“Tell Them We Are Rising” Documents the Impact of HBCUs in America

Following his documentary covering the Black Panthers two years prior, filmmaker Stanley Nelson wows us again with his piece, Tell Them We are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges & Universities. As you can deduce from the film’s title, the work focuses on the work of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and their impact on the black community as a whole. Nominated for Outstanding Independent Documentary in the Black Reel Awards, and for Outstanding Documentary in the Image awards, this film is bound to shape our perceptions of the importance of black education for years to come.

A central theme to the film is an examination of the effects that HBCUs have had on American history, culture and national identity. The film, comprised of educational authorities, accounts of personal experience alongside archival footage, letters, diaries, photos and home movies, paints a picture of what it truly meant to be one of the first students to take the brave step toward education following the abolition of slavery. The film showcases the bravery of formerly enslaved blacks working to pursue an education, despite the violence and intimidation they felt, as well as the stark lack of teachers and resources to supply their newly formed universities.

As HBCUs began forming in the mid-1960’s, this was following decades of slavery in which slave owners were permitted to do anything with their slaves, except for teach them to read and write. In the age of racial oppression and discrimination, it was known that an educated black population could not be an enslaved population. This film highlights the importance of the groundwork that HBCUs and their graduates have paved for advancing justice in America. A collective black education experience allowed for black individuals to pursue careers and spearhead civil rights movements in the future to work toward equality for the races.

Most importantly, Nelson’s film speaks to the importance of a black college experience providing a place for these students to be in the majority. It is these HBCUs that define what it means to be black in America, while gathering together a group of individuals who strive to be better than the status quo. This work is a reminder of how important it is to push toward achieving your #SquadGoals, and how surrounding yourself with other motivated individuals can help propel blacks along both intellectually and politically.

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Blended Designs Featured on The Shade Room 

Friday evening, Blended Designs was featured on The Shade Room.

Earlier this year Blended Designs decided to create a brand for their back to school products. The brand name is 1954. By popular demand, they decided to turn the signature Limited Edition backpack announcing the new brand into a full collection.

This design includes the original newspaper headlines from May 17-18, 1954 announcing the decision in the landmark case - Brown vs. Board of Education. The New York Times headline includes “states have time to comply”. It took 3 years for the Little Rock Nine to integrate Central High School and another 6 years for 6yr old Ruby Bridges to break barriers in Louisiana.

A federal ruling is only the beginning. This is why it is more important than ever that our voices are heard at the polls and we are adequately represented in public offices. We still have to continue to fight for inclusion, integration and equality for ALL. 

To shop our 1954 collection click here. 

Two Monumental Civil Rights Movements

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” These are the wise words of Malcolm X, minister, human rights activist, and lifelong supporter and proponent of black culture. If education is the passport to the future, it is imperative that each and every student is presented with an equal opportunity to make this journey to greatness and success. However, for the majority of American history, this has not been true for black students in our country. It wasn’t until 1954 in the case of Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka that blacks were permitted to attend formerly all-white schools, and it wasn’t until years after this groundbreaking case that public schools became desegregated in the South. Being that our designs are based upon this groundbreaking case leading to the end of educational segregation in America, we’d like to explore the difference between the 1954 decision and Ruby Bridges’ role in the civil rights movement.

Jim Crow Era

Previous to the case of Brown vs. the Board of Education, an equally monumental 1896 court case, Plessy vs. Ferguson, upheld the “separate but equal” doctrine in America. This hearing upheld the doctrine that racially segregated public facilities were legal, so long as the facilities for blacks and whites were equal. This meant that blacks could be legally barred from public schools, buses and other public facilities. Back in 1892, Homer Plessy refused to sit on a train car with all blacks. This was following a movement by state legislature in the 1880’s requiring all railroads to provide separate cars for “colored” passengers. After refusing to leave the whites-only train car, Plessy was arrested and jailed.

Plessy cited the 14th Amendment in is hearing, stating that his equal rights were not being protected by the act of segregation in public facilities. The court found that the 14th Amendment only protected political and civil rights, such as voting or jury service, not social rights, including sitting on the railroad car of your choice. Plessy vs. Ferguson ensured the survival of Jim Crow era segregation in America for decades to come.

Brown vs. The Board of Education

It wasn’t until 1950 that there was a monumental breakthrough in desegregating American schools. This began with the journey of Linda Brown, a resident of Topeka, Kansas that lived about four blocks from an all-white school. Brown and her father walked through the doors of that very school in 1950, requested and being denied enrollment to the school. This request was part of a larger movement being made by their local NAACP chapter to join 200 other plaintiffs to challenge segregation in schools on a national level. Twelve other parents were denied enrollment, leading to these parents also filing their own suits.

Brown’s case and four others were combined to create Brown vs. The Board of Education, a case to be seen by the Supreme Court in 1952. Brown argued that the black and white schools available in her area were not equal in quality, violating the “equal protection clause” of the 14th Amendment. This clause states that no state can “deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws”. Contrary to the findings of the court in Plessy vs. Ferguson, the court found that the segregation of public schools had a “detrimental effect upon the colored children”, contributing to “a sense of inferiority”. Ultimately, in 1954, the Supreme Court declared that the segregation of children in schools based on skin color was unconstitutional and that segregated schools were inherently unequal.

Ruby Bridges and Desegregating the American South

Although Brown vs. the Board of Education was a cornerstone of the civil rights movement, setting the precedent that “separate but equal” was inherently unequal, there was resistance from southern states to desegregate public schools. As black Americans began working toward receiving equal education opportunities as other students, this movement was spearheaded by 6-year-old Ruby Bridges. Bridges was the first black child to attend a formerly all-white school in the South in 1960, six years after the declaration.

This journey toward equality began when Bridges entered her kindergarden year and was given a test to determine whether or not she could attend an white school. In 1960, the NAACP informed bridges that she was one out of just six students to pass this test that had been designed to be particularly difficult for students to pass. This meant that Bridges would be the first black student to attend an all white school in the American south, William Frantz school.

Though this breakthrough paved the way for civil rights actions in the future, it also led to Bridges and her family facing a seemingly unending stream of discrimination and difficulty. The very admittance of Bridges made white parents deeply enraged, as protestors rallied to William Frantz to hastle our young heroine, going so far as to hurl insults and objects toward her. On her first day of school in November 14, 1960, Bridges had to be escorted through the crowd of angry protestors by her mother and several U.S. marshals.

Although public schools had been desegregated at at this point in time, classrooms had not. This meant that Bridges was secluded from white students in a classroom by herself, being taught by one volunteer, Mrs. Barbara Henry. After receiving repeated threats from protestors, the school required Bridges to bring her own lunches for fear of her school lunch being poisoned. She continued to be escorted through the school by federal marshals for her safety, even when visiting the restroom. Despite all of these trials and tribulations, Bridges and her family remained strong, realizing the importance and gravity of the opportunity to receive a quality education a matter of blocks away from their home.

A Look Toward the Future

Although civil rights leaders the likes of Linda Brown and Ruby Bridges have worked to pave the way for equal education opportunities for all, there is still a long and arduous path ahead of us truly achieve this goal. From the days of these cornerstone civil rights movements, we continue to push forward past the obstacles and diversity that face us, to become successful entrepreneurs, business owners and college graduates. At 1954, we continue to share our mission of empowerment of our future black leaders of America through the support of their education with quality products that encourage them to do their best. Celebrate these monumental breakthroughs in equality with our signature 1954 “The Headlines” backpack and bags, showcasing the news that made history with Brown vs. the Board of Education.

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Growing into Strong, Confidence Kiddos 

It’s no secret to say that growing up is tough. From the second we are born, we are met with a deluge of new information, as we pick up new skills and knowledge each and every day. Learning all of these new skills while traversing social and cultural situations entirely unknown to us as children makes for a daunting undertaking. It is our job as parents, classmates and mentors to install confidence in the children of today to create a kind, capable, skilled future for tomorrow. 

Show Confidence Yourself

The first step in installing confidence in your children is by displaying that confidence yourself. Children learn by example, and by being willing to try new things without fear of failure, you can teach your children to do the same. You don’t have to pretend to be the best at each new undertaking, or unafraid of failure to showcase this confidence. On the contrary, being open with your children about your feelings while focusing on the positive can encourage your children to do the same.

Let Children Learn from Failure

Not only is it important for children to become more confident from their successes in life, it is equally as important for kids to learn that failure is a part of the process. After all, confident people don’t let the fear of failure get in their way, and this is an important concept to impress upon your children as you encourage them to try new things. Failure will actually teach children to dust themselves off, pick themselves up, and try harder for better results in the future.

Allow Kids to Have an Opinion

This may be a tricky one for some parents. While we agree that children should be raised to respect adults and their time to speak and discuss issues as “grownups”, we also believe that it is important for children to develop their own original thought. Being outspoken does not mean that a child is being disrespectful, if it is done in an appropriate and well-thought out manner. Children should be taught to validate their voice through patience and reasoning, while giving others the opportunity to do the same.

Practice Persistence

While we all may want our children to excel at every new endeavour that they undertake, it is important to not let children give up at their first failure or setback. Kids must learn that they have to be resilient enough to withstand failure to keep trying, and to not be too distressed when they are not the very best at something. Learning to trust the process and their personal progression is what will keep children focused on their goals, no matter what may deter them.

Set #SquadGoals™ and Explore New Interests

Another key method for installing confidence in kids is by helping your children find their passions by exploring their own interests to help develop their own identity. As children find their interests in sports, hobbies and other activities, they will be amazed at their growing skill set, as they put in the time and effort to learn more about the things that they love. One way to encourage this progress is by articulating both big and small goals that your children may have. Setting goals can help your children feel strong and secure, and that they can truly achieve anything with time and dedication. Helping your children map out their goals will also work to validate their interests and to develop the skills necessary to get them where they want to be.

Show Your Love

Perhaps more important than all else in installing confidence and strength in your children, is to let them feel loved and supported. It is important to let your children know that you love them no matter what, and that you think that they are great, even when they may not be doing great things. This sense of security and belonging is invaluable when empowering your children to pursue their passions, achieve their #SquadGoals™  and grow into strong, confident adults.

WE’RE WORKING TO EMPOWER STUDENTS OF COLOR.

It’s our goal to provide gear to students that encourages them to be their best. We do this by producing bags, totes and organization tools with fun characters representing a broad range of melanin skin tones. Our products are made to be sturdy so kids can count on them to work. And we commit to giving students in less-advantaged schools free gear with the help of local community organizations.

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