8 Comments
User's avatar
Sheri Muntean's avatar

It disturbs me that 200 people were slaughtered and I never heard about this in a single history class I ever took. This is a tremendously significant piece of history! I'd did learn about lynchings, Malcom X and MLK, but not this. I'm pondering. Perhaps the supremacy story prefers us to be able to think of white violence at a fringe thing, not relevant to all of us, not something that can grow into a Red Summer?

Expand full comment
Desireé B Stephens's avatar

It should DEEPLY disturb you. History tells you there were slaves, we freed them, they were happy sometimes and occasionally white men acted a fool and killed some Black people and we desegregated and now we live in a post racial America.

Truth and decentering whiteness tells you this is millennia long pattern of violence in one way or another and at 45 I am the first generation of Black people (born after 68) who are born FREE, with no legal encumbrance but every single other one that they have invented and the patterns haven’t changed

Expand full comment
Sheri Muntean's avatar

Thank you Desiree! Idk if you've had time to watch Selma. What a beautiful film. I was weeping already just a few minutes in. It doesn't sugarcoat the violence, which I think is important. Many older films do. So well done. Thank you for this month's history lessons. They are amazing! I sent them to to whole family. My grandkids are loving them!

Expand full comment
Desireé B Stephens's avatar

Also yes I have seen Selma and even though it’s vivid it’s still dulled down which I’m thankful for I don’t enjoy seeing it

Expand full comment
Sheri Muntean's avatar

Resources? That doesn't surprise me. Bummer.

Expand full comment
Desireé B Stephens's avatar

YESSSSSS I love that you are sharing and the grands are enjoying. This evolved from the lesson plan for my own kids

Expand full comment
Leslie Craig's avatar

Really appreciate these lessons in Black History. They are deeply inspiring. I pray there will come a day when these stories are taught in schools and included in history books. The current political climate can lead one to despair but work like yours gives me hope.

Expand full comment
Desireé B Stephens's avatar

Thank you for letting me know, inspiring hope is such a gift to be able to offer. I too hope these are taught more. If it’s not in school we have the shared responsibility of sharing them with all and future generations to better understand the resilience of the people

Expand full comment