Black History

Black History Month and Nashville’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement

NASHVILLE PRIDE — Make no mistake, Black History Month educates, honors, and acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of people of African descent.

Published

6 years ago

March 5, 2019

Oakland Post

By William T. Robinson, Jr.

Make no mistake, Black History Month educates, honors, and acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of people of African descent. Black History Months detail the struggle and perseverance of Blacks throughout this country as well as the world. Here in this country it is expressed in greater detail in an effort to make this country representative of the values and morals that could only make us more inclusive and open to offering justice, acceptance, and opportunities to all citizens.

We know seeking justice and equality has been an uphill fight for African Americans, especially when you look at the disproportionate distribution of wealth as well as systemic racism plaguing people of color. The fight by those seeking to oppress people of color is uncovered during this month and one can better understand why we are feared more than hated. Apparently, fear of our greatness is the impetus that harbors such great animosity and disdain for many African Americans by those who work so diligently to oppress us.

The quest to bring true equality, justice and respect for Blacks can only be brought about by honestly exposing our true history, however uncomfortable it may be for many. It is only when you make an honest effort to study the true history of Blacks in this country and the world that you have a better understanding of the status quo.

Learning the truth will help dismiss the lies and negative stereotypes contributing to false detrimental narratives objectifying people of color. While Black history is history and should be taught throughout the year, this month is an attempt to educate the world on the profound greatness, beauty, and intellect of Blacks.

There are cities like Nashville that have played an indelible role in Black history. Nashville should be proud of the role African Americans and their supporters played in advocating and fighting for civil rights, equality, and racial justice for all Americans. Students from Nashville’s four HBCUs, Black high schools students, churches, pastors, attorneys, community leaders, Black communities and concerned White supporters rallied together to fight inequality and racial injustice. Nashville served as a model for other cities, training students in nonviolent civil disobedience.Nashville’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement is legendary. Ironically, you must go to cities like Memphis, Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma and Atlanta to visit museums that adequately and truly honor and give credence to the efforts of people in the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement from our city.

Can we honestly say Nashville has paid due diligence to the freedom fighters from TSU whowere kicked out of the university when they put their lives on the line riding on interstate buses throughout a segregated hate inundated South? They were later honored and given honorary degrees, but is that enough for putting their lives on the line to bring about change we all enjoy?

I can think of no other place that has so many people who should be honored than those in Nashville. Yet we don’t have a Civil Rights Museum. You must go to other cities to understand the full extent of Nashville’s role in the Civil Rights Movement. Many Nashvillians feel this is a slap in the face, especially for the heroic icons still living in this city. Many African Americans here are adamant in their feelings that Nashville can do much more to honor the major participants of the Civil Rights Movement.

While it is good that we have the African American Museum being built in Nashville, many Black Nashvillians feel we would be better served to extensively honor and memorialize the legends in our struggle for civil rights and equality first. Better yet, why couldn’t the pending Black museum being built be named the African Museum for Civil Rights and African American Music (food for thought). I am not attempting to dilute the role Nashville played historically by contributing to music, but many African American Nashvillians consider our role in the Civil Rights movement far greater.

Respectfully, I apologize to those courageous participants in Nashville who put their lives on the line—those who were relentless warriors for freedom and equality for all who may feel slighted. No doubt, these crusaders deserve so much more. A room in Nashville’s downtown public library (The Civil Rights Room) and a restaurant recreating the Civil Rights Sit-In lunch counter site is sufficient for some; however, this city could do better when compared to other cities when honoring Nashville’s Civil Rights participants and icons.

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Activism

‘Donald Trump Is Not a God:’ Rep. Bennie Thompson Blasts Trump’s Call to Jail Him

“Donald Trump is not a god,” U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

Published

3 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he not intimidated by President-elect Donald Trump, who, during an interview on “Meet the Press,” called for the congressman to be jailed for his role as chairman of the special congressional committee investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Donald Trump is not a god,” Thompson told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

“He can’t prove it, nor has there been any other proof offered, which tells me that he really doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said the 76-year-old lawmaker, who maintained that he and the bipartisan Jan. 6 Select Committee – which referred Trump for criminal prosecution – were exercising their constitutional and legislative duties.

“When someone disagrees with you, that doesn’t make it illegal; that doesn’t even make it wrong,” Thompson said, “The greatness of this country is that everyone can have their own opinion about any subject, and so for an incoming president who disagrees with the work of Congress to say ‘because I disagree, I want them jailed,’ is absolutely unbelievable.”

When asked by The Grio if he is concerned about his physical safety amid continued public ridicule from Trump, whose supporters have already proven to be violent, Thompson said, “I think every member of Congress here has to have some degree of concern, because you just never know.”

This story is based on a report from The Grio.

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Activism

Biden’s Legacy Secured with Record-Setting Black Judicial Appointments

His record surpasses previous efforts by his predecessors. President Jimmy Carter appointed 37 Black judges, including seven Black women. In stark contrast, Donald Trump’s first term resulted in only two Black women appointed out of 234 lifetime judicial nominations. The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Published

4 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

iStockphoto.

By Stacy M. Brown
WI Senior Writer

President Joe Biden’s commitment to diversifying the federal judiciary has culminated in a historic achievement: appointing 40 Black women to lifetime judgeships, the most of any president in U.S. history.

Biden has appointed 62 Black judges, cementing his presidency as one focused on promoting equity and representation on the federal bench.

The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Meanwhile, Trump has vowed to dismantle key civil rights protections, including the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“Having the Black woman’s experience on the federal bench is extremely important because there is a different kind of voice that can come from the Black female from the bench,” Delores Jones-Brown, professor emeritus at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told reporters.

Lena Zwarensteyn of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights told reporters that these district court judges are often the first and sometimes the final arbiters in cases affecting healthcare access, education equity, fair hiring practices, and voting rights.

“Those decisions are often the very final decisions because very few cases actually get heard by the U.S. Supreme Court,” Zwarensteyn explained.

Biden’s nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court further reflects his commitment to judicial diversity. Jackson became the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.

Patrick McNeil, spokesperson for the Leadership Conference, pointed out that over half of Biden’s Black female judicial appointees have backgrounds as civil rights attorneys and public defenders, experience advocates consider essential for a balanced judiciary.

Meanwhile, Congress remains divided over the expansion of federal judgeships. Legislation to add 66 new judgeships—approved unanimously by the Senate in August—stalled in the GOP-controlled House until after the election. House Republicans proposed distributing the new judgeships over the next decade, giving three administrations a say in appointments. President Biden, however, signaled he would veto the bill if it reached his desk.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., argued the delay was a strategic move to benefit Trump’s potential return to office. “Donald Trump has made clear that he intends to expand the power of the presidency and giving him 25 new judges to appoint gives him one more tool at his disposal,” Nadler said.

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Arts and Culture

Promise Marks Performs Songs of Etta James in One-Woman Show, “A Sunday Kind of Love” at the Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley

“The (show) is a fictional story about a character named Etta, aka Lady Peaches,” said Marks. “She falls in love with Johnny Rhythm, leader of the Rhythm Players Band and headliners of Madam G’s Glitta Lounge.” Marks channeled the essence of Etta James, singing favorites such as “Sugar on the Floor” and “At Last.”

Published

5 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo Courtesy Of Promise Marks.

Special to the Post

It was “A Sunday Kind of Love” at the Black Repertory Group Theater in Berkeley on Saturday night, Dec. 7. The one-woman musical based on the music of Etta James featured the multi-talented singer Promise Marks

Marks, who wrote and directed the musical, also owns PM Productions.

Marks channeled the essence of Etta James, singing favorites such as “Sugar on the Floor” and “At Last.”

In between her soulful songs, Marks narrated impactful moments of the love story and journey of blues and forgiveness.

Marks sultry voice carried the audience back to an era that echoed with the power of Black music and a time of great change.

Marks said James shared love for the Black community by singing at gatherings during the Civil Rights Movement uplifting the people.

“She spoke to the movement, spoke to the people, and let her music speak for itself,” Marks said.

Backing the musical’s monologues, images and videos of Etta James are projected for the audience to view. While the production is fictional, Marks infused script with the unfairness and heartbreak James experienced while performing.

Marks performed gospel artist Donnie McClurkin’s “We Fall Down” as she narrated acts of reconciliation and forgiveness among the characters at Johnny Rhythm’s deathbed.

Marks, who regularly sings for the Miss America Pageant, was asked to perform as Etta James last year. “(At the event) a lady yelled out to me: ‘You’re Etta James!’ And then the audience went crazy. I said to myself, ‘I may have something here,’” she said.

Within 12 months, Marks created the musical production, which featured a dozen songs honoring “the great legacy of Etta James,” she said.

Marks says she was saddened to see how Etta James was often judged by the struggles in her life and wanted to offer attendees a more layered view.

“Etta’s life was so big. I want people to know that she was more than her drug addiction,” said Marks. “We can’t make that her legacy. Her catalog is too amazing. You can’t just be that and have the catalog that she (created). I don’t want the addiction to be the focus: I want her music, her element, her sassiness, and what she brought to be the focus – her woman-ness, that she was strong, and I wanted to honor that.”

Set Designer Nora Burnette says she created the set segments to mirror James’ life story. A set designer for BRG since 2016, she explained that her process of researching the scenario and the character serve as her inspiration for her design.

“I try to design a set as close to real life as possible so that the actress can deliver the performance sincerely,” said Burnette. “By creating the right setting, it helps the actors release the true essence of a character.”

The set brought the story to life and absolutely floored Marks. “Once Promise (Marks) saw the actual set, she understood my vision: ‘Wow, you get me. You get it,'” Marks told the designer.

Born Jamesetta Hawkins, Etta James, began her career in 1954 and gained fame with hits such “At Last” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.” She faced a number of personal problems, before making a musical comeback in the late 1980s with the album “Seven Year Itch.”

Co-producer and BRG Development Director, Sean Vaughn Scott, works with Overseer Production. According to producer Pamela Spikes, “Marks talent truly does Etta’s life story justice.”

Pam Jacobs of Hercules, a friend of Marks’ mom, Jackie Smith, said, Marks “was fabulous and sang all of those songs flawlessly.”

“I’m so proud of my daughter,” said Smith.

Marks, who has served as an instructor for BRG, will return on Feb. 21- 23 for an encore run of the musical.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the BRG (Black Repertory Group) family and continue our executive director Dr. Mona Vaughn Scott’s vision for the Black Repertory Group theater,” said Marks.

The Black Repertory Group Theatre is located at 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley, CA 94703. For information, visit: BlackRepertoryGroup.com