Black History Month 2012: Phylicia Rashād

Today we celebrate an actress and activist, the wonderful Phylicia Rashād. Born Phylicia Ayers-Allen in 1948, she has blended her long acting career with a passion for celebrating black history and breaking down barriers. As a child, Phylicia, her older brother Andrew and younger sister, Debbie Allen, lived in Mexico to escape US racism. Rashad is fluent in Spanish and upon returning to the United States, became a champion for civil rights. After graduating from Howard University, she made her early career on the Broadway stage. In 1983, she moved to television, starting with a role on One Life to Live.

Rashād took on the role for which she is best known the following year when she was cast as Claire Huxtable on the long-running sitcom The Cosby Show. Playing a wise, practical mother, she also made a point of injecting black history lessons into a number of shows. During the program’s eight-year run, she was nominated for two Emmy awards. After the series ended, she took on a number of other TV and movie roles. She also returned to the stage as time permitted.

While maintaining an active career, Rashād also worked tirelessly to promote the arts in America, especially the contributions of African-Americans. Her work has been recognized with a number of awards and honorary degrees. When she received an NAACP Image Award in 2009, the presenters called her the mother of the African-American community. In 2008, she also won a Tony Award for her performance in a revival of Lorraine Hansberry‘s A Raisin In the Sun. What is shocking to me is that it was not until 2008 that an African-American won a Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play.

Still going strong at 64, Phylicia Rashād has much more to offer and much energy and wisdom to share. Let’s close with her own words:

The stubbornness I had as a child has been transmitted into perseverance. I can let go but I don’t give up. I don’t beat myself up about negative things. There’s always something to suggest that you’ll never be who you wanted to be. Your choice is to take it or keep on moving.

Tags: acting, Black History, Black History Month, Civil Rights, Cosby Show, NAACP, NAACP Image Awards, One Life to Live, Phylicia Rashād, Racism, Tony Awards

Hero of the Week Award: February 24, Karen Golinski

Hero of the Week

In case after case, the forces of inequality are losing ground as courts make fair decisions. This week we are pleased to present the HWA to a woman who stood up for her rights and made progress for all of us. Karen Golinski  has worked for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for two decades. When California law allowed her and her partner, Amy Cunninghis, to marry, they joyfully did so. Since she had a legal spouse under California law, Golinski sought spousal insurance coverage from her employer. Because of the nefarious “Defense of Marriage” Act (DOMA), the federal court denied her claim (talk about lack of civil rights).

Karen Golinski did not give up. She followed each step in the tortuous path to receive the legitimate benefits, culminating with a lawsuit. This week, U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey White ruled that by creating an unequal class of married persons, DOMA violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. Fighting this kind of legal battle is demanding, even when you know you are right. The LGBT community and everyone interested in equal rights for all owe Ms. Golinski and Ms. Cunninghis a debt of gratitude for standing up for their rights.

Honorable mention in this case goes to the couple’s superior legal team and to Judge White. The Judge presented a strong decision based on numerous cases in recent years that declares clearly that centuries of oppression are not legal grounds for discrimination. While the forces of bigotry will certainly appeal this decision, the reasoning is sound and in the long term equality will prevail. For a detailed legal analysis, visit the legal scholar at Towelroad.

Tags: Amy Cunninghis, Civil Rights, DOMA, Equal Protection, Gay Rights, Health Benefits, Hero of the Week, Judge Jeffrey White, Karen Golinski, Marriage Equlaity

Bigot of the Week Award: February 24, Gov. Chris Christie

Bigot of the Week

Surprising no-one, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie bucked the trend of equality sweeping the nation this week by vetoing a marriage equality bill passed by his state’s legislature. Thank you to my friend and LGBT ally Sara Carmona for her nomination of Christie. Despite pressure from advocacy groups, local politicians of both major parties, and a phone call from Washington Governor Christine Gregoire (who had just signed a similar law), Christie played politics with the civil rights of thousands of New Jersey citizens.

The Governor continues to hide behind a two-pronged attack on equality. First, he maintains that changing marriage law should be put to a vote of the people, an absurd claim that civil rights require a stamp of majority approval. This is also an ironic dodge given that all recent polls show a safe majority of New Jersey citizens supporting full marriage equality. Second, Christie points to New Jersey’s civil union law, saying that separate but equal should be just fine for the gays. REALLY? Wasn’t that concept thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court fifty years ago, Governor?

It’s very clear that Christie is playing the political odds here. He wants to run for president in 2016 (being too afraid to challenge President Obama this year) and can’t risk a pro-equality vote that would alienate the slavering hordes of tea party types that vote in Republican primaries. As equality sweeps the nation, however, that move may be a major miscalculation as equality may well be the standard by the time he tries to run. He certainly wasn’t prepared for the strong backlash as demonstrated in this bloviating, ineffective attempt at defending his position.  Christie, yet another Republican on the wrong side of history!  Christie better be careful, for the Gay Agenda will be watching his actions!

A sad dishonorable mention this week goes to Daniel Porkorney, the mayor of La Grande, Oregon, who posted anti-equality statements (including approval of Christie’s action) on his Facebook page. He quickly learned the lesson so many celebrities have learned — online words will bite you — as his community mounted a petition demanding his resignation and forced a strong apology.

Tags: Bigot of the Week, Chris Christie, Civil Rights, Daniel Pokorney, Gay Marriage, Governor Christine Gregoire, hypocrisy, La Grande Oregon, Marriage Equality, New Jersey, Republican presidential candidates

Black History Month 2012: Alexander Twilight

Today we celebrate another early pioneer who broke multiple color barriers in the 19th Century: educator, legislator, and clergyman Alexander Twilight. Born in Corinth, VT in 1795, Twilight was probably of mixed race although hi’s parents are recorded in the town archives as “the first negroes” to settle in the area. As a youth he performed farm work while pursuing his education. He entered Middlebury College as Junior in 1821. When he graduated two years later, he became the first African-American to receive a degree from an American college.

He began teaching in Peru, NY, where he met and married Mercy Ladd Merrill. He also continued his studies, focusing on theology. After a few more years of teaching in various north Vermont towns, he was invited to be the principal of the Orleans County Grammar School in Brownington, VT, the only school serving two counties. After settling into his post he also became the minister of the local Congregational church. His school grew quickly, and he did not have room for boarding students. He pressed his board for funds and when turned down found independent funding to build Athenian Hall. Now know as the Old Stone House, it was the first granite building in the state and was large enough to house the Twilight family, boarding students and some school business functions. It is now a museum for Orleans County.

Alarmed by plans to split his district in two — he stridently maintained that one good district was far superior to two mediocre ones — Twilight sought a seat in the Vermont General Assembly. When he won the office, he became the first African-American elected to a state legislature. Most historians agree that he was in fact the first African-American elected official of any sort in the country.

Known for his iron will as well as his grace and humor, Twilight continued to butt heads with his board, eventually resigning and moving to Quebec. After four years the school was on the brink of closure and he was invited back. He resumed his posts as principal and minister. Twilight suffered a stroke in 1855 and was forced to retire. He died two years later and was buried in Brownington. A number of buildings and schools around the country have been named in honor of this pioneer.

Tags: Alexander Twilight, Black History, Black History Month, Breaking Color Barriers, Civil Rights, education, elected officials, Middlebury College, Racism, Vermont

Black History Month 2012: Charlotta Bass

Today we honor and celebrate a writer, activist, and politician: Charlotta Bass. Born Charlotta Spears in 1874 in South Carolina, she was the sixth of eleven children. At twenty, she moved to Providence, RI to live with her brother. While there, she began working at the Providence Watchman. After ten years, she moved to California for her health and began working at theCalifornia Eagle, a significant African-American newspaper.  When a new editor, Joseph Bass, joined the paper in 1912, they quickly realized their shared passion for eliminating discrimination and injustice. They married soon after and became co-editors. By 1927, after the paper had new ownership and Bass was put in charge of all operations.

Her purpose for the California Eagle was to write about the wrongs of society. The newspaper served as a source of both information and inspiration for the black community, which was either ignored or negatively portrayed by the predominant white press. She wrote regular columns and ensured a consistent editorial policy. When her husband died in 1934, Charlotta took over as sole publisher of the paper, becoming the first African-American woman to run a newspaper. She also understood the intersections of oppression, and in the 1940′s, Bass’s newspaper pioneered multiethnic politics, advocating Asian American and Mexican American civil rights. (Sounds like a good social worker to me)

Bass was also an outspoken civil rights activist, working closely with the NAACP and the United Negro Improvement Association. During the Depression, she helped spearhead the “Don’t Buy Where You Can’t Work” campaign, encouraging African-Americans to be selective shoppers and to open their own businesses. She served in a  number of capacities as a political organizer and campaign coordinator, using her voice and her press to push for equality and against violence.

After she retired from the newspaper business in 1951, she was quickly approached by the Progressive Party. Nominated as their candidate for Vice President in 1952, she was the first African-American woman to run for national office. Her platform called for civil rights, women’s rights, an end to the Korean War, and peace with the Soviet Union. Bass’s slogan during the vice presidential campaign was, “Win or lose, we win by raising the issues.” She lived up to that claim, continuing to advocate for equality, quality education, and peace. She operated a small library out of her garage in her later years, providing books to neighborhood children, meeting her long commitment to local as well as national action. She died in 1969 but is still recognized today as an unmatched voice in the fight for a better world (I think I’m in love with this woman).

Tags: Civil Rights, Racism, Black History Month, NAACP, social justice, Newspapers, Journalism, social work, elections, Black History, Vice-Presidential Candidates, Charlotta Bass, California Eagle, Activists, United Negro Improvement Association, Progressive Party

Black History Month 2012: Stevie Wonder

Today we honor and celebrate one of the most successful musicians of the rock era, Stevie Wonder. Stevland Hardaway Morris was born blind in Michigan in 1950. He signed with Motown records at the tender age of 11 and has stayed with the label for 50 years. During that time, his career has been virtually unparalleled as he has composed dozens of classic songs and racked up a huge number of hits on the pop and R&B charts.

When Billboard magazine celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Hot 100 in 2008, Wonder was ranked #5 all-time, the highest ranking for an African-American performer. He has 65 hits, 27 in the Top 10 and nine going all the way to #1 (for a total of 21 weeks at the top). He’s also the 4th biggest performer on the R&B charts with 72 hits, 48 Top 10 and 19 #1s (second only to Aretha Franklin) spending 67 weeks at the top. Wonder has also won 22 Grammy Awards and numerous other musical accolades.

Throughout his career, Wonder has defied categorization and expectations, creating new sounds with each album and crafting lyrical and keyboard parts that challenge anyone else who attempts them. He helped revolutionize the use of synthesizers and electronic keyboards, making warm soungs from cold instruments. He has also used his fame to improve the world, pushing for civil rights (including an instrumental role in the creation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service). In 2009, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace in recognition of his work.  You have to love our Stevie Wonder!  Just to be a bit self-indulgent here, I have to link to one of my favorites.

Tags: Black History, Black History Month, Civil Rights, Grammy Awards, music, Number One Hits, R&B, Stevie Wonder

Black History Month 2012: Maggie L. Walker

Today we honor and celebrate a teacher and businesswoman who broke through color and gender barriers, Maggie L. Walker. Born to freed slaves in Richmond, VA in 1864, Maggie Lena Mitchell attended the public schools and helped her mother deliver laundry. She taught school for three years until her marriage to Armisted Walker, Jr. His work as a contractor provided a good income, so she focused on raising a family and dedicated herself to the Independent Society of St. Luke, a fraternal burial society that administered to the sick and aged, promoted humanitarian causes ,and encouraged individual self-help and integrity.

In 1902, she launched a newsletter to raise awareness for the group. Realizing that the Richmond chapter required financial stability, she founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank. By doing so, she became the first woman to found a bank in the U.S. and the first female bank president. While she maintained a clear head for the business of the bank, she was also dedicated to helping the community and used the bank’s power to help African-Americans in Richmond buy homes and start businesses. By 1929, St. Luke had absorbed all the African-American  banks and become the Consolidate Bank and Trust; Walker became Chair of the bank’s Board of Directors.

Walker fell on the steps of her home in 1907 and injured her knees. The damage eventually became so severe that she was confined to a wheelchair. She used her personal experience and wealth to begin advocating for the disabled as well as the African-American community. She died in 1934, still serving as Chair of the bank and using her influence to make life better for others. Her home is now operated by the National Park Service as a museum and information center dedicated to this remarkable woman.

Tags: banking, Black History, Black History Month, Civil Rights, disabilities, education, Maggie L. Walker, Racism, St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, Women's history

Black History Month 2012: Wilson Cruz

Today we honor and celebrate an actor who uses his fame to support the diverse communities of his heritage, Wilson Cruz. Born in Brooklyn in 1973, his parents are of mixed African and Puerto Rican descent. Cruz knew he was gay at a young age and came out to his parents at 19. His father was not accepting, so he spent several months living in his car and with friends. He decided to move to Hollywood to pursue his dream of acting.

Cruz has been out as an actor from the beginning. His first big break was playing the gay teen Rickie on the cult classic TV show My So-Called Life. He has had numerous television and movie roles since the show’s cancellation. Most recently he was a regular character on the gay African-American cable drama Noah’s Arc.

As a gay man coming from African-American and Latino background, Cruz has a deep appreciation for the challenges faced by LGBT people of color. He also understands the added challenges of being a gay youth in the religious and machismo cultures that can dominate his heritage. Since the beginning of his career, he has worked closely with organizations that support gay youth including hosting YouthZone on Gay.com. Living his life out and proud, he is a beacon of hope for LGBT youth of color.

Tags: Black History, Black History Month, Civil Rights, Gay.com, Latinos, LGBT Youth, My So-Called Life, Noah's Arc, social justice, television, Wilson Cruz

Black History Month 2012: Jacqueline Woodson

Today we honor and celebrate an award-winning author of books for children and young adults, Jacqueline Woodson. Born in Columbus, OH in 1963, she has won a Coretta Scott King Award (for 2001′s Miracle’s Boys) and has three Newberry Honor books. She is an out lesbian with a profound understanding of the intersections of oppression. The goal of her writing is to make these themes approachable to a young audience. Woodson lists some literary powerhouses as her influences, including James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Nikki Giovanni.

Throughout her work, she explores themes of gender, sexual identity, race, and class–I like to think of her Social Worker/Writer!

[I wanted] to write about communities that were familiar to me and people that were familiar to me. I wanted to write about communities of color. I wanted to write about girls. I wanted to write about friendship and all of these things that I felt like were missing in a lot of the books that I read as a child.

Although most of her books are narrated from a female cisgender perspective, she has written fiction with a transgender voice and three books told from a male perspective. Because she writes honest, sometimes painful narratives, her books are often challenged in schools  and libraries. Despite the heavy themes, Woodson believes that good fiction, especially for young adult readers, should have some element of hope.

If you love the people you create, you can see the hope there.

She feels this is especially true because effective young adult fiction is much less implicit and more immediate. For more information on this wonderful writer who helps young people see the world through their own lens, visit her website.

Tags: authors, Black History, Black History Month, Civil Rights, Coretta Scott King Award, fiction, Jacqueline Woodson, Lesbians, LGBT Fiction, Oppression, Racism, social justice, social work, young adult books

Black History Month 2012: Ralph Bunche

Today we honor a celebrated diplomat and political scientist, Nobel Laureate Ralph Bunche. In 1950, Bunche was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in Palestine, the first person of color to be awarded this honor.

Ralph Bunche was born in Detroit, MI at the turn of the 20th Century. He was a brilliant student, emerging top of his class in high school and at UCLA. He earned his Master’s and PhD in Political Science from Harvard while teaching at Howard University. He chaired the Howard PoliSci department from 1928 to 1950.

During World War II, Bunche served with the OSS and parlayed that experience into a post with the State Department after the war. He was closely involved in creating the charter for the nascent United Nations and worked closely with Eleanor Roosevelt on the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Starting in 1947, he began working on the Arab-Israeli conflict and was the UN’s primary negotiator. Firm but fair, he was respected by all parties and helped craft the first major Middle-East armistice. He went on to help mediate in numerous other strife-torn regions and was eventually made UN Undersecretary-General.

Bunche was also involved in US politics, especially the civil rights movement. He helped support the 1963 March on Washington and was an outspoken advocate for racial equality. Despite his prominence, he suffered direct racism in his neighborhood, being denied membership in a local tennis club in 1959. Ralph Bunche was an amazing force for good in the world. Let us try to live up to his vision:

May there be, in our time, at long last, a world at peace in which we, the people, may for once begin to make full use of the great good that is in us.

Tags: Black History, Black History Month, Civil Rights, Civil Rights Movement, Nobel Peace Prize, Racism, Ralph Bunche, United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights