I posted this back in 2009 and happened to notice in my archive that the youtube links had been discontinued and it had received no hits at all which is a shame because these are some outstanding Black History/ Consciousness talks by 2 of our most compelling Black Historians. I'm reposting this now. If you have the time watch and share these most important video documents.
I lost interest in history at the time I found out that all that was to be said about my heritage was that my ancestors were slaves and before that heathen savages and cannibals and such. Our contribution to American Culture was Negro Spirituals. What a snow job. I remember we used to play the "you be such and such a character" in school and I wanted to be Cheyenne, a favorite cowboy character of a TV program by the same name but my classmates were like you can't be Cheyenne, Ray can be Cheyenne you be the Kingfish ( an Amos and Andy character). Hell, Ray couldn't even ride a horse and I rode broncos (for real!) Since I was raised in the rural Northeast, went to a predominately white school , and didn't have anyone teaching me otherwise, that was our history. I didn't go to college or University or have access to big city libraries so I had to wait for "The Internet" to come to my rescue and did it ever.
Now it's my pleasure to share with you some of the treasures I find for example if I had known about the story of "US deputy marshal BASS REEVES I wouldn't have even wanted to be Cheyenne. Reeves was a Real Black Hero but I'll save that story for another time.
Meanwhile you enjoy listening to Dr Clarke and Dr Ben all you have to do here is click the play button on these youtube videos and your adventure will begin.
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