Night Doctors

“De only Ku Klux I ever bumped into was a passel o’ young Baltimore Doctors tryin’ to ketch me one night an’ take me to de medicine college to ’periment on me. I seed dem a laying’ fer me an’ I run back into de house. Dey had a plaster all ready for to slap on my mouf. Yessuh.”

—Cornelius Garner (ex-slave, Virginia), interview by Emmy Wilson and Claude W. Anderson, May 18, 1937 (Weevils in the Wheat, 1976:102)

Image: Actor, Rapper, Artist Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) featured on a cover for his 2004 album, The New Danger–one of many visual inspirations for the enigmatic Dr. Antoine Bissett. A fellow boogie man.

Continue reading

August 1st and Emancipation in the Steampunk Atlantic

On the anniversary of British Emancipation on August 1, 1834, revisiting an old post on freedom and abolitionism in the steampunk Atlantic–or lack thereof.

Image: Broadside advertising abolitionist August First commemoration in Worcester, MA, 1849. Boston Public Library.

Continue reading

Tips for Understanding Black History Month- 2024 Edition

It’s that time of year again, Black History Month. This was my post for the past two years, when too many white folks were up in arms about critical race theory–that thing they know absolutely nothing about. Since then, it’s only gotten worse, with actual African American Studies and history under siege from the forces of Mordor. If not that, then assaults on DEI, Black academics, probably Black puppies and umbrellas next. So I figured, why change the theme, since we’re still stuck in the same continuum. Enjoy the three-peat.

Image: “Emancipation: The Past and the Future,” King & Baird, engraver Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Bott, S., publisher Umpehent, J. W., courtesy of The Library Company of Philadelphia

Continue reading

Tips for Understanding Black History Month- 2023 Edition

It’s that time of year again, Black History Month. This was my post for last year, when too many white folks were up in arms about critical race theory–that thing they know absolutely nothing about. Since then, it’s only gotten worse, with actual African American Studies and history under siege from the forces of Mordor. So I figured, why change the theme from last year, since we’re still stuck in the same place. Enjoy the repeat.

Continue reading