Civil Rights
Movements, leaders, victories and the continuing fight for equality.
Explore the people, places, events, achievements, struggles and stories that shaped our journey.
Movements, leaders, victories and the continuing fight for equality.
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Pioneers, champions, Negro Leagues, records, activism and excellence.
Meet the people whose lives, choices and achievements shaped the journey.
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Moments that changed communities, movements, institutions and the nation.
In 1968 Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. In 1972 she launched a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, breaking another political barrier.
MORE →Reflects the personal views, recollections, and perspective of the author, Mike Davis.
This is a personal recollection on the Move fire on May 13, 1985

Babinsa (from Indonesian: Bintara Pembina Desa, lit. "Village Trustee NCO") is a senior Indonesian territorial army Non-commissioned officer or senior Enlisted rank official who is in charge for carrying out territorial defence, development and monitoring duties for a community in the village/Kelurahan level in Indonesia.[1] They report to and are under the command of the local Military Sector Command (Koramil). In urban areas, Babinsas hold the rank of sergeant major or master sergeant, and in rural areas Babinsas hold the rank of master corporal.
The history of the Babinsas in Indonesia can be traced back to the New Order era under the Suharto regime. During the era of Suharto's dictatorship and his dependence on the military in his governance, Babinsas were used as the regime's political power in the villages.[2] Babinsas were tasked to gather intelligence on people who were indicated as political dissidents of the regime. In East Timor, they were used for active monitoring and surveillance of the respective community, by taking part in traditional suco councils and to single out potential resistance fighters.[3] It was just after the Fall of Suharto in 1998, the roles of the Babinsas as political powers in the villages were slowly eradicated by President B. J. Habibie to revert them to their original roles as defence representative village trustees.
The Babinsa as a community partner, is expected to be able to overcome social problems that can disrupt the integrity of the community's unity by being actively involved in community activities in their area, and also being active in carrying out activities which is to increase the awareness of national defence towards members of the community. As a territorial defence official, Babinsas are also expected to help and become advisors for villagers in need to improve and help realize the nation's welfare and defence from the lowest level of society.[4][5] Babinsas are also tasked to support and help civil authorities, law enforcement and security in their area,[6] especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Babinsas are required to be the front-liners in socializing the importance of compliance to health protocols and the importance of vaccination towards villagers and members of the community, especially in rural areas where illiteracy still exists.[7]
The ability of the Babinsas to determine the success of their territorial duties is to coordinate regularly with relevant officials in the village or Kelurahan such as community leaders, religious leaders and youth leaders to avoid social disturbance and threats in the community. The capabilities that Babinsas must obtain are:
Babinsas are also able and responsible to track down and prevent members of their community from radical and extremist ideologies which may lead to terrorism, by this coordinating with the Community Police Officers (Bhabinkamtibmas).[8]
Babinsas are not law enforcement officers. Village/Kelurahan trustee officers from the Indonesian National Police are the Community Police Officers (Bintara Pembina Keamanan dan Ketertiban Masyarakat abbreviated "Bhabinkamtibmas") which coordinate with the Babinsa closely in monitoring their areas.
Army Babinsas wear a red armband on their upper-left sleeve bearing the word "BABINSA" and they wear the same uniform as other army personnel, sometimes in camo uniform and sometimes in service uniform. As majority of serving personnel come from the Infantry Branch, they wear army-green berets as their headdress in service dress.
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Babinsa (from Indonesian: Bintara Pembina Desa, lit. "Village Trustee NCO") is a senior Indonesian territorial army Non-commissioned officer or senior Enlisted rank official who is in charge for carrying out territorial defence, development and monitoring duties for a community in the village/Kelurahan level in Indonesia. They report to and are under the command of the local Military Sector Command (Koramil). In urban areas, Babinsas hold the rank of sergeant major or master sergeant, and in rural areas Babinsas hold the rank of master corporal.
MultiCam is a camouflage pattern designed for use in a wide range of environments and conditions which was developed and is produced by American company Crye Precision. The pattern has found extensive adoption globally. Variants of it, some unlicensed, are in use with militaries worldwide, particularly with special forces and special operations units. The pattern is also available for purchase for civilian usage. Derived from the original standard pattern, additional specified variants were developed and later introduced in late 2013, those are "Arid", "Tropic", "Alpine" and "Black".
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (Indonesian: Tentara Nasional Indonesia, lit. 'Indonesian National Military'; abbreviated as TNI) are the military forces of the Republic of Indonesia. It consists of the Army (TNI-AD), Navy (TNI-AL), and Air Force (TNI-AU). The President of Indonesia is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. As of 2023, it comprises approximately 404,500 military personnel including the Indonesian Marine Corps (Korps Marinir RI), which is a branch of the Navy. Initially formed with the name of the People's Security Army (TKR), then later changed to the Republic of Indonesia Army (TRI) before changing again its name to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to the present. The Indonesian Armed Forces were formed during the Indonesian National Revolution, when it undertook a guerrilla war along with informal militia. As a result of this, and the need to maintain internal security, the Armed forces including the Army, Navy, and Air Force has been organised along territorial lines, aimed at defeating internal enemies of the state and potential external invaders.Under the 1945 Constitution, all citizens are legally entitled and obliged to defend the nation. Conscription is provided for by law, however the Forces have been able to maintain mandated strength levels without resorting to a draft. The Indonesian armed forces (military) personnel does not include members of law enforcement and paramilitary personnel such as the Indonesian National Police (Polri) consisting of approximately 440,000+ personnel, Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) of around 42,000+ armed personnel, and the Indonesian College Students' Regiment or Resimen Mahasiswa (Menwa) which is a collegiate military service consisting of 26,000 trained personnel.
A combat uniform, also called a field uniform, battledress, or military fatigues, is a casual uniform used by military, police, fire, and other public uniformed services for everyday fieldwork and duty, as opposed to dress uniforms for formal functions and parades. It generally consists of a jacket, trousers, and shirt or T-shirt, all cut to be looser and more comfortable than more formal uniforms. Combat uniform designs vary by regiment or service branch (e.g. army, navy, air force, marines, etc.). Uniform fabrics often come in camouflage, disruptive patterns, or otherwise olive drab, brown, or khaki monochrome, to approximate the background and make the soldier less conspicuous in the field. In Western dress codes, field uniforms are considered equivalent to civilian casual wear, less formal than service dress uniforms, which are generally for office or staff use, as well as mess dress uniforms and full dress uniforms. Combat uniforms have existed to some degree in most organized militaries throughout history, with the intent of providing both protection and easy identification. The British Indian Army's Corps of Guides were the first to use drab combat uniforms starting in 1848, when they wore light-brown clothing called "khaki" by Indian troops. The Second Boer War and World War I ended the pre-modern practice of issuing brightly-colored combat uniforms in favor of green, brown, khaki, and grey uniforms that better suited the varied environments of modern warfare. The first proper military camouflage pattern was Italy's telo mimetico, originally designed for half-shelters in 1929. Germany's Wehrmacht began issuing camouflage uniforms to paratroopers during World War II, and by the end of the war, both the Allies and Axis made use of camouflage uniforms for select units, usually special forces. The Cold War and post–Cold War era saw the gradual shift from monochromatic olive and khaki combat uniforms to those using camouflage patterns.
Before the 1921 destruction of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, Black residents had created a remarkable center of business and community life. The district included stores, professional offices, entertainment venues and homes owned by Black citizens. Understanding Greenwood means learning what was built—not only what was burned.
MORE →Joe Louis.