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MY'STORY

The MOVE Fire

This is a personal recollection on the Move fire on May 13, 1985 Philadelphia police fired thousands of rounds at the MOVE house, city officials approved dropping an explosive device on the roof, the resulting fire was allowed to burn, 11 people—including five children—died, and 61 homes were destroyed. Philadelphia City Council later called it a “brutal attack carried out by the City of Philadelphia on its own citizens” and acknowledged that no individual faced criminal consequences for the bombing. One timeline correction worth preserving for the BHP record: the major previous MOVE-police confrontation was August 8, 1978, about seven years before the bombing, not a year or two earlier. Officer James Ramp was killed, other police and firefighters were wounded, nine MOVE members were later convicted, and television cameras recorded police beating Delbert Africa during his arrest. The 1985 MOVE Commission later specifically criticized city planners for failing to adequately use lessons from that 1978 confrontation. And that actually strengthens the point you’re making: 1985 did not happen without precedent or institutional memory. There had already been a deadly confrontation with MOVE, years of conflict, negotiations and police involvement before Osage Avenue.

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BLACK FACTS
The Truths They Never Taught You...

Ruler of the Mali Empire in the 14th century

Mansa Musa was the ruler of the Mali Empire in West Africa. Details recorded here should be sourced; unknown information is left blank.

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BHP gathered finds from its connected research sources. Showing the 4 strongest Black History matches.
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NMAAHC

Fast Willie Jackson, Vol 1., No. 2

Date
December 1976
Illustrated by
Description
Fast Willie, Volume 1, Number 2 from December 1976, published by Fitzgerald Periodicals, Inc. This issue was written by Bertram Fitzgerald and illustrated by Gus LeMoine. The front cover of the comic book is predominately yellow with color illustrations. The top third of the cover features the comic’s masthead in red outlined in black with stylized text that reads [FAST / WILLIE / JACKSON]. Above the title is a graphic of Dee Dee’s head, with a white speech bubble that says [CAN YOU DIG IT?], and another woman’s head with a speech bubble that reads [YEAH! I CAN DIG IT!]. The comic book’s issue, [DEC. NO 2], and publisher’s logo, [F / P [encircled in white with blue fill]], is printed to the left of the title. The price, [30¢ [encircled in white with blue fill]] above black text that reads [P D C / 53160-9] is printed to the right of the title. The front cover is dominated by an illustration of Dee Dee, Willie, Jo-Jo, Hannibal, and Frankie playing music. Frankie, depicted on the far left, is dressed in a pink sweater with green shirt and pants and is playing a guitar. To his right, is Jo-Jo playing drums. He’s wearing a red bucket cap and a blue shirt. To his right is Hannibal, depicted wearing a green shirt. Frankie stands on the far right, playing a guitar. He is depicted wearing a blue shirt and fedora, sunglasses, and checkered pants. Between the boys is a large amplifier blasting music. Dee Dee stands in the center of the foreground dancing in a red dress with a white collar. Colorful musical notes and starbursts are illustrated around the group. In the bottom left corner is black text that reads [FITZGREALD PERIODICALS, INC. 1976]. The artist’s reproduced signature is printed in black by Dee Dee’s proper right foot. The back cover features the six (6) panel story, Dee Dee in Try It, You’ll Like It. The interior pages are off-white with color illustrations, plus letters to the editor, advertisements, and text. The comic book features twelve (12) stories: "Willie has a Test," "Fast Willie in 'There’s No Business like Show Business,'" "Dee Dee in All Hands," "Frankie’s Favorites," "Jabar in No Way Out," "Fast Willie in 'Spice of Life,'” "Classroom Cutups," "Officer Flagg’s Future!," "Hannibal in No Way Out," "Double Feature for Willie," "Branch Out with Jo-Jo," and "Dee Dee in Try It, You’ll Like It." The comic book is thirty-five (35) pages, including the front and back interior covers and the back cover. The comic book is staple-bound.
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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Books and Published Materials
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2019.28.24.3
Type
comic books
Restrictions & Rights
© Fitzgerald Periodicals, Inc 1976
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product) with metal
Dimensions
H x W x D: 10 3/16 × 6 5/8 × 1/16 in. (25.9 × 16.9 × 0.2 cm)
H x W x D: 10 3/16 × 12 1/2 × 1 1/16 in. (25.9 × 31.7 × 2.7 cm)
Title
Title • Fast Willie Jackson, Vol 1., No. 2
Record ID
nmaahc_2019.28.24.3
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
FAST WILLIE JACKSON, VOL 1., NO. 2
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1970s
Geo Location
City • New York City • State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Online Media Type
Images
Online Media Rights
Use Restricted

Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution. Rights and restrictions shown above are supplied by the Smithsonian record.

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NMAAHC

Ella Fitzgerald

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NMAAHC

Ella Fitzgerald, 1978

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NMAAHC

Fast Willie Jackson, Vol 1., No. 1

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NMAAHC

Fast Willie Jackson, Vol 1., No. 2

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TOPIC OF THE DAY

Greenwood / Black Wall Street

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.

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TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE DAY

Which Supreme Court case ruled state-sponsored public-school segregation unconstitutional?

Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.