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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...

Shirley Chisholm — Unbought and Unbossed

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.

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

Sony microphone used in the studio by Luther Vandross

Date
1980s - 1990s
Manufactured by
Sony Corporation, Japanese, founded 1946
Owned by
Luther Vandross, American, 1951 - 2005
Used by
Luther Vandross, American, 1951 - 2005
Description
Sony Condense Microphone C-800 with storage case.
a. A black, rectangular plastic case with grey letters that read [SONY / CONDENSER MICROPHONE C-800]. The case has some ridges on the front and back. There is a stripe down the side of each outer edge with thing, grooved lines. The bottom of the case has four round “feet” and metal hinges. The hinges read [MADE IN JAPAN]. The top of the case reads [SONY] in raised grey letters. There is a white label which reads [LUTHER VANDROSS #1] in black text. There is a black leather keychain with two silver keys on it. There is a handle in the center with a key hole and an unlock switch on either side. The key holes read [LOCK] in raised letters with an arrow underneath. The inside of the case has grey foam. The foam on the lid is scratched, scuffed, and dented. There are two rectangular pieces of foam attached to it. At the top there are two indentations, one on either side, with metal rings inside. The main part of the case has a textured grey foam with shaped compartments for the different microphone pieces.
b. A SONY C-800 condenser microphone. The main part of the microphone is cylindrical. The top is made of a mesh grille, with the internal structure of the microphone inside. It reads [SONY] with an On/Off switch underneath. The base reads [No. 10127]. There is a small piece at the bottom with grooved rings around it and small raised metal pieces inside. There is an attachment on the side which reads [SONY / C-800 / CONDENSER / MICROPHONE / MADE IN JAPAN] in grey. There is an appendage on the side with thick grooved rings around it. This is the cooling system, which helps with microphone temperature and noise distortion. The cooling system is covered with a black foam windscreen. The foam is starting to disintegrate.
c. A black microphone attachment. The base has vertical grooved lines going around it. There is grey text which reads [SONY] and [Made in Japan]. There is a knob attached to the side. The top of the attachment is a large circle with bungee cord and plastic going in different angles. There are several textured areas inside of the circle.
d. A thin, cylindrical metal tube. The tube is silver in color. The tube is hollow. On one end there are several grooved lines going around it, with an additional textured piece attached. The tube has several scrapes and scratches. The other and of the tube has a small keyhole shaped cutout.
e. A black circular attachment with one hollow end. The hollow end has metal inside with grooved lines going around the interior. The outside of the attachment has vertical grooved lines going around the top, and vertical grooved lines going around the bottom. The non-hollow end of the attachment is thinner than the top, and has several grooved horizontal lines going around it.
f. A small, black, circular attachment. There is a textured border around the top with short, vertical grooved lines. The top reads [SONY / JAPAN / SAD-34] in raised letters. There is a hole in the center. The bottom of the attachment is thinner and has grooved rings around it. The bottom of the attachment is hollow, and has grooved rings on the inside.
Place used
United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Composers (Musicians)
Rhythm and blues (Music)
Singers (Musicians)
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Tools and Equipment
Exhibition
Musical Crossroads
On View
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Seveda Williams in Celebration of the Musical Legacy of her Uncle, Luther Vandross
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2018.86.1a-f
Type
microphones
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
a. ink on plastic with metal, rubber, foam, and leather;
b. ink on plastic with metal and foam;
c. ink on plastic with metal;
d. metal;
e. plastic with metal;
f. plastic
Dimensions
H x W x D (a: case): 12 1/2 × 17 1/2 × 7 in. (31.8 × 44.5 × 17.8 cm)
H x W x D (b: microphone): 7 1/2 × 9 1/2 × 2 in. (19.1 × 24.1 × 5.1 cm)
H x W x D (c: circular topper): 7 × 3 3/4 × 2 in. (17.8 × 9.5 × 5.1 cm)
H x W x D (d: silver cylinder): 2 7/8 × 1/2 × 1/2 in. (7.3 × 1.3 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (e: black small cylinder): 1 × 3/4 × 3/4 in. (2.5 × 1.9 × 1.9 cm)
H x W x D (f: small black circle): 1/2 × 15/16 × 15/16 in. (1.3 × 2.4 × 2.4 cm)
Title
Object Name • Sony microphone used in the studio by Luther Vandross
Record ID
nmaahc_2018.86.1a-f
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
SONY MICROPHONE USED IN THE STUDIO BY LUTHER VANDROSS
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1990s • 1980s
Name
Sony Corporation • Vandross, Luther
Place
United States • North and Central America
Topic
Composers (Musicians) • Singers (Musicians) • Rhythm and blues (Music)
Culture
African Americans
Exhibition
NMAAHC • Musical Crossroads
Geo Location
Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
microphones
On Physical Exhibit
Yes
Online Media Type
Images
Online Media Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions

Media

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

Black, navy, and teal suit worn by Luther Vandross

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Sony microphone used in the studio by Luther Vandross

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Description

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NMAAHC

Lyrics for “Dance with My Father” handwritten by Luther Vandross

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Suit jacket worn by Luther Vandross

Date: Date

Description

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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

What prosperous Tulsa district became widely known as “Black Wall Street”?

The Greenwood District.