American Origin Stories: Black History (Un)told

On this episode of American Origin Stories, the fifth in the BLM series, we acknowledge the power and toll of the current movement. With so much negativity in the news and seemingly all around us, we close out the season (for now) with a conversation with artist Azikiwe Mohammed about the work he does to find the beautiful common threads in the Black American experience. He tells our stories through his work by creating spaces that are familiar, but with an air of safety. He makes work for us in that are intimately about us, in spaces where we have too often been shut out. Through his art, we see our own lives reflected. It is the ties that bind us that will make us successful in pursuit of our life's work toward an equal society. 

For too long American history has been incomplete. It has excluded the plight, fight, and prosperity of Black folks who have been here since its inception. It fact, Black people’s freedom, if holding American ideals as true – is actually the mark of U.S. Independence.

So on this episode of American Origin Stories, we will discuss the often forgotten or overlooked stories of those who helped fight for American liberty & justice for all. We will discuss how current protests continue to uphold the work of our fore parents, and we will talk about what an equal future can look like.

On this episode of American Origin Stories, the BLM episodes, we will focus on the history of criminalizing Black people in the U.S. and how this history morphed over time to allow state sanctioned violence through racially biased policing, imprisonment, and general criminal justice. With special guest attorney Heather Brown, we explore the impact of prejudice on Black American communities. Full shownotes at AmericanOriginStories.com. 

To paraphrase James Baldwin, the story of violence against Black Americans IS the story of America. And it is our collective history. in order to effect real, lasting change we must confront it completely and understand the details of that history. So on this episode we will discuss the origins of American violence against the Black community. Warning: this may be triggering to some listeners given past trauma. But for everyone else, I urge you to confront this ugly past. AmericanOriginStories.com for full show notes.

Black Lives Matter - today and always. So, the regular season of AOS is paused as we explore the history embedded in the American fabric that have lead to the uprising of Black Americans and their allies. This episode we discuss disease and the legacy of Black Americans being disproportionately hit in such a crisis. The current virus, Yellow Fever, 1918 Pandemic, and more. Dr. Kathryn Olivarius joins with voices from the black community. Let's get started. 

Full blog & show notes at AmericanOriginStories.com

When tracing your ancestry it's important to know your resources. If you are going to have your genetic data analyzed for genealogical purposes, you should consider the history of medical testing, and research the specific tests available--including how they analyze your sample, how they will deliver your results, and what they may do with your information in the future.

On this episode, Dr. Jeff and Shannon Christmas continue to advise on the pros and cons of genetic testing when tracing your ancestry. 

AmericanOriginStories.com for full notes!

When tracing your ancestry, it’s important to know your resources, especially when we are talking about genetic history. It’s important to know what options you have and how to assess them once identified. To help us in this quest, we will have two guests discuss 1) the fundaments of genetic testing and 2) the components of genetic genealogy. Geneti-SIS Dr. Janina Jeff, and genetic genealogist Shannon Christmas will discuss the dangers, mechanics and use of genealogical DNA testing. 

When tracing your ancestry, it's important to know your resources. On this episode of AOS, I'll let the expert explain genetics by airing Episode 1 of groundbreaking podcast In Those Genes. Entitled "Scientific Sankofa," host Dr. Janina Jeff leads the way to understanding the past. Sankofa is a Ghanian principle that means go back and fetch it, referencing the idea that we must never forget about our past as we continue to embark on this journey called life.  Genetics is a manifestation of the Sankofa principal, having the ability to learn about our past through our DNA. 

When tracing your ancestry, it's important to know la lucha-the struggle. Today, we continue our exploration of the African Diaspora by learning about slavery and race in Colombia. Specifically, we will examine the country’s history with the peculiar institution and get a modern take on inequality for Afro-Colombians from a writer, poet, & artist who is devoted to fighting injustice.

When contemplating identity, it’s important to know your history. But learning about that history is possible in many forms. Today, on the first episode of its kind, we will examine history through the lens of a book. Specifically, we will discuss the history of Jamaica, slavery, and generational trauma through author Maisy Card’s debut novel – These Ghosts Are Family.

Mark Twain once said through a character that truth is stranger than fiction. And it’s true. Some of the most disturbing fictional tales are inspired by real life events. Further refining this point, I say that history is stranger than fiction. Made up tales of black origin stories steeped in darkness are virtually always inspired by a history that is much worse.

Take for instance the classic American novel, Beloved. Toni Morrison created this disturbing work of art after being inspired by unbelievable history. She found a newspaper clipping from the 1800s. It was short, but described an enslaved woman who had run away from a plantation. Moments before she was recaptured, the woman made a horrific decision. She chose to kill her children rather than see them live in bondage. Morrison was struck by the weight of such a decision and the haunting emotions that must have lingered long after the children left this world. And from that contemplation, Morrison created a novel that continues to touch the lives of readers generations later.

Maisy Card’s novel has the potential to do the same. From dark pasts she has created a wonderful multi-generational saga grappling with identity, ancestry, and untold black history.

Card was born in St. Ann Jamaica, but was raised in Jamaica Queens, New York. Her ties to these lands exemplify the first connection between her reality and the world she creates. Toggling between time periods, the novel spans from 2020 to 1813.

BONUS: This episode includes a Q&A with the author, Maisy Card! 

Check out the show notes at AmericanOriginStories.com

The episode was written, produced, and edited by host Chauneice Davis Yeagley. 

On this episode of American Origin Stories, we continue our discussion of slavery outside of the U.S. by examining the impact of slavery in South America, particularly Brazil. It was the country with the most enduring system of slavery lasting from the mid 1500s to the late 1800s. We chat with historian Dr. Daryle Williams on how the society differed from what we have learned about slavery in the U.S. Let's get started!

Head to AmericanOriginStories.com for resources used and additional information on this episode!

When tracing your ancestry, it’s important to know your history – especially, the untold parts. From 1514 to 1866, the Transatlantic slave trade forced 10-12 million Africans across the middle passage and into bondage, trapped in strange lands. That’s more than 36,000 documented voyages. And in that trade, nearly 400,000 Africans were brought to the United States.

But what about the tens of millions of people who were not in the U.S.? What of their history? Their legacies? Even their influence on Black Americans?

Africans were enslaved in many countries outside of the U.S. in North and South America, including modern-day Haiti, Colombia, Brazil, Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico, and more…

On today’s episode of American Origin stories, we will discuss the impact of one country in particular, Haiti – which became the first independent nation run by people of African descent – also known as The Black Republic.

Joining in on the conversation is expert historian, Dr. Brandon Byrd, assistant professor at Vanderbilt University. 

When tracing your ancestry, it’s important to Know Your Genes  - to understand how DNA and physical features like complexion can shape your personal identity. On this episode of American Origin Stories, we will examine the very personal concept of racial identity through the lens of returning guest Sharee Meridith, her grandfather’s legacy, and the history of race and skin color in America.

For show notes: AmericanOriginStories.com

Join us in this bonus episode as I read an essay on my visit to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. To see American history and black people's trials and triumphs so beautifully and wholly displayed, was nothing short of magic. I was inspired by the galleries, and honored to take the journey into the past. The article was originally published at AmericanOriginStories.com.

Join us for a bonus episode where Chris Baskett reads his personal essay, "What Are You?" The piece examines his evolving understanding of race, identity, and more! The article was original published on AmericanOriginStories.com. 

There are many ways to explore our ancestry - one modern option is DNA. Race may not be scientific but technology now allows us to explore our identity through genes using direct to consumer genetic testing. Join us as Chris and I continue to explore our origin stories through DNA and the ways in which the results either do or do not change our personal perspectives. 

See show notes at AmericanOriginStories.com. 

Join us in the follow-up episode as we apply Jobie Hill's historical preservation of slave houses to her work at Monitcello - Thomas Jefferson's primary slave plantation. We discuss his complete legacy, the life of slaves on the plantation, and the impact of his split descendency with his wife Martha, and enslaved Sally Hemings. The American paradox in the form of a president-slave owner. American freedom, American oppression.

The meaning of home is universally relatable, and was especially powerful for enslaved Black Americans. As we undergo the process of tracing our our roots, understanding how our enslaved ancestors lived, loved, and made home in tragic circumstances, can be a meaningful way of connecting to the past. Guest, Jobie Hill a licensed preservation architect, is working to create a national database to document the physical structures of slave houses and the people who lived within.

Expert guest, Dr. Kathryn Olivarius (Assist. Prof History) joins to discuss one of the biggest obstacles facing those looking to trace their African ancestry: slavery.

We will focus on three aspects of American slavery: (1) the evolution of slave laws; (2) the importance of slavery to the US economy, and (3) the fragility of a race-based system of oppression.

Each topics highlights the obstacles that slavery presents when tracing ancestry, but we will explore ways to overcome those obstacles.

See full show notes at: AmericanOriginstories.com

This show was written, produced, & edited by Chauneice Davis Yeagley.