BlackPast Organization

(1963) Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, “Religion and Race”

On January 14, 1963, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel gave the speech “Religion and Race,” at a conference of the same name that assembled in Chicago, Illinois.  There he met Dr. Martin Luther King and the two became friends.  Rabbi Heschel marched with Dr. King at … Read More(1963) Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, “Religion and Race”

(1893) Frances E.W. Harper, “Woman’s Political Future”

On May 20, 1893, women’s activist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper gave this speech before the World’s Congress of Representative Women, meeting in their conference in Chicago, Illinois. If before sin had cast its deepest shadows or sorrow had distilled its bitterest tears, it was true … Read More(1893) Frances E.W. Harper, “Woman’s Political Future”

(1901) William Hooper Councill’s Letter to the White People of Alabama

Most scholars of today imagine Booker T. Washington as the major accommodationist and black political conservative of the era.  There were others including Professor William Hooper Councill, the founder and  first president of the Huntsville Normal School which today is Alabama A.A& M University.  Councill … Read More(1901) William Hooper Councill’s Letter to the White People of Alabama

(1983) Glenn Loury, “Responsibility and Race”

Glenn C. Loury delivered this presentation at Hillsdale College on November 7, 1982, as part of a Center for Constructive Alternatives seminar entitled, “Ethnic America: Melting Pot or Mosaic?” One of the great myths of our time is the belief in the great melting pot of … Read More(1983) Glenn Loury, “Responsibility and Race”

(1998) Anne Wortham, “Martin Luther King’s Flawed Dream”

In the speech below conservative critic Anne Wortham challenges the central theme of universal brotherhood as promoted in Dr. Martin Luther King’s often quoted “I Have A Dream Speech.”  She argues that King failed to recognize individual success and failure as the causes of racial … Read More(1998) Anne Wortham, “Martin Luther King’s Flawed Dream”

(1993) Clarence Thomas, “The New Intolerance – Law Day Address”

Thank you all so much. Thank you, Judge Bell for your kind words, and I also thank you for all the kind things you’ve done for me in my life, especially over the last three or four years. I — This is a real pleasure … Read More(1993) Clarence Thomas, “The New Intolerance – Law Day Address”

(2013) Ben Carson’s Speech at the National Prayer Breakfast

On February 7, 2013 prominent neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson became a nationally recognized political figure when he gave a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. that was critical of President Obama’s policies and particularly Obamacare when the President and First Lady Michelle … Read More(2013) Ben Carson’s Speech at the National Prayer Breakfast

(1980) Thomas Sowell, “Politics and Opportunity: Background”

  “Image Ownership: Public Domain” In December 1980, shortly after former California Governor Ronald Reagan was elected President of the United States, the Institute for Contemporary Studies, a California-based public policy institute (think tank) sponsored the “Black Alternatives Conference” at the Fairmont Hotel in San … Read More(1980) Thomas Sowell, “Politics and Opportunity: Background”