This week marks the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved Americans arriving in Virginia, and the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech delivered on the National Mall at the largest political demonstration to date in American history with more than 250,000 people converging in Washington.
What have we learned over the years and what can you and I do in 2019 to advance the democratic principles and ideals that put into practice define this country and ignored or denied defile this nation?
This week: Reframing and Celebrating 1619 and the 400th Anniversary of the First Enslaved Americans
Yes enslaved Americans built some of our most iconic institutions like the White House.
Equally significantly, African Americans have served as the real testing ground for Democracy in America and continue to pay a huge price as we put these democratic values into practice.
Let’s celebrate the contributions of black America and reframe the narrative with respect to their critical role in our history as a nation…
Strange Fruit:
Billie Holiday helped shape American popular music with her voice and unique style. But, her legacy extends way beyond music with one song in particular — “Strange Fruit.”
The song paints an unflinching picture of racial violence, and it was an unexpected hit. But singing it brought serious consequences.
https://www.npr.org/2019/08/20/752909807/strange-fruit
“The 1619 Project”: Nikole Hannah-Jones on Confronting the Truth about Slavery:
The New York Times magazine is launching a series called “The 1619 Project.” It marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in the colony of Virginia. The series examines the ways the legacy of slavery continues to shape America and “aims to reframe American history” to place “the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of the story we tell ourselves about who we are.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-1619-project-nikole-hannah-jones-on-confronting-the-truth-about-slavery/vi-AAGaCQ8
Four hundred years after enslaved Africans were first brought to Virginia, most Americans still don’t know the full story of slavery:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/19/magazine/history-slavery-smithsonian.html
Serena Vs. The Umpire:
A behind the scenes in-depth look as we unpack this big moment in sport and culture through this contextual lens.
There was far more to this story… including interactions between Ramos, the Chair Umpire and Williams that were concealed from the television audience, and that happened off the court.
BTW, the U.S. Open starts this weekend, and Ramos won’t be officiating any games with either Williams sister.
https://wamu.org/story/19/08/26/serena-vs-the-umpire/
One Man, One March, One Speech:
I Have a Dream, 50 years later…
http://content.time.com/time/onedream/
If you are local…
Care to Join Us for this Intimate Luncheon on September 6th?
How UCSD is influencing a kinder, gentler, and smarter San Diego
UCSD is known as the “Science School” but alumni are out making a big impact in the non-STEM fields as well. The SoCal social responsibility consciousness is certainly alive and well on campus and out in the community.
We continue our streak of great discussions with another great UCSD Connection Lunch on Friday September 6th with Neville Billimoria, Senior VP of Marketing/Membership and Chief Advocacy Officer at Mission Federal Credit Union.
Neville has accountability for all outward facing functions at the largest credit union exclusively serving San Diego County with more than $3.5B in assets. His responsibilities include leadership administration of a strategic array of crucial member-focused functions including: leading and managing the Marketing and Community Relations departments. He also has shared responsibility with the CEO for promoting Mission Federal Credit Union’s public image and brand, with active engagement in the community as part of the Credit Union’s social purpose.
Seating is limited so sign up now! http://ucsd-downtown.eventbrite.com
Hope to see you there!
Paul Bergman
Alumni Lunch Leader
San Diego Alumni Lunch
September 6th, 11:30 am
750 B Street, 34th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
Street parking is available
Thanks this week go to every American that remains committed to creating a country and culture that is caring and inclusive of everyone!
Please pay it forward
Love,
Neville
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria
“An individual has not started living
until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns
to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Happy Soul Food Friday! 