More than 50 journalism professors are calling for an independent review of the debunked NYT story “Screams Without Words.”
According to the independent investigative journalism publication, Consortium News, “The professors, many of whom worked as full-time journalists before turning to academia, wrote to Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger, executive editor Joe Kahn, and international editor Philip Pan, calling for a “thorough and independent review” into the article “Screams Without Words: Sexual Violence on Oct. 7.”
It is being reported that the letter is urging the newspaper to form a commission made up of journalism experts to examine the “reporting, editing, and publishing processes” for the story.
The National is also reporting that the “lengthy investigative story “‘Screams Without Words’: Sexual Violence on Oct 7”, which was published in December under the byline of international correspondent Jeffrey Gettleman and two freelancers, detailed how Hamas used sexual assault during the attacks.” The full report can be found HERE.
This historical account is yet another node of reflection of what Black folks have had to endure in the making of America under the brutality of slavery, and as Freemen. This is why the call for reparations continues to echo across the land, and rolls over mountains, even crossing oceans and seas for all mankind to hear. The calls for reparations will never die, just like the memory and the legacy of our enslaved ancestors who built America without ever being paid for it.
Today marks a tragic and unjust moment in American history, as we remember the racial brutality and sexual violence inflicted upon newly freed enslaved African Americans. The 1866 Memphis massacre, also known as the Memphis Riots, was a three-day racial massacre in Memphis, Tennessee, from May 1, 1866 to May 3, 1866, during the Reconstruction Era.
Background
The massacre occurred in the context of widespread social and political tensions following the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery. African Americans in Memphis had made significant gains in terms of political and economic power during Reconstruction. They had won the right to vote and hold office, and many African Americans had established businesses and acquired property.
On May 1, 1866, a white mob attacked a group of African American veterans who were gathered at a polling place to vote in the municipal election. The mob shot and killed several African Americans and wounded others. The violence escalated over the next two days, as white mobs looted and burned African American homes and businesses and killed dozens of African Americans.
Aftermath
The massacre shocked the nation and led to widespread condemnation. The federal government sent troops to Memphis to restore order, and President Andrew Johnson appointed a commission to investigate the violence. The commission concluded that the massacre had been a deliberate and organized attack by white supremacists.
Despite the federal investigation, no one was ever held accountable for the massacre. The white perpetrators were never punished, and the African American victims received no compensation for their losses.
The 1866 Memphis massacre remains a dark stain on American history. It is a reminder of the racism and violence that African Americans faced during Reconstruction and the long struggle for civil rights that followed.
Watch a short YouTube video on the Memphis Race Riot HERE, or see the comprehensive lecture below by Dr. Steven Ash who authored, A Massacre In Memphis: The Bloody Race Riot Of 1866.
Dr. Steven Ash – “A Massacre In Memphis: The Bloody Race Riot Of 1866”
Voting is a fundamental right and responsibility of citizens in a democracy. It is the means by which people choose their representatives and have a say in the laws and policies that govern their lives.
The History of Voting in America
The right to vote in America has not always been guaranteed. In the early days of the United States, only white male landowners were allowed to vote. It was not until the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1870, that African American men were granted the right to vote. Women were not granted the right to vote until the 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920.
Despite these advances, voting rights have continued to be a source of contention in American history. In the Jim Crow era, Southern states used poll taxes, literacy tests, and other discriminatory practices to disenfranchise African American voters. Even today, there are ongoing efforts to restrict voting rights, particularly for minority voters.
The civil rights movement was a period of social activism and protest that emerged in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, with the aim of ending racial discrimination and segregation, and securing equal rights for African Americans. Voting rights were a central focus of the civil rights movement, as the ability to vote was seen as a fundamental right and a key to achieving racial equality.
Impact of Voting Rights:
The civil rights movement and the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 led to a significant increase in voter registration and turnout among African Americans.
Black voter turnout increased from less than 50% in the 1950s to over 60% in the 1968 presidential election.
The Voting Rights Act helped to elect more African American politicians at all levels of government.
10 Things to Know to Protect Your Vote:
Register to vote. Check your state’s voter registration deadlines and requirements. Register to vote at least 30 days before Election Day.
Know your voting options. Find out if your state offers early voting or mail-in voting. Learn about the different ways to vote in your state.
Get informed about the candidates and issues. Research the candidates and issues on the ballot. Make an informed decision about who and what you will vote for.
Vote Early or on Election Day. If you are voting in person, find your polling place and bring your photo ID. If you are voting early by mail, make sure to mail your ballot in plenty of time.
Protect your vote from fraud. Understand the signs of voter fraud and report any suspicious activity.
Get involved in the election process. Volunteer for a candidate or campaign. Attend a rally or debate. Talk to your friends and family about voting.
Educate yourself about voter suppression. Be aware of the different ways that people try to suppress voter turnout. Fight against voter suppression.
Make your voice heard. Vote in every election, big and small. Your vote matters.
Stay informed about election results. Follow the election results on Election Day and in the days after. Make sure your vote was counted.
Get involved in post-election activities. Attend a recount or protest if necessary. Support the candidates and causes you believe in.
Election details for all states can be found on Ballotpedia, including the Administration Legislation Tracker:
For early voting dates for 2024 presidential primary elections click HERE.
For early voting dates for 2024 statewide primary elections click HERE.
For early voting dates for the 2024 general election click HERE.
