African American Notes

On Feeling Foolish in the Wake of Ferguson

At two separate moments Monday night — first as Bob McCulloch, the prosecuting attorney in Ferguson, Missouri, used entirely too many words to say “No indictment” and later as I watched hurt and anger and disappointment boil over on the screen before me —…

Nine Eleven Remembered

In 2002, I read the following accounting of the 9/11 event by my colleague and friend, Kathleen Wyer Lane. Now, as back then, I am moved to tears reading this and am so missing New York City and the old World Trade Center. _George Geder

A Poem For John

Here’s my 2nd Great Grandfather, John R. Jeter.
His Obituaries reads:

Speak, So You Can Speak Again

Speak, So You Can Speak Again : The Life of Zora Neale Hurston
by LUCY HURSTON
Publisher: Doubleday; Book &…

On Alex Haley’s Birthday

I remember when the book ‘Roots…’ came out. We either got it from Publisher’s Clearinghouse or the Readers Digest book club. I also remember thinking that Alex Haley was the author of ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X’. I digress here because my mother was reading that book when she had…

James Arthur Briggs

by Kathleen Wyer Lane; (c) 2001

Cultural Markers In Your Family Story

Cultural Markers are the things that you can see, smell, taste, hold in your hands, remember — that help tell your story.

Not too long ago, I learned that my DNA ‘Markers’ indicate I’m of Yoruba from Nigeria stock. I’m excited about this…

Your Grandma, Your History, Your Future

Future Children

a documentary on racial micro-aggression