Tag: public memory

Charles County, Maryland’s Josiah Henson is one of many Recommended for the National Garden of American Heroes

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Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s response to ”Executive Order on Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes”

On July 3, 2020, the Trump administration issued the “Executive Order on Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes.” State Governors and county officials were asked to give recommendations for a park that will feature historically significant Americans. Breonna Taylor, Rosa Parks, and John Lewis are some of the names that have been recommended.

The Department of Interior has a public database in which you can view the recommendations submitted by your local and state representatives. (see link in bio).

Cover of ”In Search of Josiah Henson’s Birthplace: Archaeological Investigations at La Grange Near Port Tobacco, Maryland”

Pictured above is a report of archaeological findings performed at the birthplace of Josiah Henson. Born in Charles Country, Maryland, Josiah Henson was an abolitionist that escaped to freedom. Half brother of explorer, Matthew Henson. A distant relative of actress, Taraji P. Henson.

The archaeological study and report was prepared by St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Josiah Henson is one of the historical figures recommended by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.

For more on this story, check out:

Executive Order on Monuments

State and local recommendations for American Heroes Monument

Garden of American Heroes by Amanda Jackson

(Photos) Preservation of a Site Related to Georgia Midwife, Beatrice Borders

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Preservationists in early stages to preserve Georgia Williams Nursing home and historic site related to the legacy of Georgia midwife, Beatrice Borders

Post originally appeared on Ethos Preservation Instagram page:

Preservation in action! Today this group kicked off a Preservation Plan for the Georgia B. Williams Nursing Home in Camilla, Georgia! Here, Beatrice Borders, a third generation African-American midwife, operated a nursing home from 1941 to 1971, delivering over 6,000 babies! Providing an essential service through segregation and the Jim Crow era, Beatrice provided a safe place for expectant mothers, and “birthed a city.” #thisplacematters#PreservingHope @thegeorgiatrust#preservationplanning @visitblackhistory#grassroots #kickoff

(Photos) Ray Charles and American Independence Day

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Ray Charles Plaza located in Albany, Georgia

In a 2017 article for The Undefeated, Roy Peter Clark imagines Ray Charles is the man ”to ease the antagonism surrounding the national anthem controversy.” Referring to Colin Kaepernick and his ”taking a knee stance.” ⁣
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Clark affirmed that throughout Ray Charles’s career, the artist used his powers for ”healing and reconciliation.” And that all professional sports teams like the NFL and MLB should play Ray Charles rendition of America The Beautiful at halftime. ⁣
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In A Black Theology of America The Beautiful, writer Luke Hill shares that ⁣
Ray Charles once said, “I never sing anything I don’t want to sing. Never sing anything I don’t mean.” Hill affirms that Ray Charles’s version of America The Beautiful is different from the one Katherine Lee Bates wrote. ⁣

Ray Charles Plaza. Albany, Georgia

America celebrated its independence on July 4. NPR recently published an intriguing film work featuring decedents of Frederick Douglass. Together they take part in ”What to the Slave Is The Fourth of July?: Descendants Read Frederick Douglass’ Speech.” worth checking out ⁣

Flint River Walk in Albany, Georgia

(Photos) Emancipation Day Celebrated in Georgia since 1866

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A road sign in Thomaston, Georgia identifying Home of Emancipation Proclamation Celebration Road

⁣⁣I saw this road sign as I passed through Thomaston, Georgia a couple Sundays ago. According to a gas station attendant, the Georgia town has celebrated their Emancipation Day annually since 1866 and continue to do so, today.

On May 29,1865, enslaved persons in Thomaston, Georgia, learned of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. According to the paper, they were free. What would immediately ensue is a century and a half of social conditions that would leave many to contemplate what it means to be free in America? ⁣⁣

Thomaston, Georgia has celebrated Emancipation Day on May 29th since 1866. Georgia House Resolution 859 was passed in 1996, naming May 29th Emancipation Day in Upson County, Georgia.

Georgia House legislation naming May 29th Emancipation Day in Thomaston, Georgia

Ronda Racha Penrice wrote a story on it. Emancipation Day and Juneteenth celebrations aren’t new published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ⁣⁣


This post is dedicated to #Justiceforbreonnataylor ⁣

(Photo) A city worker and a Perspective on Confederate Monument Removals

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Decatur, GA city worker stops lunch break to pose for a photo.

Photographed in Decatur, Georgia. June 19, 2020. The afternoon after a Confederate obelisk was removed⁣ from Georgia Square.
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A city worker, father, after-hours dandy stops for a photo during his lunch break.
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“You can pull all the confederate monuments down…unless the hearts of people change, ain’t much else going to change.” ⁣-anonymous
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Image 2: Dr. Hilary Green has published a Monuments Removal 2015-2020 Map. Link in bio

Click image above to access Monument Removals, 2015 – 2020 map. Produced by Dr. Hilary Green

The Green Book Documentary Now Streaming on Smithsonian Channel App

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Filmmaker, Yoruba Richen’s documentary The Green Book: Guide to Freedom premiered on the Smithsonian Channel last night. Watch for FREE, on the Smithsonian Channel Plus app with a 7-day trial. $4.99 per month there after.

According to Colorlines.org this film “catalogs the history of Victor Hugo Green’s project, which has been distorted and ignored by pop culture.”