Items

• 
  2021-02-15

  Black Lives Matter Protests Across Canada

  This is a collage of the various BLM protests across Canada from the summer of 2020. The images are (top row, left to right): Toronto, Chatham, Vancouver, Calgary and (bottom row, left to right): Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax
• 
  2020-03-15

  Quarantine vs. A Budding College Student

  When I first heard of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was entering my third quarter of my senior year at Berks Catholic High School. I initially took this as an extended Easter break, finding what opportunities I could find before my inevitable return to school. Except I didn't return to school, no student did. I actually visited Duquesne University to find out more information on March 13th as students were moving out; nothing could prepare us for what was to come of this pandemic. During the last two weeks of March I did as any teenager would do during an extending break off school- absolute shenanigans. I got extremely into urban exploration (essentially exploring abandoned buildings) and loved finding these forgotten pieces of history around Pennsylvania. My friends and I would often go to the local skatepark and make acquaintance with fourteen-year-old teenage boys, as we hardly knew how to skate. About a week after the beginning of this break, I decided the best course of action would be to visit my friend Parker who lives on the other side of Pennsylvania. After driving four hours across the state, we began our beautiful adventure. From hiking, exploring abandoned places, and almost getting arrested, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Western Pennsylvania. Following this, I had the opportunity to pick up my now-girlfriend and take her across state lines to Maryland. She had never tried Wawa, which I deemed an indescribable experience and finding out the closest one was in Maryland, of course I decided that going there past midnight was the best decision. It was probably the best decision I had made all year as I am still with her, even through this pandemic. Returning home I had received the news that we were not to return to school. This sent me into a very confused mindset as I was unsure of what was to come. Then came spirals of misinformation and political divide of what this virus truly was. This was no help to the nation, let alone those of us at home who had no control over what was going on. It was April now, online school had begun for my high school- I did not attend a singular zoom class. A little over a month had passed and the nation came under racial turmoil after the killing of George Floyd. I was a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and had attending multiple protests. The most notable of these protests came to be the "D.C. Blackout". The night of May 31st, 2020 was that like none-other. I contacted my friend from Harrisburg earlier that day and asked her if she would travel to D.C. with me to participate in the protest; we had no idea what we were going into. We arrived in the D.C. area around 9:30 that evening, what turned to a night of complete anarchy. I have never seen or felt anything like I did that night and do not have the necessary words to describe what truly happened that night, or how some of the protesters that were arrested are still missing to this day. Three days following the blackout, I graduated high school. This was not your typical high school graduation with a huge ceremony filled with friends and relatives; this was a drive through by homeroom. Quite anticlimactic if you ask me. My life continued on after this and I now find myself in the midst of my spring semester at Duquesne University (pandemic still occurring of course). Mere words can not describe the true feelings and experiences I have gone through in the past year, I just ask that eventually this country ties up its loose ends.
• 
  2020-12-21

  A look at powerful social justice moments this year

  Many photographs in this article show a beautiful moment within the context of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Some photographs show other events marked by the year 2020 such as the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the anniversary of women having the right to vote. If anything, 2020 was the most volatile year most of us have ever witnessed in our lives.
• 
  2021-01-28

  Protester, Rioteer

  I drew this to show how spotlighted and how dramatic the BLM protests were, not out of want, but out of the need to bring attention to this issue. In the photo, the subject is shying away from the spotlight, not because they will be hurt in the same way as others, but because having a singular, white face as the flag would undermine the entire thing, and the subject knows that. They are wearing a mask, both to obscure their face and let them be known as part of the protests and not just an innocent bystander; and also to show how harmful covid was and that they are protecting others in different ways.
• 
  2020-06

  June of 2020: a quarantine journal

  This past June, for the first time in my life, I began keeping a daily journal—composed in formally identical declarative sentences—as a record, not only the events of the world that were on and affecting my mind, but also my domestic observations of home, of family, the creatures in my yard, the blooms erupting throughout the garden. In a season of isolation and upheaval, it in many ways helped to keep my brain from total dissolution into quaking depression. Once this month-long record was complete, I launched a Kickstarter campaign in support of the limited publication of *June of 2020: a quarantine journal*, with all profits being donated to Black Girl in Maine, a social-justice blog founded by writer, educator, and activist Shay Stewart-Bouley. While my skill has always been the construction of narratives that allow the reader to feel what it’s like to experience the characters’ experiences, Shay’s talent lies in taking the complex abstractions of social justice and explaining them in a way that is not only immediate and concrete, but also grounded in the experiences of both herself and her audience (in other words, she takes the cultural phenomenon at large and makes it directly relevant to you and your life). She has an ability that I lack. So I’m using my abilities to help support her and her work.
• 2020-06-02

  Wethersfieldblm instagram page

  This item was important because this instagram was used to organize the Black Lives Matter march that took place on June 5th in Wethersfield. The account also created the “Grievances From the Members of Our Community” list. I think this item is important because this entire instagram, these documents, and most importantly, the protest/march were created by people I used to know back in high school and even before then. This shows that our/my generation is far more involved in activism than most other generations have, as you see and hear a lot more younger people have been taking part in these protests, and being more vocal on social media. This instagram is also a good public digital history project as it allowed members of the community to share their own stories and experiences.
• 
  2020-12-02

  “Back the Blue” sign

  I decided to include this into the collection because I believe that it would be unethical to exclude the “opposing side”. The “Back the Blue” movement is a sort of counter-movement created against the calls to “defund the police”. ‘Back the Blue’ is also often referred to as ‘Blue Lives Matter’ or ‘Thin Blue Line’. I felt that this was necessary to include opposing viewpoints, as not to completely dismiss them from existing, which would be unethical, and future historians who look back onto 2020 will also find out about this counter movement and the reason why it was formed, which allows them to fully grasp the environment of our times.
• 
  2020-06-02

  “Justice for George Floyd” sign in front of Historical Building

  This is a sign that was put at the door of a historical building in Old Wethersfield, shortly following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The killing of George Flyod, more specifically, the recording, are what caused the widespread Black Lives Matter protests over the summer. To me, this image is important for the archive because it shows the significance of this event in 2020, because it shook the world, not even just the US, and that support for the movement and support for justice is being called for from ~1.3k miles away. The video was spread over social media, which allowed for it to reach that level of audience that it was exposed to.
• 2020-07-03

  Tweet from Amy Morrin Bello - State Representative in the 28th District.

  This tweet is referring to an incident that occurred when the Wethersfield Historical Society put out a Facebook message about how a Black Lives Matter poster was taken down from their building by a town employee, and how they are an apolitical institution. They mentioned they kept the poster for their own archives, however the backlash came at their wording about being ‘political’ and how Black Lives Matter isn’t a political movement, it is a human rights issue. This item is really interesting, as the historical society is preserving the poster to fill archival silences, and keep a record of current events, however, they are faced with backlash from people who believe that they are not being ethical due to them trying to hide the exposing of human rights violations, which is one of the roles in being an ethical archivist.
• 2020-07-16

  Grievances From the Members of Our Community

  This item/document is an example of how my generation is attempting to make change in society. This document is a collection of grievances and injustices that people faced throughout their years in the Wethersfield school district. This document was submitted to the superintendent of schools and Wethersfield High School administration. I think this item exemplifies multiple criteria because it gives a voice to marginalized groups and their mistreatment in the school system, it was a project undertaken by young student activists, and it could lead to possible changes in the future.
• 
  2020-06-02

  "What to do After the Protest"

  This Instagram post explains the proper safety steps to take after protesting.
• 
  2020-06-13

  "Peaceful Protest" BLM London Poster

  This poster advertises a peaceful protest, and some of the space is used to explain COVID protocols while protesting.
• 
  2020-11-08

  Interview with a San Antonio high school student, Jacoby Mena

  Jacoby Mena, a 9th grade student, shares his views on staying home, the BLM movement, anti-maskers, and staying safe during the pandemic.
• 
  2020-11-19

  The Journal of a Common Man

  To show the hardships and happiness throughout the pandemic year of 2020
• 
  2020-10-05

  The Pandemic in Prisons: Covid-19, Repression, and the Carceral State

  This podcast episode is from the Revolutionary Left Radio podcast featuring show host Breht and guests.
• 
  2020-11-06

  Black Lives Matter Protests

  I live in Des Moines, Iowa. We were hosts to many different protests. Many people wanted to keep things peaceful. This article talks about what happened.
• 
  2020-09

  Why Black Lives Matter to First Unitarian Church

  This church stands in solidarity with African American people. Every month on the second Sunday they hold a vigil for the solidarity with Black Lives Matter. By doing this they are bringing a reflection and a connection space for people calling for racial injustice and the end to police brutality. The photo has been edited to protect the privacy of those attending the Black Lives Matter vigil.
• 
  2020-08-03

  Pandemic and Social Justice Movement in the workplace

  This article is explaining how work environments will be changing, and for the better. The author explains how not only has the pandemic shown how flexible a work environment can be as far as working digitally and from home. The author also explains how the management of most workplaces need to be more flexible and diverse. The author also explains how we can better the work environment for social justice and lists a few ways.
• 
  2020-06-09

  Social Justice and COVID-19

  This article discusses how racism and classism conditions are just as important to fight for during COVID-19. Individuals of minority or impoverished backgrounds are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. This is due to lack of resources and opportunities. This article continues to explain how “social justice and human rights are at the center of COVID-19.”
• 
  2020-06-15

  Censored Children

  This photo and article are about the Black Lives Matter movement; specifically which places in the world are experiencing high levels of protests. The event is occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the importance of social justice during a pandemic. I censored the face of the children as an assignment regarding privacy and ethics.
• 
  2020-11

  Chef Serigne Mbaye Collaboration with New Orleans restaurant Turkey and the Wolf

  Sergine Mbaye a popup chef who owns Darak in New Orleans, collaborated with a famous restaurant, Turkey and the Wolf. He was able to share his knowledge of Senegalese cooking and history.
• 
  2020-10-01

  Marcellus Morris, Community Organizer and Diversion Counselor

  Marcellus Morris is a community organizer and diversion counselor in Hempstead, NY. Through Reign 4 Life and other initiatives, he works with at-risk youth toward
• 
  2020-09-26

  Summer Activism

  During the summer there were many Black Lives Matter protests around the country. These protests drew large amounts of participants and brought attention to a conversation the country is long overdue on having.
• 
  2020-06-05

  Black/Indigenous Lives Matter Protest, Melbourne, Australia

  HIST30060
• 
  2020-10-30

  Black Lives Matter and Covid-19

  The protests have a lot going on without the added stress of the pandemic. In many photographs of the protests, even the riots, there is a lot of masks. Some groups appear to social distance, but others like in this picture do not. People are trying their best to support the cause and be careful at the same time.
• 2020-10-30

  The Defunding Police Idea

  I wanted to talk about the part of the BLM movement where people mention defunding the police. I found an article that talks about what the idea is.
• 
  2020-06-08

  When Restaurants Become the First Line of Support

  During the BLM protests this past summer, many restaurants supported the protestors by providing free food, and acknowledging that the damage to their property was less important than the damage being done to Black people by police. They also performed support tasks such as hosting makeshift medic tents for the protestors.
• 
  2020-05-29

  Rioting in the streets of Eugene, Oregon

  On May 29th, 2020, a strip mall in Eugene, OR was vandalized by protestors of George Floyd’s death.
• 2020-10-30

  The Black Lives Matter Movement

  I wanted to talk about the Black Lives Matter movement. I figured what better source than the actual website.
• 
  2020-07-29

  Elk Horn Vows Not To 'Let Up' After Weekend Riot

  A restaurant in Eugene, Oregon, was vandalized during the initial protests over the death of George Floyd. The damage was in excess of $500,000. The restaurant owner claims that the Black Lives Matter movement is being undermined by violent agitators. The owner has been criticized in the past for anti-homeless views.
• 
  2020-10-30

  NBA for Social Justice

  The photograph on the right shows Trae Young, a Atlanta Hawks player, protesting at a Black Lives Matter event in June of 2020. I choose this picture because I am an Atlanta Hawks fan but more importantly because of the support provided by the NBA for social justice. Since the protests have started the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have fully committed in supporting the social justice movement. Even with the NBA season over with now the spotlight to fight social justice has still continued. The NBA will continue to donate and provide support for education to minority communities. The NBA and NBPA have also made it their mission to address the lack of diversity in team management. Finally they have also made it their mission to help address police and criminal justice change in America. Protests are a bigger influence than people think and it is good to see big associations willing to make a difference for social justice.
• 
  2020-10-22

  Illinois College Football Team Fights Against Racism

  The Tweet declares that the University of Illinois, The Fighting Illini, are in support of social justice. The college football team is supporting the Black Lives Matter movement by wearing black decaled insignias on their helmets with the Black Lives Matter fist symbol on the back of the helmet. The fist is a powerful gesture associated with the social justice protest. The video also states that football is just a game and social justice is a real world priority. A college football team and university realizing the fight against racism and social inequalities is more important than their institution is a significant event in the fight for social justice. Of course not all fans or comments think it is appropriate for the team to wear these symbols but all movements will have discourse in their pursuit to fight for social justice. This statement to display these images are closely related to how far the protests have come in the fight for social justice.
• 
  2020-06

  The Overton Window Shift

  This meme is in reference to President Ronald Reagan’s gun control measures, which are a callback to the sentiments of a large number of gun-owning former Trump supporters that have been left in the dust by the President’s increasingly authoritarian and draconian attitude towards the Second Amendment. Once he started saying things such as “I prefer to take the guns first and go through due process second” and advocating for expanded red flag laws, many libertarian-leaning conservatives realized that the Republican Party was not going to preserve or prevent infringement on their Second Amendment rights. The final nail in the coffin came with the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, when riot police across the country began abusing protestors and onlookers. When right-wing libertarian militias grabbed their kits and began protecting BLM protesters from police and protecting businesses from rioters, they were targeted by counterterrorism elements of the federal government. This meme represents the complete and total lack of faith that most gun owners now have in the Republican Party.
• 
  2020-10-28

  How social justice is affecting POC

  I interviewed my friend who has been affected by social justice issues that have been occurring in this country. He informed me how he has not been able to receive jobs he was overqualified for because of the color of his skin, how he has to fear driving by a police officer because of the color of his skin, and how he overall is not treated equally. He fully supports the movements going on in the country today and hopes for a better day.
• 
  2020-06-25

  President Trump and BLM

  This is a news article explaining how Trump has reacted to the Black Lives Matter protests. He has reacted in a negative way and posted things on the internet that were false and showed his stance on the subject. It is important to note that this is the President of the United States and this is how he reacts to protests and people wanting change.
• 
  2020-09-16

  After George Floyd

  From March through August, I walked through the environs of downtown Tucson to make images capturing the effect of the pandemic. After the murder of George Floyd, I also documented the aftermath of the resultant demonstrations during the end of May and June.
• 
  2020-06-04

  Health Officials Agree With Protests.

  This article is about public health officials urging people to join the fight for social justice. While the health officials state that everyone involved needs to be aware of the risks and take precautions, now is the time to demand change and join in solidarity with those affected by racial injustice. This post demonstrates that during the COVID-19 pandemic, health officials were agreeing with protests and the Black Lives Matter movement. This article is important because it demonstrates that social justice is needed yesterday, today, and tomorrow no matter what is happening.
• 2020-06

  A Difference Between Blue Lives and Black Lives.

  This experience was a phone call I had with my mother in June. My mother is a corrections officer and works in the local jail. Amidst the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, I was discussing with my mom that I value her and the work she does, yet I fully support the BLM movement and the demand for justice. The conversation shifted to white privilege and I shared my ideas on what white privilege is and how it shows up. Towards the end of the conversation, my mother stated that she should be able to wear her uniform in public without being criticized, judged, or feeling unsafe, and how it was ‘unfair’ that the BLM movement targeted police officers. My response was, “at least you have the option to take your uniform and feel safe, whereas black people do not have that option.”
• 
  2020-07-01

  Taking Action

  This post was the first story I read regarding the murder of Elijah McClain. I was shocked that I found out about it through my friend’s instagram and not the news. This post showed me the power of social media and need for social awareness. In my view, this post indicates an additional way individuals are seeking social justice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 
  2020-06-24

  Black Lives Matter Protests and COVID-19 Spikes.

  I found this news article in June. I was scrolling through a variety of news articles on my phone when I happened across this one discussing if there was a link between Black Lives Matter protests and Coronavirus spikes. I remember being intrigued by this article because I saw online arguments from anti-BLM individuals stating that now is not the time to protest and protestors are spreading the virus faster. I found this news article insightful and important because Black Lives Matter gained momentum three months into the United States shutdown. Since the two events happened around the same time and there appeared to be misinformation spread by individuals, I found it helpful to stick to news outlets.
• 
  2019-06-06

  I Can't Breathe

  This was June 6th 2019. There were Black Lives Matter protests everyday for the last couple weeks. The world was angry and wanted people of color to be treated equally. Everyone in the photo is socially distancing and wearing a mask but still fighting for equal rights. No one forgot about COVID, yet COVID was not the only issue occurring in the world at that time. Arizona State University HST485
• 
  2020-06-03

  Tweets from San Antonio's mayor Ron Nirenberg throughout June, 2020

  These series of images are tweets from or about San Antonio mayor Ron Nirenberg and his administration's response to COVID-19 and the social justice movement triggered by the murder of George Floyd throughout the month of June. These images illustrate the way local government mobilized to disperse political, economic, and medical information through social media. These also give insight into how the Mayor and his administration participated in the dialogue about systemic racism in San Antonio and across the United States. Information such as public and private programs, COVID-19 case statistics , protests, warnings to remain vigilant amid the reopening of the state, and where to get tested for COVID.
• 2020

  New Challenges, New Hope

  Ever since the start of the pandemic and the shift towards remote learning, I’ve faced new challenges in places I did not expect. In my home, it was hard getting used to studying and going to class whilst living in a small apartment that I share with my family; I did not having adequate space to learn and read, but my family and I worked something out and now I could/can study with ease. Additionally, I could not talk to my friends and interact with them, even online, given how I had to focus 2x more on my studies but I realized that my friends were experiencing the same thing and we soon planned several days to just talk online and interact. With COVID-19 and police violence spreading like wildfire, I feared what was going to happen to my family, friends, professor, class colleagues and more. However, seeing how people got together, helped each other, protested, united and worked in solidarity, it showed me something: hope. That even in the hardest times in life, there is still hope.
• 
  2020-09-02

  Wildstyle Paschall Oral History, 2020/09/02

  The interviewee in this oral history is a Black man who self identifies as an artist whose primary medium is photography; he is also an avid writer and local, community engaged, thought leader. In this interview, he shares his story of growing up in the United Northwest Area (UNWA) of Indianapolis and his experiences of COVID-19, activism and protests for racial justice, particularly following the killings of Dreasjon Reed in Indianapolis and George Floyd in Minneapolis.
• 
  2020-06-22

  Choiceless Children

  This is a personal essay I've written to describe my feelings on the recent racial unrest in this country amid the pandemic.
• 
  2020-09-08

  Is America showing it’s core values?

  I submitted this because I want to share to people that they need to know their rights before they do something that can get them in trouble
• 
  2020-09-08

  Equality and Freedom Has Been Stripped Away

  This essay was produced as a part of the American Studies program at California High School in San Ramon, California. The essay is in response to the prompt "Is America currently living up to its core values?" This essay argues that equality and freedom were once core values and they are not being lived up to today in America. It also includes references to the following modern events: BLM protests and recent trials.
• 
  2020-09-07

  Freedom: A True American Value

  It shows the importance that freedom is preserved in America
• 
  2020-09-03

  american values essay

  this is an essay that i wrote in high school responding to the prompt "is America currently living up to its values" I argued that we were and used the BLM movement to prove it
• 
  2020-06-02

  The Mask Wars

  This article discusses the mixed ideas surrounding the wearing of masks. Some people see it as a show of “scientific authority” and respect for the safety of others, but another portion of the public thinks it is a sign of weakness, submission, and cowardice. Masks in America are an extremely political point of conflict. And although the majority of people protesting against the killing of George Floyd wore masks to protect their community from transmission of the virus, the rest of the nation is still in turmoil over the issue. I have experienced my own difficulty with this as well; we have had to avoid unmasked neighbors several times, and when relatives come, we have to be the enforcers of distancing when they visit and remain outside. Mask wearing should not be politicized; it should just be something everyone wears with the safety and health of themselves and others in mind.