There are VERY graphic images on this video. Reminders of our not so distant past, reminders of how we got to where we are today as a country. The minimization or flat out dismissal of anti-Black racism in this country HAS to be combated, with the Truth. This video shows the ugliest Truths about our country. Truths that are very much still in play today. In 1957 the Governor of Arkansas, Orval Faubus, ordered the states National Guard to prevent the integration of Little Rock Central High School by nine African-American teenagers. President Eisenhower was slow to react and enforce the Supreme Courts decision, Brown vs Board of Education. Twenty days after the initial incident the President federalized the Arkansas National Guard and sent in armys 101st Airborne Division to help the nine students enter the school safely. This event marked the first time racism in the South was on network television for the entire country to watch over almost a month long span. Charles Mingus wrote the song Fables of Faubus as a response to this event and show his anger and disgust at the racism endured by black people in America. The song was first recorded for Mingus album Mingus Ah Um in 1959 on the Columbia label though they would not allow the lyrics to be included. In 1960 Mingus was able to record the song on the Candid label with lyrics on his album Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus. The lyrics include a call and response between Mingus and drummer Dannie Richmond. #BlackLivesMatter #ShutItDown #CrushWhiteSupremacy
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 01:14:47 +0000