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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Monday, June 04, 2007 - 2:30 pm
Bayard Rustin From Jessica McElrath Dates: March 17, 1912 - August 24, 1987 Occupation: activist Bayard Rustin, most noted for his behind-the-scenes work with Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement, was more than an activist for racial equality. He was committed to economic justice, labor rights, and by the end of his life, he had taken on humanitarian causes. Bayard Rustin’s Activist Upbringing Bayard Rustin was born on March 17, 1912 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Rustin had a rocky start in life. His mother, an unmarried woman, left him in the care of his grandparents. Rustin’s grandparents had a positive influence on his life and were instrumental in his future. Rustin looked on as his grandmother, a member of the NAACP, invited well known activists to stay in their home. Overnight visitors included W.E.B. Du Bois, James Weldon Johnson, and Mary McLeod Bethune. Rustin’s grandmother nurtured the activist spirit in him through the use of Quaker teachings. The Quakers believed that all people, regardless of race, were equal. Thus, for the Quakers, segregation laws were immoral. When Rustin matured, it was the Quaker stance on equality and not his race that led to his participation in the civil rights movement. Working with the Communists In 1932, after Rustin graduated from high school, he moved to Ohio to attend Wilberforce University. As a tenor, he established himself as an asset to the Wilberforce Quartet, but after two years at the university, he decided to move on. He eventually landed in New York City in 1937. He attended City College of New York and worked as a backup singer. Rustin’s passion for equality, however, led him to the Young Communist League. It was a brief membership that ended when he discovered that the group’s commitment to the end of discrimination was overrode by other causes. Bayard Rustin Embraces Pacifism Rustin’s 1941 departure led him on a new path. He worked briefly with labor leader A. Philip Randolph at the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, but decided instead to put his effort into the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), a peace organization. It was during this time that he became a pacifist. His study of Gandhi and his close working relationship with the organization’s leader, A.J. Muste, influenced his refusal to comply with the draft act. As a result, Rustin was sentenced to three years in federal prison. Shortly after Rustin’s release from prison, he participated in the FOR and Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) sponsored freedom rides in 1947. The rides were designed to test the Supreme Court ruling desegregating interstate buses. Rustin’s participation resulted in his arrest and conviction. He was sentenced to thirty days on a chain gang. Joining the Civil Rights Movement In 1953, Rustin broke off with FOR after his well publicized arrest for homosexual lewd conduct threatened to harm the reputation of the organization. Two years later, when Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as the leader of the Montgomery bus boycott, Rustin began his mentorship of King on nonviolent resistance. Once the boycott ended, Rustin urged King to form an organization dedicated to civil rights. With the help of Rustin, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was created in 1957. Rustin’s contribution to the civil rights movement was instrumental to its success. He was an adept organizer who is most noted for his management of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. His homosexual orientation, however, was at times a barrier. He was often forced to work behind-the-scenes with King and the SCLC. Bayard Rustin Moves beyond Civil Rights In 1965, Rustin decided to move away from civil rights. By this time, he believed that economic equality had become more important than civil rights. In 1968, Rustin and Randolph founded the A. Philip Randolph Institute, an organization dedicated to labor rights. Rustin became the executive director of the group. In the 1970s, Rustin began working for humanitarian causes. He served as the vice chairman of the refugee aid organization, the International Rescue Committee, and he worked with the group, Project South Africa. Rustin’s commitment to humanitarian causes came to an end on August 24, 1987, when he died of a perforated appendix in New York.
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Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Friday, June 08, 2007 - 5:48 pm
I just want to thank you, Ladytex, for all the amazing articles that you post in this thread. I've learned things that I would have otherwise not known. I appreciate being educated by you.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Friday, June 08, 2007 - 6:07 pm
You're very welcome, Mamie. I appreciate your saying that.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Friday, June 08, 2007 - 6:09 pm
Yep she's a peach.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Friday, June 08, 2007 - 8:32 pm
And I thank you too, Ladytex. I read lots of interesting stuff in here that I would not otherwise be exposed to, but I don't often think to thank you for taking the time to post it.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Saturday, June 09, 2007 - 9:02 pm
Slaves’ voyage of despair remembered Ceremonies held to honor those who died crossing Atlantic CHARLESTON, S.C. - Eighteen years ago, Tony Akeem organized a ceremony in New York City to honor the millions of Africans who died crossing the Atlantic during the slave trade. Similar observances have since spread around the world. On Saturday, offerings of water, honey and rum were poured along the shores of South Carolina and elsewhere for Middle Passage Remembrance Day. The remembrance is held the second Saturday in June. “We must, we must, honor our ancestors,” said Tony Akeem, who has been organizing an observance at Coney Island, N.Y., ever since a 1989 conference on the slave’s brutal trip was held at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he works as a photographer. The observances have spread from Philadelphia to San Francisco and from Brazil to Ghana. Most were started by people who have attended the New York event, Akeem said. Saturday marked the 10th year South Carolina was participating in the remembrance. About 100 people gathered at a Fort Moultrie dock on Sullivans Island near Charleston. Gateway to enslavement The first slaves arrived in Charleston in 1670, the same year the Carolina colony was created. Historians estimate nearly 40 percent of the millions of slaves brought to what became the United States passed through Charleston. Many others died at sea. “The stories run pretty strong that there were people who realized they were enslaved and would rather drown than be enslaved and when allowed up on the decks, would just jump into the water,” said Fran Norton of the Fort Sumter National Monument, which includes Fort Moultrie. “It commemorates those people who gave up their lives for freedom.” Just how many perished in the slave trade will never be known. “We know that many died of disease because they were packed in the ships like sardines,” said Osei Terry Chandler, a project director at a Charleston education facility who is helping organize the South Carolina memorial. An offering to the sea Participants at the ceremonies in New York and South Carolina drizzled water, rum and honey into the waves Saturday. Adjo Palmer, a Ghana native who led the South Carolina ritual, told The (Charleston) Post & Courier that such ceremonies are important in honoring her ancestors. “We didn’t come here on our own accord. We were brought here,” she said. “So while we are here, we just have to do what we have to do to survive. I thank our ancestors for bringing us this far and ... I pray that we will have unity and strength to go farther than where we are now.” “Pouring libations is simply to venerate your ancestors,” said Bill Jones, who helps organize the Coney Island ceremony. “It gives the ancestors a cool drink of water, or a little bit of gin or a little bit of rum, whatever you pour the libation with. “In African spirituality we believe we are in constant contact with our ancestors. They are not someplace in heaven, they are right here with us.”
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 9:23 am
Kool
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Retired
Member
07-11-2001
| Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 10:02 am
Adding my belated thanks for the info posted here. I may not always post, but I always read.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 1:11 pm
Poet explores forgotten black Civil War history Interesting article on the Louisiana Native Guard, an organization that I'd never heard of. In fact, quote:Few had heard of the Louisiana Native Guard from the 1861-1865 war until poet Natasha Trethewey explored their story in a book of poems that has just won the Pulitzer Prize.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 1:34 pm
Opening Up New "Posse"-bilities A Foundation Teams Up Groups Of Underprivileged Students Into "Posses" — And Success Follows Okay this story almost made me cry with happiness for these young adults.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 5:19 pm
I had never heard of the Louisiana Native Guard either. Wow love that posse idea.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Wednesday, June 13, 2007 - 3:40 pm
Congress Creating Cold Case Squad to Probe Civil Rights Cases WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress moved on Tuesday toward setting aside $100 million to create a Justice Department unit devoted to investigating unsolved murders from the civil rights era. A bill named in honor of slain black teenager Emmett Till, now advancing through the House and Senate, would establish a division of FBI agents and federal prosecutors who would focus strictly on the racially motivated slayings. <snip>
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Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Wednesday, June 13, 2007 - 3:53 pm
Took them long enough!
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Wednesday, June 13, 2007 - 6:00 pm
Yippee!!! Now they need to coax back some enthusiastic retiree volunteers to do the real work while the FBI sits back and takes all the credit, and they will really accomplish something. (I am thinking of the original cold case squad, which is retiree volunteers in Sacramento, CA. AARP Magazine featured them in May 2007. I know one of them.)
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Spangs
Member
10-07-2005
| Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 3:14 pm
hAPPY 40TH TO aretha's 'respect' http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/index.html
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 3:29 pm
(oo) What you want (oo) Baby, I got (oo) What you need (oo) Do you know I got it? (oo) All I'm askin' (oo) Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit) Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit) mister (just a little bit) I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone Ain't gonna do you wrong (oo) 'cause I don't wanna (oo) All I'm askin' (oo) Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit) Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit) Yeah (just a little bit) I'm about to give you all of my money And all I'm askin' in return, honey Is to give me my profits When you get home (just a, just a, just a, just a) Yeah baby (just a, just a, just a, just a) When you get home (just a little bit) Yeah (just a little bit) ------ instrumental break ------ Ooo, your kisses (oo) Sweeter than honey (oo) And guess what? (oo) So is my money (oo) All I want you to do (oo) for me Is give it to me when you get home (re, re, re ,re) Yeah baby (re, re, re ,re) Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit) When you get home, now (just a little bit) R-E-S-P-E-C-T Find out what it means to me R-E-S-P-E-C-T Take care, TCB Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me) A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me) Whoa, babe (just a little bit) A little respect (just a little bit) I get tired (just a little bit) Keep on tryin' (just a little bit) You're runnin' out of foolin' (just a little bit) And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit) (re, re, re, re) 'spect When you come home (re, re, re ,re) Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit) And find out I'm gone (just a little bit) I got to have (just a little bit) A little respect (just a little bit) Link to lyrics and music video
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Spangs
Member
10-07-2005
| Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 3:33 pm
You got me out my seat Lady!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 3:40 pm
You got me to come in and check on you, Lady. I could NOT imagine what "oo what you want baby..." was all about. LOL! *RESPECT* Great song!
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Retired
Member
07-11-2001
| Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 4:40 pm
Thanks LT. I remember it well. It can't be 40 yr. ago cause I'm not that old am I? 
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 5:14 pm
Thanks Spangs, I didn't realize it was 40 yrs today ... that's been one of my songs for years, I remember singing that in an elementary school talent show, LOL ... that along with Chaka
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Spangs
Member
10-07-2005
| Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 5:22 pm
Aretha and Chaka........Ain't Nobody! And I didn't know you could blow too!
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Goddessatlaw
Member
07-19-2002
| Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 5:23 pm
Fantastic recording, I can't believe it's 40 years now and Aretha's voice is every bit as hot as it was back then. BTW I think I remember this recording was voted the 2nd best rock recording of all time, right behind the Stones' "Satisfaction." Favorite Aretha moment (she gives divas a good name) is when she came out (on the Grammies I think) and sang "Nessum Dorma" for Pavarotti when he had an attack of the sore throats a few minutes before he was to go on. Ya, it was probably planned that way for effect and whatnot. But damn, didn't she make me revisit that song, one of my favorites of all time. Untouchable, she is.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 5:28 pm
GAL, I remember that. I first thought "Aretha singing opera??? WTH???" but she did it!! dang, did she do it!! Yep, Spangs, I channeled Aretha and Chaka, LOL
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Friday, June 15, 2007 - 1:10 pm
'Cream of Wheat' man gets grave marker
LESLIE, Mich. - A man widely believed to be the model for the smiling chef on Cream of Wheat boxes finally has a grave marker bearing his name. Frank L. White died in 1938, and until this week, his grave in Woodlawn Cemetery bore only a tiny concrete marker with no name. On Wednesday, a granite gravestone was placed at his burial site. It bears his name and an etching taken from the man depicted on the Cream of Wheat box. Jesse Lasorda, a family researcher from Lansing, started the campaign to put the marker and etching on White's grave. "Everybody deserves a headstone," Lasorda told the Lansing State Journal. He discovered that White was born about 1867 in Barbados, came to the U.S. in 1875 and became a citizen in 1890. When White died Feb. 15, 1938, the Leslie Local-Republican described him as a "famous chef" who "posed for an advertisement of a well-known breakfast food." White lived in Leslie for about the last 20 years of his life, and the story of his posing for the Cream of Wheat picture was known in the city of 2,000 located between Jackson and Lansing and about 70 miles west of Detroit. The chef was photographed about 1900 while working in a Chicago restaurant. His name was not recorded. White was a chef, traveled a lot, was about the right age and told neighbors that he was the Cream of Wheat model, the Jackson Citizen Patriot said. Long owned by Kraft Foods Inc., the Cream of Wheat brand was sold this year to B&G Foods Inc.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Friday, June 15, 2007 - 1:17 pm
Well bout time.
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