The Washington Post published a story about a high school teacher, Mary Wood, who teaches Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, who was reported to authorities by her students for having her class read Ta-Nehis Coate’s Between The World And Me. The Post reported that two of Wood’s students had reported her to the school board for teaching about race. At least two parents complained, and within days, school administrators ordered Wood to stop teaching the lesson. They placed a formal letter of reprimand in her file that instructed her to keep teaching “without discussing this issue with your students.” . . .
Opinion Pieces
Unpacking #BlackLove and Neurodivergent Love Languages: A Personal Journey
(Black women are cis, trans, femme, and non-binary persons who identify with Black womanhood.) In the ever-evolving labyrinth of identity, mental health, and relationships, navigating a world rife with simplifications and misconceptions becomes a profoundly empowering odyssey (Smith, 2020; Johnson, 2019). As a Black woman, this voyage has unveiled profound discoveries, unfurling the intricate tapestry of #BlackLove and the captivating world of neurodivergent love languages. Just over a month ago, a transformative shift occurred in my life with the revelation of an ADHD diagnosis (Jones et al., 2021). It sparked a transformative journey of self-discovery, one that demanded I unravel . . .
Afrikan Stakeholder Syndrome & Loyalty to America
To make fundamental change in one’s environment requires fundamental internal change. The self-destructive, anti-Afrikan “programming” that is forced upon Afrikans (blacks) in America (AnAs) must be “turned around” to self-affirming, Afrikan Centered deep thought such that mass organization and institution building is normalized into an ongoing pan-Afrikan project. Difficulties encountered in solving tough problems usually result from the lack of specific Afrikan-centered knowledge, values and skills (AKVS). Cultivation of AKVS requires the creation of the institutions necessary to bring about the internal revolution that will free Afrikan Consciousness from anti-Afrikan brainwashing and indoctrination. Today, European (white) Republican elected officials aka . . .
Whitey On The Moon In the North Carolina Sky
Historians often utilize the term “primary source” to describe a piece of historical evidence. The evidence can be anything created during the period in which one is researching. From pictures to speeches, primary sources can address local, national, and international history that opens time portals into a world that allows the interpretation of history through the eyes and minds of those who lived during the researched period. These sources can be integrated seamlessly and aligned to History Standards and incorporated as primary sources into the curriculum. Such sources are often invaluable opportunities to gain greater clarity and insight into historical . . .
“Ignorance is Bliss” and other Fallacies of Counterinsurgency
By Erica Caines and Geechee Yaw When attempting to educate someone politically, or confront them with the contradictions present in our material reality, oftentimes the phrase “ignorance is bliss” is said, suggesting that not knowing or not being aware of certain things can bring a sense of happiness or contentment. The phrase also suggests that being unaware of certain truths, realities, or problems can be more comfortable and less troubling to an individual than knowing and dealing with them. As playwright and activist, Lorraine Hansberry understood, “Comfort has come to be its own corruption.” Yet, not only is this sentiment . . .
A Call to Abolish The White American Dream
Ultimately, ending the Amerikkkan (American) dream mythos that has poisoned generation after generation with this idea of individualism, and capitalizing on everything… Ultimately putting a price on people, relationships, existence and creating enormous exploitation and hardship. Living radically inside Amerikkka is incredibly difficult, dare I say ableist, where ultimately even the most radical will be a hypocrite in one way or another as you always be benefiting or collaborating with Amerikkkan Enterprise. I think employing alliances with union syndicates for international trade and finding a way to transport goods to and from land locked indigenous lands could get you really . . .
Beyond Affirmative Action, Toward Black Unity
If the roof of your home caved in during a thunderstorm and your landlord offered to sell you a patch to cover a quarter of the hole drenching you, your family, and all your Earthly possession for a high-interest loan of $100,000 that you had to repay under penalty of incarceration, you would tell them to go where the sun don’t shine. But lucky you, your landlord is a ‘benevolent’ one and recognizes that you’re in this position partially because of an unjust system that they benefit from and discrimination against your people (past and present). Landlord loans you a . . .
Who is Afraid of (Black) Nationalism?
“The political philosophy of black nationalism only means that the black man should control the politics and the politicians in his own community.” Malcolm X, The Ballot or the Bullet (1964) “Black Power is the vehicle by which we hope to reach a stage wherein we can be proud black people without the necessity of an apology for our non-Anglo-Saxon features.” Robert F. Williams, Speech in Beijing (1966) Introduction Nationalism is alive and well in the current Amerikan political scene. Both variants: 1) its reactionary, porkchop forms propagated by groups like the Proud Boys and the Hotep movement, and its . . .