The Gist of Freedom Preserving American History through Black Literature . . .

Author, William L. Katz- Black Indians resumes his lecture series on The Gist of Freedom!   Mr. Katz will discuss the importance of  Native American Month! 

Forty-five minutes west of Walt Disney's make-believe history, archaeologists dig for real artifacts. Hunched over a shallow, square excavation, they search for Peliklakaha, the largest Black Seminole village, Fort Mose known to historians, a place where different cultures joined in a fight for freedom more than 200 years ago. Until now, say University of Florida archaeologists, Peliklakaha existed only in the writings of military leaders and a painting commissioned by the U.S. general who had burned it down.   Join The Gist of Freedom with Historian Gilbert Raiford!

Martin Luther King's 40 Acres and A Mule, Redeeming The Check... Rare Speech Footage.   "At the very same time that America refused to give the Negro any land, through an act of Congress our government was giving away millions of acres of land in the West and the Midwest, which meant that it was willing to undergird its white peasants from Europe with an economic floor."  ------- Click to Listen to Celebrate and Commemorate Black History Weekly with The Gist of Freedom www.BlackHistoryBLOG.com  on iTunes www.BlackHistoryUniversity.com

The Gist of Freedom is honored to interview Historian Harry Bradshaw Matthews. Mr. Matthews will lecture on  the African American Freedom Journey and how it included the Genealogy of Revolution that resulted in the scholarly preparation of an ethnic identity as Colored Americans of the typical branch of the Ethiopia Race.

Click and Listen to The Gist of Freedom  we continue our Reading: William Still's The Underground Railroad published in 1871 At this juncture, the fugitives verily believing that the time had arrived for the practical use of their pistols and dirks, pulled them out of their concealment—the young women as well as the young men—and declared they would not be "taken!" One of the white men raised his gun, pointing the muzzle directly towards one of the young women, with the threat that he would "shoot," etc. "Shoot! shoot!! shoot!!!" she exclaimed, 

This Extraordinary true story is based on Solomon Northup's book, 12 Years A Slave.  It takes place in the pre-Civil War United States, where Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Unlike, The Help, The Butler and Django this film, is about self preservation and perseverance. It is based on a book written by an African American and it is Directed by a black man!  We haven’t had a true slavery movie in a while, and Django Unchained sort of made light of the slavery issue by featuring it into an entertainment action film.  Descendant of Mr. Northup, Clayton Adams this Sunday at 8pm ET on The Gist of Freedom Read Mr. Northup's Book on-line!

Book Reading - William Still's 1871 The Underground Railroad

The Gist of Freedom is pleased to welcome William Jackson, S.T.E.A.M Educator. Mr. Jackson will discuss the presentation he helped The Gist of Freedom deliver to ASALH this week in Jacksonville, Florida via Skype.  You can view and share the power point presentation at www.TheGISTofSOCIALMedia.com WWW.TheGistOf Freedom.com www.YouTube.com/TheGistOfFreedom

Romney Family Joins Hollywood fad of Adopting Black Babies..Join us as we speak to an Adoptee Survior, Dockothy Davis! *Last week former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced that he had a new addition to his family. Romney posted a picture on Twitter with the caption,“ Our 22nd grandchild was officially adopted today: Kieran James Romney.” The picture was of an adorable African American baby who was adopted by one of his sons. Now here’s where things get interesting. Apparently the name Kieran means “little dark one” in Gaelic. The name is pretty common in Ireland, which translates to “black” or “dark.” Mitt Romney, AKA Mr. 1% , has a lot of grand kids but you think he would at least be able to keep count and keep up. He announced on Twitter that his 22nd grandchild, Kieran James Romney, was officially adopted. Um, one problem. Back in July, Mitt Romney, tweeted that he and his wife welcomed their 22nd grandchild. Which is it Mitt? "People immediately started speculating about what type of life he’s going to have growing up with the Romneys, who are known for being severely out of touch when it comes to the poor and minority communities. We should say a serious prayer for our little Kieran.  Join us tonight on The Gist of Freedom as we talk with Dockothy Davis.  Mr. Davis will discuss,  growing up as a foster child and then living with a white family in an exclusive white town.  

The History of Historically Black Colleges and Universities with Professor Linda Mizell!

In 1841 author, Solomon Northup, a free born black man, while visiting Washington D.C. was kidnapped and sold into slavery (12 years). Anne, his wife, later learned of New York's anti-kidnapping law of 1840, which was supported by the original Fugitive Slave Law of 1793.    Mrs. Northup petitioned the Governor to enforce the law and to restore her husband's liberty.    "Your excellency is entreated to employ such agent or agents as shall be deemed necessary to effect the restoration and return of said Solomon Northup, in pursuance of an act of the Legislature of the State of New-York, passed May 14th, 1840, entitled "An act more effectually to protect the free citizens of this State from being kidnapped or reduced to slavery."    Join The Gist of Freedom guest, Renee Moore,

Underground Railroad Love Story, hid in the crevices of Caves and Swam through snake ridden Swamps….. to reunite with wife.     William Jordan's heart revolted, for he was warmly attached to his wife, and so he made up his mind, if he could not see her " once or twice a year even," as he had been promised, he had rather "die," or live in a "cave in -the wood," than to remain all his  life under the governor's yoke.  ------- Click to Listen to The Gist of Freedom tonight at 8pm as we continue reading  William Still's Book, The Underground Railroad Published in 1871 www.BuriedBlackHistory.com www.BlackHistoryBLOG.com

Live Stage Play Reading - 50th Anniversary of The Four Little Girls   murder in the Sixteenth Street Church Bombing, in Birmingham Alabama! “Four Little Girls,” a project initiated by Erich McMillan-McCall of Project1Voice. The staged reading will stream live online from the Kennedy Center’s website  But before you log onto the "Play" at 6pm, listen to one of the precious victims' brother, Mr. Fate Morris.   Mr. Morris called in during the last 20 minutes Listen to Fate Morris, as he gives his breathtaking testimony      

Join historian Leslye Joy Allen as she lectures on The Four Little Girls~ The Play Four Little Girls, presented by Project1Voice Pay close attention to the last 20 minutes,  the breathtaking account of, Fate Morris, the brother of one of the little girls, Cynthia Wesley. The Murdering of the four little girls, in the bombing of the 16th Street Church in Birmingham, Alabama. was one of the most despicable hate-crimes during the height of the civil-rights movement.  The nation was simultaneously revolted and angered. It galvanized the push to fight for equality and justice. Timeline: Martin Luther King Children's crusade May 2- 7th 1963, 3,000 children arrested - Aug.28th King refers to the Children's bail money (promissory) in his "I have A Dream Speech"  The bombing, the 4th such incident in less than a month. . None of the 50 bombings since World War II were solve.

Wm Still's Underground Railroad Book presented by The Gist of Freedom    AN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD REUNION - MEETING OF BLIND FATHER AND HIS SONS,    Jackson found his poor old father here, The Underground Rail Road's Vigilance Committee.  In Philadelphia, where he had resided for a number of years in a state of almost total blindness, and of course in much parental anxiety about his boys in chains. On the arrival of Jackson, his heart overflowed with joy and gratitude not easily described, as the old man had hardly been able to muster faith enough to believe that he should ever look with his dim eyes upon one of his sons in Freedom. After a day or two's tarrying, Jackson took his departure for  safer and more healthful localities, her "British Majesty's possessions." The old man remained only to feel more keenly than ever, the pang of  having sons still toiling in hopeless servitude.