Opal Lee: A Social Justice Hero

Posted on June 14, 2024June 14, 2024 by Meili Clark

“If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love. But we need to know, you can’t erase history. So, let’s learn from it and be damned sure it doesn’t happen again.”

– Opal Lee

Opal Lee

Opal Lee was born on October 7^th, 1926, in Marshall, Texas. She was only three generations removed from her enslaved ancestors – her great grandmother on her father’s side was born into slavery.

This was a time of strict segregation and extreme racial violence from white supremacists and terrorist organizations like the Ku Klux Klan. During the 1920s at least 281 Blacks were lynched throughout the country. White supremacists burnt down Black schools, churches, businesses and houses, intimidated Black voters, enforced Jim Crow laws and much more.

When Lee was 10, the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas. Two years later, in June of 1939, at the age of 12, the family moved to Sycamore Park, a predominantly white neighborhood in Fort Worth. On June 19^th (Juneteenth), a day that was supposed to be filled with joy and celebration, Opal Lee and her family experienced a traumatic and unfortunately common event. A mob of approximately 500 white supremacists destroyed their home, all because they didn’t want a black family living in the neighborhood. Lee and her family were able to escape physically unharmed, but the emotional trauma would affect them for years to come. No one was arrested and justice was denied – a recurring theme for many Black Americans throughout this country’s history. While being interviewed for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Lee said, "The fact that it happened on the 19th day of June has spurred me to make people understand that Juneteenth is not just a festival." This event made her realize that racism was a barrier to true freedom for Black Americans, so she dedicated her life to teaching and activism.

After graduating from Wiley College in 1952 with a degree in elementary education, she dedicated her life to teaching, counseling and inspiring students. But more than education, she was dedicated to activism. She was involved in multiple community organizations like Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society, and even started her own nonprofit organization in 1994 called Unity Unlimited Inc. Their mission was “Providing educational activities and resources to people, young and old, to foster unity and harmony within the community, the city, the state, the nation and the world regardless of race, culture or denomination and regardless of the form in which the events may be presented, including but not limited to workshops, expositions, concerts, rallies and lectures.” Lee is also a board member of Transform 1012 N. Main Street, which is converting a former Ku Klux Klan auditorium into The Fred Rouse Center for Arts and Community Healing, named after Rouse who was lynched by a white mob in 1921 in Fort Worth. Lee also spent decades organizing Juneteenth celebrations in Fort Worth.

“We have simply got to make people aware that none of us are free until we’re all free, and we aren’t free yet.”

– Opal Lee

In 2016, Lee championed the cause to make Juneteenth a national holiday by walking two-and-a-half miles a day in multiple cities from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C. The two-and-a-half miles represented the years between the Emancipation Proclamation and General Orders No. 3. Lee said she thought about her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with every step. She also started an online petition which garnered 1.6 million signatures. Her efforts gained her the nickname “grandmother of Juneteenth,” and on June 18, 2021, she sat in the White House and watched President Joe Biden sign Senate Bill 475 that made Juneteenth a federal holiday. That simple swipe of the pen would never have been possible without the dedication, determination and passion from people like Opal Lee. Because of her courageous efforts, she was voted “Texan of the Year” in 2021, nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024 (Our nation’s highest civilian honor).

Today, at least 41 states either recognize or observe Juneteenth as a state holiday. This holiday is an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Opal Lee and all the other freedom heroes that came before her by recommitting to bring an end systemic racism and all other forms of discrimination.

Juneteenth

To understand Opal Lee’s experience and commitment to activism, you have to understand Juneteenth and her personal connection to it.

Major General Gordon Granger and 1,800 Union troops landed in Galveston, Texas on June 18, 1865. The next day, June 19, he issued General Orders No. 3, freeing over 250,000 enslaved people in Texas – 71 days after the Civil War ended and two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. For enslaved people in Galveston and others throughout Texas, June 19^th, 1865, offered a definitive date for their freedom. A day they made their own. From 1865 forward, people like Opal Lee led the way in organizing Juneteenth celebrations in Sycamore Park and other parts of Texas.

Juneteenth became more than just a celebration of freedom. It became a celebration of Black history and culture, Black resistance and resilience and Black unity, love and joy. It became a way for families to reunite; a way for African Americans to organize politically, economically and spiritually; a way to educate and inspire future generations; and a way to show their pride, strength and resolve. And thanks to Opal Lee, Juneteenth is now a national holiday, celebrated in cities across the country. However, for Lee, Juneteenth became more than just a “festival” early on in her life.

Call to Action

Opal Lee’s call to action was fighting against racism and making Juneteenth a federal holiday. She accomplished her goals through courage, cooperation and perseverance. Her story and actions are an inspiration to us all.

What’s your call to action?

Black Resistance: What it means to me

Posted on August 1, 2023August 1, 2023 by Andrew Michael

What does Black resistance mean to me? Black resistance means activism, freedom, love, family and hope. Black people in America have resisted oppression in systemic, institutional, interpersonal and intrapersonal forms for centuries. Resistance can be both good and bad, and it means different things for different people. Black resistance is the foundation of American democracy. Resistance for Black Americans started in the 1800s, as Black Americans were mistreated and forced into chattel slavery. A major mechanism of resistance was marching. An effort to combat racial injustice with the goal of reaching equal rights for Black Americans. Black resistance movements began during the era of slavery through the Underground Railroad and persisted through and after the Civil War. When the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln, it prompted an even larger resistance movement eventually leading to the Civil Rights era, including the 1960s when individuals radically armed themselves, ultimately resorting to violence.

Black Americans have literally institutionalized resistance by building strong supportive communities such as Black churches, periodicals, historically Black colleges and universities, the Congressional Black Caucus and many other groups and organizations, all founded to ensure the future success of African Americans which had not been previously granted due to the oppressive societal standards that existed in that era. Some of these organizations may be familiar: the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people (NAACP), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). The NAACP advocated for political and educational access, and equity of minority group citizens across the country to eliminate racial prejudice. They strived to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes.

In 1942 a group of Black and white students in Chicago founded CORE, empowering one of America’s most prolific Civil Rights movements. The CORE organization worked alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. and was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s protest strategies of nonviolence and civil disobedience. The SCLC mission was to focus its effort on citizenship, schools and efforts to desegregate individual southern cities. Their goal was to plan rallies, marches and boycotts to end racial discrimination across the South. The SNCC organization sought to coordinate youth-led nonviolent, direct-action campaigns against segregation and other forms of racism. These young Black college students conducted sit-ins around the country to protest the segregation of restaurants and establishments. These organizations and actions that were taken are what turned the world the way it is today. So Black resistance means a lot to me, because if it wasn’t for our ancestors, and these coalitions that were formed, we would not be able to co-exist in the world today. Black resistance plays a major role in my life and the lives of African Americans across the country today.

“Service to the People” – the Importance of Community Food Programs

Posted on August 1, 2023August 1, 2023 by Andrew Michael

Food insecurity has long been a problem in the United States, made worse by increased income inequality. Wages have stagnated while food and healthcare prices keep increasing. According to Feeding America, over nine million children faced food insecurity in 2021. In that same year, 22% of Black children were food insecure. According to No Kid Hungry, food insecurity affects concentration, memory, mood and motor skills, which ultimately impacts school performance and behavior.

Food insecurity is a problem that many community organizations have fought to end. One of the most famous of these programs was the Free Breakfast for School Children started by the Black Panther Party. The Panthers were started by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in the mid-1960s to combat issues facing Black communities, such as hunger and lack of medical access.

The Black Panther Party recognized that hunger negatively impacts a child’s education and basic functionality. The Free Breakfast for Schoolchildren Program offered free, hot and nutritionally balanced breakfast for any child who attended the program. The program started off feeding a few hundred kids but grew to help over 20,000 kids by the end of its first year. By 1969, hundreds of free breakfast programs had opened throughout the country.

Another Black Panther Party food initiative was the Free Food Program, which focused on all community members, not just children. According to Food Insecurity in Black Communities by Feeding America, Black Americans are three times more likely to face hunger than white Americans. Each week, the organization would deliver a week’s worth of nutritious, fresh foods to those requesting assistance. Food donations from various stores helped fuel both of the Panther food programs. In 1969, the U.S. National Lunch Program acknowledged that the Panthers were feeding more low-income children than they were.

You can still find local food aid in your community. These programs can be found at food banks such as the Freestore Foodbank. Local churches often have food pantries that deliver food to their neighbors. Consider donating to these organizations or volunteering to cook and distribute food.

Louise Shropshire, Civil Rights icon and Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame Inductee

Posted on July 17, 2023March 22, 2024 by Andrew Michael

Louise Shropshire (1913-1993) was born in Alabama and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her grandparents were enslaved. Composing hymns at a young age, she eventually worked as the music minister at the Revelation Baptist Church in Cincinnati. She conducted the mass choir of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs in Cincinnati in 1935. Her hymnals were popularized throughout churches and were used during the Civil Rights Movement. “If My Jesus Wills,” was published in 1942, and used by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to bring people together during the Civil Rights Movement. The work was copyrighted in 1954.

“We Shall Overcome,” a song that brought hope, courage, and unity to the Civil Rights Movement was inspired by “If My Jesus Wills.” “We Shall Overcome” is believed to have come from African American workers were striking against the American Tobacco Co. in Charleston, South Carolina because they were only making $0.45 an hour. Pete Seeger overheard these workers singing and would go on to popularize the song.

“We Shall Overcome” has very similar lyrics to “If My Jesus Wills”:

“We Shall Overcome,

We Shall Overcome,

We shall overcome someday,

Deep in my heart,

I do believe,

We shall overcome someday.”

Click here to listen to the Azuza Pacific University Gospel Choir perform “If My Jesus Wills.”

Louise passed away in 1993. Her final words to her grandson, Robert A. Goins Shropshire, were “Someday, somebody’s gonna do somethin’ with with all my music.” In 2016, the We Shall Overcome Foundation filed a class-action lawsuit against The Richmond Organization, who they believed claimed illegitimate copyright. In 2018, a New York Federal Judge signed an order that released “We Shall Overcome” in public domain, which granted people easier access to Louise’s song. Her grandson believes she would been so happy that her song could be used by everyone.3

Louise will be inducted into the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame on July 22nd, 2023. For more information, visit their website https://www.cincyblackmusicwalkoffame.org/.

From The Curator’s Desk – Why Do Curators Wear Gloves?

Posted on July 7, 2023June 27, 2023 by Sara Donato

Curators and experts who handle objects wear gloves for important reasons. One reason is that our hands naturally have oils, dirt, and dust on them. These things may not seem harmful, but they can actually damage the objects. The oils and dirt can make the delicate artifacts deteriorate more quickly. Some objects may even have dangerous substances which we don't want on our bodies. For example, weighted silk can contain arsenic and old medical instruments contain mercury which can be harmful.

To avoid leaving marks, dirt, or fingerprints on objects, curators wear gloves. Curators have used cotton gloves in the past but have found a few issues with the material. They can get caught on objects, especially ones made of rough wood or sharp metal. Also, cotton gloves can't protect against water or chemicals, which can be a problem for certain objects.

Curators and people handling objects at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center use nitrile gloves. These gloves are great because they are water and chemical resistant. They also have a more textured surface that helps with gripping objects. With nitrile gloves, curators can focus on appreciating the beauty and history of the artifacts without worrying about accidentally damaging them.

The next time you visit a museum or gallery, take a moment to think about the hard work of curators. By simply wearing gloves, they make sure our cultural treasures are preserved for everyone to research, view, and enjoy for years to come.

Reading History and Civics in Middle and High School

Posted on June 30, 2023June 27, 2023 by Sara Donato

A colleague recently dropped by my office to discuss a radio report she heard on her commute. The May 3, 2023 NPR report “History and Civics Scores Drop for U.S. Eighth Graders on National Test” had her wondering how the Freedom Center could support parents of middle and high schoolers who want to improve their students’ reading skills in history and civics. My answer was – that’s a great idea! Here is information for parents who want to know more.

How do I know if my child is really “reading:”

To truly read a written text, you must be comprehending what is written. Pronouncing the words on the page doesn’t automatically equate to understanding the meaning conveyed by those words. You must discuss the text with your students to gauge if they are comprehending what they read.

Do you read all texts the same way?

No. You change how you read depending upon the text. You engage different reading skills and practices when reading a poem compared to reading a math story problem. You also employ different skills and practices when you read fiction versus non-fiction. Reading a novel and following character and plot development requires a different skillset compared to pulling important information from a newspaper article or chapter in a science textbook.

When students enter middle and high school, they have learned the basic skills and strategies for reading and comprehending texts across different genres. However, they do not yet have the reading skills they need to successfully understand the complex, discipline-specific texts required in middle and high school. Reading instruction cannot end in elementary school. Middle and high school teachers need the time and support to engage students with discipline-specific texts – and I’m not talking about textbooks. Students need to learn to read the type of texts they will encounter throughout their life.

What should students be reading to improve their history and civics literacy?

As the NPR articles states, “Teaching history is built on the foundation of reading comprehension.” We read to engage with the past. Of course, reading non-fiction texts is terrific. However, not everyone enjoys it. Non-fiction in smaller doses, such as content on websites, might have more appeal. Credible institutions, such as the Freedom Center, have texts about various historical events and people. Historical fiction is also a great way to learn about past societies.

Civics teaches us to be citizens in our participatory democracy. Therefore, we need to stay informed about the issues our country is facing. As the NPR report noted, “…we need to make sure our kids are engaged citizens, and that means they need to be informed with knowledge and the skills to do this work. And that takes every class.” Newspaper and magazine articles are essential reading. Books about civic engagement and social justice reveal how our system operates and how citizens make societal, political and economic changes.

Importantly, we need to teach students to identify credible sources. This is an essential civic reading skill. There is a lot of information out there, especially online, and not all of it is based upon facts and evidence.
Here is just one source that can help you judge the credibility of websites: https://thecollegepost.com/best-tips-check-website-credibility/.
Here is one about the credibility of sources in general: https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/credible-sources/.

How can I get my student to read history and civics texts? Obviously, you can’t force your student to read, but there are things you can do to encourage reading.

1. Read together. Parents typically stop reading to their students around middle school. However, you should continue to read with your students. If you are reading the same texts, you can have conversations about the content, and that improves comprehension for both of you.

2. Talk (and read) about current events. Talk to your kids about the current events you read about. Seek out and read articles on topics that interest your student, and then ask them to read the articles. You can text them the link and talk about it over dinner or in the car. Ask them for their opinions and have them justify those opinions with facts and evidence. Ask them to evaluate the opinions expressed by others based upon provided evidence.

3. Encourage exploration. Smartphones provide us with access to unlimited information, including quality publications. Subscribe to some of them and provide your student with access. If your student shows interest in a particular topic, take a trip to the library (in person or online) and learn more together.

Dr. Amy Bottomley is the Director of Educational Initiatives at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. She has earned a B.S. in Secondary Education: Social Studies, a M.Ed. in Reading Education, and an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. Amy has taught high school social studies and reading courses in Ohio and Maryland, as well as teacher education courses at the University of Cincinnati. She is dedicated to teaching for social justice and supporting teachers in their pursuit of inclusive classroom practices. Amy can be contacted at (513) 333-7586 or at abottomley@nurfc.org.

Freedom Center Spotlight: Meili Clark

Posted on June 12, 2023May 11, 2023 by Sara Donato

What does your job entail?

My job is to steward the museum's visual brand. So anywhere the logo appears, or anything that we prepare for guests or visitors, or even for staff to use in their day-to-day business—I'm in charge of creating those materials and making sure they fit our brand standards.

What has been your favorite project at the Freedom Center?

I love getting to work on special exhibits that travel to the museum. One of my personal favorites was a Smithsonian traveling exhibit called MEN OF CHANGE: POWER. TRIUMPH. TRUTH.

I really enjoyed that show because it debuted at our museum. We were the first venue and it was really incredible to get the first peek. It featured photography and quotes—it was just a visually stunning exhibition and it felt special to be part of opening it for the first time.

If you could switch jobs with anyone for a week, what job would you want to try?

If I could try out any job in the museum field, I think I'd go for an archivist. I'm not familiar with everything they do, but I really like to organize just about anything. I find labeling, filing and alphabetizing so satisfying. In another life, I think I would have enjoyed getting to hunker down and organize information or collections.

What's a piece of advice you would give to someone starting this type of work?

For anyone starting out in non-profit, justice or advocacy work—a lesson I'm still learning is that it's really, really important to take care of yourself. This type of work is so important, and most people that work in these areas care really deeply. It's really easy to burn yourself out taking on too much work, or overlook the emotional toll. There are times to pour yourself into your work, but you always need to come back and take care of yourself, too.

What book would you recommend from the Freedom Store?

"Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

What is your favorite part of the museum?

My favorite part of the museum is Freedom's Eternal Flame on our third floor terrace. It calls back to the candles Underground Railroad conductors placed in windows to mark safe houses. It will also burn until all people are free around the world. It's a beautiful moment that symbolizes hope for a better world and the work still left to do.

Freedom Center Spotlight: Amy Bottomley

Posted on May 15, 2023May 11, 2023 by Sara Donato

Dr. Amy Bottomley

She/ Her

Director of Educational Initiatives, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Fast Facts

Hometown

Ottawa, Ohio — a small town in Northwestern Ohio.

Hobbies

Traveling with my family (husband and 2 kids), reading, and listening to audiobooks or podcasts — things that let me escape for a bit and experience something different.

Fun Fact

I have 3 dogs, Bella, Bailey, and Bibi. I’m that person who can’t pass a dog without pointing and saying “Aww. Look at that fur baby! Such a good dog!”

I’ll cross the street to meet a dog. I’ve been tempted to stop my car to meet a dog.

What does your job entail?

The Director of Educational Initiatives oversees all content and programming related to K-12 education and educator professional development.

What upcoming projects are you excited about?

I’m very excited about the refresh and emphasizing social justice movements throughout U.S. history. As a history teacher, it’s my mission to answer the question: Why do we need to learn about this? My answer is always: We learn about the past, so we understand our present and create a better future. We all have a responsibility to the future. No one lives in isolation. Our actions impact other people in meaningful ways. The history of social justice in the U.S. exemplifies this.

Throughout our history, meaningful change required people to first recognize social injustice and then work together to improve opportunities for everyone. I don’t think enough people understand this concept or the importance it played in our history. The opportunity to educate students and the public about it is very exciting.

What books would you recommend from the Freedom Store?

"Yours for Justice, Ida B. Wells: The Daring Life of a Crusading Journalist" written by Philip Dray and illustrated by Stephen Alcorn.

First of all, picture books are wonderful resources for readers of all ages. Well written and illustrated picture books like this one present accurate information in a short amount of space in a compelling format. Second of all, everyone should know about Ida B. Wells. She was a force of nature, and her story includes essential but often overlooked elements of the American story. She was born into slavery and experienced emancipation as a young girl, being among the first generations to navigate a new society. And she did this as a young, professional Black woman in the South. Her story illustrates the significance of race, gender, education, and activism under the cloud of Jim Crow. This book captures the courage and perseverance of Ida as she navigated her impressive life.

Teaching suggestion: Check out the C3 Inquiry The Urgency of Your Pen: Literacy Laws

"Sewing Stories: Harriet Powers’ Journey from Salve to Artist" written by Barbara Herkert and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.

The story of Harriet Powers is one of quiet strength and the power of art. Harriet navigated slavery, emancipation, and raising a family in Georgia during Reconstruction. That alone was a monumental feat, but one shared by thousands like her at the time. Considered insignificant by many, those stories of quiet strength and resilience have largely been lost or overlooked. However, Harriet’s quilts live on to share those stories: they’ve made the insignificant significant.

Teaching suggestion: Check out the C3 Inquiry Really Free

Teaching suggestions: Compare the stories of Ida B. Wells and Harriet Power. How are they alike and different? How did society at the time shape their lives? How did their decisions shape their lives? How did each of them contribute to social justice?

What has been your most impactful or favorite part of working at the Freedom Center?

I go to work every day to facilitate lightbulb moments for people willing to learn. The most exciting part of being an educator is the light bulb moment: when a person makes a connection, something clicks into place, and they suddenly have an understanding they didn’t have a minute ago.

Now they are looking at the world differently and say – I never thought about it that way before, or I never thought to ask that question. It’s like they put on x-ray glasses, and they see the world differently – from a different perspective. Things that were always there but invisible to them are now visible and can’t be unseen.

What's the best piece of advice you can give to someone starting this type of work?

Begin with your own self-reflection and work on your own perspectives and biases before expecting others to change. Be honest with yourself, recognize areas that need improvement, and hold yourself accountable to changing. And make self-reflection an ongoing occurrence. It’s not a one-time process.

What is your secret talent or superpower? What are you really good at?

I have a reserve of energy just for teaching about history and social justice. I could be exhausted and on the verge of sleeping, but if the tiniest opportunity for a teachable moment presents itself – I tap into that reserve and go into super teacher mode. I’ll ask really thought proving questions to unsuspecting people. I can’t help it.

My husband and kids experience this quite often. Once a birthday dinner at a restaurant turned into a conversation with my elementary aged kids about events that led to the Cold War. True story.

How should we teach tough history?

All learning occurs by making connections to our own experiences, or to things we already understand. Those connections are going to be different depending on the person and the experiences and understandings they possess. So, anyone trying to instill learning needs to come at it from all angles: make connections between the past and present, tell the human stories involved so historical figures become relatable, offer multiple perspectives on the same topic, fact-check, ask challenging questions and encourage people to challenge their pre-existing ideas. Have a conversation or at least begin one. Learning and meaningful understanding results from interaction, not isolation.

For example: You might read a book and gain knowledge of facts. You might event make connections to your own experiences or prior knowledge while reading and gain some understanding. But when you talk to people about the book and share understandings you gain new perspectives and could be challenged to change your thinking. Communicating takes the learning to another level.

What section in the museum do you find interesting?

I gravitate towards the section about the founding documents in the Slavery to Freedom exhibit. That section challenges visitors to consider the role slavery played in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution: the very essence of our country. Evidence is displayed so people consider essential elements of U.S. history that are infrequently taught. This evidence challenges the standard story we tell about our founding. To understand systemic and institutional racism in the U.S., start with the contradictions about slavery in the Declaration of Independence and consider why Jefferson’s section blaming the slave trade on the King of England was removed. Then, move on to the Constitution and the Three -fifths Compromise. Read the justifications for permitting slavery to continue. Within the context of the museum, you must deal with the humanity involved in those decisions.

Black Resistance: The Power of the Image

Posted on May 12, 2023April 10, 2023 by Sara Donato

Through the lens of the camera, communities have been able to document their experience, preserve their history and challenge misconceptions since the evolution of photography. As this technology became publicly available, many people were able to sit for a photograph or even become a photographer themselves. Black photographers were not only dealing with the emergence of a new industry but also with the racial discrimination. Nevertheless, a few prominent African Americans were able to make names for themselves as respected photographers.

Frederick Douglass was already a respected orator and established author by the time these new photographic methods were becoming popular. While it was a new technology, he recognized the importance of how photography could be a catalyst for social change. Douglass believed “Negros can never have impartial portraits at the hands of white artists” because he knew the importance of having Black photographers in the field – especially when photographing Black subjects.

When Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth sat for photographs, they did so in hopes that white people would see that Black people weren’t the caricatures they were portrayed to be. Posing for a photograph became an act of empowerment for Black people and served to counteract the stereotypes that distorted facial features and mocked Black society and culture. The development of Black photography allowed communities greater control to style images that authentically represented Black life during that time.

James Presley “J.P.” Ball

J.P. Ball was an African American photographer, abolitionist and businessman in the mid-1800s. He established a photographic business in Cincinnati in 1849 which became one of the most popular portrait studios in mid-nineteenth century America.

J.P. Ball was born free in Virginia in 1825. As a young man, Ball learned the process of daguerreotypes from the Black Boston photographer John B. Bailey. His first attempt at opening a photographic studio in Cincinnati in 1845 failed and Ball spent the next four years traveling through Pittsburgh, Richmond and Ohio working as an itinerant photographer before resettling in Cincinnati in 1849.

Cincinnati was home to rising racial tensions in the 19th century. It had just seen the race riots of 1829, 1836 and 1841 where African Americans were being run out of Cincinnati, attacked, killed or had their homes destroyed. As a prominent abolitionist and Black business owner, J.P. Ball had to carefully navigate a city filled with racial tensions. Nevertheless, he was dedicated and, in 1853, Ball moved his gallery to a downtown Cincinnati location and “Ball’s Great Daguerrean Gallery of the West” became one of the most celebrated galleries in the United States.

Ball traveled to Europe in 1856 where he photographed Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens. His growing reputation drew many well-known figures to his Cincinnati studio, including abolitionist Frederick Douglass, P.T. Barnum and the family of Ulysses S. Grant. By 1857, Ball and his brother-in-law had opened a business that became known as “the finest photographic gallery west of the Allegheny Mountains.”

His work serves as documentation that despite the common imagery presented from this time period, these real photographs of Black people exist, too.

In the rise of the Jim Crow era, photography was still being used to give a voice to the often-misrepresented communities. There was also an increase in photos taken to disparage the Black community and support white supremacy. Images of dehumanized bodies and lynchings were not uncommon and were used to demoralize those trying to advance their rights.

Many photographers emerged to document the beauty and resilience of their communities despite the struggles they faced with Gordon Parks, P.H. Polk and James Van Der Zee among the most notable photographers giving voice to their communities at this time. With their documentation of the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement and portraits that dignified their subjects we can get a fuller representation of Black life during this time.

Gordon Parks

Some of Gordon Parks' most famous photos are of regular life portraying family and friends gathering, going shopping, attending church and getting ice cream with kids – things that most people can relate to on some level. But he was also showing what life was like for African Americans. Using his camera, he was creating a social commentary about the basis of our humanity.

These images provide evidence that these people existed—they are noteworthy because they aren’t of noteworthy images. They are empowering because they counteracted the distorted images portrayed by the media.

Gordon Parks' photo essay “Harlem Gang Leader” in 1948 documented the life of 17-year-old Leonard “Red” Jackson in hopes of humanizing the individuals in the Harlem Gang Wars and encouraging support for social programs. This landed him a job with Life Magazine where he was hired as the first Black photographer on staff. His photographs of the civil rights movement became some of the most important documentation of racial divide in the United States.

His work took him around the world and had him photographing icons of the time including Muhammad Ali, Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X. His extensive collection of work from the 1940s to the 2000s include credits as photographer, author, composer and filmmaker. His film “The Learning Tree” was the first studio film by an African American director. Set in rural Kansas in the 1920s, the film was a coming-of-age story against the backdrop of segregation and Jim Crow Laws.

Later, his iconic film “Shaft” (1971) featured a Black detective working against white criminals. He was brought in to direct the film and, apart from the script, gave all the pieces of the filmmaking process — from acting to marketing — to African American creatives.

The rise in digital photography and social media has increased the power of photography for pushing social change and creating a global collaborative community. Social media platforms have allowed its users to connect and share their experiences with a wide audience. It has allowed people to tell their own stories with their own voice. The #BlackLivesMatter movement gained traction in 2012 after the murder of Trayvon Martin and as users began sharing powerful images online.

The role of photography cannot be understated when pushing for social change. It has long been an important tool for creating awareness by provoking an emotional response. Photographs capture the injustices and inequalities of society, and by presenting these images to a wider audience, they can (and have) inspired change.

National Mental Health Awareness Month: Improving Mental Healthcare For All

Posted on May 1, 2023May 3, 2023 by Andrew Michael

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Social media lights up with #selfcare and celebrities testify to the importance of mental health care in their lives, but there is still an ongoing mental health crisis in the United States. Even for those who want access to mental health care, too often barriers exist to access. This is particularly true in communities of color.

In 2020, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported that 21% – roughly 1 in 5 – U.S. adults experienced some form of mental illness. Further, 16.5% – about 1 in 6 – American youth ages 6-17 struggled with a “mental health disorder.” In total, that is roughly 60.6 million American men, women and children. This is just the tip of the iceberg, considering these numbers rely on self-reporting, which an individual may choose not to do for a variety of reasons.

Yet a very important nuance of the picture is missed when viewing the data from the broader level. Different ethnic and racial groups receive mental health care at different rates. See the bar graph (created from 2019 SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services)) for a visual representation of this discrepancy. In 2019, although about half of non-Hispanic white adults with mental health illnesses received treatment, less than a third of non-Hispanic African Americans suffering from mental health disorders received treatment. What gives?

Everyone faces barriers to mental health care, but individuals from minority communities are often uniquely disadvantaged when it comes to mental health access. Barriers can include lack of insurance (or underinsurance, as mental health care is sometimes not included in health care plans), lack of transportation to appointments, prohibitive cost, and more. According to a 2019 NAMI California survey, the three greatest obstacles to mental health care reported by diverse patients and caregivers were cost, stigma within their communities, and lack of culturally competent services. To quote one participant, “We have been knocking on county mental health services’ doors for years.”

So, what can be done to improve mental health services and outcomes for diverse communities? One important early step is to work within communities and with community leaders to educate about mental illnesses and lower the stigma about seeking mental health services. It's important that practitioners address culturally-specific traumas as well as community strengths. For an example of one group that practices this, check out the Center for Native Child and Family Resilience. By giving priority to community leaders and centering traditional spiritual and healing customs in development of community programming (see this example of using the Indigenous Medicine Wheel), the Center offers more holistic outcomes than traditional social and mental health frameworks for many Native American and Alaskan Native communities.

This is just one step. The United States also needs to commit to more comprehensive mental health care included in health insurance for all, as well as requiring ongoing implicit bias training and cultural competency courses for social workers and mental health care professionals. Poor mental health outcomes have adverse effects on not only individuals, but also families, communities, and society as a whole. It snowballs into something that affects everyone. The CDC has even called it a “global public health issue.” Considering the consequences, who wouldn’t be invested in improving mental health care for all?

Better mental health for all starts with access for all. Are you interested in therapy, but worried about the cost? You may qualify for state-sponsored therapy. Check the following links for more information:

Ohio: https://blog.opencounseling.com/public-mental-health-oh/
Kentucky: https://blog.opencounseling.com/public-mental-health-ky/
Indiana: https://blog.opencounseling.com/public-mental-health-in/
Choose another state: https://blog.opencounseling.com/public-mental-health-in/

– Opal Lee

Opal Lee

– Opal Lee

Opal Lee visits the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in 2021. Photo courtesy of Alica Reece.

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July 7, 2023

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Black Resistance: The Power of the Image

James Presley “J.P.” Ball

Gordon Parks

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