Dr. Marimba Ani (born Dona Richards) is an anthropologist whose work wrestles and concludes to de-center whiteness. Her philosophy is that it is revelatory to be able to develop theories, “definitions of reality”, and structure around one’s own culture. She is quoted as saying “You’re not an African because you’re born in Africa. You’re an African because Africa is born in you. It’s in your genes…your DNA…your entire biological make up. Whether you like it or not, that’s the way it is. However, if you were to embrace this truth with open arms…my, my, my…what a wonderful thing.” Her belief is that the African worldview is imperative to building institutions, both figuratively and literally. Centering whiteness has conditioned us off of this path to enlightenment. She is best known for her work Yurugu:An African-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior, a comprehensive critique of European thought and culture, and her coining of the term "Maafa" for the African holocaust. As an African Studies scholar Ani completed her BA degree at the University of Chicago, and holds MA and Ph.D. degrees in anthropology from the Graduate Faculty of the New School University. Highly advise you read her book(s) and/or sit back and check out her lecture(s). Thank you for your contributions!
Black History 365 | 236 Bobby Garnett III
Do you like Polo? Then you like Bobby Garnett, aka Bobby From Boston. Now, check this out. Bobby was a well-known source for vintage clothing, including Hollywood costume designers and the Lo-Life head honcho Ralph Lauren. Born and raised in Boston, Bobby stumbled into the vintage clothing game almost by accident, when he started stripping old shirts and jackets of their buttons at his leather working shop in South Boston. In 1995, he opened Bobby from Boston, his retail vintage shop in Boston’s South End that is as much a museum exhibition as it is a clothing store. His keen eye became legendary in fashion circles across the globe. Among his best customers were titans like Ralph Lauren. He was quoted as saying, "We sell to so many designers who use vintage for inspiration," said Garnett. "J Crew, Armani, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford." His collection provided costumes for TV shows, like Boardwalk Empire, and some 50 movies – including A Bronx Tale, A Beautiful Mind and Moonrise Kingdom. Much respect to his legacy of flyness and turning into a successful business.
Black History 365 | # 235 Grounded in the Stars Statue in Times Square
There’s a bronze sculpture by artist Thomas J. Price entitled Grounded in the Stars, that has caused some sort of controversy on some social media, but we know why that is. That’s not why we’re here. Times Square Arts presents this 12-foot-tall figurative bronze sculpture was made to confront preconceived notions of identity and representation. With Grounded in the Stars, Price reimagines both the monument and monumentality in Times Square, one of the world’s most iconic public spaces. The artist is stated as saying “The intention of my public works is to become part of the place they inhabit and its physical, material history, as well as the visitors that pass through and around the location, no matter how fleeting. I hope Grounded in the Stars and Man Series will instigate meaningful connections and bind intimate emotional states that allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity.” A fictionalized character constructed from images, observations, and open calls spanning between Los Angeles and London, the young woman depicted in Grounded in the Stars carries familiar qualities, from her stance and countenance to her everyday clothing. The woman in Grounded in the Stars cuts a stark contrast to the pedestaled permanent monuments — both white, both men — which bookend Duffy Square, while embodying a quiet gravity. Grounded in the Stars is accessible by wheelchair via a ramp. The bronze sculpture faces North towards 47th Street and the ramp is located on the East side of the sculpture. It has been on display since April 29th, and will be until June 14th.
Black History 365 | # 234 Jockey Oliver Lewis
Oliver Lewis was born December 22, 1856 in Fayette County, Kentucky to parents Elanora and Goodson. He had at least four siblings: Lena, Hattie, Mattie, and John. Lewis got his start when he gained employment McGrathiana Stables along with 21 other African Americans at the time. The stables were on the land where the University of Kentucky’s Coldstream Research Farm is currently located. In 1875, at nineteen years old, Lewis rode in the very first Kentucky Derby aboard the horse Aristides. An African American trainer Ansel Williamson trained Aristides. McGrath intended for Lewis and Aristides to simply set the pace for Chesapeake, another of his horses. But Lewis was too fast, and created such a lead that he and Aristides won by two lengths. On the day of the Derby about 10,000 spectators watched Lewis and Aristides blaze through the competition. Success continued as the dynamic duo won three races at the Louisville Jockey Club that season. Scored second place in the Belmont Stakes. Later known as part of the Triple Crown. A series of races for three-year-old thoroughbreds. Consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Lewis never rode in the Kentucky Derby again. We should all wonder why. African Americans excelled in racing and horse training in the late 1800s. After retirement from racing, Lewis wrote handicapping charts and facilitated horse bets as a bookmaker. He was married with several children and passed away in 1924. Salute for taking a once in a lifetime opportunity and turning it all the way up!
Black History 365 | # 233 Lewis Hayden
Lewis Hayden is a figure in history we should all know about. His life and story is fascinating, tragic, but ultimately a testimony to the unbreakable spirits under a system meant to break spirits. Let’s start with Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin interviewed Lewis Hayden in Boston, documenting his life in bondage. In this interview he was quoted as saying “When [the enslaver] was going to leave Kentucky for Pennsylvania, he sold all my brothers and sisters at auction. I stood by and saw them sold. When I was just going up on the block, he swapped me off for a pair of carriage horses...It was commonly reported that my master had said in the pulpit that there was no more harm in separating a family of slaves than a litter of pigs...” Later, Lewis Hayden married Esther Harvey and the couple had two children. Then Henry Clay, a prominent stateman, purchased Esther and one child. Later Clay sold them and Hayden never saw his wife and child again. Hayden’s other child died in Kentucky. After Hayden’s father was sold at this auction his mother became mentally ill as the result of abuse and his enslaver sold off Hayden’s siblings. Later, Lewis Hayden married Esther Harvey and the couple had two children. Then Henry Clay, a prominent stateman, purchased Esther and one child. Later Clay sold them and Hayden never saw his wife and child again. Hayden’s other child died in Kentucky. In time he remarried, but the threat of separation still loomed over his family. Hayden and his wife, Harriet, found the courage to risk their lives, and that of their son, for the chance to live as a family in the safety of freedom. With the help of abolitionists Delia Ann Webster and Calvin Fairbank, Hayden, Harriet, and their son escaped. The Hayden’s later settled in Boston in 1846, where Hayden established a successful clothing store. Hayden gained some degree of wealth and raised $650 to purchase his freedom and to help Fairbank get out of prison. This is where Lewis Hayden’s story gets so dope. He barricaded his home and booby trapped it. Preventing slave catchers from entering it without fatal consequences. His home struck fear in the hearts of many slave catchers — it was a fortress and was the whole operation behind the Underground Railroad. He became a prominent figure in Boston’s Underground Railroad network. Salute!