ePluribus: America is an on-line contemporary American culture magazine that incorporates the original concept of our nation's motto to provide cultural news coverage of America. Our motto is Humanity Starts With Culture.
June is Black Music Month, a time to celebrate the rich and diverse musical heritage of African Americans in the United States. Black music has had a profound impact on American culture, from the spirituals of the enslaved people to the blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, soul, hip-hop, and more.
Black music has also been a powerful force for social change. During the Civil Rights Movement, songs such as “Strange Fruit,” “We Shall Overcome” and “Mississippi Goddam” became anthems of the movement. In the 1970s, artists like James Brown and Marvin Gaye used their music to speak out against poverty, inequality, and discrimination. And in recent years, artists like Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé have used their platforms to raise awareness of issues such as police brutality and racial injustice.
Black Music Month is a time to celebrate the contributions of Black musicians and the impact of Black music on the world. Here are some ways to celebrate:
Listen to Black music. There are many ways to do this, such as streaming music online, listening to the radio, or attending concerts.
Attend Black music concerts and festivals. This is a great way to support Black musicians and experience Black music live.
Support Black musicians by purchasing their music. Buying music from Black artists is a great way to show your support and help them continue to make music.
Learn about the history of Black music. There are many resources available online and in libraries that can help you learn more about the history of Black music.
Share your favorite Black music with others. This is a great way to spread the word about Black music and help others discover new artists.
Black Music Month is a time to celebrate the rich musical legacy of African Americans in the United States. By listening to Black music, attending concerts, and supporting Black musicians, we can all help to keep this legacy alive.
New Jersey has been called the “slave state of the North” for its deeply embedded history of slavery, and as such, the New Jersey Reparations Council was established as a state-level body responsible for studying and developing recommendations for reparations to address the harms caused by slavery and its legacy in New Jersey. The council was established by the New Jersey Legislature in 2021 under the New Jersey Reparations Act.
“The first-of-its-kind New Jersey Reparations Council was convened by the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice on Juneteenth 2023 to finally confront and repair the deep and often overlooked history of slavery in New Jersey and its lasting impact on the contemporary life of Black people in the state.”
Mission
The mission of the New Jersey Reparations Council is to develop a comprehensive plan for reparations to address the harms caused by slavery and its legacy in New Jersey. The council will consider the historical, social, and economic impacts of slavery on African Americans in New Jersey and will make recommendations for reparations that are fair and equitable.
Membership
The New Jersey Reparations Council is composed of 15 members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor of New Jersey. The members of the council include:
Nine African Americans who are descendants of enslaved people in New Jersey
Three representatives from organizations that advocate for reparations
Three experts in the fields of history, sociology, or economics
Work of the Council
The New Jersey Reparations Council is currently in the process of gathering evidence and hearing testimony from stakeholders. The council is also conducting research on the historical, social, and economic impacts of slavery and its legacy in New Jersey. The council is expected to issue a final report with recommendations for reparations by the end of 2024. The council recently announced its “Promise of Juneteenth: New Jersey Repartitions Council Year One” panel discussion on June 19, 2024 at 7:00PM.
The New Jersey Reparations Council is a significant step toward addressing the harms caused by slavery and its legacy in New Jersey. The council’s work could have a major impact on the lives of African Americans in New Jersey and could help to create a more just and equitable society
On June 6, 1966, James Meredith, a civil rights activist and the first African-American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi, was shot and seriously wounded by a white supremacist during a march in Mississippi.
Meredith had set out from Memphis, Tennessee, on a 220-mile march to Jackson, Mississippi, to protest the continued segregation of the state’s schools and public facilities. He was accompanied by a group of civil rights workers and supporters, both Black and white.
On the second day of the march, as the group was walking along a highway in Grenada County, Mississippi, they were ambushed by a group of white men. Meredith was shot in the back and abdomen, and several other marchers were also injured.
Meredith was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but he eventually recovered from his injuries. The shooting sparked outrage and protests across the country, and it helped to focus national attention on the issue of civil rights in Mississippi.
The shooting of James Meredith was a turning point in the civil rights movement. It helped to galvanize support for the movement and contributed to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which outlawed discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.
The passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution on Aug 18, 1920, marked a monumental milestone in American history. It granted women the right to vote, a fundamental democratic right that had been denied to them for centuries. However, racist policies often kept Black women out of the suffragist movement led by white women.
Did the 19th Amendment enable all women the right to vote?
On paper, the Amendment protected discrimination against all women, but in practice, it only gavewhitewomen the right to vote. Black women, Native American women, Asian American women, and women from other racial and ethnic minority groups were discriminated against for 45 more years until the passage of The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). The VRA afforded crucial protections to Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color (BIWOC) voters. And, women with disabilities only gained protections in 1990 with the Americans with Disabilities Act. – Rock The Vote
The National Association of Colored Women‘s Clubs Inc. was established in 1896 as a merger between the National League of Colored Women and the National Federation of Afro-American Women. The organization functioned as an umbrella group for local and regional Black women’s organizations.
Background:
The women’s suffrage movement had been gaining momentum for decades, with suffragists tirelessly campaigning for equal voting rights.
Notable figures such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul played pivotal roles in organizing and leading the movement.
Legislative Process:
The 19th Amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1878, but it took years of lobbying and advocacy before it gained significant support.
The amendment was passed by the House of Representatives in 1918 and by the Senate in 1919, fulfilling the two-thirds majority requirement.
On Aug 18, 1920, the amendment was ratified by the required number of states, becoming part of the Constitution.
Impact:
The 19th Amendment had a profound impact on American society, empowering in practice only white women to participate in the democratic process and contribute to shaping the nation’s future.
It marked a significant victory for the women’s rights movement, (in spite of its racist implementation and practice) and paved the way for further advancements in gender equality.
Legacy:
The 19th Amendment stands as a testament to the resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment of women who fought for their right to be heard and to have a say in their own governance.
It continues to inspire generations of women and advocates of social justice worldwide.
Excerpts from African & Black History:
Sojourner Truth wasn’t just a voice for abolition, she was a powerful advocate for women’s rights as well. Her iconic “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech directly confronted the exclusion of Black women from suffrage, highlighting the hypocrisy of arguments used to deny them the vote. By connecting the struggles of enslaved people and women, Truth saw both groups as deserving of equal rights, including voting rights. Her courage and activism inspired other women and broadened the suffrage movement, raising awareness and demanding equality for all women.
Harriet Tubman was a staunch supporter of women’s suffrage, giving speeches about her experiences as an enslaved woman at various anti-slavery conventions, out of which the voting rights movement emerged.
Ida B. Wells was one of our nation’s foremost critics of racial injustice through her journalistic and philanthropic endeavors. She co-founded the Alpha Suffrage Club in Chicago in 1913 to educate Black women on how to cultivate Black candidates and ensure their votes. She also marched in the 1913 women’s parade in Washington, D.C., which would come to be regarded as a milestone in the history of the 19th Amendment.
Daisy Lampkin was instrumental for women’s voting rights. She was president of Negro Women’s Franchise League in 1915 and an active organizer with NAACP & National Association of Colored Women. She promoted interest in suffrage among Black women in Pittsburgh.
Mary Church Terrell was a pioneering figure in the fight for racial equality and women’s suffrage. She was one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Her life’s work focused on the idea of racial uplift.
Dr. Anna Julia Haywood Cooper was one of North Carolina’s early, outspoken Black woman suffragists. She advocated for civil rights for Black Americans, and her 1892 book, “A Voice from the South: By a Black Woman of the South,” is considered the first Black feminist publication. Dr. Cooper made contributions to social science fields, particularly in sociology. She is sometimes called “The Mother Of Black Feminism.”
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A federal appeals court has ruled that the Fearless Fund grant program for Black women business owners is discriminatory.
The judges ruled that the Fearless Fund’s Fearless Strivers Grant Contest is ‘substantially likely to violate’ the provisions of Title 42 of the US Code, which ensures equal rights under the law and prohibits using race when awarding and enforcing contracts.
The case against the Atlanta-based venture capital fund began last year with a lawsuit by the American Alliance for Equal Rights. The lawsuit, led by Edward Blum, who is known for challenging affirmative action in college admissions, alleged that the fund, which specifically caters to Black women, is racially discriminatory.
Monday’s 2-1 decision was a reversal from last year’s ruling by a federal judge, which ruled that the contest should be able to continue because, in their opinion, the lawsuit was expected to fail. But, since October, this program has been suspended after a different panel of the federal appeals court swiftly granted Blum’s request for an emergency injunction while he challenged the federal judge’s original order.”
The court’s decision marks the latest victory in the war the GOP is waging against DEI and diversity programs. As ESSENCE has previously reported, this lawsuit is emblematic of a larger issue in this country where seemingly politically motivated plaintiffs are challenging organizations that counter racial bias and advance equity, in this case, starting with underrepresented groups like Black women in the venture capital space.
In 2023, the SPLC documented 1,430 hate and antigovernmental extremist groups that comprise the organizational infrastructure upholding white supremacy in the U.S. The years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection have been a time for the hard right to prepare. In 2023, those opposing inclusive democracy worked to legitimize insurrection, paint hate as virtuous and transform false conspiracy theories into truth – all in preparation for one of the most significant elections in U.S. history. The report chronicles trends in hard-right activity, not simply as a reality check, but as a tool to act alongside those working to prevent radicalization and counter white supremacy, disinformation and false conspiracies in 2024.
On June 4, 1972, Angela Davis was acquitted of all charges related to a 1970 courthouse shootout that left four people dead. Davis, a prominent civil rights activist and member of the Black Panther Party, was accused of providing the guns used in the shootout, which occurred during an attempt to free three inmates from the Marin County Courthouse in San Rafael, California.
The trial of Angela Davis was a major event in the civil rights movement of the 1970s. Davis’ acquittal was seen as a victory for the movement, and she became a symbol of the struggle for justice.
Background of the Case
In 1970, Davis was a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She was also a member of the Black Panther Party, a revolutionary organization that advocated for the self-defense of African Americans.
On August 7, 1970, three inmates—Jonathan Jackson, William Christmas, and James McClain—attempted to escape from the Marin County Courthouse. During the escape attempt, a shootout occurred between the inmates and the police. Four people were killed in the shootout, including Judge Harold Haley, inmate Jonathan Jackson, and two jurors.
Davis was not present at the shootout, but she was accused of providing the guns used in the escape attempt. She was arrested on October 13, 1970, and charged with conspiracy to murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault.
The Trial
Davis’ trial began on March 8, 1972. The prosecution presented evidence that Davis had purchased the guns used in the escape attempt and that she had been in contact with the inmates involved in the shootout.
Davis’ defense team argued that she was not involved in the escape attempt and that the prosecution’s case was based on circumstantial evidence. They also argued that Davis was a political prisoner and that her trial was politically motivated.
The Verdict
After a three-month trial, the jury acquitted Davis of all charges on June 4, 1972. The acquittal was a major victory for the civil rights movement and for Davis herself.
The Aftermath
After her acquittal, Davis continued to be a prominent civil rights activist. She has written several books and has lectured extensively on issues of race, gender, and class. She is also a professor emerita at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Davis’ acquittal is a reminder of the importance of the civil rights movement in the United States. It is also a reminder of the power of the people to fight for justice.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) recently released its findings with decades worth of data, shedding light on drug use and mental health in the United States. According to the report, the per capita rate of high-frequency marijuana use saw a 14-fold increase since 1992. Here are additional key takeaways from the survey:
Substance Use:
Marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug, with 48.2 million Americans aged 12 or older reporting using it in the past year.
An an estimated 17.7 million people used marijuana daily or almost daily in 2022, compared to 14.7 million people who drank alcohol at the same rate.
Alcohol consumption is prevalent, with 139.8 million Americans aged 12 or older reporting drinking in the past year.
Prescription opioid misuse decreased from 9.7 million in 2017 to 6.1 million in 2020.
Heroin use remains relatively stable, with approximately 0.5 million Americans reporting use in the past year.
Methamphetamine use has increased in recent years, with 1.5 million Americans reporting use in the past year.
Jonathan Caulkins, cannabis policy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University said, “A good 40 percent of current cannabis users are using it daily or near daily, a pattern that is more associated with tobacco use than typical alcohol use.” According to officials, Caulkins is the author of the study published in the journal Addiction in May.
Mental Health:
Nearly one in five Americans experienced a mental illness in the past year.
Major depression is the most common mental illness, affecting 21.0 million Americans in the past year.
Anxiety disorders are also prevalent, with 41.6 million Americans reporting an anxiety disorder in the past year.
Suicide ideation remains a concern, with 12.2 million Americans reporting serious thoughts of suicide in the past year.
Substance use disorders and mental illness often co-occur, with 8.1 million Americans experiencing both in the past year.
The NSDUH findings underscore the need for continued efforts to address substance use and mental health issues in the United States. Comprehensive public health strategies, including prevention, treatment, and recovery support services, are essential to improving the well-being of individuals and communities.
The Jun 3, 2024 astrological conjunction is a rare and significant event that will occur when the planets align in the sign of Gemini. This conjunction is said to bring about major changes and shifts in the world, and it is believed to be a time of great opportunity and potential.
“In the early morning, six planets — Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune — will align in the sky. Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn may be spotted with the naked eye, but you’ll need a telescope or high-powered binoculars to see Neptune and Uranus.” – Star Walk
NASA chimed in with a statement to dampen some of the excitement for starwatchers eager to see the planets in alignment. “Some online sources have shared excitement about a ‘parade of planets’ visible in the morning sky in early June (June 3 in particular). In reality, only two of the six planets supposedly on display — Saturn and Mars — will actually be visible.”
What is an astrological conjunction?
An astrological conjunction occurs when two or more planets appear to be in the same degree of the zodiac. This can be a significant event, as it can indicate a time of change and transformation.
What is the significance of the Jun 3, 2024 conjunction?
The Jun 3, 2024 conjunction is significant because it is a rare occurrence. Jupiter and Saturn only align in Gemini about once every 20 years. This conjunction is also said to be powerful because it occurs in the sign of Gemini, which is a mutable sign. Mutable signs are known for their adaptability and flexibility, so this conjunction may bring about a time of great change and transformation.
What can we expect from the Jun 3, 2024 conjunction?
The Jun 3, 2024 conjunction is said to bring about a number of changes and shifts in the world. These changes may be positive or negative, but they are likely to be significant. Some of the potential changes that may occur include:
A shift in the global economy
A change in the political landscape
A major technological breakthrough
A natural disaster
A spiritual awakening
How can we prepare for the Jun 3, 2024 conjunction?
There are a number of things that we can do to prepare for the Jun 3, 2024 conjunction. These include:
Freedom Fighters: Harriet Tubman, 150 freed slaves, and the Union Navy
Result: A successful raid that freed 750 enslaved people
Background
Harriet Tubman was a former slave who became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved people escape to freedom in the North. In 1863, she led a daring raid on Combahee Ferry, South Carolina, where she guided 150 freed slaves to freedom aboard three Union Navy gunboats.
The Raid
Tubman and the freed slaves boarded the gunboats at night and sailed up the Combahee River. They avoided Confederate mines and patrols, and eventually reached the Union-controlled town of Beaufort. The raid was a complete success, and Tubman was hailed as a hero.
“Once ashore, the Union troops set fire to the plantations, destroying infrastructure and seizing thousands of dollars worth of food and supplies. When the steamboats sounded their whistles, slaves throughout the area understood that it was being liberated. Tubman watched as slaves stampeded toward the boats. “I never saw such a sight,” she said later, describing a scene of chaos with women carrying still-steaming pots of rice, pigs squealing in bags slung over shoulders, and babies hanging around their parents’ necks.
Although their owners, armed with handguns and whips, tried to stop the mass escape, their efforts were nearly useless in the tumult. As confederate troops raced to the scene, steamboats packed full of slaves took off toward Beaufort. More than 700 slaves were rescued in the Combahee River Raid. Newspapers heralded Tubman’s ‘patriotism, sagacity, energy and ability,’ and she was praised for her recruiting efforts – most of the newly liberated men went on to join the Union army.” – African Archives Educational Center
Significance
The Combahee Ferry Raid was a major victory for the Union and a turning point in the Civil War. It also marked the first time that a woman had led a military operation in the United States. Tubman’s courage and determination inspired others, and she became a symbol of the struggle for freedom.
