Black History Spotlight by Rob Wasielewski

If you have time after posting your learnings, reflect on any of the following questions by commenting below...

robjwas — 2021-02-26 03:54:38 UTC

Why do we need Black History Month? What is the goal?

Are there any downsides to Black History Month?

What should be the purpose of Black History Month?

Underground Railroad

alexk10 — 2021-02-26 21:02:53 UTC

The Underground Railroad was a network of routes used by escaped slaves to get to Canada. Although it was not actually underground, there were some “ safe houses” along the way. These house usually had 1 or 2 secret rooms that the slaves could hide in if slave owners or police came by.

Sources
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/maps/undergroundrailroad/

Underground Railroad

benf4 — 2021-02-26 21:04:49 UTC

The Underground Railroad was a network used by enslaved people to obtain their freedom. The railroad was made of different paths and people helping with the railroad. They added stations secretly to make sure it was kept quiet. Very few people kept records about the secret activity.
We need BHM (Black History Month) to reflect upon everything that has happened in this country including the slavery of African-American people, it was/is a terrible thing. I do not see any downsides to BHM. The purpose of BHM should be to prevent racism and help others understand the importance of equality
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/maps/undergroundrailroad/

The Underground Railroad

mirak6 — 2021-02-26 21:09:54 UTC

The Underground Railroad was a network that enslaved people used to escape to freedom that went all across northern U.S and Canada. Those like Harriet Tubman who guided enslaved people to freedom were “conductors”. The enslaved people were “passengers” and the places they would hide when they rested were “stations”. If caught, enslaved people would be forced to turn around and go back to slavery.

Harriet Tubman!

serenr — 2021-02-26 21:13:07 UTC

Born in 1820 and died in 1913, Harriet was a brave woman.
She helped many enslaved escape and, in the war, worked as a cook, nurse, and even a spy.

She suffered an injury that would affect her, her whole life. When she was helping someone escape slavery, an angry overseer threw a two pond wight. Now she sometimes randomly falls into a deep sleep.

Harriet Tubman was a amazing woman.

-Seren LR

The Arctic Journey of Matthew Henson

seanh8 — 2021-02-26 21:13:31 UTC

Matthew Henson was hired as an explorer by Robert Edwin as his valet for expeditions. For more than two decades Matthew’s crew explored the arctic, and on April 6, 1909, Peary, Henson and the rest of their crew made history, becoming the first people to get to the north pole, or so they said. 50 or so years later, Henson died in New York, 1955. Matthew Alexander Henson was born August 8th, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland. Henson lost his mother at an early age. When Henson was 4, his father and family moved to Washington D.C, in search of better opportunities. His father died a few years later.

Source: https://www.biography.com/explorer/matthew-henson

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

2021-02-26 21:13:49 UTC

During WWII African American women were sent to work in Birmingham England, Rouen, France and Paris, France there mission was to clear several years of  backlogged mail in the European Theater of Operations.  major Charity Adams commanded the battalion.  She had joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC—the predecessor to the WAC) in 1942 and became the first African American woman to receive an Army commission.  She ended the war as a lieutenant colonel and as the highest ranking black woman in the Army. All the positions of the Army battalion—communications, record keeping, and recreation—were staffed by black women. Several members of the unit’s basketball team were invited to play on an Army all-star team, but when the Army realized the players were black, the invitation was rescinded. Because Army policy forbade the mixing of races in units, including sports teams. In protest all the women showed up the big game anyways. 
In 1946 the battalion was disbanded. 
-----Lillie

M:\ Macintosh\ Users\ Sweaty\ Downloads\ The Underground Railroad.pdf

odysseusg1 — 2021-02-26 21:18:12 UTC

The Underground Railroad was a network of routes used by enslaved African Americans to escape enslavement. The Underground Railroad was run by abolitionists who opposed slavery. The railroad is run through small actions meant to help enslaved people. Very little information was kept on the Underground Railroad to stop slave owners from learning more.

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/maps/undergroundrailroad/

Harriet Tubman

arthurc14 — 2021-02-26 21:22:24 UTC

You might know Harriet Tubman as the Underground Railroad, but did you know that she lead one of the biggest union attacks on a confederate base in South Carolina? Harriet Tubman is an abolitionist, and she was friends with Fredrick Douglas, and many high ranking politicians. She was given a house in 1859 by the 2nd highest rank in the government and it was 7 acres. Harriet Tubman was a hero and was very well known. She died in 1913.

Harriet Tubman

iant12 — 2021-02-26 21:28:25 UTC

Was born enslaved in 1820. Her mom was Harriet Green, and her dad was Ben Ross. She suffered physical abuse as a child, once someone through a 2 pound weight at her head, which caused her to have many Brain issues for the rest of her life. She made 19 trips through the Underground Railroad in ten years and freed over 300 people. She also worked as a cook and a nurse during the civil war. She guided the Combahee River Raid which freed 700 enslaved people. After the war she was sold a small amount of land and she helped her family, and other people. She lived until 1913, or 93 years when she died of pneumonia.

C:\Windows\Users\Adrian Kucheria\Desktop\underground_railroad.txt.save

eev — 2021-02-26 21:31:09 UTC

The underground railroad is a system of houses of abolitionists in the south who would help enslaved people escape from their masters. These people would be call conductors and would guild the enslaved people to the north or the US or even Canada. The underground railroad in the south started about 30 years before the 1860’s civil war.

Black Teen Ballerinas

elliew5 — 2021-02-26 21:31:53 UTC

Two best friends who have been dancing for a long time posed in front of graffiti Robert E lee. Statue, wearing point shoes and a tutus. The photos went viral after being posted. “I believe that when we were out there, even though it was just us in the picture, I feel like we were standing for more people than just ourselves. It was for a bigger picture.” Kennedy says. People wanted to remove the Robert E. Lee statue, it has been in the Richmond since it was erected in 1890. For more than 100 years it has represented racism to so many people of what America leader stood for. The statue of Robert E.lee is a very historical statue but many are calling to have it removed. For Kennedy, the future removal of the Robert E. Lee statue means something important to her.

How a photo of young ballerinas at the Lee statue became an iconic image of Black Lives Matter.

ellass — 2021-02-26 21:35:48 UTC

Two 14 year olds decided to take a dance photo shoot in front of a pedestal covered with graffiti. Dance gives them confidence and happiness especially during such a tough year. One photo in particular caught social media platform users’s eyes. It went big on many platforms and eventually celebs started reposting it too! Ava and Kennedy were shocked at the reaction. Besides the beauty and pure strength, they also saw the underlying connection between dance and the BLM movement. The photo is so uplifting and strong, but yet so gorgeous. Not only did Kennedy and Ava notice this amazing strength and beauty which is miraculously captured in one photo, but so did many many others. This photo is truly an inspiration to many young and old children and adults.

-Ella