african american

Predatory Blending

Black History: Special Delivery!!

Today, I came across a quote I shared on social media on “predatory blending”. It is just as true today as it was 11 years ago and inspired more reflection to flow from my pen:

Beware of “Predatory Blending”. Your associations should embrace you not erase you. -Enid Gaddis, Black Mail Founder

I created the term, “predatory blending” to describe the assimilation that can be expected from black people or other people of color as we navigate, infiltrate, integrate, and situate ourselves in various settings from employment, entrepreneurship, community involvement, civic engagement, education, etc.

There are times when our “acceptance” or even or “eligibility” for inclusion is based on our ability to assimilate. Assimilation leads to erasure. When assimilation is required for acceptance, the often hidden but powerful forces of “predatory blending” are at work.

Don’t allow your wisdom, wit, and work to be manipulated and re-worked so that your influence and imprint is watered down and unrecognizable. Don’t let systems and shysters mine the riches of your intellect and innovation co-opting it for causes that refuse to accept the totality and phenomenality of your essence and presence. Bring the fullness of YOU into these spaces. Refuse to be erased.

June 17, 2020 3

54th Anniversary of “I Have A Dream Speech”

Black History: Special Delivery!!

August 28, 2017 marks the 54^th anniversary of the historic “I Have A Dream Speech” given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, in Washington, DC during the March on Washington. More than 200,000 flooded the capital for the historic speech. Below are some little known facts about the March that you may not know.

The March on Washington along with the speech given by Dr. King was said to pressure President Kennedy to approve federal civil rights legislation in Congress.
Dr. King was not the “originator” of the “I have a dream” language contained in his speech. It is likely that this language was first used by then 22 year old Prathia Hall after the burning of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in 1962. King had preached at a church service following the bombing. Prathia Hall prayed during the service. During her prayer she shared the “I have a dream” language. Check out our previous Black Mail post for more information on Prathia Hall. https://wordpress.com/post/blackmail4u.com/169
Originally, the speech was entitled, “Normalcy – Never Again” and did not contain any “I have a dream” wording. Dr. King was encouraged by gospel singer Mahalia Jackson who whispered to him during the speech, “Tell ‘em about the dream Martin. Tell em’ about the dream.“
Dr. King was the last speaker of the day. Many of the march participants, had already left to return to their homes and missed the historic speech.
William Sullivan, head of the FBI’s domestic intelligence division wrote a memo after the speech labeling Dr. King “as the most dangerous Negro of the future in this nation from the standpoint of communism, the Negro, and national security.”
King’s speech, initially did not get much attention in the media. The march itself received most of the media attention. By the time of King’s death in 1968, the speech, had been largely forgotten.
Dr. King first shared, “I have a dream” during a speech in Detroit two months before the March on Washington. Several of his staffers actually tried to discourage him from using the language again.

Check out a video excerpt of the speech:

Source(s):

Blackmail4u.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I47Y6VHc3Ms&feature=yout

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/08/i-have-a-dream-speech-facts-trivia.html

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/28/us/mlk-i-have-a-dream-9-things/index.html

August 28, 2017 3

Richard Ewell: 1st African American To Win National Figure Skating Title

Black History: Special Delivery!!

Richard Ewell was the first African American to win national skating titles in pair skating (1972) and singles skating (1970). He won the pair skating title with African American skater Michelle McCladdie. Ewell’s first figure skating coach was the legendary African American skater, Mabel Fairbanks. Ewell later went on star in Icecapades and now coaches figure skating in California.

http://figureskating.about.com/od/profilesoffamousskaters/tp/afroamskaters.htm

https://blackmail4u.com/2015/10/12/mabel-fairbanks-african-american-pioneer-in-figure-skating/

February 28, 2017 0

Thank Dr. Clarence Ellis When You Click An Icon On Your Computer!

Black History: Special Delivery!!

Dr. Clarence “Skip” Ellis (1943-2014) earned a Ph.D in Computer Science from the University of Illinois. He was the first African American to gain a Ph.D in this area of study. A dedicated educator, he loved to teach students who were new to the field of study and who lacked experience. Ellis was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. Ellis was also instrumental in the development of “groupware” technology. This technology makes it possible for several people to collaborate on a document at the same time. His work made it possible for programs such as Google Docs and Sharepoint software to be developed. He is also credited with inventing the technology we now use to click “icons” on a computer screen to execute computer commands.

Continue reading “Thank Dr. Clarence Ellis When You Click An Icon On Your Computer!” →

February 2, 2017 0

A Legend Honors A Legend: Stevie Wonder Reflects On Prince

Black History: Special Delivery!!

Stevie Wonder, was interviewed on CNN about how Prince influenced him. A legend honors, a legend!! Check out the video.

April 22, 2016 1

Singer Natalie Cole dead at 65

Black History: Special Delivery!!

Singer, Natalie Cole has died at age 65. Her death reportedly stems from congestive heart failure. She is the daughter of Nat King Cole. Another phenomenal woman has left us. Check out the New York Daily News article below for more information

http://m.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/singer-natalie-cole-dead-65-article-1.2482580

The Legacy Of Wilsonism

Click the link to learn more about the devastating impact of Woodrow Wilson’s presidency on African Americans. You will also learn about how students at Princeton University (where Wilson served as college president) are rallying to expose his racist legacy!

The legacy of Wilsonism – http://wp.me/pzXeC-4f4

Originally posted on:
Humanizingthevacuum.wordpress.com

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November 28, 2015 2

Negritude: Disorder Of Being Black

Black History: Special Delivery!!

Dr. Benjamin Rush is known as the “Father Of American Psychiatry”. He was also an abolitionist. Rush believed that blacks suffered from a disorder he called “Negritude” due then having dark skin. He described this condition as being akin to leprosy. The only cure for the condition was to become white.

Dr. Rush sited the case of Henry Moss, a slave who lost his dark skin color (probably through vitigulo), to support his claim of Negritude being a medical condition. He thought being black was a curable skin disease. Rush wrote that “Whites should not tyrannize over [blacks], for their disease should entitle them to a double portion of humanity. However, by the same token, whites should not intermarry with them, for this would tend to infect posterity with the ‘disorder’… attempts must be made to cure the disease.”

Some of our Black Mail readers may remember our previous post about “Drapetomania”, a condition used to that characterized the desire of slaves to run away and seek freedom as an illness.

Scientific racism is institutional and systemic. It exists today.

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November 28, 2015 9