“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.
This year, according to The Association for the Study of African American Life in History (ASLAH), the theme for Black History Month is “African Americans and the Arts.” Baba Dr. Mangulizi Sanyika is a leading scholar-activist and university professor during the Civil Rights and Black Arts Movements. He says the Black Arts Movement articulated complex social justice, economic and racial issues; and that James Baldwin’s literary genius was the impetus of the Black Arts Movement.
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.
Special thanks to Pacifica stations and affiliates, and to 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
