Cartoons have held an prominent place in political and social/cultural life for centuries. Political cartoonists critique politicians, classes and stereotypes of people, often with incisive humor. They can also demonize individuals and groups and engage in fear-mongering. Other cartoonists entertain and engage more subtly exploring … Read MoreCartooning in Black……and White and Color
A mission of BlackPast.org is to know and understand the past inorder to make sense of the present, so that we may move forward with knowledge, purpose, and clarity of thought. Artists do this as part of their craft. Some work in traditional formats (painting, … Read MoreTraditional Aesthetics, Contemporary Art, Recycling
Editor’s note: today’s blog post is written by guest blogger Lisa Myers Bulmash. It is nice to point out heroes of color during Black History Month, like legendary poet/playwright/author Langston Hughes, but as readers of the Black Past blog well know, black history is something … Read MoreLangston Hughes Performing Arts Institute: 40 Years of Black Performing Arts History in Seattle, Washington
Chevalier de Saint-George, 1745-1799 The idea of classical music and musicians often conjures up images or thoughts of dead white males, stodgy citizens at gala events, or a sense of irrelevance to modern cultural life. Nothing could further from the truth in any of the … Read MoreInspiration from Young Classical Musicians
Israeli soldier of Ethiopian descent Immigrants. Refugees. Job Hunters. Asylum Seekers. These terms are a few that describe those who seek a new place to call home. A number of very divergent groups of people of African descent have chosen to emigrate to Israel from … Read MoreSeeking Home
February 1968 issue The history of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), African National Congress (ANC), South African Students’ Organization (SASO), and the fight for liberation in South Africa is well known. Less well known is the organization called The Black Sash. This organization of volunteers … Read MoreThe Black Sash
This blog is a companion to BlackPast.org, and is another tool to explore and appreciate all the information on the website. The blog offers an opportunity to see how the reference material, insights, and opinions of the website can relate to other contexts. BlackPast.org has … Read MoreQuite Frankly, We Would Love Your Support!
Henrietta Lacks. She was living just an ordinary life when the seemingly ordinary event of illness had extraordinary results that would forever change science and cancer research. Henrietta Lacks Dr. Clarence Spigner has written a powerful essay for BlackPast.org entitled Henrietta Lacks and the Debate … Read MoreA Woman Who Unwittingly Made & Affected History
President Abraham Lincoln The recent release of Steven Spielberg’s movie Lincoln, has engendered renewed interest in the 16th President of the United States and the issues of slavery and race and the ongoing impact of the Civil War on our civic life today. The film … Read MoreLincoln: the man, the movie, the rest of us
Thoughtful community activists hatched the idea that after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the people need an antidote! That was the impetus for #GivingTuesday, November 27th, a day for people, businesses, groups to give their time, treasure, and attention to people in need, ideas to … Read More#GivingTuesday: what it is, what it means
