Black Every Era and Every Day History Making: An Overview

Mark Mwandoro & Sarah Hobson
 
The history of Black people is a rich and complex tapestry of experiences and contributions that have shaped the course of world events and societies throughout history. Despite facing systemic racism, discrimination, and inequality, Black communities have always found ways to resist, to create, and to lead. This spirit of resilience and perseverance has had a profound impact on the world, fueling innovation and inspiring solutions to some of our most pressing societal challenges.

One of the most notable examples of Black innovation and leadership can be seen in the field of science and technology. Despite facing significant barriers and obstacles, Black scientists and inventors have made countless contributions to our understanding of the world and to the development of new technologies. For example, George Washington Carver, a prominent Black scientist and inventor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, made important contributions to the field of agriculture and developed new methods for growing crops that helped to improve the lives of farmers in the southern United States. Another notable Black inventor, Granville T. Woods, was a prolific inventor and engineer who patented a number of important innovations in the field of transportation and communication, including an early version of the induction telegraph and a system for transmitting messages between moving trains.

Black innovation and leadership can also be seen in the arts and culture. Throughout history, Black artists and musicians have used their talents to challenge injustice, inspire change, and bring people together. For example, the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s was a cultural movement that brought together Black artists, writers, and musicians from across the United States and helped to lay the foundations for modern Black art and culture. Similarly, Black musicians have created some of the most iconic and influential music of the 20th century, including jazz, blues, and hip hop, and have used their music as a platform to address social and political issues and to inspire change.

Finally, Black activism and leadership have been a driving force for change throughout history. From the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, to the Black Lives Matter movement of today, Black leaders and activists have fought tirelessly for civil rights, equality, and justice, leading movements that have changed the course of history. For example, figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Nelson Mandela are widely recognized for their contributions to the struggle for civil rights and social justice, and their efforts have inspired countless others to continue the fight for a more just and equitable world.

Black women have been a core component of the civil rights movement. Some notable Black female figures include Harriet Tubman, a former slave and abolitionist who became one of the most well-known "conductors" on the Underground Railroad; Sojourner Truth, an abolitionist, women's rights activist, and former slave who delivered one of the most famous speeches of the 19th century, "Ain't I a Woman?"; Maya Angelou, a writer, poet, performer, and civil rights activist who used her art to speak out against injustice and oppression; Ella Baker, a civil rights leader and organizer who worked behind the scenes to support the work of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and other organizations during the Civil Rights Movement; and Ida B. Wells, a journalist, suffragist, and early civil rights leader who used her writing to expose the horrors of lynching and to advocate for the rights of Black people. Among a broad array of pressing community needs, Black women across the United States have consistently come together to raise awareness about unequal health care conditions, environmental hazards, public housing injustices and exploitative work conditions and wages. Their collective action, legislation, and leadership has influenced national policies and has held government, business, and school institutions accountable to improving the life opportunities for many across the country.

In conclusion, the history of Black people is a story of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, a story of innovation and leadership, and a story of the human spirit's ability to create positive change in the world. By embracing this history and understanding its significance, we can learn how to join Black leaders in advancing much-needed change.
 
References
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​from https://www.nps.gov/gwca/learn/historyculture/georgewashingtoncarver.htm
2. Granville T. Woods. (2021). The Henry Ford. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-resources/black-history/granville-t-woods/
3.         The Harlem Renaissance. (2021). National Endowment for the Humanities. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.neh.gov/divisions/preservation/featured-project/the-harlem-renaissance
4.         King, M. L. (1963). Letter from Birmingham Jail. The Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/letter-birmingham-jail
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6. Sojourner Truth. (2021). National Women's Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/sojourner-truth/
7.  Tubman, Harriet. (n.d.). Harriet Tubman. National Park Service. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.nps.gov/hatu/learn/historyculture/index.htm
8. Maya Angelou. (2021). Poetry Foundation. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/maya-angelou
9.  Ella Baker. (2021). The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://ellabakercenter.org/ella-baker/
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11. Ervin, Keona, K. (2017). Gateway to Equality: Black women and the struggle for economic justice in St. Louis Civil Rights and the struggle for Black equality in the twentieth century. The University Press of Kentucky.