This is an obvious choice for inclusion in this special segment. As a scholar, activist, author, and teacher, Dr. William Edward Burghardt DuBois’ (1868-1963) contributions to the public discourse on social justice and human rights have arguably been unparalleled by any other scholar in American history. His profound commitment to justice and prophetic analysis of America’s tenuous grasp on racial justice have continued to guide our work in this arena. An outspoken advocate against the convict-lease system, crop-lien system, lynching, and other injustices plaguing people and communities of African descent, we owe a great deal of debt to the intellectual foundation provided by Dr. DuBois. He continues to inspire so many.

For more information about Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, visit the following resources:

Wikipedia-W.E.B. DuBois

NAACP-W.E.B. DuBois

WEBDuBois.org

Harriet A. Jacobs is in the Spotlight!

Harriet A. Jacobs was an abolitionist and author of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, a groundbreaking autobiography that chronicles key incidents associated with her life as a slave in North Carolina. Published in 1861, her book was intended to shape the opinions of Americans who did not fully understand the truth of what it meant to be enslaved. Among other abuses, her writings were among the first to publicly uncover the horrors of sexual abuse that took place under slavery. Her patience and strength was a foundation for feminist and “womanist” writers for generations to come.

For more information about Harriet Jacobs:

Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl
Harriet Ann Jacobs

PAST SPOTLIGHT PROFILES:

Martin R. Delany

Martin Robison Delany (May 6, 1812 - January 24, 1885) was an African-American abolitionist from West Virginia. He is commonly noted as the first proponent of American Black Nationalism and emigration to Africa. Delaney was also the first African American field officer in the United States Army. Born free, Delany became literate at an early age, after which he studied medicine under the mentorship of several abolitionist physicians. His commitment to the liberation of enslaved Africans in America and to the recognition of Africa as the spiritual home of African Americans led him to become more politically active. In 1847, Delany met with Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison to conceive a newspaper that would eventually become The North Star. In 1963, when President Lincoln established the draft, Delany recruited African American men to the army and was a leader in the formation of the United States Colored Troops and later at the Freedmen’s Bureau, where he continued to advocate for the right of freed African Americans to own land.

A bibliography of Martin R. Delany’s publications can be found at the West Virginia Library

For more information about Martin R. Delany:

Martin R. Delany
Martin Robinson Delany

NOMINATE AN ORGANIZATION!
In September 2008, this page will resume its feature of an organization doing “good work” in our global social justice community. If you would like to nominate an organization for the “Community Spotlight,” please send a brief description of the organization, its mission statement, and contact information to community@moniquewmorris.net. Type “Community Spotlight” in the subject.

Thank you!

See past Community Spotlight organizations