“It is a peculiar sensation, this double consciousness… one ever feels his two-ness, an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two un-reconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.” ~ W. E. B. Du Bois RG 79 "W.E.B. Dubois photo from NAACP Collection" … Continue reading Happy Birthday Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois!
“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.” ~Frederick Douglass RG 79 "Fred. Douglass, lawyer, ca. 1865" Washington, DC SP Douglass, Frederick, National Historic … Continue reading Happy Birthday Frederick Douglass!
What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? ~"Harlem" by Langston Hughes … Continue reading Happy Birthday Langston Hughes!
Cover photo: A Great Day in Hip Hop, Harlem, New York, by Gordon Parks, 1998 This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop. Rap, a genre of popular music rooted in funk, disco, and soul that encompasses the cultures of Black and Brown people is one part of Hip Hop … Continue reading “To the Hip Hop and You don’t Stop”: A Tribute for the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop
“I am who I am despite what America has put before me. I am who I am despite the obstacles that we have all faced based upon race and based upon social and spiritual humiliation.” ~Harry Belafonte On April 25, 2023, award winning singer, actor, and human rights activist Harry Belafonte passed away at the … Continue reading The King of Calypso: Tribute to Harry Belafonte
Today's post was written by Tina L. Ligon, Supervisory Archivist for Augmented Processing and Navy Reference at the National Archives at College “I am pleased to have introduced ‘affirmative action’ into the professional ranks of the National Archives” ~Harold T. Pinkett Harold Pinkett, ca. 1978. (National Archives History Office Collection) Appointed by the Archivist of … Continue reading Creating an Archives with Color: Dr. Harold T. Pinkett and Diversity Efforts in the Archival Profession
“People need their history like they need air and food.” ~ Randall Robinson On March 24, 2023, Randall Robinson passed away at the age of 81, on a small island in St. Kitts. He was a civil rights attorney, human rights activist, and author. He spent his career fighting against apartheid in South Africa and … Continue reading Fighter for Human Rights: Tribute to Activist Randall Robinson
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” ~ Pelé On December 29, 2022, Brazilian futbol great Pelé passed away at the age of 82, in São Paulo, Brazil. He learned how to play football from his … Continue reading “The Beautiful Game:” Tribute to Pele
“And so, it's not a thing of how many carries, but were you effective when you did carry.” Franco Harris On December 20, 2022, Pro Football Hall of Famer Franco Harris passed away at the age of 72 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was best remembered for his role in the “Immaculate Reception,” during the AFC … Continue reading The Immaculate Reception: A Tribute to Franco Harris
“I thought I would never live to get in the White House” ~ Virginia McLaurin Barack Obama and Michelle Obama Participate in a Photo Line with 106-Year-Old Virginia McLaurin in the Blue Room (NAID 235144670) On November 14, 2022, community activist, volunteer, and supercentenarian, Virginia Lugenia McLaurin passed away at age of 113, in Olney, Maryland. She became … Continue reading DC’s Favorite Centenarian: A Tribute to Virginia McLaurin
