Culture
Why we must ALWAYS Honor Ida…Celebrating Her Pulitzer Prize
Ida Bell Wells lived her life in persistent pursuit of justice for the barbaric lynchings and human rights violations of Black lives throughout the South. For her, the press and journalism were the surest way to shed a light into the shadows of White American terrorism. She wanted the world to stand witness to the savagery that was inflicted on Black lives as they transitioned to freedom from slavery into reconstruction and then the Jim Crow south.
It was her belief that, “the people must know before they can act, and there is no educator to compare with the press.” This passionate stance guided her to use writing as an activist and organizing tool. Wells began to write articles that exposed racism and unfair policies. She contributed to Black-owned newspapers across the country including the Chicago Defender. A fiery voice, her writing evolved into ownership as a publisher of the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight, as well as the Free Speech.
Eventually, after Ida traveled throughout the south to investigate lynchings, in 1893 she published her findings in a report titled Red Record. This work would garner her speaking engagements and an international tour that took America’s atrocities onto the global stage.
True to form, Ida was outraged by the exclusion of Blacks in the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. Her response was to disseminate a pamphlet, “The Reason Why the Colored American Is Not in the World’s Columbian Exposition.”
Her efforts gained her a place on the U.S. governement’s surveillence list as a “race agitator.” White suffragists (read feminists) resented her messages because Ida called them into account for their silence and often complicit contributions to racist violence. Oddly enough other Blacks, who were deemed more appealing to “progressive” white Americans, attempted to shun Ida for being too radical.
Yet she persisted.
Now nearly 80 years after her death, Ida B. Wells has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her journalistic heroism.
Ironically, this award comes during these times of COVID-19 when Black lives are susceptible to death due to racial disparities in healthcare, education, and economy. In these times as we sit stunned by news story after news story of rabid police brutality; when domestic terrorists gun down unarmed Black men as modern day lynchings; and armed militia storm state capitols around the country as “good’ white Americans look away and proclaim Trump is our sole mutual enemy.
Still, Black America must persist. We too must find a way to expose the wicked ways of American society and the systemic protections of evil that continue to devastate the fabric of our lives. We too must find a way to determine how we will collectively create a just world for Black lives.
Perhaps the answer is in the legacy of Ida B. Wells. Just maybe the timing of her Pulitzer Prize is to remind us of the way forward. Many claim it today, that they are ‘bout that life. But Mother Ida was indeed. She established meaningful organizations and movements. Before it became a favorite word of millennial academicians, Ida was entrenched in intersectional frameworks. Not only was she a co-founder of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), she also formed the National Association of Colored Women, and the Alpha Suffrage Club which trained Black women in civic engagement and to work to elect Black officials.
As of this writing two Black men have been lynched in America: Ahmaud Arbery who was lynched in Georgia, and Sean Reed gunned down by members of the Indianapolis police force. In response our distraught community searches for resolution.
I think Ida already taught us.
A photo shows Ida B. Wells-Barnett with her son Charles Aked Barnett, circa 1917-1919. On display at the Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago in 2015.
Former President Obama went viral on Saturday after shooting a 3-pointer while on the campaign trail for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Obama made the shot just before leaving a gymnasium in Flint, Mich. While he walked out the door, he told campaign staff, “That’s what I do!”
Celebrities and social media users quickly shared the clip, with some hoping the shot is a “good omen” for the former vice president ahead of the Tuesday election.
NBA star LeBron James, who previously partnered with former first lady Michelle Obama on voter initiatives, tweeted, “Now you just showing out now my friend!! That’s what you do huh??”
The clip was taken in the gymnasium of Flint’s Northwestern High School, Yahoo Sports reported. The former president and Biden campaigned together in Flint on Saturday at a drive-in rally, where Obama blasted President Trump’s “reality show” style of politics.
“He hasn’t shown any interest in doing the work or helping anybody but himself or his friends or treating the presidency as anything more than a reality show to give him the attention that he craves,” Obama said. “But unfortunately, the rest of us have to live with the consequences.”
Culture
Black families affected by police violence gather to mobilize voters in Chicago
Several families affected by police violence including those of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Jacob Blake, and Alvin Cole gathered to mobilize voters in Chicago. The event allowed many to turn their pain into political power, as they encouraged voting in not only presidential but local elections.
Several families affected by police violence including those of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Jacob Blake, and Alvin Cole gathered to mobilize voters in Chicago. The event allowed many to turn their pain into political power, as they encouraged voting in not only presidential but local elections.
1) Great way to exercise and stay fit
Dance is a great way to stay in shape. If you don’t like the gym, dancing can bring fun back into the exercise.
2) Burn calories
Dancing is all about moving your body and moving your body is a great way to burn calories. How many will you burn depends on how vigorously you dance. In an one-hour session you can burn from 250 to 400 calories.
3) Improved health
Dance can effectively promote good health by improving cardiovascular fitness, strengthening the muscles, increasing circulation, decreasing blood pressure, lowering the risk of coronary heart disease, reducing stress, and many other positive benefits.
4) Greater Coordination
Great for improving control over your body, timing and coordination skills. You will learn how to move with grace and poise.
5) Good for bones and joints
Dance is a weight-bearing activity, meaning it’s great for your bones. Weight-bearing exercises has been proven to increase bone density and help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
6) Build confidence
Dance builds confidence by giving you a sense of success and achievement when you master it.
7) Great way to meet new people
Dancing provides a natural icebreaker and is a great way to meet new people and make new friends.
8) Lifts your mood
Any exercise can raise your spirits by raising the endorphins or so called feel good chemicals. This can lighten your mood and reduce the risk of depression.
9) Good for your Mind
Dancing will keep your mind active. It will improve circulation to the brain and help stimulate the memory by remembering all the steps. Great mental exercise.
10) Improved overall well-being
Dance has an outstanding positive effect on both physical and psychological well-being.
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