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- Description:
- This slightly yellowed paper envelope contained a 4-page letter that was written by lawyer, D. Augustus Straker. The front of the envelope has a handwritten title, "The Present, Past and Future of the Colored Race in Detroit," on the left side and is signed "D. Augustus Straker, Attorney at Law, Detroit, Michigan." The envelope is dated, "December 31, 1900."
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
- Description:
- This 4-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by lawyer, D. Augustus Straker. The paper has the watermark, "Riverside Paper Company." The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "December 31, 1900 Detroit, Michigan To the Hon. William Maybury Mayor of the City of Detroit, Mich. "The past, present, and future of the colored race in Detroit." Sir, none who have lived the allotted time of human life within the confines of our beautiful city can fail to notice the changes, and events which have marked the 19th century, and especially so as relates, to the colored race of people, living and who have lived in Detroit. The 19th century found the colored people of Detroit a race of slaves although slavery is not known ever to have had a foot hold here. The incoming of the 20th century finds every man, and woman, and child of the colored race enjoying complete freedom under the law. The 19th century found the colored race in Detroit ignorant, uneducated, poor, and unenlightened, save with few exceptions. The 20th century dawns upon us with every school door in the City of Detroit wide open, welcoming within its walls every colored as well as white child of our common citizenship, and from whose precincts have come educated and well equipped colored men and women who have filled high honor and trust. The 19th century found laws upon the statute books of our state which deprived the colored man and woman of employment of every civil, and social privilege participated in by our white fellow citizens. The 20th century finds the colored citizens of Detroit in the employment and right to go and enter every public place established for public accommodation. the 19th century found the colored race poor and in many instances homeless, because of the low wages and restricted opportunity to labor and receive adequate wages. The 20th century finds a large percent of the colored race in Detroit the owner of their residences. In the past, enough was not earned for any part to be saved. On the incoming of the 20th century a large number of our colored citizens are depositors in our savings banks and some carry a fair commercial account in the transactions of their business. The moral status of the colored race in Detroit with the advantages afforded compare most favorably with that of any other race of people similarly situated. No laws discriminate between the races on account of color. These achievement have been brought about by the pioneer energy of such veterans among the colored race as William Lambert, Ben De Baptiste, John Richards, George Parker, and others. And now as to the future of the colored race in Detroit. If we should augur from the past and present, we have the brightest expectation for the future. Two elements must enter into the future progress of the race. One by the white race and the other by the colored themselves. This element is equal opportunity. This and this only remains to test the true development of the race. In the past this was wholly desired by the colored race, in the present it is but partially employed. We look to the future for its completion. We ourselves must be ready for the wider opportunity to come. May one hundred years hence find us in the full enjoyment of those rights and privileges which prejudice now deny us. A prejudice does now exist on the fringe of the 20th century. I predict that the sunlight of a more perfect understanding of man will drive out the demon prejudice and when the 21st century arrives he will find no resting place in the beautiful city of the straits. D. Augustus Straker"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
- Description:
- One poster entitled "The Lime Kiln Club." The poster shows a color caricature drawing of a group of African American men who are seated in a large meeting room which has the name, "Paradise Hall," shown on a sign over the door. Two men are standing in front of the group near the left side of the drawing and appear to be speaking. Another man is seated near the lower left corner and appears to be the recording secretary. A copy of "The Weekly Detroit Free Press" newspaper is resting on the floor in the foreground. Printed text beneath the title along the lower left edge shows "Copyrighted by Calvert Lith. Co., Detroit, 1882."
- Date Issued:
- 1882-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- General History
- Description:
- Michigan State University Professor Jeff Wray hosts the University's Black History Month Read-In. Wray reads from Paul Beatty's novel "White Boy Shuffle." Fifth grader Kimani Hamilton-Wray reads "Better Wait til Martin Comes" from the collection "The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales." Ronald De Suze reads from George Lamming's novel "In the Castle of My Skin." C.G. Kendrick reads from Donald Goines novel "Black Girl Lost." Cookie Whitaker reads selections from Langston Hughes. Constance Ross reads from J. California Cooper's short story "Living" contained in the book "Homemade Love." Wray also reads Gil Scott-Heron's poem "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." Folu Ogundimu reads from Chinua Achebe's novel "Anthills of the Savannah." Earle Robinson reads from Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man." The read-in was coordinated by Diana Rivera and Tama Hamilton-Wray.
- Date Issued:
- 2003-02-17T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- University of Toronto scholar Paul Lawrie delivers a talk entitled, "Doin' Time in the White Man's Army: African Americans and the Political Economy of Military Labor in World War One, 1917-1919". Lawrie describes the experience of black soldiers in the U.S. Army which replicated the forced labor of the chain-gang in segregated labor battalions. He explains why African-American troops were prevented from assuming combat roles, even as French colonial troops from West Africa engaged the Germans. Lawrie describes how "Jim Crow" laws were institutionalized in the Army, even to the point of returning, uniformed soldiers, being lynched as they tried to go home. Question and answer session follows. Lawrie is introduced by Professor John P. Beck, Associate Director, Michigan State University School of Human Resources and Labor Relations. Part of the "Our Daily Work/Our Daily Lives" Brown Bag series sponsored by the MSU School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, the MSU Museum, and MSU's African-American and African Studies Program. Held at the MSU Museum.
- Date Issued:
- 2012-04-20T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- Michigan State University Professor Curtis Stokes from the James Madison College, delivers a talk entitled, "The Future of African American Politics: Liberalism or Liberation." Stokes focuses on a preliminary definition of black politics, the results of 125 years of black liberalism, and looks to the future of African American politics. He concludes by answering questions from the audience. Stokes is introduced by MSU Librarian Ruth Ann Jones. Part of the Michigan State University Libraries' Colloquia Series. Held at the MSU Main Library.
- Date Issued:
- 1999-10-28T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- Jordan also discusses the reasons why white liberals do not understand Jimmy Carter.
- Date Issued:
- 1976-06-02T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- In part two of "Music History: Dramatizing the African American Experience", a panel discussion featuring Michigan State University faculty members follows a dramatic reading of scenes from Sandra Seaton's play "Music History". Exploring themes from Seaton's play, the panel demonstrates the ways new technology is being used to explore the meaning of the civil rights movement and the African American experience via the innovative use of the MSU Alumni Association's Knowledge Network media platform. MSUAA representative Brian Collins moderates the discussion and assists with the use of the technology by panel members. Featured presentations include, "A History of Music in 'Music History'", by Professor Ken Prouty, "Reflections on Sandra Seaton's 'Music History': An Imaginative Understanding of the Civil Right Movement" by Professor Pero Dagbovie, and "Coming of Age In 'Music History'" by Professor Tama Hamilton-Wray. Part of the MSU Libraries' Michigan Writers Series. Held at the MSU Main Library.
- Date Issued:
- 2013-03-15T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- Anderson cites his role in passing fair housing legislation.
- Date Issued:
- 1980-08-04T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- Carter also says he has no apologies for his record for the first six month vis a vis the Black community.
- Date Issued:
- 1977-07-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
