William Still: Father Of The Underground Railroad

William Still Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! Underground Railroad Map The Underground Railroad was a network of individuals and organizations that helped people of African descent escape enslavement. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a pivotal hub and a frequent stop for those enslaved seeking to reach freedom in Canada or other northern cities. The…

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1919 Elaine Massacre: Setting A Precedent For Protecting Black Defendants' Rights In Racial Violence Cases

Elaine 12 Defendants Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! The 1919 Elaine Massacre took place in Elaine, Arkansas. One of the deadliest racial lynchings in U.S. history, the massacre began when black sharecroppers formed the Progressive Farmers and Household Union of America to demand higher wages and better cotton prices. Even with cotton prices soaring…

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Nat Turner And The 1831 Solar Eclipse That Launched A Slave Rebellion

In 1831, enslaved African American preacher Nat Turner launched a slave uprising, believing that a solar eclipse was a sign from God to begin the rebellion. Click the link to learn more.

Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History–Special Delivery! On August 7, 1831, thirty-year-old Nat Turner believed that a solar eclipse was a sign for him to embark on a slave uprising. A devout Christian, Turner documented experiencing several visions over the course of his life, which he believed God had given him as directions to free the enslaved.   Nat Turner was born…

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The National League For The Protection of Colored Women: Advocates On Assignment

The National League For The Protection of Colored Women aided black domestic workers migrating from the North to the South. These women were often targets of discrimination and oppression. Click the link to learn more.

Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! The National League For The Protection Of Colored Women was founded in 1906 by Frances Kellor and S.W. Layton. Layton was a black woman suffragist, religious leader, and civil rights activist. Kellor was a white social worker, author, and immigration reformer. The League focused its efforts on aiding women…

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Amanirenas: The Kushite Queen Who Defied Rome

Map Of Cush: Encyclopedia Britannica Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! Queen Amanirenas (pronounced AH-mah-nee-REH-nahs) is a revered queen of the ancient African Kingdom of Kush. She is known for leading a valiant defense of Kush against the Roman Empire. Born around 60 to 50 BCE, she was the second among the esteemed Kandakes, or queens, of Kush, which was located in present-day Sudan. Amanirena's reign overlapped that of Queen Cleopatra, who reigned from 51 BCE to 30 BCE.  Amanirenas, alongside her husband King Teriteqas and son Prince Akinidad, led her people in a fierce resistance against Roman efforts to subjugate Kush for taxation and tribute in Kush-controlled Nubia. During this conflict, Amanirenas’ husband was killed, leaving her as the sole ruler. Her throne was located in the capital city of Meroe. A formidable military leader, Amanirenas initially won several victories against the Roman Empire. One of the most notable victories was the sack of Syene in 24 B.C., where she defeated Roman forces led by Gaius Petronius. Pretorius was a Roman statesman and military leader serving under August Caesar Octavian. Petronius responded with crushing force, which produced significant losses for Kush, including the death of her son Akinidad during the occupation of Napata. Amanirenas is also reported to have lost an eye during one of the military battles, with historians referring to her as the “one-eyed Kandake.” Facing this and many other setbacks, Amanirenas continued to persevere. Knowing that her military forces were depleted and exhausted, she entered into peace negotiations in 24 B.C. This decision likely prevented the Roman conquest of her kingdom. The resulting peace treaty secured her kingdom's independence and sovereignty. A vital feature of the treaty ensured that Kush did not have to turn over any of its lands to become part of Roman territory, nor did it have to pay any tribute, unusual concessions not usually made by the Roman empire.  This queen’s achievements place her among a revered group of African women and political and military leaders. She is believed to have died around 10 BCE. For more information, check out this YouTube video on Queen Amanirenas. https://youtu.be/XVRFmdPbUnY?si=4Y7PeV8RlWn_AAdL Another installment of melanated mail has been delivered. Ponder, reflect, and pass it on. Read the full article

The Legacy Of The Black And Tan Republicans

Black Senator and Representatives in the 41st and 42nd Congress of the United States - 1872 Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! During the Reconstruction era period of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Black and Tan Republican Party emerged. The party was comprised of African Americans who supported the Republican Party, hoping to achieve equality, political representation, and economic opportunity. The Reconstruction era, which ensued following the Civil War, provided opportunities for political representation and engagement for formerly enslaved people of African descent. This period was marked by African Americans serving in various legislative and governmental roles for the first time in U.S. History. Black and Tan Republicans faced much opposition in their quest fight for equality. With the majority of the African American population residing in the South, the legacy of slavery continued to loom large. Many white Southerners sought to reinstate the power, control, and subjugation of the formerly enslaved. Southern Democrats were opposed to the idea of treating the formerly enslaved as equals. They actively sought to undermine Black communities through fear, intimidation, voter suppression, economic disenfranchisement, and violence. Despite their loyalty to the party, Black and Tan Republicans often found themselves marginalized and dismissed by white Republican Party members. As the 20th century began, the American political landscape continued its oppression against Black political activism by establishing the “Lily White” Republican faction within the Republican Party. Lily White Republicans sought the exclusion and segregation of Blacks from the Republican Party to maintain White control. The emergence of the Lily White faction sought to challenge the ideas of inclusion and equality promoted by Black and Tan Republicans.  The marginalized experience by Black and Tan Republicans caused many of them to question their allegiance to the Republican Party, which, following emancipation, no longer seemed to represent their interests. The rift between these two factions served to foreshadow the future realignment of Black voters with the Democratic Party, which ensued decades later. Black voters would slowly begin to transition to the Democratic Party, which by the mid-20th century was the primary political party embraced by black voters. The Democratic Party’s backing and support of the civil rights movement also made it the party of choice for Black voters. Today, the legacy of the Black and Tan Republicans serves as a reminder of the historical and present-day battle for freedom and justice.   Another installment of melanated has been delivered. Ponder, reflect, and pass it on. Read the full article

Michelle A. Roberts: First Woman To Lead The NBA Players Association Union

Michele Roberts made history as the first female executive director of the NBA Players Union. Click the link to learn more.

Michele Roberts Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History–Special Delivery! Born in 1956, Michelle A. Roberts has blazed an incredible trail of sports leadership in the United States. She was the first woman executive director of the National Basketball Players Association Union (NBPA) and the first woman to hold such a pivotal position in a major professional sports union in…

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How The Senate Filibuster Has Been Used To Thwart Civil Rights Legislation

Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! Named after a Dutch word for “pirate,” the filibuster has long been a contentious tradition in American politics, specifically within the U.S. Senate. A filibuster is a method used in the United States Senate to delay or block a vote on a measure by preventing debate on it from ending. The Senate’s rules place minimal…

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Georgia Gilmore And The Club From Nowhere: Unsung Heroes Of The Civil Rights Movement

Georgia Gilmore Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! Throughout the Montgomery Bus Boycott, there was an untold number of unsung heroes who worked tirelessly. In today’s post, we honor one of these unsung heroes, Georgia Gilmore. Using her culinary skills, she became a community organizer and change agent. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was an expensive and…

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The Compromise of 1877: Igniting The Flames Of Jim Crow Segregation And Discrimination

Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! The Compromise of 1877 was an informal agreement between southern Democrats and allies of the Republican candidate Rutherford Hayes to settle the result of the 1876 presidential election. This period also marked the end of the Reconstruction era. The compromise came about as a result of the disputed election returns from…

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The Prayer Pilgrimage For Freedom: A Call For Full School Desegregation Following Brown v. Board of Education

Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! On May 17, 1957, a crowd of approximately 25,000 convened at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., for the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom. This event included three hours of spirituals, songs, and speeches. It was a call to action targeted at the federal government to uphold the landmark Brown v. Board of Education…

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Say It With Me: I Am Somebody

Rev. Jesse Jackson Dr. William H. Borders Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History–Special Delivery! Rev. Jesse Jackson was born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina. His mother was Helen Burns. She was 17 years old at the time of his birth. His father was a married man from the neighborhood. Jackson was a standout football player. He was awarded a scholarship to…

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Daniel Alexander Payne: First Black President Of A U.S. College

Bishop Daniel A. Payne Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! Daniel Alexander Payne was a pioneering religious leader who challenged the racist belief in African American inferiority during the 19th century. Payne made history as the first black president of a college in the United States. Born free in 1811 to Methodist parents in Charleston, SC, Payne’s…

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A Path To Freedom: The Legacy Of Rocky Fork and Mother Priscilla Baltimore

Mother Priscilla Baltimore was a formerly enslaved woman who led hundreds of enslaved individuals to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Learn more: https://blackmail4u.wpcomstaging.com/?p=6300

Mother Priscilla Baltimore Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! The founding of Rocky Fork near Godfrey, Illinois, in 1816 represents a significant milestone in the struggle against slavery in the United States. Established by four free African American families, Rocky Fork swiftly emerged as a prominent Underground Railroad station, providing refuge and…

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The “Mothers of Gynecology” Monument:  Honoring The Lives Of Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy

The "Mothers of Gynecology" monument by Michelle Browder, stands as a powerful testament to the exploitation and suffering of Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy— enslaved women, mothers who endured tortuous pain in the name of medical advancement.

Welcome to Black Mail, where we bring you Black History—Special Delivery! The “Mothers of Gynecology” monument by Michelle Browder, unveiled in Montgomery, Alabama, in 2021, stands as a powerful testament to the resilience and suffering of Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy—three enslaved black women, mothers who bore the burden of J. Marion Sims’ brutal medical experiments during the mid-19th century,…

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