In WW2, the movement of millions of American troops to Britain, known as the “friendly invasion,” brought to light stark differences concerning racial segregation. Many Britons struggled to understand or accept the institutionalized discrimination that Black soldiers faced in White America, leading to tensions between the two allied nations on the matter of civil rights.
@Deglassco@blackmastodon@BlackMastodon And this was in an empire that was based on it's own form of white supremacy. Even they thought American segregation was unconscionable.
Louis Daniel Armstrong's relationship with racism influenced not only his music but also the broader discourse on race in America. The barriers he broke as a Black musician are undeniable. The “Uncle Tom” criticism levied at him by some prominent Black Americans of the day was a reflection of the complex & sometimes contentious relationship between art, politics, & race in the United States.
Because of his willingness to play for segregated audiences, throughout much of his life, Louis Armstrong was called a sellout and an Uncle Tom by many Black Americans, But, in 1957, Satchmo blew up-—blasting Eisenhower to bits for not condemning treatment of Black American students in the South. His passionate words made world headlines, alienated many white fans, and divided Black America.
@Deglassco@blackmastodon@BlackMastodon Excellent, well-researched thread. Thank you. I read somewhere that #Armstrong smoked #cannabis daily, partly as a way of dealing with racism. Not sure how much truth there is in that notion, but I'm pretty sure cannabis contributed to his divine sense of swing.
Born 122 years ago this week, Louis Armstrong's charisma & warmth captivated audiences globally. But, by the 1950s and 1960s, many Black Americans perceived him as outdated, out of touch with civil rights, and hesitant to voice his opinions—labeling him an "Uncle Tom." This deeply wounded Armstrong. But he was a far more complex & nuanced man than they knew.
@Deglassco@blackmastodon@BlackMastodon looking at Armstrong- I think a lot of pressure is placed on famous people- especially those of the global majority- to 100% always be on point and pushing the envelope. It’s got to be a hard place to exist in on a daily basis.
Just wanted to mention (unless I missed it somewhere within your thread) that he did not like his first name pronounced like "Louie" (as though he was a "boy"). He was "Lewis".
Thank you for this thread on the man Pat Metheny called "the single most important figure in our music...probably the greatest jazz musician that has ever lived."
Paul Robeson’s courage in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee made him a symbol of resistance for subsequent generations of civil rights activists & dissenters, who saw in his actions a model of courage in the face of political intimidation. He stood firm for his beliefs, despite the significant cost, and pushed back against the violation of civil liberties.
When they were called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, athletes Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson were compelled to advocate for the loyalty, value, and patriotism of Black Americans to a predominantly white society riddled with pervasive racial prejudice. As symbolic representatives for the entire Black community, they bore a burden heavy with expectations and public scrutiny.
The Humanity Archive: Recovering the Soul of Black History from a Whitewashed American Myth
This sweeping survey of Black history shows how Black humanity has been erased and how its recovery can save the humanity of us all.
Using history as a foundation, The Humanity Archive uses storytelling techniques to make history come alive and uncover the truth behind America's whitewashed history.
In 1917, 110 of the Buffalo Soldiers, the all-Black U.S. Army regiment, were convicted of crimes such as murder and mutiny after clashes with white civilians and police officers. 19 of the soldiers were executed. On Monday, officials announced they were overturning all those convictions on the basis that the soldiers were wrongly treated because of their race. The AP has all the details.
“For Black people, education was in and of itself an act of active resistance against racial disenfranchisement….
Black teachers used classrooms to not only impart the lessons of history, but also to encourage students to be actively involved in the fight for racial equity.”
You can still reserve a spot for the next "At Home with 19th Century Dress & Textiles" (free) online event on Sunday, October 29!
This time, the speakers will be sharing "hidden, overlooked and marginalised histories."
Programme:
🧵 Lisa Bowyer - The Rachel Barrett sampler, Halifax's African school (1836-1855) and the recouping of identity
🧵 Chris Evans - Clothing the Enslaved in the Age of Atlantic Slavery
🧵 Ruth Battersby - Personal and Political: Selected Textiles from the Norwich Costume and Textile Collections
Discover Jerry Lawson, the genius who transformed gaming, in this picture-book biography 🎮📚
From inventing swappable cartridges to founding the country's first African American-owned video game company, his journey reshaped the industry forever🕹️