Black-History-in-Two-Minutes-or-so
Hip-hop music originated in the 1970s at house parties in the Bronx and quickly spread throughout the city through homemade cassette tapes. It became an underground cultural movement and in 1979, the Sugar Hill Gang released "Rapper's Delight," one of the first hip-hop hits. Hip-hop music reflected the social and economic conditions of inner cities and gave young Americans a voice to articulate their identity and politics. Decades later, hip-hop has become one of the most popular genres of music worldwide, surpassing rock as America's number one streamed genre in 2017.
The video focuses on the story of Onesimus, an enslaved African in Boston who introduced the practice of inoculation against smallpox to America. In 1721, Onesimus and a doctor tested the practice of inoculation under the guidance of Cotton Mather, a famous puritanical minister, during a serious epidemic in Boston. Despite resistance within the community, the trial produced conclusive evidence that inoculation worked. However, the tragedy is that the history of African medicine and the many life-changing innovations introduced by black people have often been marginalized, stolen, co-opted, or forgotten in American history.
This video explores the history and consequences of the filibuster in the US Senate. Originating in 1841 as a tool for protecting the interests of the slave-holding South, the Senate eventually established the cloture vote in 1917 to end filibusters on civil rights bills. Nevertheless, since 1964, a 60-vote threshold has been applied to every issue, leading to hundreds of filibusters per year and giving the minority a way to block the majority's representation. In many cases, marginalized groups have been adversely impacted as a result.
The YouTube video presents the historic debate between James Baldwin and William Buckley about the American dream and whether it was achieved at the expense of the American Negro. While Baldwin argued that the Negro's ordeal was irrelevant to the argument, Buckley resisted an integrated society. Baldwin’s speech dismantled the American dream, exposing the truth of the nation, and won not only in terms of the debate but also as a moral victory for Black Americans.
"The Origins of Black Basketball" video explores how the first black basketball teams helped shape the game. Advertisements for basketball games in the black community featured dance and basketball as entertainment, and in 1923, Bob Douglas founded the New York Renaissance, the first all-black professional basketball team, which popularized basketball and innovated the game itself. Their victory against an all-white team was a significant cultural expression and legacy for players like Dr J, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan.
This video discusses the history of black fraternal organizations in the US, starting with the establishment of Prince Hall and 14 free black men's initiation into a British army regimental lodge in Boston in 1775. Black freemasonry helped establish the first African lodge, and over time, dozens of similar organizations emerged for both men and women, organizing political activities against racist and discriminatory policies. These fraternal orders became centers for civil rights organizing, mobilizing black Americans to fight for justice and reinforcing racial pride.
Father Major Jealous Divine emerged as a religious figure during the Great Depression of the 1930s and founded the International Peace Mission Movement, which featured communal living, celibacy, and relinquishing all worldly possessions. Although accused of exploiting his followers, the Peace Mission movement provided food and clothing to people struggling with poverty and hunger. Father Divine was known for vocalizing his opposition to segregation and lynching in Jim Crow America and the Peace Mission movement had over 250,000 signatories on their anti-lynching petition. Although the Peace Mission movement was not long-lasting, Father Divine is an essential figure in the early 20th century.
The video discusses the history of black public high schools, with a focus on the first one, Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School, as a model of academic excellence. Despite segregation preventing many black students from attending high school, dedicated teachers with advanced degrees worked to provide a classical education and instill values of commitment to their community. Though integration led to resource loss, black public high schools were able to create leaders in various fields despite pervasive and pernicious segregation.
The Congressional Black Caucus was formed in 1969 by African American legislators seeking to create a powerful political voice within Congress. Initially launched as the Democratic Select Committee, the group faced obstacles in gaining influence, including President Nixon's refusal to meet with them. However, the CBC persisted and gained momentum, proposing significant legislation and growing in size and influence. Today, the caucus has 55 members and continues to fight for equality of results for marginalized communities.
The Poor People's Campaign led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1967 aimed to unite impoverished people of all races in Washington D.C. until anti-poverty legislation was passed. Though Dr. King died before the campaign was completed, it was carried on by his friend Reverend Ralph Abernathy and thousands of women, building Resurrection City. While some progress was made, such as funding for low-income children's school readiness programs and subsidized school lunches, the economic changes that Dr. King envisioned are yet to be realized. Today, the Poor People's Campaign continues through the leadership of the Reverend William J. Barber II.
