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Cheryl Dunye

"Sometimes you have to create your own history. The Watermelon Women is fiction.” - Cheryl Dunye

This is a striking concept by groundbreaking director, screenwriter, and filmmaker Cheryl Dunye since we live in a world that often denotes or obscures the history and experiences of those who are considered “outcasts” and dissidents to the existing structure of our classist, sexist, racist society. This happens all too often as is apparent in the lack of education in our school’s teachings regarding Women, African Americans, and certainly the LGBTQ community, leading to an erroneous feeling of being voiceless and disempowered. Cheryl Dunye, a great soul and mind, has made a name by taking action for herself and placing the ignored if not invisible experiences of an individual who happens to be black, a women, and queer in her own hands. Dunye is as intelligent as she is introspective, as convicted as she is creative, and as bold as she is insightful. Cheryl was born in Liberia in 1966, and is truly African-American. Following her move to Philadelphia in her youth she received her BA from Temple and later her MFA from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts. Her first and perhaps most recognizable piece, The Watermelon Women, broke down barriers in 1996 as it became the first film by a woman who is both black and queer, winning her international acclaim. Since then she has won numerous awards with several more productions over the past two decades, and she continues to work as an icon and inspiration to many.

(Sources:

http://www.cheryldunye.com/

http://www.academia.edu/3848584/Intersectionality_Dunyementary_and_Cheryl_Dunye_s_The_Watermelon_Woman_

http://cinema.sfsu.edu/people/faculty/cheryl-dunye)

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Olivia J Hooker

This past weekend, on February 15th 2015, Dr. Olivia J. Hooker was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the NYS Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators' Caucus. She turned 100 years old two days prior. Her story is amazing and it should continue to be shared.

Dr. Olivia J. Hooker was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1915, and moved with her family to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her father was a successful businessman who operated a clothing store and her mother was a former teacher in the Greenwood District, which was referred to as “the prairie’s own small turn-of-the-century Harlem”.

Dr. Olivia Hooker was six years old when her community in Tulsa was destroyed on May 31, 1921, in the worst race riot in the history of the United States. The Tulsa Riot resulted in the deaths of more than three hundred people, and the burning of more than one thousand homes and businesses. Dr. Olivia J. Hooker vividly remembers being awakened by the thudding sounds of machine gun ammunition raining down on her family’s home.

The race riots in Tulsa were a result of white anger at the wealth an prosperity of blacks in the Greenwood District, commonly known as "Black Wall Street."

Throughout her later life, Hooker has been actively involved in raising the American consciousness about the Tulsa Race Riots. In 1997, along with other survivors, Dr. Hooker helped found the Tulsa Race Riot Commission, which drafted recommendations for restitution. She has participated in the creation and dissemination of the documentary Before They Die, which seeks reparations for riot survivors from the American government. She has also testified on Capitol Hill in unsuccessful hearings organized by the Congressional Black Caucus on restitution for Greenwood residents.   

Dr. Olivia J. Hooker earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio State University, went on to earn a Masters Degree in Psychological Services from Teachers College at Columbia University, and then earned a Doctoral Degree from the University of Rochester, where she was one of two black female students.

To learn more about her experience in Tulsa and the circumstances of the riot, check out Dr. Hooker's interview with CUNY professor Dr. Roscoe C Brown, Jr. and Reggie Turner (director of Before They Die):

 http://youtu.be/GqIwcuMeJtQ 

Other Sources:

NYS Black and Puerto Rican Legislators' Caucus 2015 Awards Reception

NY Senate: http://www.nysenate.gov/story/dr-olivia-j-hooker

Feminist Voices: http://www.feministvoices.com/olivia-hooker/

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Hester C. Jeffrey

Hester C. Jeffrey was born free in Virginia and moved to Rochester, NY later in life. Jeffrey is known for starting and working with many local Black women’s clubs and numerous organizations fighting for the equality of Blacks and women. Her Hester C. Jeffrey Club raised money to send Black women to RIT (then called the Mechanic’s Institute). In a time when it was difficult to do so, Jeffrey moved beyond racial obstacles in her work to improve conditions for Blacks, women, and Black women in particular.

Do you feel that the Feminist Movement (presently/historically) sufficiently represents the unique concerns Black women face? What groups do you know of working toward Black women's liberation?

(Sources: Article,"Mrs. "Hester C." R. Jerome Jeffrey" http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/0history/jeffrey_hester.html

Article, "Hester C. Whitehurst Jeffrey" http://www.rochesterunitarian.org/_old/historical_documents/Hester_Jeffrey.pdf)

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As part of our BLACK History 365 project, we’ll also be highlighting black music and its common thread through the generations.

In this Sample of the Day, the Rescue Season project highlights Isaac Hayes's "The Look of Love" and Jay-Z's "Can I Live."

Jerry Rescue explains the Rescue Season project:

"My Vision is to create a collection of the most important artists and albums and how they have affected the music that we listen to today. I will explore samples within hip-hop music and how the samples are used to convey an argument. This page will essentially become a musical encyclopedia if you will. More than just providing access to these musical gems, I take great care in sourcing information about the hometown that I love, Rochester, NY [585] and the artists and music that comes with my city. I hope that this passion can unify us all as we strive to preserve the music we love so much. Enjoy it and Bless you all.

"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness" - Martin Luther King Jr.”

Enjoy these two great selections from Rescue Season.

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Black Leaders of our Past

After honoring the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., today we honor some of our earlier Black leaders.

The first formally recognized abolitionist organization with Black leadership was the American Anti-Slavery Society, formed in Philadelphia, PA on Dec 4th, 1833. James McCrummell, Robert Purvis, and James G. Barbadoes were the first three Black delegates of the organization. The Female Anti-Slavery Society of Philadelphia was formed December 14th of that same year and included powerful Black women such as Sarah M. Douglass, Harriet Purvis (wife of Robert), Sarah Forten, and Margaretta Forten. 

Inspired by this powerful leadership, affiliate organizations began to form in other cities. Rochester's American Anti-Slavery Society was formed in 1834 and its women's auxiliary was formed in 1836. Later, Frederick Douglass would become a key leader in the American Anti-Slavery Society, speaking at meeting halls across the Northeast and Midwest.

Who are your heroes and what organizations do you see fighting for Black life today?

- From Black Abolitionists by Benjamin Quarles, 1977.

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Found from various places online:

The Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire

Angela Y. Davis - Are Prisons Obsolete?

Angela Y. Davis - Race, Women, and Class

The Communist Manifesto - Marx and Engels

Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde (link updated 1/14)

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Dr. Charles Terrell Lunsford

Charles Terrell Lunsford was born May 15, 1891 in Macon, GA. He graduated with honors from Howard Academy’s College of Arts and Sciences in 1913. Then from Howard University’s Medical College in 1921, at the top of his class. That summer, he and his wife, Nan, moved to Rochester. He opened his practice on Clarissa St in Corn Hill. For over 50 years he served the community as a doctor of the people. He was praised for his dedication and sacrifice for his patients. He made house calls and lowered his prices to make quality care accessible and affordable.

  Not only was Dr. Lunsford celebrated for his medical work, but he also became a local civil rights hero in his achievements for the Black community. He fought to get Black students allowed into the University of Rochester’s School of Medicine and Dentistry and continued to fight for their equal treatment throughout his life. He got the YMCA to accept Black guests and Eastman Kodak to hire Black workers. In 1944 he staged an infiltration that led the Red Cross to change their national regulations and begin to accept blood from people of color.

  As respected as he was within Rochester’s Black community, his reputation was attacked from the outside. State agents posed as his patients for years and their efforts led to a case being opened against Dr. Lunsford that threatened to take his license. Initially he planned to submit his license, but after strong and public objections from his patients, friends, and community, he decided to fight the case against him.

  Before passing in 1985, Dr. Lunsford was able to see his name preserved. He lived to see a school and day named in his honor (June 18, 1978). The Urban League also created the Charles T. Lunsford Distinguished Community Service award in 1978. Shortly after his death, a park in Corn Hill was named after him as well as a fellowship through the Urban League that would provide Black students tuition to UofR’s medical school based on need.

  Dr. Lunsford’s legacy lives on through his patients and all of us who benefit from the fruits of his civil rights work. Do you know any exceptional Black doctors in the Rochester area? Tell us about them!

    #rochester #og #originalgenius #firstBlackdoctor #housecalls #Blackhistory365 #Blacklife585 #Blackallyear

    Sources:

Article, “Doctor Fights to Clear his Name” Democrat & Chronicle 4/5/1978

Article, “Rally to Support Dr. Lunsford” Times Union 4/29/1978

Article, “Dr. Lunsford to Fight Charges” Times Union 4/5/1978

Article, “In Defense of Dr. Lunsford” Times Union 4/22/1978

Article, “New Scholarship at UR” Democrat & Chronicle 4/22/1978

Article, “Lunsford Honored at Dinner” Democrat & Chronicle 6/19/1978

Article, “Black M.D. Left Proud Legacy, Friends Promise Not to Forget” Democrat & Chronicle 2/22/1985

Article, “Dr. Charles Lunsford Dies: Legacy of City’s First Black Doctor Goes Beyond Medicine” Democrat & Chronicle 2/23/1985

Article, “A Life of Honor” Democrat & Chronicle 7/21/1986

Article, “Dr. Charles Lunsford was Both a Healer and a Leader” Democrat & Chronicle 2/20/2007

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Beatrice Amaza Howard

This second week of January we remember Beatrice Amaza Howard. Beatrice, a Rochester native who attended #31 School and East High, was the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Rochester. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1931, then her Master of Arts in 1933. Not only did she excel in the classroom but she also played baseball and basketball for UofR and was a member of the historically Black Pan-Hellenic sorority, Zeta Phi Beta. After college, she went on to teach.

What do you think it was like being the only Black woman at a mostly white school? Have you ever felt isolated while you were in school? Tell us about your experience getting an education in Rochester. Did you grow up here or come for college? If you were Urban Suburban, what was it like learning outside of your native area?

(Sources: Article, "Beatrice Amaza Howard First Girl of Colored Race to Graduate at U. of R." https://www.rochester.edu/diversity/history/howardarticle.pdf Article, "The Opening of the American Campus," Rochester Review Spring/Summer 1993)

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As part of our BLACK History 365 project, we'll also be highlighting music and its common thread through the generations.

"Jerry Rescue" (aka Christopher Norwood) is an active member of the Rochester community who's worked in county politics and with Rochester's Freedom School. He's a co-founder of Brothahood Productions, a local black production company, and performs with his band The Suburban Plaza. 

Jerry Rescue explains the Rescue Season project:

"My Vision is to create a collection of the most important artists and albums and how they have affected the music that we listen to today. I will explore samples within hip-hop music and how the samples are used to convey an argument. This page will essentially become a musical encyclopedia if you will. More than just providing access to these musical gems, I take great care in sourcing information about the hometown that I love, Rochester, NY [585] and the artists and music that comes with my city. I hope that this passion can unify us all as we strive to preserve the music we love so much. Enjoy it and Bless you all.

"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness" - Martin Luther King Jr."

In this "Sample of the Day," he cites Quincy Jones' "Summer in the City" (ft. Valerie Simpson) as the sample in The Pharcyde's "Passin' Me By." He also gives in-depth bios for Jones, Simpson, and The Pharcyde.

[http://www.rescueseason.com/2015/01/sample-of-day-pharcyde-j-swift-valerie.html]

Enjoy these two great songs, courtesy of Rescue Season.

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Asa Dunbar

On the first day of 2015, we remember Asa Dunbar. Known as Rochester's first black Settler, Dunbar came to Irondequoit (present-day Winton Road North) in 1795 where he cleared land and started a farm. 

(Source: African American Who's Who, Past & Present: Greater Rochester Area, 1998.)

How did you or your family make your way to Rochester? Email us at blackroccollective@gmail.com and help us archive the history of black migration to Rochester.

Let's tell the story of Rochester's present day community!

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Biggie's gas station - Cleveland OH

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Black History 365

"Black History Month" began in 1926 as "Negro History Week" through the work of Carter G Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Negro History Week was observed during the 2nd week in February, coinciding with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

It wasn't until 1969 that the Black Student Union at Kent Sate University proposed the idea of a Black History Month; it was first observed in February of 1970.

B.L.A.C.K - Building Leadership and Community Knowledge recognizes the significance of knowing and retelling our history as black people, especially in a country where our story is often edited or entirely censored. In 2015, B.L.A.C.K will be highlighting our history throughout the year, including significant figures, events, and untold stories. As an organization working in the city of Rochester, we seek to highlight local and regional heroes that have been forgotten, especially many of the woman who have helped build this community.

This collection is not meant to be exhaustive; rather it is a diverse segment of our expansive history and a step towards self-determination (kujichagulia) through the retelling of our own history.

"Philosophers have long conceded, however, that every man has two educators: 'that which is given to him, and the other that which he gives himself. Of the two kinds the latter is by far the more desirable. Indeed all that is most worthy in man he must work out and conquer for himself. It is that which constitutes our real and best nourishment. What we are merely taught seldom nourishes the mind like that which we teach ourselves."

- Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-Education of the Negro

#BLACKHistory365 #IamBLACK365