This is Billie Holiday. Aside from being an amazing singer did you know in March 1939 at 23 years old she sang a cover of the song “Strange Fruit” to an unenthused crowd at West 4th’s Cafe Society? She became determined to sing that song for the next 20 years of her career until her life came to an early end at age 44. While on her hospital bed suffering from heart and lung problems and cirrhosis of the liver from years of drug and alcohol abuse, a Federal Bureau of Narcotics commissioner Harry Anslinger had his men handcuff her to her bed. While she showed signs of recovery his men denied doctors of treating her. She died within days. No good deed goes unpunished. Respect to her legacy and using your gift to speak the truth about what was happening to black bodies in America so frequently.
Black History 365 | # 99 Queen Nzinga Mbande
This is Queen Nzinga Mbande, the Southwest African ruler who served as queen of the Ambundu Kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba. In 1624, when she inherited the rule of Ndongo the kingdom was under attack from both Portuguese and neighboring African aggressors. She established a lucrative slave trade with the Dutch, who purchased as many as 13,000 slaves per year from Nzingha’s kingdom. In Portugal she gained an ally to help fight off those previously mentioned African aggressors. By 1626, however, Portugal had betrayed Ndongo, and Nzinga was forced to flee with her people further west beyond the Portuguese reach. She died in 1663 and became a historical figure in Angola. In fact the movie The Woman King is a fictionalized story based on her Kingdom.
Black History 365 | # 98 The Origins Of X-Men
Did you know the concept of X-Men was based around Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr? Yep. If you’re familiar with the comic series it is plain to see. Much like when you learn the hidden history of melanated people. It becomes plain to see. But I digress. Professor Xavier is based on Martin. Magneto is based on Malcolm. Professor X is non-violent and basically teaches the “mutants” at his school to be heroes and get along with society. While Magneto is pro self-defense and feels that “mutants” are the superior race and he wants to wipe out all the humans. This is obviously fictionalized and those shallow tropes are written into it.
Black History 365 | # 97 Gladys West
Did you know a black woman developed the technology for the GPS? Her name is Gladys West. She was collecting and analyzing satellite data of the earths surface until she created a detailed model that could accurately determine your position anywhere on earth. Thank you Miss West.
Black History 365 | # 96 Haile Selassie I
Haile Selassie was the emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He brought Ethiopia into the League of Nations and the United Nations and made the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa the center for Organization of African Unity (now known as African Union). He sought to help his people and increase the authority of the central government. He was forced into exile May 1935 when Italy invaded Ethiopia. He appealed for help from the League of Nations in a memorable speech and secured British assistance in forming an army with Ethiopian exiles in Sudan. In January 1941 they recaptured the capital and he was reinstated as emperor. He is the inspiration behind Rastafari where Jamaicans hold the belief that black people are a chosen people and that Selassie was the Messiah. It is also said that Nipsey Hussle (Ermias Asghedom) is a descendant of Haile Selassie. Crazy!