Freedom Facts and Firsts : 400 Years of the African American Civil Rights Experience

Smith, Jessie Carney (EDT); Wynn, Linda T. (EDT)

ISBN 10: 1578591929 / ISBN 13: 9781578591923

Published by Visible Ink Press, 2009

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 5983259-n

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Freedom Facts and Firsts : 400 Years of the African American Civil Rights Experience
• Publisher: Visible Ink Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1578591929
• ISBN 13: 9781578591923
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Spanning nearly 400 years from the early abolitionists to the present, Freedom Facts and Firsts: 400 Years of the African American Civil Rights Experience profiles more than 400 people, places, and events that have shaped the history of the black struggle for freedom.

Covering such mainstay figures as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks as well as delving into how lesser known figures contributed to and shaped the history of civil rights, Freedom Facts and Firsts chronicles the breadth and passion of an entire people's quest for freedom. Among the inspiring stories found in this comprehensive resource are:

How the Housewives' League of Detroit started a nationwide movement to support black businesses, helping many to survive the Great Depression.

What effect the sports journalist Samuel Harold Lacy had on Jackie Robinson's historic entrance into the major leagues.

How the 9th and 10th Calvary and the 24th and 25th Infantry became known as the Buffalo Soldiers, a term of respect and endearment.

How Whoopi Goldberg survived poverty, drug addiction, single parenthood, and a welfare income and used her personal history to take a satirical look at social issues.

How world champion bicyclist Marshall “Major” Taylor was the first American-born black champion in any sport.

How in 1890 John Mercer Langston became the first black U.S. congressman elected from his native state of Virginia.

This inspiring resource offers an encouraging look at the historic struggles and triumphs of black men and women in politics, arts, music, journalism, law, social work and sports, the authors chart a full and inspiring history of African American activism!

About the Author

Jessie Carney Smith is a noted African American studies scholar and a professor of humanities at Fisk University. She is the author of Black Firsts and Black Heroes. Linda T. Wynn is the assistant director for state programs at the Tennessee Historical Commission and a professor of history at Fisk University. They both live in Nashville, Tennessee.