Emancipation Day

Happy Emancipation Day (in D.C.)

April 16 is recognized in, D.C., as Emancipation Proclamation day.

In researching for this article I found out some interesting facts that I'd like to share with you all.

- Texas (Juneteenth , June 19th) and Florida (May 20th, but it's an unofficial) are the other two states that have a celebration marking the Emancipation of Slaves.

- Many West Indian countries including the Bahamas, Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Celebrate an Emancipation Day.

- The April 16th 1862 Emancipation of the slaves in D.C. was the only one in which Slave owners were compensated for setting slaves free.

- Lincoln didn't use his initial powers as President to conduct the Emancipation, he used his war powers of "Commander and Chief of the Army and Navy" as the tool to Emancipate.

You can check out more Emancipation Proclamation Facts Here or Here or you can check your local Wikipedia listings...

I must say I've taken a lot of history courses in High School and College, and NEVER was I taught or quizzed on anything involving the actual Emancipation of the Slaves.

All that was EVER said was "The Document and Lincoln Freed the Slaves"... that statement is not entirely true and I advise people to take a further look into...

Dropping Knowledge,

Mr. Talented

Virginia Tech Remembrance

On this day last year most of the Nation (and almost every College Student), was glued to their t.v.'s trying to make sense of the scene playing out.

Virginia Tech University was once again on the National stage.

Except this time it was not for their Excellence in Education or their Dominance in Sports, but for the tragedy that would shock a nation and bring together a greater community.


For years to come, this day, will be one that is met with flowers, remembrance, grief and questions.

To the 32 who passed away, it is the last day they saw on this planet and for the rest of us, we are here to try and figure out and prevent this from happening again.

Life continually plays out in "Cause and Effect", with many "causes" being an enigma and the "effects" everlasting.

However, in the midst of tragedy you can always hear the stories of those who fortune was on their side.

The stories of the brave who sacrificed themselves, told to us by the saved who made it out.

And, the stories of those who brought about change because they felt in some way connected to the incident.
The "internet" age gave us a way to connect to students from far and wide, create groups showing our compassion for victims we will never know and condolences to the families of those we will never meet.

Students of all Ages, Races, and Communities gathered around one central theme, one cause and one slogan.

TODAY WE ARE ALL HOKIES

r.i.p.

CNN iReport Contest Winner

Broadcast journalism major Jermaine Fletcher won the CNN iReport contest. Jermaine is currently a senior at Florida A&M University

The Famuan Jermaine Fletcher

Produced by CNN and the National Association of Black Journalists, the contest was designed to promote the "Black in America" tour, which made it's first stop at FAMU on April 8.

Each contestant had to submit an iReport on one of the topics given. Jermaine chose the topic "What does it mean to be Black in America?"

Some interesting points to watch out for...

• He asks the questions to those interviewed in a way to get a deeper thought out of people. By doing so, he turns one question into three deeper questions.

• He also keeps it within the perspective of students at and from HBCU's (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).

• My FAVORITE part is when he asked a white female student about her experience at an HBCU and if she would recommend HBCU's to other non African-American Students

Check it out here or at cnn.com/ireport keywords Jermaine Fletcher..

So, What do you think about it????

Mr. Talented