29-Feb-2024

What infamous photographer captured the glamour, sophistication & prosperity of the Black middle class during the Harlem Renaissance?

James Van Der Zee was known for his portraits of Black New Yorkers. When historians were looking to document that era, they leaned heavily on Van Der Zee's repository of negatives. His work was unique in part to his exposure & retouching techniques.

26-Feb-2024

In 1945, Engraver John Sinnock's 1945 was credited with a portrait of an American President that was reproduced over 1.6 billion times in 2023 alone; but it is controversial as many (including the president's son) believe Sinnock used the work of what African-Amercian sculpter?

Selma Burke alleged that Sinnock based his model upon the plaque she created in 1943 which is still in the Records of Deeds building in DC. After being chosen to create a portrait of Roosevelt from photographs, Burke insisted that to "do it right" she needed FDR to model for her in person; of which he agreed a full twenty years before the civil rights movement.

24-Feb-2024

Name the chief architect of these iconic buildings?

Julian Francis Abele was a prominent African-American architect, and chief designer in the offices of Horace Trumbauer. His talents made him the highest paid architect in the firm but his race resulted in most of his work being uncreditited until recently. The buildings in the photos are the Philadelphia Museum of Art & Duke Chapel; the latter of which Abele would not have been able to legally visit due to Jim Crow laws.

21-Feb-2024

Since syndicated television's beginnings in the 1940s, black representation has been a challenge for networks who continue to overreported black crime and underreport black achievement. However in the sixties what actress chose not to leave what we now consider her breakthrough role due to these words from her biggest fan:

You cannot, you cannot... For the first time on television, we will be seen as we should be seen every day—as intelligent, quality, beautiful people who can sing, dance, and go to space… who are professors, lawyers… If you leave, that door can be closed, because your role is not a black role, and is not a female role; he can fill it with anybody, even an alien.

Martin Luther King's words at an NAACP banquent convienced Nichelle Nicoles to continue in her role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on Star Trek.

17-Feb-2024

African-Amercian influence on mondern social dance is substantial but rarely officially recognized. What syndicated show influenced social dance for thirty-five years and yet is largely unrecognized by non-Black America?

Soul Train aired African-Amercian dance, fashion & faces from 1971-2006; displaying positive imagery of Black America.

13-Feb-2024

What music artist & recorded single was inducted into the 2013 Grammy Hall of Fame twenty-five years after the induction of a white artist's cover version of the song?

Willa Mae "Big Mama" Thorton's 1953 Hound Dog was inducted several years after Elvis Presley's version which is regularly included on "Greatest Rock & Roll Song" lists. This is the most popular example of cultural appropriation in music. Although the songwriters defend Elvis' rendition as not stolen from Thornton, they did receive royalties from Presley's version while she did not & were commisioned to write "Jailhouse Rock".

Bonus

What bass-heavy genre of music has been nearly completely co-opted by non-black DJs in the past fifteen years.

Trap music has been swallowed from it's 1991 southern inner-city origins (i.e. trap house music) by the modern electric dance music (EDM) culture. For fun, search the top Trap DJs of 2023 and compare the list to 2003

6-Feb-2024

What Afro-American SAMO© subway artist distinguished himself & is responsible for one of the most expensive paintings in the world?

Jean-Michel Basquiat was a rising star of the New York arts scene in the eighties before his untimely death. He started as a graffiti tagger before evolving into a Neo-Expressionist painter. His painting routinely sell for millions.

Bonus

Basquiat painted "Defacement" in 1983 in reaction to what NYC Transit Police incident?

The death of Micheal Stewart was protested as an act of racism & police brutality. On Sep 15 of 83, transit police officer J. Kostick arrested and cuffed Stewart for spraypainting; but between being taken into custory and arriving at the police station for booking the "The Man That Nobody Killed" was hogtied & comatose before passing 13 days later.

4-Feb-2024

Since 1976, every American President has endorsed a specific theme for Black History Month. What is the theme for 2024?

The 2024 theme "African Americans and the Arts" explores the key influence African Americans have had in the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression.

Bonus

The Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s & 30s is the most conspicuous timeframe for Afro-American influences & contributions to the arts. The creative upsurge of the time found full expression in Harlem, Chicago, Washington, DC and other cities nationwide; and was representative of the "New Negro" as outline by what scholar.

Alain Locke's 1925 anthonlogy reflected the attitudes of Black citizens of the time who were more demanding of equal footing in American society.

26-Feb-2023

What is the national theme of 2023 Black History Month?

The national 2023 Black History Month theme, "Black Resistance," explores how African Americans have addressed historic and ongoing disadvantage and oppression, as evidenced by recent events. (from the Director's Blog of the US Census Bureau)

Bonus

Today is supposedly International Black Lives Matter Day (even though I cannot find any official resolution for it) in rememberance of the death of what Afro-American martyr?

Today marks the anniversary of the death of Trayvon Martin.

23-Feb-2023

What organization cared for sick Philadelphian residents at the request of a US founding father; even when port cities such as New York & Baltimore had implemented quarantines against refugees & goods?

The Free African Society became famous for its members' charitable work as nurses and aides during the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, when many residents abandoned the city of Philadelphia. The organization decided to help even though it's leaders rejected the notion that Afro-Americans were immune to the disease.

Bonus

Name the church whose famously discriminatory practices during worship service lead to the formation of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church with the help of the Free African Society?

St. George's United Methodist Church, located at the corner of 4th and New Streets in Philadelphia, is the oldest Methodist church in continuous use in the US. It licensed the first two Afro-American Methodist preachers in 1784; these same preachers would lead most of the black members out & "organized a denomination in which free Black people could worship without racial oppression and enslaved people could find a measure of dignity."

22-Feb-2023

Which 1800s amendment clause instantly increased Congressional House Representation for southern states?

Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment explicitly repealed the Three-Fifths Compromise which increased the population of southern states. But just because blacks were now citizens, didn't mean additional political power for people of color.

Bonus

How did states LEGALLY prevent Blacks from voting without disenfranchising illiterate Whites?

Many states issued literacy test with Grandfather Clauses. These laws were superficially race-neutral but effectively suppressed a targeted group.

19-Feb-2023

Name the popular black New York annual published from 1936 to 1966 sold nationally.

The Negro Motorist Green-Book was an annual guidebook for Afro-American road trippers. The pamplet outlined businesses friendly towards black travelers and warned against potentially dangers areas such-as Sundown Towns.

Bonus

The Green Book ceased it's publication after 1966 as the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was believed to make the annual no longer necessary; however in 2017 the NCAAP started issuing travel advisories starting with what US state?

On June 7, 2017 the NAACP issued an Urgent Missouri Travel Advisory; it can be found here -> https://www.monaacp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/170605-NAACP-MO-Travel-Advisory.pdf

14-Feb-2023

During Antebellum, slaves were forbidden to read & write, activities thought to lead to independence & rebellion. But they were encourgaged by slaveowners to hone their math skills through what activity?

Plantation owners believed that the game of whist would help slaves count the cotton barrels and produce, so they were allowed to play. As the game evolved, so did the name – thus the birth of Bid Whist, Spades & Bridge.

Bonus

What black inventor revolutionized video gaming systems?

Jerry Lawson was the Cheif Hardware Engineer & Director for Fairchild's video game division that pioneered the removable ROM software cartridge in 1976. This completely changed the landscape of the video game industry as previously software was hard-wired into consoles.

11-Feb-2023

The Million Man March on October 16, 1995 was intented to be the largest Pro Afro-American demonstration of it's time with attendance estimates raning from 400K to 1.1M participates. What is currently the largest protest participation wise in support of Afro-American issues.

It's estimated that the George Floyd Protests had between 15-26 million participants nationwide; more when including the additional eight-three contries that held protests.

Bonus

What is the current status of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act?

H.R. 1280 passed the (at the time) Democratic controlled House of Representatives on March 3, 2021 and sent to the Senate on March 9 where it has not been voted.

08-Feb-2023

Name the woman who refused to give up her seat on a crowded, segregated Montgomery, AL bus for a white passenger in March of 1955?

On March 2, 1955, Claudette Colvin was arrested at the age of fifteen for refusing to give up her seat to a white woman. This occurred nine months prior to the Rosa Parks incident (Dec 1, 1955).

Bonus

The bus law was ultimately ruled unconstitutional & overturned in 1956 by what lawsuit?

Colvin joined Aurelia Browder, Mary Louise Smith & Susie McDonald as the plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle.

02-Feb-2023

Media pundents have expressed surprise that the protests sparked by the killing of Tyre Nichols have not been violet; even though the roots of this type of civil unrest has always been peaceful. What was the earliest documented march for black rights in America?

The Silent Parade on Saturday, July 28, 1917 included an estimated ten-thousand black residents marching through Manhattan. It was organized by James Wheldon Johnson in response to "Jim Crowism", segregation, disenfranchisement, & recent race riots in El Paso, TX; East St Louis, IL & Memphis, TN.

Bonus

What other race riots made the national news that year?

Houston 24th Infantry Mutiny & Chester Race Riot (PA); the latter of which happened at the same time as the Silent Parade).

Tiebreaker

Submit the name of an African-Amercian inventor ... the submission with the most patents will win the Rick James Unity 🏆 Award.

Lonnie Johnson, a former Air Force & NASA engineer has one hundred thirty-two patents; including the Super Soaker water gun toy.

Lanny Smoot, an engineer for the Walt Disney Company is our runner-up with one hundred two patents.

27-Feb-2022

Who was the first African-Amercian woman nominated to the US Supreme Court?

Ketanji Brown Jackson was officially nominated this past Friday (Feb 25 2022). Critics feel that this is a token gesture to pacify the Black electorate but I am not one of them (even considering the challenges she faces for confirmation).

Bonus

What was the campaign slogan of the first Afro-American female presidetial candidate.

Unbrough and Unbossed

24-Feb-2022

Since 1976 every American President has endorsed a theme for that year's Black History Month. This year Biden set the theme as "Black Health & Wellness"; what was the theme in 2017?

On Feb 1 2017, then President Trump commemorated the start of Black History Month with the them of "Crisis in Black Education".

Bonus

During & shortly after the even, Trump & his administration drew the ire of Black histories with what subjective assertion?

Trump's statement that Fredrick Douglas "is being recognized more and more" and his spokesman Sean Spicer's clarification that "through alot of the actions and statments that he's [Douglass]going to make" suggest they thought he was still alive.

20-Feb-2022

What Afro-American philanthropist was falsely accused & convicted of drug dealing but would go on to overturn their conviction and help exposed their trial judge & prosecutor who were later charged federally for corruption?

Issac Wright Jr

18-Feb-2022

Today (2/18/22) a Minnesota judge EMOTIONALLY sentenced a white female police officer to two years of prison for killing an unarmed black man last year. Chants that white tears trump justice in today's society are being evoked RIGHT NOW and I ask myself would those white tears work if jurisdictions VOTED more black judges into office. Who was the first black judge elected in Minnesota & what date were s/he sworn in?

The Honorable L. Howard Bennett was sworn in as a Minneapolis Municipal Judge on Jan 6, 1958.

16-Feb-2022

How did the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 hurt black communities?

When cities started planning for the creation of the interstate freeways, they overwhelmingly choose to build over existing Black neighborhoods; either dividing or completely displacing the communities.

8-Feb-2022

Since 2021 over thirty-five states have passed or introduced laws restricting teaching black history; the similarites with anti-literacy laws from slavery are not missed. What was the earliest law that prohibited teaching Negros to read & write?

The South Carolina Negro Act of 1740 was the earliest anti-literacy law in the Americas; it served as the base for the other southern states that followed.

Bonus

The law was passed in response to a large slave rebellion; on what highway is the historical marker for the rebellion located?

This marker for the Stono Rebellion is in Rantowles, South Carolina on the Savannah Highway (US 17 South)

5-Feb-2022

On April 1 1950, what North Carolina hospital refused** to admin Afro-American surgeon & blood bank pioneer Dr Charles Drew?

Trick question!!! Alamance Medical Center did admit Dr Drew and gave him a blood transfusion however he still passed from his other injuries. The myth of his death arose immediately as being denied admission was not uncommon at the time.

Bonus

Name the Black WWII Veteran that did die after being denied entry to a North Carolina hospital in 1950.

Maltheus Avery

26-Feb-2021

There's distinctive debate as to whether Black Slaves assumed the religion of their captors or if Christianity was truly the path of their liberation. What black woman was one of the the earliest missionaries to convert American slaves to Christianity?

Rebecca "Shelly" Protten was a former slave from Antigua who after gaining her joined the Moravian Church and preached to hundreds of enslaved Africans in the Carribean. She help created one of the earliest Black Protestant congregations which would lead to charges of blasphemy & incitement of slaves from the local slave owners.

23-Feb-2021

Produce a photo of an Antebellum Runaway Slave Catchder's badge?

Many argue the fact that southern police departments evolved from slave catchers as the origin of the poor relationship between African-Americans & modern police.

20-Feb-2021

In what U.S. city did Democrats form a violent mob and overthrow the local goverment after the election?

On November 10, 1898 Southern Democrats forced Republican Mayor Silas P. Wright, the city council & the police cheif to resign at gunpoint in Wilmington, North Carolina. Additionally, Black residents & businesses were attacked, turning the once predominately Black city ... white.

17-Feb-2021

The Medal of Honor is the highest award a soldier can receive; what Civil War battle resulted in fourteen black soldiers being awarded this prestigous medal for heroism?

Fourteen Black troops were awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in the engagement at the Battle of New Market Heights (also referred to as Chaffin's Farm and Laurel Hill).

13-Feb-2021

What was the meaning of the pictured analogy during the 1960s?

Malcolm X Shabazz would frequently use the allegory of White Liberals & Conservatives as Foxes & Wolves; who have the same appetities and motives but different mannerisms and attitudes towards Black Americans.

10-Feb-2021

Many outlets are referencing the Tuskegee Syphilis Study from 1932-72 as the reason for the lack of confidence in healthcare among Afro-Americans. What seperate, unethical incident occuring in 1951 served to further substantiate this mistrust?

In 1951, Dr George Otto Gey observed that cells from Henrietta Lacks could replicate multiple times resulting in the HeLa cells which have been instrumental for medical research but were harvested without the permissionsion (or even knowledge of) from the family.

5-Feb-2021

The Greensboro Four were the center of a highly publicized sit-in protest but they were not the first resist in this fashion. What was the earliest documented sit-in protest against racial discrimination in the US?

In August 1939, African-American attorney Samuel Wilbert Tucker organized the Alexandria Library sit-in at the then racially segregated library. Five well dressed African-Americans were arrested & charged with disordely conduct for quietly reading books apart from one another. The judge purposefully refused to issue a rulin and the case remained open until October 2019 when the court dropped the charges

2-Feb-2021

What was the goal of the Freedom Summer?

The Mississippi Summer Project was a 1964 voter registration drive in the state with the lowest black voter registraion percentage (6.7%).

Bonus Provide the movie poster of the Academy Best Picture nominated film based upon events of the Freedom Summer.

Mississippi Burning (1988)

27-Feb-2020

What federal instruction manual explicitly laid out segregationist policies like "redlining"?

The Underwriting Manual of the Federal Housing Administration which provided the guidelines for mortgage lending in the 1930's would not insure areas withthe description of "inharmonious racial groups". This is an overt example of the systematic racism that has yet to be fully resolved within government programs.

Bonus What is the projected impact of the changes the Dept of Housing and Urban Development proposed on January 14, 2020?

The changes would redefine the 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule so the focus is no longer on retarding segregaion. This comes after Fair Housing Advocates tried to sue HUD in 2018 over a failure to enforce fair housing laws.

21-Feb-2020

Was William Wells Brown's 1853 character Clotel based upon Thomas Jefferson's niece OR daughter?

Both! Jefferson's mixed-heritage slave mistress Sally Hemings was the daughter of John Wayles, Jeffereson's father-in-law. Thus the character of Clotel who is based upon one of his illegitamite daughters is also based upon the illegitimate niece of his legal wife Martha.

Bonus Jefferson freed all of Sally Heming's children as they came of age & they successfully joined white society. How were they able to do that in the early 1800s?

Sally Hemings children were all octaroons trained as artists who could ask for favors from the President of the United States.

18-Feb-2020

In response to California joining the Union in 1850; the US empowered slaveowners to reclaim fugative slaves from existing free states. Fugitives were denied the right of a jury trial to challenge slaveowner claims and/or prove their freedom; instead disputes which were handled by federal commisioners instead. How much were the commissioners paid if fugatives was released (proven free) and how much if a fugative was reclaimed?

Federal commissioners were paid by the slaveowners regardless of the judgement; $5 if the fugative was released vs $10 if the propery was returned. This uneven compensation along with inflated claims & heft fines on northerns judged to interfere with reclamation resulted in free blacks kidnapped into slavery as well.

Bonus Which general printed on currency lead raids against escaped slaves resulting in the Adams-Onís Treaty & the removal of Florida as a destination of the Underground Railroad?

Andrew Jackson

16-Feb-2020

What early Black academic publicly challenged an infamous Secretary of State on his view "that in imagination they [Africans] are dull, tasteless, and anomalous" using hsi own significant list of accomplishments as examples of what our race acan achieve without "tyrannical thraldom and inhuman captivity [of slavery]"?

Benjamin Banneker challenged Thomas Jefferson in his letter on August 19, 1791 (after his work surveying the planned Washington DC area). He prompted a response letter from Jefferson in which he informed that Bannerker's almanac was sent to France to prove/disprove it's accuracy.

Bonus What famous black inventor was allegedly castrated as a child resulting in claims of bisexuality & no children?

George Washington Carver

10-Feb-2020

There's a perception that desegregation has hurt Afro-American economic growth; that segregation laws forced us to invest in our communities despite the restrictions & lack of protections for black businesses. What 1920's black community is touted as an example of black economic success (due to segregation) & what happened to it?

The Greenwood District in Tulsa, OK was known as "Negro Wall Street" & was the wealthiest black community at the time. On May 31, 1921 Greenwood was decimated by riots between the segregated communities that destroyed thirty-five square blocks & left thousands homeless. This raises the question of "was segregation really more economically desirable when others can take or destroyyour wealth?"

Bonus What black businessman was killed for being "too successful to be a Negro"?

Ellmore Bolling

7-Feb-2020

What were the charges against this woman?

Angela Yvonne Davis was charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated kidnapping & first degree murder in the death of Judge Harold Haley.

Bonus Name the FBI's most wanted black female fugitive with connections to 90's Hip-Hop?

Assata Shakur (Tupac Shakur's godmother)

4-Feb-2020

What goverment program was used to disrupt & discredit Civil Rights groups & leaders for the security of the United States?

COINTELPRO (Counter Intelligence Program) was established in 1956 to attack communism however Civil Rights groups were added into it's scope the same year.

Bonus Who was quoted as saying "We expected about twenty Panthers to be in the apartment when the police raided the place. Only two of those black niggers were killed [Fred Hampton and Mark Clark]"?

FBI Special Agent Gregg York

28-Feb-2019

Which of these distinguished gentlement were born slaves?

Representatives Benjamin Sterling Turner (#2), Josiah T. Walls (#4), Jefferson F. Long (#5) & Joseph Hayne Rainey (#6) where the first members of Congress who were slaves.

25-Feb-2019

During what period did the Afro-American community assert their identity through cultural & intellectual advancement?

During the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s.

20-Feb-2019

How did this martyr die?

Carol Denise McNair died Sep 15, 1963; she was one of the four girls that died when the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL was bombed by terrorist.

14-Feb-2019

Happy Birthday to which prominent freedom fighter?

Frederick Douglass chose Feb 14 to celebrate his birthday because his mother used to call him her "little Valentine"; his real birthday was unknown.

9-Feb-2019

"Fight or Be Slaves" was the motto of what AFL charter organization?

Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters

5-Feb-2019

Who is this man & what did he do in 1979?

Ron Stallworth successfully infiltrated the Ku Klu Klan by posing as racist over the phone.

2-Feb-2019

Even after blackface performances stopped in 1981 the offensive imagery is still tempting to a large portion of society (including high school grads who grow up to be Democratic governors). Who was the first white man to dress up in blackface?

Lewis Hallam Jr was the first blackface actor in 1769.

1-Feb-2019

In honor of those who expanded Negro History Week to Black History Months in 1970, where is theis mural located?

Kent State University (Oscar Ritchie Hall)

Tiebreaker

As the tiebreaker I asked for the most iconic picture of the young revolutionary who under influences from Kwame Ture & Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin was expelled in 1969 & placed on a FBI Watchlist.

Winning Image
Runner Up
Runner Up

27-Feb-2018

What was the name and purpose of the 1967 gun control bill that was endorsed by the NRA & Ronald Regan who saw "No reason why on the street today a citizen should be carrying loaded weapons"?

The Mulford Act was a California bill repealing the law allowing the public carrying of loaded firearms in response to the Black Panther Party.

Bonus

Who said the liberties of the American people were dependent upon "the ballot-box, the jury-box and the cartridge-box; that without these no class of people could live and florish in this country."

Frederick Douglass

21-Feb-2018

Senators legally use filibusters to delay or block new laws. Southern senators used the longest filibusters evern in an attempt to prevent what legistlation?

South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond spoke for over twenty-four hours in an attempt to block the Civil Rights Act of 1957 whicha was intended to prosecute interference with Black voting.

Bonus

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was also threatened by excessiv filibustering. What senator left his death bed to cast the 67th vote that broke the filibuster & enacted the historic legistlation?

Claire Engle had recently undergone a second brain surgery to remove a tumor had lost his ability to speak; he voted "Aye" by pointing to his eye.

16-Feb-2018

Send me a picture of the tombstone of the last surviving slave in America.

Sylvester Magee claims the title on his tombstone but also alleges to have lived 130 years. At least six others have also claimed the title (P.Mills, T.Crosby, N.Lee, S.Brown, C.Smith & A.Reed).

Bonus

In January 2018 historians allege they have found the ruins of the last slave ship in America. Where?

The Clotilda was found on the muddy banks of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta in Alabama. It was believed to have been set on fire in July 1860 while illegally unloading; the remains of 110 slaves are believed to have been identified.

11-Feb-2018

White America has long used film to paint free blacks as savage & violent, contendoing they murder, rape & steal at a higher rate. Which NCAAP activist unsuccessfully protested what top grossing film proposing the narrative that white women need protection from black men?

William Monroe Trotter failed to stop "Birth of a Nation" in 1915 despite successfully banning "The Clansman" one year prior.

Bonus

In 2016 a Black director remade the film romanticising Nat Turner's rebellion but the release was dogged by what headline?

Allegations of rape resurfaced against the writer/director from a college incident severla years prior

3-Feb-2018

What were the first publications to publish this photo exhibiting the disparity of Civil Rights in the South?

The Chicago Defender & Jet Magazine were among the first verified publications to print the open casket photos of Emmett Till. Time, Newsweek & other national publications picked up the story later as it received international coverage.

Bonus What was the nickname of the witnesses in the Emmett Till trial that was arrested by a Mississippi sheriff preventing him from testifying in court?

Leroy "Too Tight" Collins

28-Feb-2017

"The cost of liberty [is] less than the cost of repression" are words W.E.B DuBois used to describe the philosophy of what revolutionary?

John Brown

Tiebreaker

As the tiebreaker I asked for the earliest verifiable Black History fact occuring in lands currently occupied by the United States.

Winning Answer - Juan Garrido, a free black conquistador, was the first documented black person to arrive in 1508 the Hispaniola. In 1513 he arrived in Florida in search of the fountain of youth.
Runner Up - In 1539, Estevanico was an African Slave used as a guide by the Spanish; is considered the first non-indian to "discover" the Southwest.
Runner Up - [Couldn't recover second runner-up submission]

26-Feb-2017

This image was form the interior panel of a brochure distributed in the fall of 1966. The black political organization chose the image of the black panther to represent courage and strenght. What was the official name of the organization?

Lowndes County Freedom Organization (commonly called the Black Panther Party) heavily influenced Huey Newton & Bobby Seale who went on to form the "Black Panther Party for Self-Defense". Newton & Seale were given permission from the LCFO to use the emblem.

Bonus

The LCFO was founded in 9165 under the direction of what Civil Rights group?

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

24-Feb-2017

Name the title & author fo the 1992 short story in which the US passed a referendum to trade African-American citizens to aliens in exchange for wealth, unlimited energy & an end to polluntants?

The Space Traders by Derrick Bell.

Bonus

Bell started his career in 1959 with the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice but was forced to resign for what reason?

Bell was force to resign for refusing to give up NAACP membership.

21-Feb-2017

Stevie Wonder recorded the popular "Happy Birthday" single in 1980 to advance what social political campaign?

Stevie Wonder wrote the song advocating making Martin Luther King's birthday a national holiday. There was alot of resistance from those who claimed it would be too expensive so close to the Christmas & New Years holidays.

19-Feb-2017

The National African American Museum of History & Culture in Washington DC opened to criticism in 2016 by omitting on of the most powerful & influential black persons of the past twenty-five years. Who?

Justice Clarence Thomas was omitted to the museum despite his power & influence; however Anita Hill is celebrated with her own exhibit.

15-Feb-2017

Marcus Garvey has been called an entrepreneur, political leaders, prophet, lunatic & traitor. The latter two characterizations stemmed from his meeting & acceptance of groups like the Ku Klux Klan. What about Garvey's philosophy was in line with white supremancy?

Marcus Garvey is largely attributed to populating separatism in the 1920s. His theme of "Back to Africa" has long been cosigned by white supremist.

Bonus

What 1919 business faacilited Black Zionism?

Black Star Line

8-Feb-2017

What are the names of the black men in this photo?

John Carlos & Tommie Smith won the gold & bronze medal in the 200m race at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. Outraged by the symbolism of this "Black Power" salute the Olympic Committee expelled Carlos & Smith from the Olympics.

Bonus

Prior the the demonstration Carlos & Smith realized they only had one pair of black gloves. What is the name of the Olympic Project for Human Rights supporter who suggested they each wear one glove?

Peter Norman (the silver medalists in the photo).

6-Feb-2017

On what date did the Supreme Court invalidate a key part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

On June 25, 2013 the Supreme Court ruled Section 4 unconstitutional, effectivley preventing the DOJ from enforcing voter protections against local legistlation. Justice Roberts claimed the law was based on "obsolete statistics" suggesting the country has moved forward.

Bonus

What US city violated the VRA 1965 by cancelling their 21st century election to avoid their first black mayor?

In 2001 Kilmichael, Mississippi cancelled the town election; the Justice Deparment intervened & forced a special election in which the first black mayor an three councilmen were elected.