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Fannie Lou Hamer, Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan and countless other black women fought at great risk to make their voices heard in our democracy. Princeton University African American studies professor Melissa Harris-Lacewell says Barack Obama would have been wise to acknowledge their words and their deeds.
Oh, OTM, will you marry me? I couldn't stop thinking about Shirley Chisholm and Barbara Jordan this week; thanks for Professor Harris-Lacewell's fantastic political framework, and for reacquainting us with Chisholm, Jordan, and Hamer. Oh yeah, and mentioning Martin Luther King by name.
Too bad the pundits couldn't take a breath and have someone like Professor Harris-Lacewell providing the insight they were supposed to delivering.
yes-- the TV pundits could have benefitted from the inclusion of Harris-Lacewell! even on pbs.
Just now I'm listening to a report on Sarah Pallin on "All Things Considered" and Pallin is quoted as giving appreciation to those women who have gone before: Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton. It is not only the media that does a disservice to the country through selective reporting, but our educational system which continues to marginalize the contributions of Americans of non-Anglo descent. Why does Rep. Shirley Chisholm's name not come to mind when making these lists? Maybe the Obama presidency will motivate the powerful media and public policy makers to include African peoples' positive contributions (aside from entertainment and sports) in their reporting as energetically as they include those that are criminal.
Thank you for your programming.
How wonderful to have some flesh added to the bare bones of the story of Fannie Lou Hamer, first introduced to me by Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou when she played Sweet Honey in the Rock’s song about her in the late ‘70’s, when she hosted WYBC’s Heritage folk music program. She, herself, is an accomplished musician.
It has been so long since I have heard it, but the haunting musical repetition of Hamer’s name in the chorus and the emotional impact of the story have always left me with a craving to know more. It is a shame you couldn’t use a bit of it for a musical segue. I hear it now, at least.
Thanks for the reminders of these champions, even if this list but scratches the surface of the brave. Many lie in unmarked graves, unremembered.
Of course, we in New Haven think back to Singbe Pieh and his tribesmen of Amistad fame when considering the history of human rights.
How refreshing! All during this endless 2008 presidential election campaign I have longed for the likes of the extraordinary women you have discussed here. My great dissatisfaction with our government came in the 60s. In my view, for our security and the true pursuit of our happiness I believe we need to return to a Confederation of States, as a first step toward direct democracy: one person, one vote.
Keep up the excellent programming! I salute you!
Why is that every time a "black" person makes a profound achievement they are lambasted if they don't pay homage every last person that came before them.
The notion that Senator Obama, did not properly address Dr. Martin Luther King respectfully enough is sad. Sad, because it would seem that there can only be negative analysis about success.
I just hope that the next minority to receive a US presidential nominee by either party, isn't burden by mentioned Senator Obama's name and accomplishments without such ridiculous and childish scrutiny.
When Fannie Lou Hamer spoke at DNC, Lyndon Johnson was watching and decided that he wanted her off TV. He called up the networks to create a distraction.
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