble the water”
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Celebrate Juneteenth - Why & How

6/13/2022

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June 19, 2022 - A Day of Celebration for All Americans

Enslaved people in Texas did not know they were free for two and a half years. On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger and his Union troops arrived in Galveston with the news. 

News traveled slowly then, but Texas slave owners knew. And, to get the most out of what they deemed their "property," they didn't tell. June 19 became the symbolic day of freedom for the enslaved. Juneteenth, a combination of "June" and "19th" is now a federal holiday.

This year, Juneteenth is on a Sunday. Communities and homes across the nation will celebrate. Juneteenth has special significance for Black Americans, of course, but it is also a day of celebration, and learning, for all of us. 

As with most American celebrations, food is a big part of the festivities. Many popular dishes and drinks served now have distinct roots in traditional African fare. If you look at a list of delectable dishes and drinks, you'll see such treats as Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole and Chicken and Waffles.

You'll also see some kind of red drink, made with cherries, strawberries, sorrel or other red natural ingredient. It can be made with alcohol or not, but it will be red and it will be on the menu. 

According to Smithsonian, the "red drink" refers to a variety of sweet, berry-citrus, ruby-colored drinks. Historians say the drink's roots go back four centuries to West Africa, where hibiscus flowers and cola nut were the main ingredients. 

As Africans began their forced occupations in lands they didn't choose, the red drink cultural tradition came with them. Not always finding familiar plants in these new regions, the displaced were forced to alter ingredients, but still found a way to keep their culture alive. From the 1920s on, red Kool-Aid, and sodas, like Big Red were sometimes used.  

Caribbean immigrants used hibiscus flowers to make their red drink. They called it sorrel. Jackie Summers, an African American distiller from Brooklyn who created a liqueur version of sorrel, explains, “Red drink’s got terrific cultural significance because it’s a story of perseverance, of people who refused to die and a culture that refused to die.”

To make a modern, non-alcoholic version of the red drink, follow the recipe below, courtesy of Smithsonian Magazine.

Red Delicious:
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Red Sorrel Punch
1 cinnamon stick
6 cloves
1 cup dried sorrel flowers (available in Caribbean markets and online)
1 cup sugar
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced (optional)

Place ingredients with 10 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and allow to steep overnight. 

Pour mixture through a sieve into a pitcher or glass bottle. Store in refrigerator and serve chilled. Drink within a week for the best taste.

Take a look at more Juneteenth foods you can make yourself at African Bites: 24 Mouth-Watering Juneteenth Recipes.

Juneteenth - a day for all Americans to celebrate freedom. Because when one of us is enslaved, we all are.
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Why am I the only brown one?

5/17/2022

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I Color Myself Different, written by Colin Kaepernick, illustrated by Eric Wilkerson
A five-year-old in kindergarten used crayons to draw a picture of his family. He used yellow for everyone else, but when it came to drawing his own picture, he chose the brown crayon. That's when he realized his family was different. And, that's when he started forming his own ideas about identity, and what it means.

In his children's book, "I Color Myself Different," Colin Kaepernick takes us on his journey of self-discovery that every child can relate to. Beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist Eric Wilkerson, the book is inspiring and thoughtful. 

Read more about Kaepernick's journey, his activism, and his idea that we can all make this world a more equitable place, "Colin Kaepernick says, 'I Color Myself Different' in his first children's book," an article from NPR.
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A Historic Nomination - Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

4/5/2022

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Picture Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
A Moment in History
~ Nancy Jean

​I was so very moved and inspired by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s handling of her confirmation hearing.  She was composed, knowledgeable and patient, even when subjected to several senators’ acrimonious questions.  If confirmed, which at this writing is likely, she will become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
Cory Booker Picture
"Judge Jackson a "Harbinger of Hope" - Senator Cory Booker
~ Shelly Michell

Senator Cory Booker praised her “grit and grace” in withstanding the series of attacks from Republicans and spoke emotionally of our history; the Irish immigrants that endured decades of persecution here, the Chinese Americans forced into near slave labor building railroads to connect our country, LGBTQ+ Americans that were rejected and oppressed and died silently with their secrets, the “hidden figure” women who did critical research for our government, yet were never given credit or recognition until portrayed in a Hollywood movie.

He mentioned that throughout our history, America did not love these people, yet they all loved and believed in this country and persevered to make it a better place.

"You are a person that is so much more than your race and gender – you are a Christian, you are a mom, you are an intellect, you love books.  You have earned this spot.  You are worthy.  You are a great American." 

He ended his impassioned speech by saying that Ms. Jackson is “My harbinger of hope that the United States could live up to its promises of freedom and equality and that the United States of America, the greatest country in the world, will be better because of you.” 
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All Jokes Aside
~ Kristine Schwartzman
​
When I first heard that President Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court, I joked, "Well, at least she won't cry, and tell us how much she likes beer, like Brett Kavanaugh did." I was wrong, at least in part.

After being grilled for several days over supposed "light" sentences for child pornographers, which are, in fact, in the same range as sentences handed down by GOP judicial appointees, defining her views on Critical Race Theory, and fending off Ted Cruz's ridiculous implication that she knows all Black people, especially those he doesn't like, Senator Booker's heartfelt speech of support made her cry. 

She deserved it. She'd taken it all in, handled herself with the utmost aplomb, and shown the world exactly why she is qualified. 

As of this writing, Judge Jackson's confirmation appears likely. If she is confirmed, we will have one of the most qualified judges ever to begin serving on the Supreme Court, white or Black, male or female. 

The question is, why did it take so long?
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The Fire is Still Upon Us

3/9/2022

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James Baldwin & William F. Buckley
James Baldwin & William F. Buckley
Often when I read books, view interviews and listen to debates a second time, I learn something new. That’s what happened when I recently re-read “The Fire is Upon Us:  James Baldwin, William F. Buckley, Jr. and the Debate over Race in  America” written by Nicholas Buccola.

In “The Fire is Upon Us” the author contrasts William F. Buckley Jr. and James Baldwin’s views on race.  Could two people be more different? 

To get a better understanding about why the debate was such a landmark event in America's conversations on race, l
isten to a podcast with the author. See below for additional podcast links.
Fire is Upon Us Book Cover

​The celebrated debate between Margaret Mead and James Baldwin is another recent re-visit.  One could hardly debate a more opinionated person as Mead.  As I listened to “A Rap on Race,” I couldn’t help but admire James Baldwin’s grace and poise.

I recently caught Scott Simon's NPR interview with Azar Nafisi, author of “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” another must read.  When Simon asked her about James Baldwin, whom she references in her latest book, “Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times,” she was enthusiastic and animated. “Oh, I LOVE James Baldwin” she said. I sat here and thought, “Oh, so do I!”

No matter where we stand on issues of race relations and critical culture, we’ve had this discussion for a very long time. Revisiting the past often gives us new revelations, and stepping stones to build on. Because, we know, we’ll be in this discussion for a long time to come. 

Listen to The Fire is Upon Us podcasts with author Nick Buccola on the following services:
Google
SoundCloud
Audible


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About a Month After She Was Here I Got a Letter From Her

2/21/2022

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Guest Post by Kristine Schwartzman

​Like others who helped enslaved people on their journey for freedom, Nancy Kendall rarely knew what happened to the freedom seekers after they left her home. But she did hear from one woman she helped. She’d made it to safety. 

We often speak about the Emancipation Proclamation as a happy ending. But, for many freed people, the end of slavery was far from the storybook ending many imagine. 

An excerpt from the Library of Congress collection of recordings of former slaves, Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their Stories, Laura Smalley describes what happened:

“We didn't know where to go. Mom and them didn't know where to go. You see, after freedom broke, they started just, like, to turn some of them out, you know? We didn't know where to go. They turned us out just like, you know, you turn out cattle (laughter), I'd say.”

Smalley was a child in Texas when her parents and the rest of the enslaved were told they were free. It was not the “master” who told them. He’d kept their freedom a secret. 

​She explains:

“No, he didn't tell. They went there and turned them loose on the 19 of June. That's why, you know, we celebrate that day — colored folks celebrates that day — celebrates that day.”
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Photo Courtesy Library of Congress

​Jim Downs' book, “Sick from Freedom: African-American Illness and Suffering During the Civil War and Reconstruction” outlines how the war and its aftermath led to the largest biological crises of the 19th century. Hundreds of thousands of freed people died.

While the Emancipation Proclamation served as the catalyst for freeing people, no programs or services were offered to help them in the immediate aftermath.

Some continued to work on plantations, some fled to lives of uncertainty, some starved to death, and many died of disease. The government finally established the Freedmen’s Bureau, which provided medical care, food, and other supplies to those in the South who needed help.

Out of the chaos came demonstrations by the freed people themselves. Demanding civil rights, the vote, education, reunions with family, and opportunities for economic health, former slaves became advocates to improve their lives. It’s a battle still being fought today. 
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    Nancy Jean

    Nancy Jean is a woman of several lives and careers, including school teacher, homemaker, parent, amateur musician and writer. ​Read more...

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