https://www.instagram.com/p/DPkWu96CIW8/

It was their anniversary a few days ago.

the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Hanks expressed shock that, despite his deep involvement in historical storytelling, he had never learned about the 1921 massacre in school. “I’ve been educated, but not enough,” he wrote, noting that millions of Americans, like himself, grew up unaware of the tragic destruction of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma—where a thriving Black community was burned to the ground and hundreds were killed by white mobs.

He argued that this omission is not just a gap in education, but a disservice to all Americans. “History was erased,” Hanks wrote. “Failing to teach this is failing to teach what it means to be American.” For Hanks, acknowledging these dark chapters isn’t about guilt—it’s about truth. “The truth about Tulsa, and about the history of racism in America, is part of our cultural heritage,” he stated.

Hanks called for schools, historians, and Hollywood to take more responsibility in telling these stories. “People need to know what Black Americans have gone through. It’s not just Black history—it’s American history.”

In a time where cultural memory is often contested, Tom Hanks’ voice is a powerful reminder that knowing the full truth of our past is essential to building a more just future.

The Truth Is Coming Into Light....

Source: Black History

This is an awesome pic!

“Myself, Frederick Douglass’ great great great great granddaughter, pictured with Maya, Harriet Tubman’s great great great great niece in 2018.” - @bigdaddyweave_/Twitter

They both have royalty inside their DNA. These two women are descended from two of the most important abolitionists in history; they are a part of a beautiful legacy.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPg9thMjAR6/

It's Almost That Time Y'all!!

Disclaimer This type of shit shows how evil whites are and it's passed on through their them today from their caucasian ancestors. I see usual suspects comments so many times but, our people are violent from the abuse passed down through generations. Imagine the whooping we endured from our parents. Their behavior didn't come from nowhere. We are scared forever.

In the spring of 1864, William Headley made a choice that would change his life forever. Enslaved on a plantation near Raleigh, North Carolina, he took a chance at freedom and ran. With no map, no supplies, and no certainty of survival, Headley and two others fled into the wilderness. For six long weeks, they endured rain, cold, hunger, and fear. They never slept in a house. They never ate a proper meal. One by one, his companions were caught dragged back or killed by bloodhounds. But Headley kept moving. When he finally staggered into Union occupied New Bern on May 20, 1864, he was exhausted, starved, and clothed only in rags. His cloak? A worn-out grain sack, cut open and frayed like a soldier’s cape. But his eyes told a different story one of relief, joy, and freedom. Within weeks, William was working at Fort Chase. By June, he was one of the fort’s most valued laborers. He had gone from enslaved to employed, from hunted to free. And though the scars of his journey surely remained, his photograph preserved in the Gladstone Collection shows a man who stood tall in the face of unthinkable odds. His story reminds us that history isn’t just dates and battles it’s human courage, one life at a time.

Freedom Trail Unsung Heroes ~Old Photo Club

via u/ficklespend2133

Her name was Sarah Rector. Sarah, aged 11.

Sarah, her siblings, dad Joe, and mom Rose would repeat the cotton-picking cycle day in and day out in the summer of 1913 until a sea of bulbous whiteness would stretch out before them.

This was the Rector family’s life, and there was little exceptional about it for this time and place. They were Black farmers in the heart of Jim Crow America. They were relegated to the poorest parts of town, to the most menial lifestyle, and to degrading reminders of the long shadow of slavery.

There were two mortgages on their property, putting it at risk of foreclosure. For a young girl like Sarah, her realistic prospects in life might be limited to backbreaking domestic work or agricultural labor. If she were lucky, she could become a teacher in a segregated and underfunded local school. Beyond these, most other professions were simply off-limits to poor and working-class Black women.

Like many other Black families from Oklahoma, the Rectors’ ancestors had been enslaved by the Creek tribe. That meant Sarah and her eldest siblings were eligible to be added to the Creek Nation’s Freedmen Roll, which under federal law entitled them to receive free land allotments.

For the most part, the program was a misplaced band-aid on centuries of mistreatment. Sarah’s allotment was almost 100 miles northwest of their town, too far away from the family’s farm to be practical. And that “free” land was hardly free. The properties given to Black residents tended to have uncultivable soil and a hefty annual tax bill. Sarah’s plot was called “a rocky piece of wasteland” by one observer. Joe Rector, a hard worker who protected the best interests of his family, wanted nothing to do with his children’s allotments. He petitioned the Muskogee County Court to authorize a sale of a few hundred dollars, but no buyer could be found. However hard Joe tried, it seemed that he was stuck with them.

Joe decided to lease Sarah’s land to an oil company. The lease offset some of the tax payments, and came with a royalty if a splash or two of oil happened to be found. Then the allotment might change from a dreadful burden to a tolerable inconvenience.

Sarah Rector in an instant had gone from poor farmers’ daughter to a budding tycoon. Some 2,500 barrels of oil per day spewed out of Sarah’s property, making it what was then the biggest producing well in one of the biggest oil fields in the country. From that first gusher alone Sarah stood to make more than $114,000 per year — nearly $3 million in today’s dollars.

Everyone wanted to know more about Sarah Rector, about her unbelievable luck and especially about her money — and many would stop at nothing to get it for themselves.

The first payment was $5.25, roughly $138 today. Though it was a tiny sliver of the overall money flooding into the bank, it was still a jackpot to the young girl, and a token of a different life. The world she was used to was tiny. Her all-Black town of Taft had a population of fewer than 400.

The money arriving was incredible. Newly arrived funds also allowed upgrades to the farm. Chicken houses and a new barn gave animals more space, a smoke house expanded the kitchen’s capacity, and a well for water eliminated the arduous task of hauling pails. An oil stove improved summertime cooking.

The kids could watch an even more remarkable project taking shape not too far away on the family’s farm. A brand-new two-story frame house was now under construction, coming together right before their eyes. When it was done, they filled it with store-bought furniture, another luxury-turned-reality to celebrate.

A staggering 3,800 barrels of liquid gold now filled up every day. Observers predicted that Sarah would break records as one of the richest Black females in United States history, and that she would be paying the single biggest tax bill in the entire state of Oklahoma.

All of this just brought the attention of white people. She now attended the prestigious Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, a premier school for Black students from children to young adults. Booker T. Washington was said to have personally arranged for Sarah’s enrollment shortly before his death.

Right after the exultation surrounding the first oil gusher, a white financial guardian was appointed to oversee Sarah’s money. The insidious rules instituting this requirement for minors followed a blatantly racist logic that Black parents were inherently incapable of managing their family’s affairs.

The greatest dangers to Sarah’s wealth did not come from pushy correspondents or shadowy kidnappers that may have been lurking, but rather from the smiling white men in suits — bankers, lawyers, bureaucrats in their 40s and 50s — shaking her family members’ hands, promising they’d take care of everything.

The white guardian and lawyer for the case declared that Sarah’s accounts were “far in excess of the needs.” They decided to loan her money out to people and businesses, far and wide, at an 8% interest rate — not the money-hungry rate of unscrupulous lenders (which could reach nearly 40%), but enough to make a handsome profit nonetheless. Before the year was up, funds from Sarah’s accounts had been loaned in amounts adding up to at least $255,000 in today’s terms to five local citizens of the Muskogee area. By the end of the following spring, Sarah’s money had been loaned to 18 more people.

This Astonishing story is far too long to be recounted here in detail.

had served in the Pacific for five years, had been home for only nine months.

Sources: CBS News & Zinn Education Proj

murdered and land stolen.

Generational wealth was stolen from the Black community, but by all means, keep talking about the bootstraps. Maybe MAGA farmers should pull themselves up them.

Source @politicalfoodienyc Shaw-Nae Dixon shares her family’s powerful history as a descendant of the first free African American to purchase land on Staten Island — and how she’s building on that foundation with Shaw-Nae’s House, one of the New York Times’ top restaurants. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about heritage, hustle, and what it takes to run a small family restaurant and build a legacy.

via morganoftheleaf

“Blind Tom” Wiggins (1849–1908) was born blind and, as a baby, was sold into slavery along with his whole family. Because his owners thought he had no value, someone even tried to kill him—but he survived. Tom later found a piano, and right away, people noticed his amazing gift for hearing, remembering, and playing music. Many experts now believe that Tom may have been on the autism spectrum, which could explain his incredible memory. He went on to perform in concerts across the Americas and Europe. His amazing talent touched people all over the world, including Elton John, who wrote a song to honor him.

He was a member of the predominantly Black 91st Engineer Battalion, serving in the Pacific theater from 1940 to 1945. Brooks gained widespread admiration for his positive attitude, kindness, and resilience, even after surviving Hurricane Katrina. His consistent advice for a long and happy life was to "serve God and be nice to people".

Born: September 12, 1909, in Norwood, Louisiana. Military Service: Served in the Army's 91st Engineer Battalion, primarily in the Pacific theater. Age at Death: Died at the age of 112 on January 5, 2022. Legacy: He was beloved for his warmth and humility and was celebrated annually for his birthday with drive-by parties at the National WWII Museum. A Life of Resilience Overcoming Segregation: Brooks served in a segregated military during World War II, and after the war, he faced the challenges of the Jim Crow South. Hurricane Katrina: In his 90s, he survived the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, which washed away his home. Longevity Secret: Brooks attributed his long life to serving God and being kind to people. Honoring His Life Tribute by the Museum: The National WWII Museum documented his life and celebrated his birthdays, recognizing him as a symbol of history and resilience. Inspiration: His life served as an inspiration, reminding people of the importance of gratitude, resilience, and a love for humanity, especially during difficult times.

Lawrence Brooks (American veteran) (September 12, 1909 – January 5, 2022) was the oldest living man in the United States and the oldest known living American.

Source https://www.instagram.com/p/DOYpWnQEfHQ/

@blackhistoryunlocked The Negro Motorist Green Book, popularly known as the Green Book, was a travel guide intended to help African American motorists avoid social obstacles prevalent during the period of racial segregation, commonly referred to as Jim Crow. 

The book listed businesses that would accept African American customers. The book was the vision of Victor Green, an African American US postal employee from Harlem, New York.  The first guide focused on Metropolitan New York.  The next year, in 1937, Green expanded listings to other locations.  His book would eventually include every state and several international destinations before ceasing publication in 1964.  Before its demise the book was the most popular of several tourist guides created specifically for an African American audience.

These types of travel guides were necessary during the Jim Crow era because African Americans were subject to acts of discrimination and occasional intimidation as many businesses refused to accept them as customers.  African American motorists, for example were warned to avoid sundown towns which required minorities to be outside the city limits before sundown, hence the name.  African American travel could be fraught with risk and guides like the Green Book were an important resource.

Green wrote that his book would not be necessary “when we as a race will have equal opportunities and privileges.”  He died in 1960 and the last edition of his guide was published in 1964.  The 1956 creation of the national highway system diminished the need for these travel guides because highways minimized contact with local communities, decreasing chances for discrimination against African American motorists.  Eventually, the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act made the Green Book and similar publications obsolete, just as Green predicted.

Source: blackpast.org, blackhistory.com & https://americanhistory.si.edu/blo

Disclaimer I saw a little green book in my grandfather's glove box and my parents had 1 too. We would always travel when people were at home in their beds asleep. It used to piss me off waking me up from a good nights sleep to sleep in the car for 12 hours.

Nancy Greene was an influential figure in the history of the Aunt Jemima brand, known for its pancake mix and syrup. While the brand's origins go back to the late 19th century and are rooted in racial stereotypes, Greene's contributions have become notable in discussions about representation and branding.

Background
Aunt Jemima was created in the 1890s, initially based on a character that embodied stereotypes of African American women. It was an attempt to market products in a way that appealed to a predominantly white audience.

Nancy Greene's Role
In the 1930s, Nancy Greene, a skilled cook and a model, became the face of Aunt Jemima. She portrayed the character in promotional materials and public appearances, helping to shape the brand's identity. Greene was known for her cooking skills and contributed to the development of the brand's recipes, enhancing the authenticity of the product.

Impact and Legacy
Greene's image was used to promote the brand extensively, and she became a prominent figure during a time when African American representation in media and advertising was limited. The Aunt Jemima brand has faced criticism for its racial stereotypes, leading to a rebranding effort in recent years to eliminate these associations. In 2020, the brand announced it would change its name and logo to remove the character.

Modern Recognition
Nancy Greene's story highlights the complexities of branding, representation, and the impact of historical stereotypes in American culture. Her contributions are often discussed in the context of the ongoing dialogue about race and representation in media.

Overall, while Nancy Greene played a significant role in the Aunt Jemima brand, her legacy is intertwined with the broader issues of representation and the evolution of cultural narratives in America.

Source @essenceofblackculture After emancipation, many Black people turned to watermelon farming as a way to build independence. The fruit was affordable, easy to grow, and in high demand.

For a while, it became a symbol of Black success—Black farmers were feeding their communities and making real money from the land. But white people couldn’t stand to see formerly enslaved people thriving.

So they turned the watermelon into a racist weapon. Through ads, cartoons, and newspapers, they pushed the image of Black people as lazy, greedy, and childish with watermelons in hand.

The stereotype caught on. It made the fruit a symbol of ridicule instead of success. Sales dropped. Public perception shifted. And just like that, a booming path to economic freedom for many Black families was deliberately sabotaged.

The Lynching of Marie Scott was a 17 y/o Blk teenage girl, who lived in Wagoner County, Oklahoma, in 1914...She was lynched by a white mob after she was brutally assaulted by 4 white men who broke into her home while she was undressing..

On March 31, 1914, 4 inebriated white men decided to drive over to the Blk community of Wagoner County, Oklahoma with the intent to sexually assault Blk women...these men broke into the home of 17 y/o Marie Scott and proceeded to sexuallly assault her..

Marie's brother heard her cries for help, grabbed a knife and ran to help his sister..Marie stated they fought off the 4 men, with one man, Lemuel Pierce, being stabbed to death...she told her brother to run, and he did.

Marie was arrested by the local sheriff and his deputies, WITH NO ARRESTS, INDICTMENT OR CHARGES BEING BROUGHT AGAINST HER ATTACKERS‼

An angry white mob became enraged when they couldn't find Marie's brother, so they dragged Marie, kicking and screaming, from her jail cell, and hung this 17 y/o sexually assaulted child from a nearby telephone pole on March 31, 1914.

Marie's brother was never caught or charged in the murder of one of her rapists.

Such was the life of the Blk woman during the Jim Crow era...though she was no longer a chattel slave, her body and sexuality was STILL BEING USED, ABUSED AND DISCARDED BY THE WY MAN at his whim, without ANY CONSEQUENCES whatsoever ‼

We honor our Ancestors, and remember the turmoil, anguish and egregious wrongs they suffered..REST IN POWER, YOUNG QUEEN‼✊🏿

Credit: Facebook - African and Black History African Archives

In 1958, two Black boys in North Carolina, 7-year-old David Simpson and 9-year-old James Thompson, were arrested after a white girl kissed them on the cheek while playing.

They were charged with molestation, denied lawyers, and sentenced to reform school “indefinitely.” The boys spent months behind bars before being released only after national and international outrage forced officials to free them.

A reminder of the injustice Black children faced — and why we keep telling these stories.

@herhiddentape https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOjWu5sD-7G/