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HIDDEN TRUTHS
GREENWOOD / BLACK WALL STREET WILMINGTON 1898 LITTLE ROCK NINE TUSKEGEE STUDY ROSEWOOD 1923 THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SENECA VILLAGE BLACK TOWNS GREENWOOD / BLACK WALL STREET WILMINGTON 1898 LITTLE ROCK NINE TUSKEGEE STUDY ROSEWOOD 1923 THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SENECA VILLAGE BLACK TOWNS
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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...

Wilmington 1898 — An American Coup

Wilmington, North Carolina once had a thriving Black middle class and an elected interracial government. In 1898 white supremacists used violence to overthrow that government, kill Black residents and drive many others from the city.

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BHP gathered finds from its connected research sources. Showing the 1 strongest Black History matches.
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NMAAHC

White racing suit worn by Richard Pryor in the film Greased Lightning

Date
1977
Manufactured by
Racestar
Worn by
Richard Pryor, American, 1940 - 2005
Subject of
Wendell Oliver Scott, American, 1921 - 1990
Description
This white car racing jump suit was worn by Richard Pryor as the character Wendell Scott in the film Greased Lightning (1977). Single blue vertical stripe at sides. The jump suit has full-length sleeves and ankle-length legs with ribbed knitted cuffs on the sleeves and the legs. It closes at the center front with a metal zipper that runs from the crotch to standing collar. The zipper is hidden by a placket and self-fabric tabs with Velcro closures are attached at the waist and neck. Blue stripes are sewn along the outer side of the sleeves and the outer side of the legs. There are two (2) inset pockets, one at each front side waist, and one (1) inset pocket at the proper right chest set diagonally that closes with a metal zipper. Embroidered patches reading "CHAMPION" and "UNION 76" are sewn on the proper right front chest above the pocket. A second "CHAMPION" patch is sewn on the upper arm of the proper left sleeve. A fourth patch reading "RACESTAR" is sewn to the tab closure at the front neck. The jump suit is not lined. A label reading "MPCC" in handwritten black ink above the embroidered work "RACESTAR" is sewn at the interior back neck. To the left of this label is an additional label with printed text detailing fiber content and care, also with the text "MPCC" handwritten in black ink above the printed text.
Topic
African American
Athletes
Automobile racing
Clothing and dress
Costume
Film
Sports
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Clothing - Costume
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
2012.109.2
Type
jump suits
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
nylon, metal zippers, and Velcro (TM)
Dimensions
H x W: 67 1/2 x 60 in. (171.5 x 152.4 cm)
Title
Object Name • White racing suit worn by Richard Pryor in the film Greased Lightning
Record ID
nmaahc_2012.109.2
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
WHITE RACING SUIT WORN BY RICHARD PRYOR IN THE FILM GREASED LIGHTNING
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1970s
Name
Racestar • Scott, Wendell Oliver • Pryor, Richard
Topic
Automobile racing • Costume • Clothing and dress • Motion pictures • Athletes • Sports
Culture
African Americans
Type
jump suits
Online Media Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

White racing suit worn by Richard Pryor in the film Greased Lightning

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

Which Black woman became the first elected to the United States Congress?

Shirley Chisholm, elected in 1968.