It Wasn’t Just Nine States That Were Racist But The Whole Damn Country.
The 2013 decision by the Supreme Court that invalidated the enforcement provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 didn’t accomplish anything good. It opened the floodgates for multiple states that previously had to seek pre-clearance before making changes in voting laws to ensure they weren’t discriminatory. The Act declared that nine states and many counties and cities across the country had so abused the process that they had to ask permission first before making changes because they couldn’t be trusted. Those states were; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. It was the same thing…
There’s Way Too Much History to Tell in 28 Days
The publication Black History Month 365 recognizes that our history is far too rich and extensive to be told in the shortest month of the year. Each month we’ll link to the best stories from our publication and some of the best stories we’ve run across by other writers. Black History Month is not only a celebration but a reminder of what our ancestors went through and how they persevered. Please check out any or all of these stories as you’re bound to discover something you didn’t know before. Be safe.
William Spivey — Editor
Cocoa Grio tells a tale…
Politics, Race, And The History You Won’t Find Elsewhere.
I’d rather write a 2,500-word essay on a historical subject than 500 about myself. That said, there are a few things I’d have, you know. I am a combination of contradictions, humble and arrogant, quiet but cocky, opinionated but entirely without an opinion depending on the subject. The one thing anyone who knows me would agree on is that I love to write. It’s the only way to get out the thoughts that would otherwise allow me no sleep at night.
Why a Forty-Year Old Policy is Under Attack
Depending on who you ask, you’ll get two contrary definitions of what Critical Race Theory (CRT) is. The previously accepted definition is that racism isn’t just individual bias or prejudice but is also embedded in legal systems and policies. The theory says that racism is part of everyday life, so people — white or nonwhite — who don’t intend to be racist can nevertheless make choices that fuel racism. Critics have a different view. They think the theory advocates discriminating against white people to achieve equality. They blame Critical Race Theory for the existence of Black Lives Matter, LGTBQ clubs…
All States Have Proven Themselves Capable of Voter Suppression
Hawaii, Delaware, and Vermont are the three states that aren’t attempting to or have already passed voter suppression laws in the wake of the 2020 presidential election that Donald Trump lost. Ohio had been on the list, but Republicans couldn’t help themselves and introduced a voter suppression bill on May 21, 2021.
Hawaii has a history of suppressing the votes of the indigenous natives in favor of white people. Delaware has two laws on the books that research shows disproportionately disenfranchise Black and Latino voters. Only Vermont has escaped my notice in terms of engaging in voter suppression. Because of…
Different Opinions of the Same School
Mathew Knowles, the father of Beyoncé, Solange, Nixon, and Koi, has written a book, “Racism: From the Eyes of a Child.” The marketing thus far seems to be designed to either dissuade people from reading it or make them so mad they can’t help themselves. Among the highlights are that he “only dated white women or very-high complexioned black women that looked white.” Adding fuel to the fire, he said, “I actually thought when I met Tina, my former wife, that she was white. …
Texas Undid Almost Everything Juneteenth Was Supposed to Achieve
When the enslaved people on the island of Galveston, Texas, got the news they were free, they celebrated, which is only natural. It took a little time to figure out they weren’t all that free at all. An ex-Confederate mayor ignored the army and ordered the allegedly free enslaved people back to work. Even the official order, read by Major General Gordon Granger, suggested the former slaves continue to work for their old masters but as employees instead of slaves.
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all…
There May Never Be a Race War; If it Comes, Black People are Unprepared.
I don’t own a gun. Until recently, I’d never tried to shoot one except that one time where I could have killed myself as a little boy. Guns are dangerous and meant to be taken seriously. Guns can also be used for self-defense. It is in this context that I write this article; whether Black people need guns for self-defense. The enemy is real whether we choose to recognize it or not.
My subtitle refers to a possible race war. Some will see this as an exaggeration despite the number of people and groups actually trying to start one.
“I…
In America, the concept of race wasn’t always a thing. The first time the word “white” applied to a group of people appeared in print was in 1671. Oh, there were definitely classes of people; Black and white indentured servants worked alongside each other, doing their owner’s bidding. Discrimination was prominent even then. For the same offenses, black indentured servants were treated much more harshly. The common length of indentured servitude was seven years. It wasn’t unusual for the length of a Black servant to have their term extended to the length of their natural life. Many of the Black…
Who is Aramis Alaya and What Should You Know About Her
I’ve been following Aramis Alaya since she became the State Attorney for Orange and Osceola counties in Florida in 2017, defeating incumbent Jeff Ashton, famous for losing the Casey Anthony case. Alaya immediately ran into trouble from the establishment for indicating she would not request the death penalty in any case because the system was systemically racist. The Governor basically took away many of her cases and part of her budget to ensure Florida could go right on killing a disproportionate number of minorities, as has always been the case.
Aramis Alaya recently announced she would be running for the…
William Spivey
Writer, poet, wannabe philosopher. I write about politics, history, race, and social justice. Support me at https://ko-fi.com/williamfspivey0680
