https://padlet.com/smith4bd/osi6xecxtuv3qtwo African American literature has been shaped not only by poems, novels, and short stories, but by other forms of work that have influenced the political landscape of the United States. This archive exhibit theme will focus on legal decisions, political speeches, and activist posters that highlight significant events and African Americans using their voice in the media. This theme connects directly to the literary works studied in the course, for one, addressing significant historical events that shaped writing. For example, Ida B. Wells “A Red Record,” documents the tragedy of lynching during the Red Summer. Another element that connects to the course is African Americans using their voice in politics. This is shown in Belinda Sutton’s 1783 petition, in which she demanded reparations for unpaid labor. Another work it connects to is Martin Luther King Jr. 's “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” written in response to eight white clergymen who sought to suppress his fight for equality, the letter lead to the Civil Rights Act becoming law. The artifacts selected reflect the theme across time by starting from the beginning with The Dred Scott Decision of 1857, which denied enslaved people freedom even in free states, marked a major setback and would lead to the Civil War. In 1874, Robert B. Elliott’s speech to the House of Representatives on civil rights signaled the beginning of African American political engagement. Fast forward to 1963, Danny Lyon’s photograph “NOW,” captures young African Americans demanding their rights, which is showing how media became a powerful platform for their voices. Finally, the “Hope” poster from Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign symbolizes the built up progress of African Americans, reflecting national recognition of African American voices. Together, these artifacts demonstrate how African Americans have made their voices heard through policy, speeches, and the media shaping their visibility as well as their influence in America. en-us 2025-07-17 21:45:56 UTC 2025-07-18 18:39:05 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4d9.png smith4bd https://padlet.com/smith4bd/osi6xecxtuv3qtwo/wish/3523374032 “Artifact 1” comes from the week one discussion board in the course. The artifact is the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford where the court ruled in overturning the Missouri compromise, meaning that living in a free state did not guarantee the former slave, Dred Scott's freedom because he was someone else's property. This decision was a major historical event that would lead to increased tensions over slavery between the North and South that would lead to the Civil War. This artifact was selected as it is a significant historical event as it was mentioned in the course among others. Additionally, it connects to the theme of this exhibit as it displays African Americans in the national spotlight as it was a national court hearing. Also because this hearing would be the start of the domino effect leading to the civil war and the fight for equality with more African Americans standing up with there voice in the fight for freedom.

]]> 2025-07-18 15:14:31 UTC https://padlet.com/smith4bd/osi6xecxtuv3qtwo/wish/3523374032 smith4bd https://padlet.com/smith4bd/osi6xecxtuv3qtwo/wish/3523374746 The next artifact originates from the week two discussion board in the course. The artifact is Hon. Robert B. Elliott of South Carolina Delivering His Great Speech On Civil Rights in the House of Representatives, is an illustration of a speech that Robert B. Elliott gave to the House regarding the Civil Rights bill that had been recently passed. He delivered the speech to the House to advocate for equality for African Americans, emphasizing that passing the bill would lead to a “temple of liberty,” symbolizing true freedom. This artifact was chosen for the exhibit because it connects both to the course and the theme. The reason for this connection is that the moment marked a significant turning point in African American political engagement. Elliott was one of the earliest advocates to use his voice in politics, paving the way for many others, like Martin Luther King Jr. to follow in the fight for true freedom.

]]> 2025-07-18 15:16:15 UTC https://padlet.com/smith4bd/osi6xecxtuv3qtwo/wish/3523374746 d7msfb https://padlet.com/smith4bd/osi6xecxtuv3qtwo/wish/3523432481 This artifact is from the week 3 discussion board. A poster from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee from 1963. It is a picture of students attending the March on Washington with the word "NOW" at the top and written smaller at the bottom is the address of the SNCC. This was a call to action, encouraging people to demand a change now, which is why we chose this artifact. This is a great example of how civil rights groups used media to push for reform. One of the readings for this class was Martin Luther King Jr's "Letter from Birmingham Jail," which was written a few months before the poster was made. In his letter he writes, "justice too long delayed is justice denied." He is suggesting the same idea that there is no better time to fight for change than now.

]]> 2025-07-18 17:50:57 UTC https://padlet.com/smith4bd/osi6xecxtuv3qtwo/wish/3523432481 d7msfb https://padlet.com/smith4bd/osi6xecxtuv3qtwo/wish/3523438394 This artifact is from the week 4 discussion board, the "HOPE" poster from Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. It is a portrait of in red, white, and blue and the word "HOPE." The poster at a glance looks simple, but there is so much meaning that can be found. We chose this artifact because it is iconic, showing the first African American President. This connects to all of the readings for this class, African Americans fought for hundreds of years to gain rights and spark change in a system that was oppressing them. Having a black president is the kind of thing that many people before Barack Obama's time fought their entire lives for. All the struggles and mistreatment that African Americans endured and fought through to make a change for the better, and it happened.

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