American Indian Heritage Month - November 2013

Veterans History Project: http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/ex-war-nativeamericans.html

What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose. http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about/

Full Image of Alabama Indian Land Cessions

 

Indian Land Cessions in the United States, 1784-1894: There are sixty-seven maps
referenced in this volume.

 

Library of Congress, National Archives and other exhibit references. http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/collections/index.html

"Scottsboro Boys" Pardon Date Set for November 21, 2013 in Montgomery

Three of the Scottsboro Defendants are scheduled to be pardoned on November the 21st in Montgomery, Alabama. Scottsboro's Daily Sentinel ( http://thedailysentinel.com/ )  reports in todays paper that three of the defendants are eligible for the parole; those named are "Haywood Patterson, Charley Weems and Andy Wright are to be pardoned in accordance with the Scottsboro Boys Act. " Clarence Norris was pardoned by Gov. George Wallace in 1976. Four of the defendants were exonerated in 1937. (pictured below)

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Jul 26, 1937- Titled "Enjoying Their Freedom." Byline on reverse of photo reads: Samuel Liebowitz and the 4 youths he defended in the famed Scottsboro case wave farewell as they leave for New York after viewing a movie at Cincinnati. Those freed are Eugene Williams, Roy Wright, Willie Roberson and Olen Montgomery. (original press photo owned  by G. Morgan purchased from Historical Images-Memphis, Tn. May 9, 2012)

"The Scottsboro Boys Petition": http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/assets/pdf/DS213028107.pdf

Clarion's coverage: http://www.theclarion.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7210:pardons-granted-to-three-scottsboro-boys&catid=42:clarion-rotation-stories&Itemid=142

"The Scottsboro Boys all eventually left prison, but only one — Clarence Norris — received a pardon in his lifetime...Dan Carter, a professor emeritus at the University of South Carolina who wrote a history of the case in 1970 [titled "Scottsboro, an American Tradgedy"had this to say]...Carter said he had "ambivalent feelings" about the posthumous pardon process. On the one hand, the historian said racial reconciliation was impossible "without facing up to the past." But Carter said unduly focusing on the past can distract from problems of the present." http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/16/scottsboro-boys-pardon/2820449/

NOT ENOUGH! I agree with Mr. Carter, this is not enough! Race Relations Education must be taught in our schools if we are to make definitive strides in ending racism. There is no effort to facilitate a race relations education program. There is no effort to correct the disparity of African Americans in our prisons. It is my opinion that this action was a glory grab by politicians and individuals who were out for self promotion.

Racism is a personal and institutional sickness which many are in denial. White folks and political leaders today cannot wash their hands of the racial injustice that occurred in Jim Crow America. Racism is still alive and well today in Alabama and across our nation. This is why it is vitally important that a comprehensive program of race relations education be implemented within Alabama.

WHITE GUILT? In the eyes of white politicians this is their answer-a PARDON for the deceased defendants, victims of racism and Jim Crow injustice.. I wonder if this pardon is subconsciously an effort to pardon themselves. This pardon process is woefully short of the answer to a growing problem of  racial and sexual discrimination practiced today in our nation, including current Alabama politicians.

"NEVER TO LATE FOR JUSTICE: Bro. Clarence Norris Jr., son of Scottsboro Boy Clarence Norris Sr., Speaks Out on The Scottsboro Boys' Pardon and Exoneration..."
4/19/2013




A comprehensive report on The Scottsboro Boys Trials 1931-1937 by Professor Douglas Linder  http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scottsboro/scottsb.htm

National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sep 15 - Oct 15, 2013

Department of Defense Hispanic American Heritage Month Poster for 2013

Who are Hispanic Americans?


Reconnecting with ones heritage.

About National Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

PBS Latino Americans
http://www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/about/

Mi Historia- http://www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/mi-historia/

Timeline of Important Dates- http://www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/timeline/

50 Years Ago - The Birmingham News Reports on the Ending of Segregation in Alabama

September 1963 was a pivotal month for the Civil Rights Movement and Alabama. Violence increased and change was knocking at the door. No longer could institutional racism, personal racism and Jim Crow laws be tolerated in the United States of America. President Kennedy activated the Alabama National Guard to enforce integration. Terrorism by racist groups in Alabama threatened our state and nation. Children's lives were lost due to the murderous hatred of white racists.

Gov. George Wallace Stand in the Door Speech: http://www.archives.state.al.us/govs_list/schooldoor.html

The ending of Segregation-1963-Birmingham News Stories: http://topics.al.com/tag/This%20Day%20in%201963/posts.html

 September 1963 Daily News Reports From Alabama
Robert Chambliss, Charles Cagle identified as Birmingham bombing suspects (Sept. 30, 1963)

2 men taken into custody in 16th Street Baptist Church bombing (Sept. 29, 1963)

A.G. Gaston, Arthur Shores: 'We still have faith in Birmingham' (Sept. 28, 1963)

King to Birmingham: Negotiate or demonstrations resume (Sept. 27, 1963)

Teens accused of killing Virgil Ware free on bond; Boutwell cuts short New York trip (Sept. 26, 1963)

2 bombs explode in Birmingham but no injuries reported (Sept. 25, 1963)

Emissaries of JFK arrived in Birmingham; injunction signed against Wallace (Sept. 24, 1963)

8 people indicted for conspiracy to interfere with Birmingham school integration order (Sept. 23, 1963)

Teens told of shooting Virgil Ware; Johnny Robinson laid to rest (Sept. 22, 1963)

Editorials denounced Birmingham bombings; Wallace responded to Yale snub (Sept. 21, 1963)

Yale withdrew Wallace invitation, bombing rumors spread (Sept. 20, 1963)

Wallace donated to West End private school effort; school investigation order reprinted (Sept. 19, 1963)

Bombing reward fund reached $76,000; Birmingham leaders called to White House (Sept. 18, 1963)

Carole Robertson laid to rest; Wallace, NAACP criticize bombing investigation (Sept. 17, 1963)

Bells tolled for city-wide minute of prayer; Kennedy called for justice (Sept. 16, 1963)

4 little girls killed in church bombing, 2 young men shot to death (Sept. 15, 1963)

'Dynamite Bob' Chambliss offered $1,000 reward in stabbing of Birmingham detective's daughter (Sept. 14, 1963)

150 student demonstrators filled Birmingham Mayor Albert Boutwell's office (Sept. 13, 1963)

Woodlawn, Banks high school students pushed away demonstrators (Sept. 12, 1963)

In Midfield, 5,000 protested integration of schools (Sept. 11, 1963)

Kennedy federalized National Guard to integrate Alabama public schools (Sept. 10, 1963)

State troopers turned black students away from Birmingham schools (Sept. 9, 1963)

A.G. Gaston: Bombing of home 'doesn't represent the majority of the citizens' (Sept. 8, 1963)

Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth: 'We have come this far by faith -- not by violence' (Sept. 7, 1963)

Federal appeals court ordered Birmingham schools reopened (Sept. 6, 1963)

Birmingham school board officially closed integrated schools (Sept. 5, 1963)

Riots broke out as Birmingham schools integrate, Shores home bombed again (Sept. 4, 1963)

State troopers arrived in Birmingham; 200 people demanded Birmingham schools close (Sept. 3, 1963)

Wallace denounced integration in Labor Day speeches; troopers surrounded Tuskegee school (Sept. 2, 1963) (video)

Pastors urged peaceful response as Birmingham schools integrate (Sept. 1, 1963)

For more information - The Southern Oral History Project on You Tube, A valuable resource for Race Relations history: http://www.youtube.com/user/southernoralhistory/videos