Items
Mediator is exactly
Black Voices
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2020-01-20
Deep Clean the White House
A cartoon shows a masked President Biden and Vice President Harris in front of the White House with a clean up crew of sorts. -
2020-12-28
Ben Crump demands charges against ‘Karen’ who allegedly attacked Black teen at hotel
From article: As theGrio reported, the 14-year-old son of Grammy-winning trumpet player Keyon Harrold was apparently accosted by a white woman who claimed he had stolen her iPhone at the Arlo SoHo Hotel in New York over the weekend. At one point, it appears she even lunged at Keyon Harrold Jr. and left him with scratches. The acclaimed musician posted the encounter to his Instagram and it went viral. Video shows masked woman accosting a man in public. -
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. -
2020-07-03
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. -
2020-08-08
“Black Lives Matter” sign
This sign is important because it is the main focus of my entire project and archive. Signs have become a major part of this pandemic, whether they are signs promoting a social message (such as this one), one supporting healthcare workers, or signs that are just motivational, signs have become the way of spreading hope and awareness during the pandemic. This item falls under the criteria of showing future historians a significant moment in the year 2020, as the entirety of the summer consisted of Black Lives Matter protests. The Black Lives Matter movement also was a way for the voices of black people to be amplified and speak up against police brutality and injustice. -
2020-12-15
Vote For Them
As the covid-19 pandemic began, many American’s found themselves glued to the news more than ever before. A result of this news consumption brought to light the atrocities committed against BIPOC in the United States. On March 13th, 2020, Breonna Taylor was fatally shot 6 times in her home by a plainclothes officer. Two months later, on May 25th, 2020, George Floyd was suffocated and killed during an arrest over a counterfeit $20 bill. Rightfully, many were outraged and so began protests in cities and towns across the United States. As the election drew closer a movement began to encourage voters to reflect on how their vote can impact historically marginalized individuals within their communities. What will the candidate you vote for do for the communities currently facing social justice issues at large? -
2020-12-14T22:05
HOW SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTES TO HIGH COVID RATES
We are submitting our group project from class which covers the affects Covid 19 has had on specific communities and groups of people. -
2020-12-09
Personal Instagram Story (December 9, 2020)
Since the unfair deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor back in May 2020, I have been posting on my Instagram story in the hopes of educating someone. While I try to defend it as activism, there is a level of performatism since I was not allowed to visit an protests with my mom’s health and seeing how the Boston police were handling the situation. It is easy to just post a picture of something that you agree with and not show yourself doing anything that will really hope. Recently I have been trying to read more books focused on theory in order to educate myself more and this has been a major focal point of my time lately. Along with this, I have also attempted to find more petitions to sign and donating more since my job has become more stable. This item connects to the criteria of “something significant about your generation”. This comes from the fact Gen Z has always had the internet as a major component in their life and many of us find our personal worth on social media apps such as TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Being able to see these posts everyday keeps us engaged with the world around us, however, with Instagram’s policy of random posts, not everything is being seen and it leads to certain topics not getting the same exposure. I think that while social media is good in terms of activism, there is a major need for protesters still as they are the ones that get the most change done. There is also the importance of filling the archival silence as the larger topics are being discussed. As a white woman in 2020, educating myself and making sure the voices of minorities are heard before mine. I would rather post these little infographics than about my life because educating the masses is more important than my second time visiting Michaels each week. Giving even the smallest platform to these stories is important as many of my friends have said that they have learned something new from these. It sometimes feels like I’m posting into the void, but, I hope to get the larger message across anyway that I can. -
November 14, 2020
"Get the water fixed"
Tweet from former MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes of video of Beetabun Moonias from Neskantaga First Nation sharing her experience of the water crisis and missing her home. -
2020-06-05
Picture of massive group of protesters in Halifax
This photo shows a large gathering of marching protesters armed with signs in Halifax, Nova scotia. -
2020-06-08
Picture of massive group of protesters in Montreal
This photo shows a large gathering of protesters armed with signs in downtown Montreal. -
2020-06-24
Picture of massive group of protesters in Ottawa
This photo shows a large gathering of protesters in front of Parliament. -
2020-06-05
Picture of massive group of protesters in Calgary
This photo shows a large gathering of protesters in downtown Calgary. -
2020-05-31
Picture of massive group of protesters in Vancouver
This photo shows a large gathering of protesters in Vancouver. -
2020-06-06
Picture of massive group of protesters in Chatham
This photo includes a large group of protesters in Ontario. -
2020-05-30
Picture of massive group of protesters in Toronto
This photo shows a large group of protesters in downtown Toronto. -
2020-06-07
"Stop Killing Us"
This post focuses on the murder of Black and Indigenous Canadians, and the image of the one protester surrounded by riot police. -
2020-08-24
"In the Age of Information, Ignorance is a Choice"
This post ties the pandemic and protesting together--the protester is wearing a mask, and while her sign is most likely a reference to the ignorance of white supremacy, it also works for ignorance of anti-maskers or COVID conspiracy theorists. -
2020-05-29
"Black Lives Matter Protest"
This poster advertises a peaceful protest, and some of the space is used to explain COVID protocols while protesting. -
2020-06-02
"COVID-19 Safety Tips"
This post directly ties COVID to protests, sharing various ways to be conscious and safe while protesting. -
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. -
2020-03-27
Marginalized groups in a pandemic
This article is focused on how COVID-19 affected a pregnant woman's birthing experience, especially harming black and native women. This article is very interesting to read and compare it to Brittany's story. Shaine Garcia and Brittany both were hoping for a healthy and smooth experience while giving birth, and COVID did not let that happen for them. The author mentions how the rules implemented allowed no visitors or accompany in these appointments. This prevented doulas and midwives from also being there. Those who were fortunate enough to have home births, midwives, or doulas were at advantage compared to those who could not afford this privilege. “Among mothers with low socioeconomic status, 18.7 percent of white women reported mistreatment compared to 27.2 percent of women of color. Indigenous women were the most likely to report experiencing at least one form of mistreatment by health-care providers during birth, followed by Black and Hispanic women,” says the Giving Voice to Mothers study.” This is the reason many prefer to have doulas because the black maternal mortality rate is twelve times a white woman. There are many disadvantages to those that could not have a home birth or the presence of extra support while giving birth. It is a very dangerous situation for these marginalized groups of women, that are not being treated correctly, especially during a pandemic where they are likely to face it alone. This correlates to the criteria of an item that attempts to fill an archival silence and amplify the voices of marginalized groups. Many people are not aware of the mistreatment happening to black and native women in hospitals. Doulas and midwives are there to help support and protect the mother in many more ways than people know, and because of covid-19, these privileges are being taken away. Although this article doesn’t specify those women who can’t afford them anyway, these women are being silenced. This article serves the purpose to educate and inform those that it is an issue going on and possibly getting worse during the pandemic. This is an article that shares the experiences of black and native pregnant women and how their experiences differ much more than other women. It was found through research. -
2020-12-09
We will rise
So many African Americans are put down or treated different because the color of our skins. Many enslaved and many killed but yet our population arises. I just wanted to get out that we shouldn't be treated differently. We are still human. We don’t understand why this is so we fight with our voices! This pandemic has helped most of our voices get out there. To let the world hear our pain, our struggle. I thank coivid-19 for that. -
2020-09-24
Christopher: Find the things that gives you peace
Christopher is the administrative aid at the African American Museum of Nassau County. He works with museum director, Joysetta Pearse, to promote understanding and appreciation of African American culture, art and tradition through education, interpretation, exhibitions, collections and programs for the enrichment of the public. Chris discusses his work, as well as how we hopes to come out stronger, on the other side of COVID. He also discusses the loss of his uncle and getting a diagnosis of his own during COVID. -
2020-05
Police Brutality and BLM
This presentation provides the history of police brutality towards POC, what led to the protests and the changes that being implemented -
2020-10-01
Interview by Dr. Juilee Decker and Alicia Evans, educator and Fiber Artist
Alicia Evans describes her busy life before COVID. She was a professor at City University New York as well as a fiber artist and medical actor. She describes how her work changed due to COVID, and how virtual learning has changed the way things are taught. She shares her art and stories about how she is impacting lives through her work and art. -
2020-10-15
Galvin Bisserup, Photographer, and the Father's Day Men's Chorus Project
"Galvin P. Bisserup, Jr. is the owner and principal portrait photographer of Glickman Studio Photographers which has been in Freeport, NY for 98 years. Over the years he has captured the many eventful moments of individual lives, from infancy through seasoned adulthood. For over three decades this professional photographer has been behind the camera capturing the smiles from the heart and soul. In this interview, Galvin recounts his career and how his work as a community photographer has been impacted by COVID. He also describes a project from this past spring which resulted in the creation of a music CD in celebration of Father’s Day with his men’s chorus. This interview was recorded by Juilee Decker and Joysetta Pearse with Galvin Bisserup on October 15, 2020 at 6 pm ET and lasted approximately 40 minutes. It was conducted over Zoom. A transcript is attached, along with multiple images associated with the interview, provided by Bisserup. It is part of the LongIslandCommunity series, an initiative of COVID-19 archive (Juilee Decker) and the African American Museum of Nassau County (Joysetta Pearse)." -
12/07/2020
Lauren Murray Oral History, 2020/12/07
Interview with a college student studying historical diseases about how COVID-19 compares to past pandemics. Comparison to 1918 Influenza pandemic and Black Death. -
2020-12-07
History Repeating Itself
I wrote this exam for my History 103 class at Niagara University as my final project. https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/learning-slavery-legacy-slave-trade-modern-society https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5323/jafriamerhist.97.1-2.0110?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents https://digpodcast.org/2020/01/26/slave-contraband-refugee-the-end-of-slavery-in-the-united-states/ -
2020-06-06
Salem Stands with Black Lives
On June 6, 2020, “Salem Stands with Black Lives,” a Black Lives Matter peaceful protest, was held in Salem, Massachusetts. Hundreds of masked individuals gathered in Salem Commons, wearing all black, with signs in support of George Floyd and all those who came before him. Attendants were required to wear a mask, keep physical distance from others, stay home if sick, and self-isolate or quarantine after the event. There were multiple speakers, a moment of silence for the deceased, and music. I attended the protest with my mother and sister. We saw people of all ages and ethnicities coming together in support yet staying physically apart. As we moved through the crowd in the Commons, we passed two young African American children playing in the grass. While walking close to them to avoid other people, we heard their mother say, “pull up your mask girls, these people are here for you, you want to make them feel safe too.” The video attached is from the event. You can see people masked, physically distanced, showing up during a public health emergency to support a cause they believe in. Not even a pandemic can stop democracy. -
2020-12-07
Utilizing American History to Understand Present Day Events
For my HIS 103 final project, I wrote an essay about how Americans utilize media platforms to draw connections between American history and current events. The similarities that contemporary Americans create reveal that while much has changed legally, our country continues to remain divided on the same topics. -
2020-05-31
Holistic Heaux creates the Rebellion Aid Relief Fund in the wake of George Floyd’s murder
I submitted this image because when George Floyd was murdered in my hometown while I was away , I felt powerless, unsure of how to help. Through social media I was able to see the tireless action taken in order to build up and preserve the hurting community. Small business owners Zedé and Zora Harut, of Holistic Heaux, are a fantastic example of such support. Along with other community organizers, Holistic Heaux collected funds to disperse and buy supplies for Black and brown women in Minneapolis during the unrest in the city. The program has since continued in an attempt to lessen the toll the pandemic has taken on mothers and children who are a part of a population that is much more at risk of becoming infected with the virus. The tireless work of the many individuals, like Zedé and Zora Harut and their business, Holistic Heaux, to provide relief throughout the uncertainty created by the pandemic and protests should be preserved and remembered for the positive impacts they have had on their community. -
2020-11-24
Pandemic Protesting
A summer protest against police brutality at which you can see people wearing masks -
2020-09-24
Jayce, Tonia, and Keiwan tell their COVID stories
Jayce, Tonia, and Keiwan tell their COVID stories as part of the LongIslandStories collection being done at the African American Museum of Nassau County -
2020-09-24
Horace Graydon: I want to live peacefully with you, politically, socially…
Horace Graydon is a community volunteer, avid walker, and advocate for disrupting the pipeline to prison for youth of color. Horace tells his story against the backdrop of his long-term sentences in federal penitentiary. In the end, Horace is hopeful, though, finding that his passion for his work now. Stating that he "took so much out of our black communities by when" he committed acts that led him to prison that, now, he is -
11/08/2020
Jacoby Mena Oral History, 2020/11/08
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. -
2020-05
Covid, Homelessness, and BLM
During the spring, I volunteered at the McKenna Center--a homeless shelter on N Capital St in DC. The man to my left in the picture in front of the shelter is a man named Johnny. He his from Bolivia and is the janitor at the center. Last spring I tutored him, and in return he cooked food for me and a few other volunteers to deliver to about 100 people every week. Some of the other photographs are fro the protests around the same time. -
2020-10-29
Blacktober - The Wind Rises
Another example of a piece of Blacktober art, with a character from the Studio Ghibli movie, The Wind Rises. -
2020-10-28
Blacktober - Princess Peach
Traditionally, during the month of October, artists from all corners of the internet come around to do something called Inktober. When Inktober's creator was shown stealing other's arts for profit (especially from people of color), people decided to create a new art theme for the month, #Blacktober, in honor of the black artists who are heavily underrepresented in the community turning well-known characters in media in portrayals of if they were a person of color. -
2020-05-31
Black Lives Matter in North Dakota
After the George Floyd murder, citizens in Minot, ND put together a protest and vigil for Mr. Floyd at Oak Park in Minot, ND. Minneapolis is a mere eight hours from Minot and there were many people affected by Floyds murder in North Dakota. -
2020-05-29
BLM Protestors at CNN Building
During the protests a few months back, I remember seeing this picture spread all around twitter uncensored and I remember thinking “these kids are going to be arrested because no one is protecting them’. And so I felt it was only fitting that this be the photo I choose for this assignment. -
2020-11-06
Peaceful Protest Turned Violent
In May during many riots in America, Des Moines, Iowa, had its share of violence. Over the course of a weekend the peaceful protests taking place at the time turned violent. According to different news programs and live videos on social media, they were trying to use minimal force and get things peaceful again. After there was a lot sit down talks with the protesters and the government. Many businesses were damaged, but there were also a lot of peaceful protests at the same time. -
2020-11-06
Cop Car Vandalized
After the protests turned violent cooled down in Des Moines, Iowa, there was still a lot of anger. One group decided to vandalize this cop car to send a message to the public/media. This is a picture from a social media post of the cop car. -
2020-06
BLM Protest During the Pandemic
A friend, who is to remain anonymous but offered a photo, lives in Washington D.C. and attended a BLM protest there. I asked her to share her experiences. “it probably didn’t move the needle anywhere, but I’m glad I went. The energy and atmosphere were... it’s hard for me to describe. After the sun went down it felt like a street fair, a party. During the day it was passion. The whole time there was a strong feel of togetherness”