Happy Heavenly Birthday Dr. King!

Happy New Year Everyone!

 
This post is dedicated to the life and leadership of Dr. and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Inside this newsletter, you will find a heavily curated lesson from PBS, Learning for Justice and illustrations from Jerry Pinkney and written by Barry Wittenstein.

And because behind every great man stands an equitably great woman, here's Angela Basset portraying Mrs. Coretta Scott King, and Mary J. Blige serving impeccably in the role of Dr. Betty Shabazz (my ΔΣΘ Soror), wife of Malcolm X. Many people forget that by the end of the 60s, both Dr. King and Malcolm X were allies in progressing the plight of Black Americans. In fact, Malcolm X attended the March on Washington in 1963. See the letter beneath the video excerpt.

  

Letter to Martin Luther King (the Southern Christian Leadership Conference) Malcolm X (text transcribed from the actual letter from Malcolm X : A Research Site) July 31, 1963

MUHAMMAD'S MOSQUE NO. 7 

113 Lenox Avenue New York 26, New York

July 31, 1963

Dr. Martin Luther King 

C/O Southern Christian Leadership Conference 

334 Auburn Avenue Atlanta J, Georgia

Dear Sir:
The present racial crisis in this country carries within it powerful destructive ingredients that may soon erupt into an uncontrollable explosion. The seriousness of this situation demands that immediate steps must be taken to solve this crucial problem, by those who have genuine concern before the racial powder keg explodes.

A United Front involving all Negro factions, elements and their leaders is absolutely necessary. A racial explosion is more destructive than a nuclear explosion.

If capitalistic Kennedy and communistic Khrushschev can find something in common on which to form a United Front despite their tremendous ideological differences, it is a disgrace for Negro leaders not to be able to submerge our "minor" differences in order to seek a common solution to a common problem posed by a Common Enemy.

On Saturday, August 10th, from 1 - 7 p.m., the Muslims are sponsoring another giant outdoor rally at 116th Street and Lenox Avenue. Two previous rallies this summer at the same location, attracted 5000 to 7000 Harlemites respectively. We expect our largest crowd this time, rain or shine.

We are inviting several Negro leaders to give their analysis of the present race problem and also their solution. We will also explain Mr. Muhammad's solution.

There will be no debating, arguing, criticizing, or condemning. I will moderate the meeting and guarantee order and courtesy for all speakers. This rally is designed not only to reflect the spirit of unity, but it will give you a chance to present your views to the largest and most explosive elements in Metropolitan New York.

If you cannot come, please send your representative. Invitations to participate have been sent to: Dr. Gardner C. Taylor, Dr. Adam C. Powell, James Farmer, Whitney Young, A. Phillip Randolph, Dr. Ralph Bunche, Dr. Joseph H. Jackson and James Forman.

An immediate reply would be appreciated.

Your Brother, 

Malcolm X 

Malcolm X, Minister 

MUHAMMAD'S NEW YORK MOSQUE NO.7

Wishing Health, Peace & Kindness to Everyone!

Happy Veterans Day!

We LOVE our Veterans across the planet! Please check out our podcast "Voices of Veterans!"



Thank you to all our Veterans and even though he isn't an educator, my favorite Veteran (Michael Darnell) is that handsome Navy seamen below! :)

Happy Indigenous People Month!

According to renowned American historian and linguist Leo Weiner of Harvard University, one of the strongest pieces of evidence to support the fact that Black people sailed to America before Christopher Columbus was a journal entry from Columbus himself. In Weiner’s book, “Africa and the Discovery of America,” he explains that Columbus noted in his journal that the Native Americans confirmed “black skinned people had come from the south-east in boats, trading in gold-tipped spears.” Even the Algonquin tribes had gold-tipped spears made from Egyptian gold and writings of Egyptian cities in their catalog of explorers hidden in the Grand Canyon.

According to a number of sources, Abubakari II, Mansa (King) of the Mali Empire in the 14th century, led Malian sailors to the Americas, specifically present-day Brazil, almost 200 years before Columbus arrived, circa 1311 A.D. Malian sailors then continued up the coast of South America into Central America, Mexico and southern portions of what would become America.

In the book, Lost Explorers by Ed Wright (Murdoch Books, 1819, [republished by Pier 9, 2008]), "More than a hundred years before the Portuguese had cleared Cape Bojador in the Western Sahara, and almost two hundred before Columbus 'discovered' the Americas, there is some evidence to suggest that Abubakari II, Emperor of Mali, crossed the Atlantic and visited the Americas. The idea even received support from Columbus himself, who wrote in his journal about African journeys from the Guinea coast to the Americas and supposed this was how the South Americans had learned techniques of alloying gold.

"At the time, the Malian empire was arguably the richest state on earth. Founded in 1235, by 1310 when Abubakari II came to the throne it had control of most of western Africa, form the inland trading cities of Timbuktu and Gao on the fringes of the Sahara to the Guinea coast. The empire ruled millions of subjects, its three gold mines were responsible for producing more than half of the Old World's gold and it also profited from the extremely lucrative salt trade. ...

"[It is from] Inslamic historian al-Umari's conversations with Mansa Musa [Abubakari II's successor] that we have our best account of Abubakari's mission. Apparently, when Abubakari came to the throne in 1310, he ordered two hundred boats to set out to check whether, like the Niger River, the Atlantic Ocean had a far bank. In order to maximise the chances of success, a variety of boats was constructed.

"Some of them would have been pirogues, which resembled a canoe, while others were probably based on Arab boats such as the dhow. Each of the two hundred vessels had a supply barge attached, with enough dried meat grain and preserved fruit in ceramic jars to last for two years, as well as cotton goods and gold for trade.

Read more exciting connections between African and Native Indigenous Tribes here.

Without further intellectual adieu, here's the library's November newsletter. I hope you enjoy and best wishes for your family as this nation comes together to honor Otsaliheliga (prounounced oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah, Cherokee for gratitude). Aho.

The Book-fair Is HERE!!

                 After much effort from yours truly, the book-fair is finally here!

You can shop online here.

Here's the preview video and sign-up list for you to enjoy!

                      

                                   

via GIPHY

Hot Pepper Challenge!

I have some of the best and most inquisitive students! One young man loves to garden with his father and once my heart stopped fluttering, I directed him to our plants section. I listened to his feedback about needing more garden books and then we talked about my garden. I shared that I am growing jalapenos for my homemade chilli. He boasted about LOVING spicy food. Next thing I know, he demanded a "hot pepper challenge" and brought some friends. I have a weakness for gardens and readers and this kiddo is in a tug-of-war for becoming one of my beloved library kiddos! Check out the fun in the newsletter below and happy fall everyone!

Well, guess who's back in the library? Nothing like the absence of a paycheck to revert you back to your talents and skills! Or maybe, just maybe, I've finally found the leadership and student body that embraces all of me! I think it's the latter, but regardless, if you know me, I've hit the ground running! Check out my newsletter and welcome DIAMONDBACKS to my blog!