Glossary and References
A-Bomb
Atomic Bomb, developed through the 1950's and tested in the Nevada desert, though very different from the H-Bomb, which is more powerful.
Ashanti Empire
The Ashanti, originally a part of present-day Ghana, were people within the Ghana Empire whose ascendancy was based on the iron and gold found within this wealthy country. The Ashanti benefited from early firearm adoption. Combined with effective strategy, they fashioned an empire that stretched from central Ghana to the present-day Ivory Coast. Due to the empire's military prowess, wealth, architecture, sophisticated hierarchy and culture, the Ashanti Kingdom has been extensively studied and has more historiographies by European, primarily British, authors than almost any other indigenous culture of Sub-Saharan Africa.
​
Chaka
(1787-1828) Chaka, also known as Shaka, or Shaka Zulu, was an early nineteenth century African warrior-king who implemented warfare techniques and weaponry which have been studied and adopted by military leaders and personnel worldwide ever since Shaka's time. Shaka Zulu incorporated into his own army the warriors from defeated tribes; he also established military towns in order to ensure that his armies were well provided for and excellently trained. Shaka Zulu initiated the idea of complex battle formations in order to outflank and confuse his enemies, not unlike those strategies used in football formations. In addition, Shaka Zulu revolutionized the existing Zulu weaponry by designing a short-handled stabbing spear, known as the "assegai."
​
https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/zulu-shaka-1787-1828/
Colonel McCormick
Robert Rutherford "Colonel" McCormick (July 30, 1880 – April 1, 1955) from a prominent Chicago family. Republican Chicago alderman, U.S. Army officer in World War I, owner and publisher of the Chicago Tribune newspaper. Republican non-interventionist, McCormick opposed the increase in Federal power brought about by the New Deal and later opposed American entry into World War II.
Bantu
An ethnolinguistic group that accounts for nearly all languages and ethnic groups in Sub-Saharan Africa.
"And Ethiopia stretch forth her arms again"
Referencing the Messianic Psalm of David, found in Psalms 68:31 - "Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God." Interpretations generally suggest the recognition of global powers to the God of Israel and/or the Messianic figure.
​
It's important to note that Ethiopia is also one of the oldest centers of Christianity, possibly providing a less Eurocentric reading in different records and translations.
"... empty as Jacob's kettle"
Biblical reference to an "empty" kettle that could be "filled" through faith - John 4, Jesus' interaction with a Samarian woman
Herero Women
The Herero are an ethnic group primarily in Namibia. They successfully revolted against the German imperialists after the Herero Genocide in 1904. However, the group is more widely recognized by their headdresses (honoring their cattle-herding heritage) and European-hybrid dresses.
​
https://museeholocauste.ca/en/resources-training/herero-genocide-namibia/
​
https://www.cnn.com/2011/11/03/world/africa/namibia-victorian-fashion/index.html
​
"...if the salt loses it's flavor"
​
References the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testement. Could be using Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50, or Luke 14:34-35. Interpretations suggest listening to the teachings of Christ, the need for fellowshipping, or persistence in service. Verses below, KJV.
​
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
​
"Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither for the land, nor yet for the dunghill, but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
Jomo Kenyatta
(1894-1978) Kenyan anti-colonial activist and politician, who would later be Kenyan Prime Minister from 1963 to 1964 and then President from 1964 to 1978. He was the country's first Black head of government and played a significant role in the transformation of Kenya from a colony of the British Empire into an independent republic.
​
Became the President of the Kenya African Union (KAU) in 1946. Though there was little evidence that he was involved, Kenyatta and 97 other KAU leaders were arrested in 1952 and put on trial for the murder of Chief Waruhiu Kungu and for managing the Mau Mau Rebellion. Kenyatta was sentenced to seven years and indefinite restriction thereafter.
​
https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/kenyatta-jomo-c-1894-1978/
Paul Robeson
(1898-1976) African American singer, actor, athlete, scholar and activist who was heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement and Anti-Imperialism, gaining the attention of McCarthy Era congress and the HUAC, and was blacklisted in Hollywood and had his passport revoked from 1956-1958.
​
Through interactions with Robeson, Lorraine Hansberry was brought to the attention of the HUAC.
Dinah Washington
Known as the "Queen of the Blues", born Ruth Lee Jones in 1924. American singer and pianist, who has been cited as "the most popular Black female recording artist of the '50s". Popular recordings include "What a Difference a Day Makes" and "Unforgettable."
Songhay Empire
(CA. 1375-1591) A state that dominated the western Sahel. At its peak, it was one of the largest states in African history. The state is known by its historiographical name, derived from its leading ethnic group and ruling elite, the Songhai. Sonni Ali established Gao as the capital of the empire, although a Songhai state had existed in and around Gao since the 11th century. Other important cities in the empire were Timbuktu and Djenné, conquered in 1468 and 1475 respectively, where urban-centered trade flourished.
​
https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/songhai-empire-ca-1375-1591/
"English tattooing themselves with blue dragons"
Though evidence of this is scarce and historians consider it conjecture, it is possible that 5th Century Anglo-Saxon warriors tattooed themselves with several symbols - including the symbol of the dragon.
Prometheus
A Greek mythological figure who is credited with having created man and defied the gods by stealing fire from them and gifting it to man. Zeus punishes Prometheus by tying him to a rock where every day his liver is eaten by an Eagle.
Garbo Routine
Refers to Greta Garbo, a famous actress from the 1920s and 30s, who was notoriously glamorous, moody, mysterious and dramatic.
Conked head
A popular hairstyle for Black men from the 1920s - 1960s wherein the hair was cropped and relaxed with chemicals.
"30 pieces and not a coin less"
The price for which Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, according to an account in the Gospel of Matthew 26:15 in the New Testament.
Mrs. Miniver
An Oscar-winning film (1942) which starred Greer Garson as Mrs. Miniver, an English middle-class housewife who appears in many scenes tending her roses. In the movie, despite the blitz bombs of Nazi Germany, Mrs. Miniver stands stalwart, the symbol of England's hope and strength.
Scarlet O'Hara
The main character of Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone With the Wind and the 1939 film. Scarlett is a pampered, fashionable Southern plantation lady with a tendency to seduce and beguile all those who come in contact with her.
U. S. Steel
The company formed by J. P. Morgan and attorney Elbert H. Gary founded U.S. Steel on March 2, 1901 by combining Andrew Carnegie's Carnegie Steel Company with Gary's Federal Steel Company and William Henry "Judge" Moore's National Steel Company for $492 million ($14.16 billion today). At one time, U.S. Steel was the largest steel producer and largest corporation in the world. It was capitalized at $1.4 billion ($40.30 billion today), making it the world's first billion-dollar corporation.
Mr. Charley
An expression used used to refer to an imperious white man. The expression suggests that Whites are generic or interchangeable.