Black History Month Celebration 17 – 2021 Duke Ellington message of social justice. This series will cover those making history and historical Black Figures, events, activities and of course music related if possible. We should remember and not lose what we accomplished. Enjoy Black History Month.

Duke’s experiences reveal the reality.

Ellington’s development from a D.C. piano prodigy to the world’s elegant and sophisticated “Duke” is well documented. Yet a fusion of art and social activism also marked his more than 56-year career.

Ellington’s battle for social justice was personal. Films like the award-winning “Green Book” only hint at the costs of segregation for black performing artists during the 1950s and 60s.

More: The Conversation

‘Traveling while black’ guidebooks may be out of print, but still resonate today

In the summer of 2017, the NAACP issued a travel advisory for the state of Missouri.

But they were also startled by a 2017 report from the Missouri attorney general’s office showing that black drivers were stopped by police at a rate 85 percent higher than their white counterparts. The report also found that they were more likely to be searched and arrested.

Traveling while black’ guidebooks 

And of Course There is the Worldwide Famous Tune Take the A Train

This is a segment from the film Reveille with Beverly from 1943; the song was composed in 1939.