Our Literature, Our Resistance

by Ronald Duncan for Hampton Roads ASALH

Literature has long been a powerful tool for expressing and resisting oppression. Historically, Black writers have used their voices and stories to challenge the status quo, educate, and empower their communities. From slave narratives to contemporary works of fiction and poetry, Black resistance through literature has been a force for change.

One of the earliest forms of Black resistance through literature was the slave narrative. These autobiographical accounts, written by former slaves, provided first-hand testimony of the brutal realities of slavery. They exposed the system's inhumanity, challenged the prevailing narratives of the time, and served as a call to action for abolitionists. Works such as "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" and "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Jacobs remain powerful works of resistance today.

Following the Civil War and the end of slavery, Black writers continued to use literature as a tool for resistance. During the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 30s, Black writers and artists came together to create a vibrant cultural movement. They explored identity, culture, and social justice themes through poetry, fiction, and essays. Works such as Langston Hughes' "The Weary Blues" and Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God" are enduring examples of the power of Black resistance through literature.

In the following decades, Black writers continued to use literature to challenge oppression and advocate for social change. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s saw a surge of Black writing, with works such as James Baldwin's "The Fire Next Time" and Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" as powerful expressions of resistance.

Today, Black writers continue to use literature to resist oppression and to advocate for social justice. From Claudia Rankine's poetry to Colson Whitehead's novels, contemporary Black writers are using their voices to challenge systemic racism, explore the complexities of Black identity, and create new visions for the future.

Black resistance through literature is about telling stories and creating space for marginalized voices, challenging dominant narratives, and inspiring action. It is about using the power of language to disrupt the status quo and to create a more just and equitable world. As a Black writer and activist, Audre Lorde famously said, "Your silence will not protect you." Black writers refuse to be silenced through literature and instead use their voices to demand change.

“My Voice—55 years Beyond My Grave”

by Dr. Margaret Bernice Smith Bristow for Hampton Roads ASALH

Yeah, America tried to kill me—blasted a hole the size of a baseball in my neck!

But my legacy –I don’t mean—to brag

Speaks for me beyond the grave!

You see it in the Kenya American eyes of Barack Hussein Obama

You see it in the Chinese Jamaican American lips of Kamala Harris

You see it in the 150-mile-an-hour serve of Serena Williams

You see it in the new book Blackmaled in Academia in which the mind and prejudice toward the so-called educated black male college teacher is put under the microscope.

You even—can I say it—Lord, help me can I say

You see it in the six-year-old black first-grader who tried to kill his teacher

You see it in Kaheem Jeffers about to—can I say it—can I say it—do you Hear me about to rock the House as I tried

To do when I wanted that Poor People’s Campaign to work

I wanted to bring the poor in America together

That Civil Rights Act and that Voting Rights Acts-- which we had to put

Our feet on the neck of America to get passed--

Just was not enough—only the start!

Like by play, play activist daughter Nikole Hannah Jones said in

Chapter 18 of her book 1619 Project-- America has got to reckon with

Its economic disparities brought on by 250 years of slavery and another

Hundred years of the Supreme Court justifying separate and unequal!

I ain’t go shut up!

Cause you are my voice now!

You are my voice

Hampton Roads ASALH

You are my voice

AAHSNN, you are my voice

And Project 1619 and the 1619 Project

You are my voice

Now what chu go do to keep my

Dream alive?

Make our social and economic justice goals survive

Walk the walk/talk the talk

Cut out the jive!

A Letter From the President

To: Emily Webb, Director for Board Relations, Virginia Dept. of Education.
From: Audrey Perry Williams, President
Hampton Roads Branch ASALH

Subject: Rewrite and Inaccurate Narratives of Minorities in The History and Social Science Standards of Learning

It is with deep concern that I am writing this letter to your office. Upon reviewing the recent History and Social Science Standard of Learning, I realized a decision was made to erase the history of minorities and their contributions to this country. I find it disturbing that there is an attempt to even suggest that this inaccurate information be accepted and become a part of the curriculum.

This attempt is a mockery to not only minorities but to all people in this country. It is obvious that this country has been able to survive because of the contributions of all and not just the majority.

I find it appalling that you would even think the people of this state, regardless of race, would sit back and let historical inaccuracies move forward without a fight.

This rewrite was created by Superintendent Balow, the Superintendent’s selected consultant, Ms. Shelia Bryd Carmicheal, and the Governor’s office staff. It is not the original draft standards created in partnership by hundreds of educators, historians, professors, museums, organizations, parents, teachers, and VDOE staff, considering over 6,000 public comments. In addition, much of the work by the recent Commission on African American History Education and Virginia’s diverse groups and voices have been removed from this document.

ASALH strongly opposes the ¨Final Redraft of VA HSS Standards for K-12document created by Superintendent Balow, Shelia Byrd Carmicheal, and staff from the Governor´s office. We demand that the original ¨Proposed Revised 2022 History and Social Science Standards of Learning” documents be approved by the Board of Education by the Virginia Department of Education History and Social Science Staff in August and discussed in September and October.

There has been a discussion that your office is concerned about the feelings of most children in this state. However, have you ever thought about the children of the minority who are reminded daily that they have no history and are inferior to the majority? Our children are people too and deserve to know their history's accurate narratives. If history is accurately taught, there would be no attempt to hide information.

ASALH’s mission is to ensure that our history has an accurate narrative and it is because of this mission that I am writing this letter.

I do hope a decision will be made not to ignore the work done over a lengthy period of time with numerous diverse groups having an input for the document that has been produced with minimum input from a diverse group.

Audrey Perry Williams, President
Hampton Roads Branch ASALH
757 303 6170
lvwith1@aol.com

Fireside Chat Series #2

Black History 101: What We Are Never Taught in His-story Class

The second episode in the series charts the historical relevance of Black Americans through time, honestly.

The second episode in the series charts the historical relevance of Black Americans throughout history and now.

Fireside Chat Series #1

Medical Apartheid

The first episode of Hampton Roads Branch ASALH Fireside Chat, "Medical Apartheid." Hosted by Branch President Audrey Perry Williams and presented by Dr. Margaret Bernice Smith Bristow.

Ronald Duncan 6/22/22 Ronald Duncan 6/22/22

The Way of Reparations

Ronald Duncan 6/7/22 Ronald Duncan 6/7/22

Traveling through Juneteenth

Juneteenth, June 19th, on June 17th, 2021, became a Federal Holiday in the United States when it was passed by Legislation in Congress and signed by President Joe Biden.