-December 19, 1875- April 3, 1950

-Founder of Black History

-Historian, author, journalist and the founder of theAssociation for the Study African American Life and History

-Founder of the Journal of Negro History, now called The Journal of African-American History

-Coming from a large, poor family, he could not regularly attend school. Through self-instruction, Woodson mastered the fundamentals of common school subjects by age 17.

-Convinced that the role of his own people in American history and in the history of other cultures was being ignored or misrepresented among scholars.

-He realized the need for research into the neglected past of African Americans.

-His final professional appointment in West Virginia was as the Dean of the West Virginia Collegiate Institute, now West Virginia State University, from 1920–22.

-He studied many aspects of African-American history. For instance, in 1924, he published the first survey of free black slaveowners.

-He became affiliated with the Washington D.C. branch of the NAACP, and its chairman Archibald Grimke. On January 28, 1915, he wrote a letter to Grimké expressing his dissatisfaction with activities.

-He made two proposals:

1. That the branch secure an office for a center to which persons may report whatever concerns the black race may have, and from which the Association may extend its operations into every part of the city; and
2. That a canvasser be appointed to enlist members and obtain subscriptions for The Crisis, the NAACP magazine edited by W.E.B. DuBois.

-His difference of opinion with Grimké, who wanted a more conservative course, contributed to Woodson’s ending his affiliation with the NAACP.

-He worked to preserve the history of African Americans and accumulated a collection of thousands of artifacts and publications.

-He noted that African American contributions “were overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them.”

-Race prejudice, he concluded, “is merely the logical result of tradition, the inevitable outcome of thorough instruction to the effect that the Negro has never contributed anything to the progress of mankind.”

-In 1926, he pioneered the celebration of “Negro History Week”, designated for the second week in February, to coincide with marking the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass.

-The week of recognition became accepted and has been extended as the full month of February, now known as Black History Month.

-In 1992, the Library of Congress held an exhibition entitled “Moving Back Barriers: The Legacy of Carter G. Woodson”. Woodson had donated his collection of 5,000 items from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries to the Library.

-His Washington D.C. home has been preserved and designated the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site.

-In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante named Carter G. Woodson on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans.

-Has countless places named after him including: parks, schools, roads and museums.

-February 15, 1820- March 13, 1906

-She dedicated her life to “the cause,” the woman suffrage movement.

-The accomplishments of Susan B. Anthony paved the way for the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920 (14 years after her death) which gave women the right to vote.

-Founded the National Woman’s Suffrage Association in 1869 with life-long friend Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Together they worked for women’s suffrage for over 50 years.

-Published “The Revolution” from 1868-1870, a weekly paper about the woman suffrage movement whose motto read, “Men their rights and nothing more, women their rights and nothing less.

-First person arrested, put on trial and fined for voting on November 5, 1872. Unable to speak in her defense she refuse to pay “a dollar of your unjust penalty.”

-Wrote the Susan B. Anthony Amendment in 1878 which later became the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.

-Helped found the National American Woman’s Suffrage Association in 1890 which focused on a national amendment to secure women the vote. She served as president until 1900.

-Compiled and published “The History of Woman Suffrage (4 vols. 1881-1902) with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Matilda Joslyn Gage.

-Founded the International Council of Women (1888) and the International Woman Suffrage Council (1904) which brought international attention to suffrage.

-Gave 75-100 speeches a year for 45 years, traveling throughout the the United States by stage coach, wagon, carriage and train.

-Led the only non-violent revolution in our country’s history — the 72 year struggle to win women the right to vote.

-In 1836, at age 16, Susan collected two boxes of petitions opposing slavery, in response to the gag rule prohibiting such petitions in the House of Representatives.

-In 1849, at age 29, she became secretary for the Daughters of Temperance, which gave her a forum to speak out against alcohol abuse, and served as the beginning of Anthony’s movement towards the public limelight.

-Before retiring, Anthony was asked if all women in the United states would ever be given the vote. She replied by stating, “it will come, but I shall not see it…It is inevitable.

-Was honored as the first real American woman on circulating U.S. coinage with her appearance on the Susan B. Anthony dollar.

-The Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life organization, is named in her honor. Anthony’s position on abortion (or lack thereof) has been the subject of a long running dispute.

-She died of heart disease and pneumonia in her house at 17 Madison Street on March 13, 1906.

One of my favorite songs of all time, Mercy Mercy Me. From the What’s Going On album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9BA6fFGMjI

Harriet Tubman

- 1820 to March 10, 1913

-Born Araminta Harriet Ross

-Born a slave in Maryland, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom, and later led more than 300 other slaves to the North and to Canada to their freedom, too.

-The best-known conductor on the Underground Railroad.

-She spoke against slavery and for women’s rights.

-Acquainted with many of the social reformers and abolitionists of her time.

-During the Civil War she served with the U.S. Army in South Carolina, as a nurse, scout, spy and soldier.

-Most famously she led the Combahee River expedition, under the command of James Montgomery, helping to blow up Southern supply lines and free hundreds of slaves.

-She helped a biographer publish her life story, spoke for the rights of women and African Americans, helped organize the AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Zion Church, and set up a home for indigent aged African Americans.

-She fought for a military pension, but was only able to win a widow’s pension on account of her second husband’s service. When Harriet Tubman died, the people of Auburn buried her with full military honors.

-She later helped John Brown recruit men for his raid on Harpers Ferry, and in the post-war era struggled forwomen’s suffrage.

-Tubman was beaten by masters to whom she was hired out. Early in her life, she suffered a head wound when hit by a heavy metal weight.

-She was called Moses by slaves whom she rescued.

-When the Southern-dominated Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, requiring law officials in free states to aid efforts to recapture slaves, she helped guide fugitives farther north into Canada, where slavery was prohibited.

-By 1911, her body was so frail that she had to be admitted into the rest home named in her honor.

-Surrounded by friends and family members, Harriet Tubman died of pneumonia in 1913. Just before she died, she told those in the room: “I go to prepare a place for you.”

Okay we all know that the month of February is Black History Month. So what I’m doing this month is featuring a different person everyday with facts you know or may not know about that person. Hopefully you’ll take time to read more about them by googling them and maybe share with your kids, nieces, nephews or whoever because this is something they’ll never learn in schools. They do teach about Martin Luther King, which is good but there is so much more to know.

Booker T. Washington

-April 5, 1856 to November 15, 1915

-Educationist and reformer

-Most Influential spokesman for Black Americans between 1895 to 1915

-Determined to get an education, he enrolled at the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in Virginia (1872), working as a janitor to help pay expenses

-He graduated in 1875 and returned to Malden, where for two years he taught children in a day school and adults at night. Following studies at Wayland Seminary, Washington, D.C. (1878–79), he joined the staff of Hampton.

-In 1881 Washington was selected to head a newly established normal school for blacks at Tuskegee, an institution with two small converted buildings, no equipment, and very little money

-Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute became a monument to his life’s work. At his death 34 years later, it had more than 100 well-equipped buildings, some 1,500 students, a faculty of nearly 200 teaching 38 trades and professions, and an endowment of approximately $2 million.

-He urged his fellow blacks, most of whom were impoverished and illiterate farm labourers, to temporarily abandon their efforts to win full civil rights and political power and instead to cultivate their industrial and farming skills so as to attain economic security

-In his epochal speech (Sept. 18, 1895) to a racially mixed audience at the Atlanta (Ga.) Exposition, Washington summed up his pragmatic approach in the famous phrase: “In all things that are purely social we can be separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress.”

-These sentiments were called the Atlanta Compromise by such critics as the black intellectual W.E.B DuBois.

-During the period of Washington’s ascendancy as national spokesman for black Americans, his race was systematically excluded both from the franchise and from any effective participation in national political life, and rigid patterns of segregation and discrimination became institutionalized in the Southern states.

-Even Washington’s visit to the White House in 1901 was greeted with a storm of protest as a “breach of racial etiquette.”

-Most blacks felt comfortable with Washington’s approach, however, and his influence among whites was such that he became an unofficial arbiter determining which black individuals and institutions were deemed worthy to benefit from government patronage and white philanthropic support

-He went on to receive honorary degrees from Harvard University (1896) and Dartmouth College (1901). Among his dozen books is his autobiography, Up from Slavery (1901), translated into many languages.

-Representative of the last generation of black American leaders born in slavery.

-Northern critics called Washington’s followers the “Tuskegee Machine”.

-Has a high school named after him.

-He also founded the National Negro Business League in 1900. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, both men with deep racial prejudices, used Washington as an advisor because he accepted racial subordination.

Ok it’s here amongst us again and one of my favorite PPVs, the Royal Rumble. I always love it because the Rumble match itself because there is alot of anticipation, usually some returns and sprinkle in some surprise entrants, usually some past wrestlers. Also this is the start of the road to WrestleMania. I’m going to do something different I’m not going to basically type out the entire PPV, just going to give the matches and discuss what I like or didn’t like about them, kinda like how I do the weekly shows.

First off I think the right man won the match, I think Bryan has really grown as a character and I like how they’ve built up this storyline with Show and Henry to build his character. I just want him to move on to someone else to show off his skills. Also Henry came into the match injured so it took alot out of the match also. Not the greatest match in the world to open a PPV but what other match was going to open the PPV. Nice spot at the end with the Big Show holding onto Daniel Bryan hanging on top of the cage but eventually Bryan got loose and fell to the floor for the victory.

Match Rating: 2.5/5

Beth Phoenix, Natayla and Bella Twins vs. Tamara, Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres and Alicia Fox

First off I hate impromptu matches on a PPV. Not much can be said about this match. I mean creative don’t give us a reason to care about them. I think they’re were banking everything on Kharma.

I really like the build to this feud, it’s too bad that this is just a filler feud before Cena moves on to the Rock. Will Cena turn heel is the question everyone wants to know? The match itself was a nice brawl between the 2 and they worked really hard. They brawled everywhere throughout the arena, then to add fuel to the fire after beating Cena down Kane attacked Zack Ryder in the back and brought him out to the ring while he was in a wheelchair to delivered a Tombstone Piledriver. Cena ran back in the ring to brawl with Kane but received a chokeslam from Kane, Ryder was stretchered off.

Match Rating: 3/5

Brodus Clay vs. Drew McIntyre

Another impromptu match, I like Clay but I really hate how they’re doing McIntyre. It’s just a squash match on a PPV.

Match Rating: Ehhh

This was being built up with special guest referee John Laurinaitis saying he would screw C.M. Punk out of the WWE title. Dolph Ziggler who is probably my favorite wrestler these days and has got numerous victories over Punk the last month. Outside the involvement of Laurinaitis this was a great match, these 2 have great chemistry together but they’re also 2 great wrestlers also. Sick spot saw Ziggler counter the GTS with a fameasser, nice spot. But after a great match Punk got the victory.

Match Rating: 3.75/5

Now it’s time for the actual Rumble match. We knew Miz would be #1 and the first big entrant was Mick Foley coming at #7. At #8 we thought it was Alberto Del Rio returning but it was his announcer Ricardo Rodriguez who came out in a beat Datsun, funny moment because he mocked Del Rio’s entrance. Another funny spot was when Santino, who came in at #9 faced off with Mick Foley making it Mr. Socko vs. The Cobra. Jerry “The King” Lawler was #12, he came in to attack the Miz and Cody Rhodes before getting eliminated by Rhodes. Great Khali returned at #15. Booker T entered #17. The best highlight of the night when Miz tossed Kofi to the floor who landed on his hands then walked on his hands to the steps to stay in the match, please do something with Kofi, he’s too talented. Hacksaw Jim Duggan was a surprise entrant at #19 which got a big pop from the crowd and they were chanting “USA USA” but was eliminated by Rhodes. Micheal Cole entered at #20 but was followed by the return of Kharma, thank God. She quickly beat up Cole then he tried to run out of the ring but was eliminated by Booker T and Jerry Lawler. Dolph Ziggler confronted her but she hit him with the Implant Buster and then she eliminated Hunico before getting eliminated by Ziggler. Road Dogg returned at #23 and he did his thing while the crowd chanted “You Still Got It”, he done all of his moves before getting tossed out by Wade Barrett. Randy Orton entered at #28 who got a huge hometown pop, I thought this is where he should’ve returned instead of Smackdown. Sheamus and Chris Jericho were the last two in the match and Sheamus won after hitting the Brogue Kick to Jericho after they battled for about 8 minutes. Nice to Sheamus get the win, I think he deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the title. The Rumble match wasn’t great or bad either but it was ok.

Match Rating: 3/5

Overall Rating: 2.5/5- This was just an average PPV which had some great moments and had some dull moments also. But I think it could’ve done better.

Ok I’m back again but this time it’s for Friday Night Smackdown. Let’s Do this.

Like:

Daniel Bryan, Big Show and Mark Henry opening: I like how Show is showing he’s vulnerable since he ran into A.J, Bryan’s girlfriend, Bryan is taking his new character and running with it. He’s already a great wrestler and now adding character makes him much better. Mark Henry joined them with a promo also which prompted Teddy Long to come out and make a match between Mark Henry and Big Show.

Cody Rhodes vs. Justin Gabriel: I like the action between the 2 the few minutes they fought. I think Rhodes will be a world champion this year, he is gold right now and it’s amazing how far hes come. I believe Gabriel have a bright future also, I think he need a character change.

Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre: 2 of my favorites in the WWE, they work well together and I really wish Sheamus had a legitimate feud but maybe they’re waiting for Christian to come back from injury. Also I don’t know what they’re doing with McIntyre but he should be battling for a title, he’s too talented.

Yoshi Tatsu on TV: I’ve been a fan of his since he was on ECW and wish they would do something with him. With alot of these guys like him, Gabriel and Sin Cara, whenever he returns I think the cruiserweight titel should return.

Randy Orton/Wade Barrett: Though I hate Orton returning on Smackdown, this was a nice segment. Love the RKOs to everyone in the ring.

Brodus Clay: Big fan of this gimmick, like I’ve said in the Raw Review.

Dislike:

Randy Orton return: Why did they have him return to Smackdown before the Royal Rumble, I believe they could’ve played this up a whole lot better. I would’ve talked about him being out for a while and have him return @ the Rumble. Also more could’ve been done with his feud with Barrett.

Epico/Primo vs. Santino Morella/Yoshi Tatsu: Basic match, I really wish they’d give Yoshi someone worth a damn to be a contender for the tag titles.

Hunico vs. Ted DiBease: This little feud is not interesting at all. Maybe with this injury could be a blessing in disguise for DiBease. I think he’s a hell of a wrestler.

Alex Riley: What happened? I mean he went from feuding with the Miz to never seeing him.

Aksana vs. Natalya: I hate what they’re doing to Natalya. I think she’s the best woman’s wrestler in the WWE.

Mark Henry vs. Big Show: Not a fan of the match and it’s been said Henry injured his knee, which is the reason why he collapsed in the ring. But with the Bryan involvement they’ve built the triple threat match for the title in the cage at the Rumble.

Overall the show was average, I’d give it a 2.5/5. This Sunday is the Royal Rumble, which is one of my favorite PPVs. Check me out next week as I’ll review the Royal Rumble, Raw, Impact and Smackdown.

Well like I did with my first Monday Night Raw review I’ll basically talk about what I like or what I didn’t like on the program.

Like:

Jeff Hardy/Bull Ray Backstage Brawl: I’m guessing with Bully Ray getting himself involved with Hardy matches and causing him the title they’re going to feud. It’s cool because I think Ray is one of the best heels in the business now. Nice way to start off Impact. Also seen Roode jump out of a truck to assist Ray. They throw Hardy in the back of the truck Roode got out of but Storm makes the save and gets beat up until Sting makes the save.

Sting/Hardy/Storm/Roode/Ray In Ring Segment: Sting tried to calm them down but eventually had to use force to keep them apart, builds more tension while setting up a tag match for later.

Zema Ion/Alex Shelley: Nice to see Shelley back, he’s gold in the ring and one of my favorites.

A.J Styles/Daniels/Kazarian: The only reason I liked this is because Daniels mentioned my hometown of Gainesville, Georgia.

Bully Ray/Bobby Roode vs. Jeff Hardy/James Storm Tables Match: Nice match with alot of action back and forth with Storm getting the win for his team when Hardy held Roode on the table while storm splashed him though it. Afterwards Ray beat down Hardy and Storm with a chair then later him a powerbomb on Hardy through the table from the middle rope.

Dislike:

Tara/Mickie James/Velvet Sky: Very sloppy match but you can expect that having Velvet in it. I am looking forward to the Tara vs. Gail Kim match though, they’re both good wrestlers.

Eric Young/ODB vs. Angelina Love/Winter: Don’t like this storyline, point blank.

Matt Morgan vs. Samoa Joe: Didn’t like the match at all, I just think Joe should be doing something better.

Well that was my first Impact review I’d give the show about a 3.5/5 rating. Take care until next time.