On December 21, 1988, civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, alongside other prominent Black leaders, advocated for the adoption of the term “African-American” to describe Americans of African descent. Jackson emphasized that this designation provided a cultural and historical context, aligning with identifiers used by other ethnic groups in the United States, such as Italian-American or Irish-American. He stated, “To be called African-Americans has cultural integrity. It puts us in our proper historical context.” ?YouTube

The term “African-American” was intended to foster a sense of pride and connection to ancestral heritage among Black Americans. While it gained widespread acceptance, discussions about racial and ethnic identifiers continue within the community, reflecting the diverse perspectives and experiences of Black individuals in America.

Robert S. Duncanson, a pioneering African American landscape painter of the 19th century, faced significant health challenges in his later years. In October 1872, while preparing for an exhibition in Detroit, he suffered a seizure and collapsed. Following this incident, Duncanson continued to exhibit symptoms associated with schizophrenia, which some historians attribute to severe lead poisoning from prolonged exposure to lead-based paints. He was subsequently admitted to the Michigan State Retreat, a mental institution in Detroit, where he remained until his death on December 21, 1872, at the age of 51. Duncanson was laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery in Monroe, Michigan.

On December 20, 1986, Michael Griffith, a 23-year-old Black man, was tragically killed in a racially motivated attack in the predominantly white neighborhood of Howard Beach, Queens, New York. ?Wikipedia

Incident Details:

• Griffith and two companions, Cedric Sandiford and Timothy Grimes, were traveling from Brooklyn to Queens when their car broke down near Howard Beach. ?Wikipedia

• Seeking assistance, they walked into Howard Beach and were confronted by a group of white youths outside a pizzeria. The confrontation escalated, leading to Sandiford and Griffith being severely beaten. ?Wikipedia

• In an attempt to escape the assault, Griffith fled onto the nearby Belt Parkway, where he was struck and killed by a passing motorist.  ?BlackPast.org 

Aftermath:

• The attack sparked widespread outrage and heightened racial tensions in New York City. Civil rights activists, including Al Sharpton, organized protests in Howard Beach and surrounding areas, calling for justice and boycotts of local businesses. ?Wikipedia

• Three local teenagers—Jon Lester, Scott Kern, and Jason Ladone—were convicted of manslaughter for their roles in Griffith’s death. Another assailant, Michael Pirone, was acquitted. ?victorknapp.com

Michael Griffith’s death remains a somber reminder of the racial violence that has occurred in American history and underscores the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality.

On December 21, 1976, Patricia Roberts Harris was appointed as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by President-elect Jimmy Carter, making her the first African American woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet. ?Wikipedia

Patricia Roberts Harris was a trailblazer dedicated to public service, civil rights, and social justice. Prior to her HUD appointment, she achieved several notable firsts:?

• First African American woman U.S. Ambassador: In 1965, Harris was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. ?HUD

• First African American woman to serve as Dean of a U.S. law school: She briefly served as Dean of Howard University School of Law in 1969. ?Instagram

During her tenure at HUD (1977–1979), Harris focused on rehabilitating neighborhoods and implemented programs such as the Neighborhood Strategy Program and Urban Development Action Grants to revitalize urban areas. ?Wikipedia

In 1979, President Carter appointed her as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), making her the first African American to hold two different cabinet positions. When the department was reorganized in 1980, she became the first Secretary of the newly formed Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ?HUD 

Harris’s legacy continues to inspire, symbolizing resilience, dedication, and the pursuit of equality in public service.

On this day, legendary choreographer and dancer Alvin Ailey received the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP, “in recognition of his international pre-eminence in the field of dance.” Ailey was celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to modern dance and for founding the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which became a beacon of Black cultural expression and artistic excellence worldwide.

The NAACP awarded the Spingarn Medal to Gordon B. Parks “in recognition of his unique creativity, as exemplified by his outstanding achievements as photographer, writer, filmmaker, and composer.”

Parks was a true Renaissance man — the first African American photographer for Life magazine, the director of groundbreaking films like Shaft (1971) and The Learning Tree (1969), and a powerful storyteller whose work chronicled the struggles and beauty of Black life in America.

On December 21, 1972, Horace Mann Bond, an influential African American educator, historian, and college administrator, died. Bond was known for his significant contributions to educational research, particularly regarding the challenges faced by African Americans in accessing quality education. He served as president of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and Fort Valley State College in Georgia, actively advocating for educational equality and desegregation. Bond was also the father of Julian Bond, a prominent civil rights activist and politician.

On December 21, 1959, residents of Deerfield, Illinois, approved a referendum that effectively blocked plans for an interracial housing development. This event attracted national attention as an example of housing discrimination and racial segregation in the North, highlighting the persistent barriers faced by African Americans attempting to integrate suburban communities during this period. The controversy underscored broader societal resistance to integration and became emblematic of the civil rights struggles surrounding housing rights.

Florence Griffith Joyner, legendary American track and field athlete, was born in Los Angeles, California. Known as “Flo-Jo,” she became iconic for her speed, setting world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints at the 1988 Olympics. Her remarkable style, athleticism, and contributions significantly raised the visibility of women’s athletics globally.

The Spingarn Medal was awarded to Edward Kennedy (“Duke”) Ellington, renowned composer, pianist, and jazz pioneer, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to music and the arts.

Motown Records was established in Detroit, Michigan, by Berry Gordy Jr. Motown became one of the most influential record labels, significantly shaping the sound of American music and promoting the careers of legendary Black artists such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott officially ended after 381 days, making Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. national heroes. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that segregation on city buses was unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement.

Actor Samuel L. Jackson was born in Washington, D.C. Jackson began his acting career while attending Morehouse College and went on to star in over 100 films, including box office hits “Pulp Fiction,” “Jackie Brown,” “The Long Kiss Goodnight,” and “A Time to Kill.” He’s widely recognized as one of Hollywood’s most influential actors.

P.B.S. Pinchback, a major Reconstruction-era political leader and the first African American to serve as a U.S. state governor (Louisiana, 1872-1873), died at the age of 84 in Washington, D.C. His political career symbolized significant Black advancements during Reconstruction.

The Negro Renaissance, later known as the Harlem Renaissance, marked a period of extraordinary creativity among Black artists and writers, coupled with increased receptivity among white audiences, reaching its peak in the 1920s. Influential contributors included Claude McKay (Harlem Shadows, 1922), Jean Toomer (Cane, 1923), Alain Locke (The New Negro, 1925), Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Countee Cullen, who collectively reshaped American literature and culture.

A year-end report released on this date revealed that 59 Black Americans were lynched in the United States during 1921. These extrajudicial killings, primarily in the South, were a grim reflection of the era’s racial violence and the lack of legal protection for Black lives. The report served as a call to action for anti-lynching advocates, including the NAACP, who were pushing for federal anti-lynching legislation.

Actor Charles S. Gilpin received the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal for his groundbreaking performance in the title role of The Emperor Jones by Eugene O’Neill. Gilpin was one of the first Black actors to gain national recognition on the American stage, breaking racial barriers in mainstream theater.

Josh Gibson, born in Buena Vista, Georgia, was one of the most powerful and legendary baseball players of his era. Often referred to as the “Black Babe Ruth,” Gibson was a star in the Negro Leagues and is believed to have hit nearly 800 home runs during his career. Despite being barred from Major League Baseball due to segregation, his talent and impact on the sport remain undeniable.

In response to escalating violence against Black citizens and Republicans during the Reconstruction era, President Ulysses S. Grant issued a proclamation condemning the lawlessness in Mississippi. The violence, largely perpetrated by white supremacist groups such as the White League and Ku Klux Klan, aimed to suppress Black political participation. Grant warned that federal intervention would follow if order was not restored, reflecting the federal government’s ongoing struggle to protect the civil rights of newly emancipated African Americans in the South.

South Carolina enacted one of the first sets of Black Codes following the Civil War, aiming “to regulate the relations of persons of color.” These restrictive laws included prohibitions on interracial marriage, the establishment of master-apprentice relationships resembling slavery, and the enforcement of labor contracts that severely limited the freedom of Black individuals. These codes laid the groundwork for institutionalized racial discrimination during the Reconstruction era.