Happy Juneteenth 06/19/2010

On this day in 1865, word of the Emancipation Proclamation signed January 1863  reached slaves in Texas. Juneteenth, also known as African American Emancipation Day, is recognized by many as being the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of American slavery.

“This moment also serves as a time for reflection and appreciation, and an opportunity for many people to trace their family’s lineage. African Americans helped to build our nation brick by brick and have contributed to her growth in every way, even when rights and liberties were denied to them,” said President Obama in 2009 about the occasion.

Although I plan to attend one of the final events associated with Digital Capital Week as well as a homebuyers program, both in downtown D.C., I want to make sure I pay homage and acknowledge Juneteenth whether touring historical African American sites near my home, hearing a University of Md. professor speak about black soldiers in the Civil War at a D.C. public library or privately reviewing selected readings or offering silent prayers.

Ashe’

Olbermann: Fear, prejudice at play in Tea Party Movement 02/20/2010

For years, I’ve relied upon Richard Prince’s Journal-isms online column  to stay informed about events and issues that intersect diversity and media. Often, he provides links and context on matters that perhaps get short shrift in the daily news cycle.  Also, he often reveals gems that I admittedly overlooked and one such gem was MSNBC commentator Keith Olbermann’s Presidents’ Day commentary that points to a racial factor undergirding the nascent Tea Party Movement. (link to video from gatherings)

At night, I often surf different news channels to watch for information on late-breaking, particularly overseas, news. So, sometimes I do not watch entire shows and missed this broadcast. I am glad to have had the chance to listen to this examination of what may be occurring even subconsciously among many folks who assail the current adminstration and claim it represents everything unholy, wrong and scary about this nation.

Honoring King by helping Haiti 01/15/2010

“Happy birthday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. What are you doing to honor his memory?” was a friend’s Facebook status update I saw earlier this morning.

Today is the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Monday is the official holiday in honor of the slain civil rights leader whose pastorates included Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Text, audio and video of King’s most famous speech.

This year’s observance will mark King’s 81st birthday and the 24th anniversary of the national holiday, which is celebrated in some form in more than 100 countries, according to the King Center  in Atlanta.

“The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others,” Coretta Scott King, who died in 2006, said in a message posted on the King Center Web site.

Last year, on the eve of his inauguration, President Barack Obama recognized the holiday as a national day of community service, encouraging Americans to serve then and make an ongoing commitment to service. The call for service persists. One of the best ways to honor King’s quest for justice this year is to help earthquake-shattered Haiti.

 On Tuesday, a magnitude 7.0 quake struck 10 miles outside the capital city. The temblor devastated Port-au-Prince with collapsed buildings and people trapped beneath the rubble. The Red Cross estimates 45,000-50,000 died, but an official death toll isn’t available. Full reports of need and damage assessments are also unavailable. A list of aid groups  working on the ground to provide medical care, access to safe water, shelter, energy supplies. Also, guidelines on how to help Haiti are available by visiting the Center for International Disaster Information and more information is available at InterAction, a coalition of U.S.-based international nongovernmental organizations serving poor and vulnerable people around the world.

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.’ As we prepare to honor Dr. King by serving on his holiday, let’s take those words to heart, and support the people of Haiti in this time of great need,” Nicola Goren, acting chief executive officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service, said in a message posted online Thursday. The Corporation for National and Community Service is coordinating with the State Department, USAID, FEMA, and other agencies as the United States responds to the crisis.

Right now, the Caribbean nation needs immediate assistance, but the quake also forces a re-evaluation of policies allowing many countries to abandon it.

Howard University President: Research Center Will Not Close 11/18/2009

In a Nov. 16 letter  posted on the university Web site, Howard President Sidney A. Ribeau reaffirmed the college’s commitment to keeping the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center open. The letter was posted in response to a recent article in the student daily newspaper, the Hilltop, that questioned the facility’s future. The center houses thousands of bound volumes, journals, manuscripts and other data chronicling the lives of African descendants throughout the Diaspora.

“ This story sparked articles and outcries across the country. We have received your letters, emails and Facebook messages. Please be assured that the University will not close Moorland-Spingarn and there were never plans to do so,” Ribeau said. “Despite recent budget cuts across the University to weather the economic downturn, we have not reduced funding to the Center. In fact, a national search will begin shortly to find a permanent director to continue the stellar work Dr. Thomas Battle has done for more than two decades. The new leader will also expand the ‘Friends of MSRC’ fundraising program launched in 1996 and explore ways to attract additional financial support for a stronger Moorland-Spingarn.”

Red Cross Sells Treasures to Cut Deficit 11/17/2009

Responding to Midwest floods in summer 2008. Image courtesy of the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross  is selling pieces of its history as part of its cost-cutting efforts over the past two years. Today, an auction featuring items such as nurse uniforms from the Civil War will be one of the “first rounds of an extensive sale of treasures the American Red Cross has amassed over the decades,” according to an Associated Press story.

“There’s an opportunity for people to purchase a part of the Red Cross history and at the same time contribute to our humanitarian mission,” said Red Cross spokesman Roger Lowe. At a time when many companies are cutting back on such vast archival collections, 128-year-old charity, he said, is asking itself, “Do I really need all of this?”

To save $3 million annually, the charity will close its Lorton, Va. where thousands of objects are stored.

According to the AP, “the online auctions began this month through Heritage Auction Galleries and will continue through February.”

Many items predate the founding of the charity in 1881. Many will be sent to the National Archives while “the most historically significant art and objects will be kept at the Washington headquarters and others will be auctioned in the largest sale in years, said archivist Susan Watson.”

“The charity will honor donor intent and keep its best and most historically significant art and objects, Lowe said. That will include original paintings by Norman Rockwell, Howard Chandler Christy and African-American artist Henry Ossawa Tanner, among others. Rockwell was commissioned to do paintings for the Red Cross as the basis of posters asking people to join or donate,” according to the AP.

The Red Cross assists disaster victims, supplies blood and supports military personnel and their families as well as teaches life-saving skills through its nearly 720 chapters.