Mark R. Cheathem African American history, Lynching

Remembering Lynching in the U.S.

The New York Times published a piece today on lynchings in the South. The piece focused on a report by the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), which examined lynchings in twelve southern states. Much of the report reinforces what historians such as Amy Louise Wood, Fitzhugh Brundage, and others have written about lynching, but a couple … Continue reading Remembering Lynching in the U.S.

Mark R. Cheathem African American history, Oscars, Slavery, Solomon Northup

From Life to Film: Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave

If you watched the Oscars last night, you are aware that Twelve Years a Slave won Best Picture. I have used Solomon Northup's narrative in my first-year U.S. survey courses on a couple of occasions, but the availability of the movie will probably force me to retire it as an option. Still, it's an engrossing story, … Continue reading From Life to Film: Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave

Mark R. Cheathem African American history, Gene Smith, Nathaniel Millett, War of 1812

The African American Experience during the War of 1812

I've previously lamented (here and here) the lack of attention paid to the War of 1812. A more specific historiographical gap concerns the role of African Americans during the war. At least two scholars (and hopefully more) are addressing that deficiency. Gene Smith, professor of history at TCU, has a new book out on slavery … Continue reading The African American Experience during the War of 1812