Black Art & Activism – Ms. Cicely Tyson Tribute February 8, 2021

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“Real education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better”

― Dr. Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-Education of the Negro

CRD reflects on African American art and activism. While many African Americans are looking back to examine their history (SANKOFA), and reclaiming their lives and stories, CRD also honors a great one, Queen Mother, humanitarian, philanthropist, and actress Ms. Cicely Tyson. Voices from the Pacifica Network joined mourners all over the world to pay tribute to Tyson, including Dr. Johnetta Cole, Woody King, Jr. the godfather of Black Theater,  activist and humanitarian Danny Glover, Kevin Powell, as well as students and faculty of the Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts, in East Orange, New Jersey. 

Sam Collins, of the Juneteenth Legacy Project has good news about a new mural depicting the true story of June 19, 1865 on the Island of Galveston. Amsterdam News’ Josh Barker gives a report about the origins of Black History Month, and the theme.

Dr. Daryl Michael Scott, former national president of ASALH, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, says the relevance of February goes back to 1926, when ASALH’s visionary founder Dr. Carter G. Woodson first established “Negro History Week” during the second week of February. It encompasses the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln—both men being great American symbols of freedom. By 1976,  Black History Month became a national observance. Carter G. Woodson never confined Negro History to a week. His life’s work and the mission of ASALH since its founding in 1915 represent a living testimony to the year-round and yearly study of African American history.

CREDITS:

Special thanks 

This edition of “Covid, Race, and Democracy” was produced by Akua Holt and Fahima Seck, hosted by Akua Holt, and edited by Akua Holt, Lona Alias, and Polina Vasiliev. Steve Zeltzer, Polina Vasiliev,  and Akua Holt are the show’s executive producers.

Special thanks to Pacifica stations and affiliates, the Pacifica COVID task force, and producers Davey D, Imhotep Gary Byrd, Dr. Julianne Malveux, Fahima Seck, Lona Alias, and Polina Vasiliev.

PLAYLIST

Mahalia Jackson,  I AM Going To Live The Life I Sing about In My Song 

Takiyah Hall, Blessed Assurance *acapella 

Debra Laws and Hubert Laws, Family: The Laws family musical dynasty is amazing, With sister Debra Laws on lead vocals, this is the standout track on the 1980 Family album, with Bobby Lyle on fender & piano, Nathan East, bass, Ndugu Chancler, drums, tight musicianship, with a mixture of fuller arrangements & higher concept sounds, how can i forget Hubert Laws on flute

Rick Holmes and Roy Ayers, Remember

BHM Resource Guide 

BLACK HISTORY THEMES