Oxford University Press's
Academic Insights for the Thinking World
By Tim Allen
On this day forty years ago, the African American psychologist Robert Williams coined the term “Ebonics” during an education conference held at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri. At the time, his audience was receptive to, even enthusiastic about, the word. But invoke the word “Ebonics” today and you’ll have no trouble raising the hackles of educators, journalists, linguists, and anyone else who might have an opinion about how people speak.
By Terza S. Lima-Neves
For a relatively unknown small island nation in West Africa with a population of half a million people, Cape Verde enjoys a rich and lively music scene. This archipelago of ten islands and former Portuguese colony is a nation historically affected by drought and famine, leading to a very sizable global immigrant community. Many of Cape Verde’s musicians either live abroad or were born in countries such as Portugal or the United States, the host country of the largest community of Cape Verdeans outside of Cape Verde.
Dr. Fredrick C. Harris is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center on African-American Politics and Society (CAAPS) at Columbia University. He is the author of several books, including his latest, The Price of the Ticket: Barack Obama and the Rise and Decline of Black Politics. In it, he argues that the election of Obama exacted a heavy cost on black politics. In short, Harris argues that Obama became the first African American President by denying that he was the candidate of African Americans, thereby downplaying many of the social justice issues that have traditionally been a part of black political movements. In this interview, Harris discusses his findings with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
By Adam Rosen
Sunday, April 29 marks the twentieth anniversary of one of the grimmest episodes in modern American history. For nearly five days, parts of Los Angeles transformed into a free-for-all where looting, gun battles, and arson proceeded without challenge by the city’s authorities. Only after U.S. President George H.W. Bush commanded 3,000 soldiers to occupy the city was order restored. By that time, 53 people had been killed, an estimated $ 1 billion worth of property had been destroyed, and the tenuous thread that held American race relations together had been all but severed.
A look at A. Leon Higginbotham Jr.
Paul Finkelman writes about on the historic election of Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States of America.
Henry Louis Gates Jr. on the long path that led to Sen. Barack Obama being declared President-elect.
An examination of the historic candidacy of Barack Obama within the context of the civil rights movement and the changing nature of black politics.
For Women’s History Month we turn to the AASC to englighten us about Women in Africa.
An excerpt from the AASC for black history month.
The enigmatic first wife of Frederick Douglass, Anna Murray Douglass (1813 – 1822) has been misunderstood and misrepresented by historians as well as by her husband’s associates since he first rose to fame in 1842. Her early life, including her birth, family and parentage, remain thinly documented.
A look at the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company.
An excerpt from the AASC about Kwanzaa.
A look at Jackie Robinson
Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues.
An introduction to the Negro Leagues and the AASC.