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Siren Misconceptions

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Every culture has its mythology. Many share cultural icons. Editor Elizabeth Shay grew up reading the Percy Jackson books, and ever since she’s been intrigued with mythology in our lives. For this week’s theme, blogger Evan Spry looked to Greek mythology. Read on to learn about a common misconception he uncovered about a famous creature.

By Evan Spry

Looking back at the most memorable stories derived from Greek mythology, I am immediately reminded of the biologically intriguing and physiologically concerning creatures that were Sirens. Sirens have always interested me because of their powers and how much of a danger they were to Greek sailors, even though there were only a few Sirens in total recorded mythology. However, something that interests me even more are the constant misconceptions of the Sirens. I know personally that when I was reading the Greek myths for the first time I imagined the Sirens as beautiful mermaids, whose beauty and sexuality lured men to their death. However, upon further inspection, Sirens are actually said to be half-bird, half-human creatures that lure men with their beautiful voices and songs. As the “real” story goes, sirens are just big birds with women’s faces and heads on them. 

Homer

The sirens of O Brother, Where Art Thou

According to Emily Wilson, a University of Pennsylvania classicist, “Homer doesn’t describe the Sirens’ physical appearance in his epic poem” (audubon.org). The fact that Homer never even mentioned the physical appearances of the Sirens proves how far popular culture has morphed the look of these creatures. For example, the first things that pop up from a Google search of the word “siren” are pictures and links to a television show with the same name. That siren is a slightly sexy, slightly creepy fish woman. Hulu describes the show Siren as literally about a “mermaid.” This confusion of the two creatures–bird? fish?–adds to the continuity of misconceptions about sirens.  I fell victim to this misconception, as did the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou and Wikipedia.

Bird-Women

Also, according to Wilson, “…in ceramic paintings and tomb sculptures from the time of writing, and centuries after, sirens were usually depicted with taloned feet, feathered wings, and a beautiful human face.” This is far from the visualizations that appeared in my mind when imagining sirens, which is very unfortunate because this is what they are meant to be. Wilson explains the significance of their appearance as birds because in the eyes of these old, traditional European people, “…birds were often graced with an otherworldliness associated with gods, spirits, and omens.” This highlights the importance of sirens. They weren’t just an abundant group of hot mermaids that took pleasure in killing random sailors. In ancient Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern cultures, birds played a significant role in the transport of souls to the afterlife.  This shows the influence that birds had on these local cultures and communities. Sirens represented more important things than maritime seductresses.

Mythology Editor: Elizabeth Shay

The Creation of the Beautiful Mexica World and its People

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When Elizabeth asked the Blog Class to write about “Mythology,” Blogger Erik chose to explore his Mexica ancestry and write about the creation myth of the Mexica people.

By Erik Bearman

Context 

The Mexica people are known as “the Aztecs” by the general public and were given that name by the Spanish. However, this is not what the Nahuatl-speaking peoples of that region called themselves at the time; nor is it what they call themselves today. Because of this, I will be referring to the Mexica by our indigenious name.

Pre-Creation

Ōmeteōtl - Wikipedia

Ometeotl, the Dual God, is the bigender creator god of the Mexica and Lord of Duality. They created the world with the four cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west. Ometeotl’s first four sons each ruled a direction. 

Tezcatlipoca: a tricky and complicated Aztec god!

Tezcatlipoca, the Smoking Mirror, rules the North and is the embodiment of the night sky and winds, hurricanes, discord, earth, sorcery, temptation, obsidian, rulership, and jaguars.

Quetzalcoatl - Wikipedia

Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, rules the West and is the embodiment of wind, wisdom, art, the day, rain, and the cycle of death and resurrection. He is also mankind’s creator. You may be familiar with the Feathered Serpent because he appears across Mesoamerican artwork and in pop culture.

Xipe Totec: This Gory God Shows the Unique Way Aztecs Viewed Fertility and Renewal | Ancient Origins

Our Lord the Flayed One, Xipe Totec, rules the East and is the embodiment of agriculture, sacrifice, vegetation, the seasons, maize, and rebirth. 

Huitzilopochtli - Ancient History Encyclopedia

Huitzilopochtli, the Blue Hummingbird of the South, rules the South. Huitzilopochtli is patron of the Mexica people and is the embodiment of war, fire, and the current sun.

Cipactli - Wikipedia

The gods set out to create more gods and the rest of the world, but first they had to defeat the earth monster, Cipactli. Cipactli was a giant crocodilian/fish/turtle who lived in the primordial sea of creation. Anything the gods tried to create Cipactli ate. The gods battled with Cipactli. Tezcatlipoca lost his left leg in the process. After the battle, the gods repurposed Cipactli’s body and scattered it into the sky, land, caves, valleys, and grass. The Mexica use Cipactli as an explanation for sinkholes. A commonly held belief is that Cipactli will drag people underground unless she is fed the blood of regular sacrificial victims. 

The gods were nearly finished with creating the world, but they still needed a sun. The gods gathered their power into a ball of light, which existed among them. Tezcatlipoca, who was proud but petty, stole the ball, tied it to his back, and rose into the sky with the sun. 

The First Sun and the First People

The First Sun was ruled by Tezcatlipoca and lasted 676 years. The first people Quetzalcoatl created were a race of nut-eating giants. For the most part, the world was in order. But, there was a problem with the Sun. Because he had lost his leg, Tezcatlipoca could only manage half a sun. Yet, he refused to step down. So Quetzalcoatl, the wisest of the gods, came up with the best solution. He took a macuahuitl (a wooden club used by Mexica warriors) and whacked Tezcatlipoca out of the sky! In a vengeful response, Tezcatlipoca created jaguars to devour the people Quetzalcoatl had created. And, the people disappeared.

The Second Sun and the Second People

Quetzalcoatl took over as the Second Sun and ruled for another 676 years. Quetzalcoatl created a new race of people who were much smaller than the giants. However, Tezcatlipoca was still angry at his brother for hitting him out of the sky centuries earlier. So, Tezcatlipoca used his dark magic to transform into a giant jaguar, leaped into the sky, and struck down his brother. Quetzalcoatl retaliated with a massive windstorm that ended up blowing humanity away. The survivors turned into monkeys. Quetzalcoatl was quite bummed about his precious creations being turned into monkeys. So he left and ended the age of the Second Sun. To recap, Quetzalcoatl has gone; there are no humans–only monkeys.

The Third Sun and the Third People

Tlāloc - Wikipedia
Image result for xochiquetzal

The Third Sun was not ruled by one of the cardinal gods but by a rain god named Tlaloc. Tlaloc embodies rain, storms, thunder, lightning, moisture, and plant growth after rainstorms. His name means “he who makes things sprout.” Tlaloc ruled for 676 more years until Tezcatlipoca interfered. Tlaloc’s wife at the time was Xochiquetzal, the Precious Feathered Flower, who embodies female sexual power, prostitution, erotic love, beauty, and pregnancy. Xochiquetzal was seduced by Tezcatlipoca and left her husband. Tlaloc entered a state of depression and neglected his duties as a rain god. The people kept praying and attempting to appease him. Tlaloc eventually caved and gave the humans rain. Only he made it rain fire instead of water. The surviving humans transformed into birds.

Note: In some stories, Xochiquetzal was abducted by Tezcatlipoca and forced to marry him. After leaving Tezcatlipoca, Xochiquetzal was transformed into a patron and guardian of female homosexuality.

The Fourth Sun and the Fourth People

chalchiuhtlicue, aztec river goddess | Aztec artwork, Aztec art, Aztec symbols

Tlaloc eventually remarried. This time to the goddess Chalchiuhtlicue. Chalchiuhtlicue embodies rivers, streams, storms, seas, and all things water related. Her name means “She of the Jade Skirt.” Chalchiuhtlicue became the Fourth Sun and was broadly loved by the new people Quetzalcoatl created. But, 624 years later, Tezcatlipoca accused Chalchiutlicue of faking her kindness and of only acting the way she did because she wanted mankind’s praise. Chalchiutlicue became so sad that she started crying blood. She cried for 52 two years and drowned the people in her misery. The survivors transformed into fish.

The Fifth Sun and the Fifth People

Note: The Mexica believe that we currently live in the Fifth Sun and that a special sacrificial ceremony called the New Fire Ceremony must be performed every 52 years in order to prevent the next cataclysm. 

Mictlantecuhtli | Aztec deity | Britannica
Mictecacihuatl

The warrior god, Huitzilopochtli, became the Fifth Sun. At this point, Quetzalcoatl was sick and tired of having to recreate humanity. So, he journeyed to the Mictlan, the lowest point in the Mexica underworld, and met with Mictlantecuhtli, the Lord of the Land of the Dead, and Mictlantecuhtli’s wife, Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Land of the Dead and the Keeper of Bones. Quetzalcoatl asked the two if he could have the bones of previous humans in order to create more humans. Mictlantecuhtli said that he would allow Quetzalcoatl to take the bones if Quetzalcoatl traveled around Mictlan blowing into a shell. But Mictlantecuhtli attempted to trick Quetzalcoatl by handing him a shell with no holes to blow. Quetzalcoatl was smart and summoned worms to drill holes into the shell and summoned bees to buzz inside the holes. The horn worked. Mictlantecuhtli was furious but let Quetzalcoatl take the bones.

Cihuacōātl - Wikipedia

Quetzalcoatl was heading towards the mortal realm when he fell into a pit. Mictlantecuhtli had played another trick! He had commanded his underworld servants to dig the pit. When Quetzalcoatl awoke, he realized he had broken the bones! Thankfully, the Snake Woman, Cihuacoatl, saved the day. She ground the bones into a bowl and used Quetzalcoatl’s blood to bring the humans to life. They were healthy, but because the bones had been broken, they now had different heights.

There are different predictions for how the Fifth Sun will end, but a common version is that it will once again be the fault of Tezcatlipoca, who will destroy humanity with earthquakes.

****************

This creation myth is important to me because I can imagine the stories of my ancestors. It provides context and connection. There are many creation myths. This one doesn’t get told enough. It reveals much about my Mexica people, why, and how they lived.

Sources:

Mythology Editor: Elizabeth Shay

Black Athletes who Changed the Face of Baseball

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Debut Post by Blogger Roman Rickwood

African-American athletes have been some of the most influential leaders in their communities. Roman wanted to highlight the importance of two outstanding baseball players, Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson.

Hank Aaron

Image result for hank aaron
Hank Aaron played 21 seasons with the Braves.

Hank Aaron was one of the greatest baseball players the game has ever seen. He has the record for most home runs with an astounding 755! Not only was Hank Aaron one of the world’s best baseball players, but he did it under extreme conditions. Hank Aaron faced extreme racism and discrimination as he was one of the few African-American players in Major League baseball. He played major-league ball from 1954 to 1976 (MLB.com). From the crowds, he experienced heckling and thrown objects. From fellow players, he was targeted for dirty plays. Calls from the umpires often did not go his way. He overcame, triumphed, and passed Babe Ruth’s home-run record AND The Babe’s RBI record–which still stands today at 2,297 runs batted in (MLB.com). Hank Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1934. He played in the MLB for the Braves of Milwaukee (before Milwaukee was the Brewers) and ended his career in Atlanta with the Braves. He then retired as a Brave and settled just outside of Atlanta. He quickly became not only a baseball legend but a local legend. In 2010, he was named Georgia trustee by the Georgia historical society. He served front office roles with the Braves and had many awards named after him. Hank Aaron died this past January 22, 2021, at his home in Atlanta.

Jackie Robinson

April 15, 1997: Jackie Robinson's Number Retired | Baseball Hall of Fame
Jackie Robinson wearing a BROOKLYN Dodger hat

Jackie Robinson was a baseball legend who holds many titles and is revered in the baseball community. Jackie Robinson was the first African American ever to play in the major leagues. Like Hank Aaron, he destroyed records as well as racial barriers. Robinson was born January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. Robinson was a born and bred multi-sport-athlete who excelled in everything he did: baseball, football, track, and academics. Jackie Robinson attended University of California, Los Angeles, aka, UCLA. Jackie played and excelled at UCLA. He ran track and played baseball for the Bruins. After graduating from UCLA, Jackie Robinson went on to make history and start at 1st base for the then Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson endured racism, prejudice, and threats of violence. He prevailed and went on to break records, most notably the record for most stolen bases in the history of the MLB. Jackie Robinson stole 197 bases over ten seasons (baseballhalloffame.org). On April 15, 1997, his number, 42, was retired by every team in the MLB. When a number is retired, it is always out of respect. It is a symbol of a great career. However, very rarely is a jersey retired by every single team. 

As Black History month wraps up, it is important to remember Aaron’s and Robinson’s groundbreaking accomplishments and their destruction of racial barriers in both baseball and everyday life. 

https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/hank-aaron-career-timeline\

Black History Month Editor: Evan Spry

Who are you, Maya Angelou?

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As we near the end of Black History Month, Hannah directs our attention to one of the most famous and influential Black-American writer-performers–Maya Angelou.

By Hannah Hall

As February is Black History Month, we can take this time to reflect and honor the achievements of the African-American community in the past and present. Somebody I wanted to talk about and remember during this time is Maya Angelou. Angelou was an African-American “author, poet, historian, songwriter, playwright, dancer, stage and screen producer, director, performer, singer, and civil rights activist” (Poetry Foundation). She is known for writing a multitude of autobiographies—her first and most internationally recognized being I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings—and her many many poetry books. One poem that I wanted to introduce to the blog is her poem Caged Bird.

The poem acts as an extended metaphor to the past and present struggles of race-based oppression African-American communities face in this country. The cage symbolizes the physical, psychological, and emotional limitations that oppression creates for the caged bird inside, which can be interpreted as the African-American community. The “free bird” in this poem can be interpreted as the white community in America and how they live without something actively holding them back. Because of the color of their skin, they have nothing stopping them from pursuing their desires because there aren’t any societal limitations. I encourage you to read this poem and in your own time reflect on its depth and historical background.

Caged Bird by Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps

on the back of the wind   

and floats downstream   

till the current ends

and dips his wing

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and   

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings   

with a fearful trill   

of things unknown   

but longed for still   

and his tune is heard   

on the distant hill   

for the caged bird   

sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn

and he names the sky his own

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams   

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream   

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied   

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings   

with a fearful trill   

of things unknown   

but longed for still   

and his tune is heard   

on the distant hill   

for the caged bird   

sings of freedom.

Sources:

https://poets.org/poet/maya-angelou

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48989/caged-bird

Black History Month Editor: Evan Spry

Tulsa Massacre or Tulsa Race Riot?

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By Jake Sonderman

In the wake of the George Floyd protests over the summer and extreme momentum in the Black Lives Matter movement, we’ve all been learning more about the history of the Civil Rights Movement and racial injustice in the US than we learned in our American history classes. I feel there definitely should have been proportionately more curriculum on the subject. A key event in the history of racial injustice in the US is the Tulsa Massacre. 

The History

The Tulsa Massacre, also referred to as the Tulsa Race Riot, began on May 31, 1921, in the Greenwood neighborhood (aka “Black Wall Street”) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This small neighborhood was coined “Black Wall Street” because of the many successful African-American owned businesses. The neighborhood had its own school, dental practice, and hospital (whose owner was one of the few black millionaires at the time). In May 1921, Dick Rowland, an African-American shoe shiner, was accused of raping a white woman in an elevator. He was being held at the courthouse. An article was published in the Tulsa Tribune with sources saying a lynching was planned that night for Rowland. Groups of armed whites and armed African-Americans rallied around the courthouse that night. The confrontation resulted in one white man being shot, and that was the spark. The white mob went on to kill as many as 300 African Americans (the actual number is not known, but it is between 75-300) (Britannica.com). The mob also burned down most of the businesses on Black Wall Street, and insurance companies would not give these businesses their pay out because their policy did not cover “rioting” (Tulsaworld.com).

Image result for black wall streetBlack Wall Street, Pre-May 31, 1921Image result for black wall streetBlack Wall Street, Post-May 31st, 1921

Riot or Massacre? 

Merriam-Webster defines a riot as, “a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent” (Merriam-Webster.com). Denotatively, this describes what happened on May 31-June 2, 1921. A group of whites disturbed the public peace in Greenwood by burning many businesses and were most definitely acting with a common intent. But, to ignore the connotations of the word “riot” is problematic. 

In Tulsa, the property damage and murders were directed at a specific group of people. While the arrest of Dick Rowland sparked the disaster, it was not the entire cause. The cause is likely rooted in resentment, as Greenwood was wealthier than some of the white communities surrounding it. That day was a sort of reckoning for the white mobs that desecrated Greenwood. 

Massacre.

The most common definition of massacre is, “the act or an instance of killing a number of usually helpless or unresisting human beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty” (Merriam-Webster). A less common definition also by Merriam-Webster is, “an act of complete destruction.” I believe this second definition perfectly characterizes what happened in Tulsa in 1921. This was an act of vast destruction on Greenwood’s lives and livelihoods. 

The first Merriam-Webster definition characterizes the violence well enough, considering how many African Americans were killed in those two days. Technically, however, they weren’t defenseless at the beginning, but after that first encounter, the “riot” turned into the killing of defenseless citizens in Greenwood. The incident devolved into white patrols roaming the streets of Greenwood shooting on sight (Britannica.com). The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee passed the Tulsa-Greenwood Race Riot Claims Accountability Act, where they heard testimonies from survivors. One survivor, Olivia J. Hooker, said she survived the “Tulsa Race Riot of 1921”; she self corrected and added, “but what really was a massacre” (TulsaWorld.com).

All of this is why I believe we should call what happened in Tulsa a massacre. It is important we take note of the connotations of words when dealing with important historical subjects such as these, so that we can make sure those who learn about this later get an accurate picture of our history. 

Sources:

https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/education/once-taboo-discussion-tulsa-race-riot-now-included-in-state-academic-standards/article_9f6dfdd5-1fd7-58b4-9c06-b047c7ebe31e.html

https://www.britannica.com/event/Tulsa-race-riot-of-1921

https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/racemassacre/tulsa-race-massacre-for-years-it-was-called-a-riot-not-anymore-heres-how-it/article_47d28f77-2a7e-5b79-bf5f-bdfc4d6f976f.html

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riot

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/massacre

Black History Month Editor: Evan Spry

Influential and Inspirational African-American Lawyers

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Continuing our representation of important African-American leaders, blogger Elizabeth shares the most influential and inspirational African-American Lawyers.

By Elizabeth Shay

In honor of Black History Month, and combining my interest in law, here is a list of five revolutionary Black lawyers that have played an important role in history and deserve to be recognized.

Macon Bolling Allen (1816-1894)

In the 1840s, Macon Bolling Allen left his job as a teacher in Indiana and became an apprentice to prominent attorney and abolitionist, General Samuel Fessenden (LawWorks). Many believe Allen was the first African American to be licensed to practice law in the United States, at a time when Black Americans were not even considered citizens. And, Macon was licensed to practice in two states–Maine and Massachusetts. Allen was also the first African-American Justice of the Peace. He was a partner in the first known African-American owned firm, established in South Carolina in 1868.

Notable fact: It is reported that Allen walked 50 miles to take the bar exam in Massachusetts because he couldn’t afford transportation (MesserliKramer).

Charlotte E. Ray (1850-1911)


Charlotte E. Ray became the first Black woman to earn a law degree in 1872. She graduated from Howard University, specializing in corporate law. Ray was also the first female admitted to the District of Columbia Bar and became the first female to practice before the Supreme Court in D.C. This allowed women in other states to seek admission to their state bars. Charlotte Ray also opened her own law office before becoming active in the women’s suffrage movement. She was praised for her eloquence and comprehensive legal expertise (LawWorks).

Notable fact: In order to disguise her identity as an African-American woman, it is alleged that Ray applied to the bar under the name C.E. Ray (MesserliKramer).

Jane Bolin (1908-2007)

Jane Bolin’s father was a successful lawyer in New York. After graduating from Wellesley College, she was accepted into Yale University despite discouragement from an advisor. Bolin became the first African-American woman to graduate from Yale Law School. In 1931, she passed the bar in New York City and began practicing in 1932 (LawWorks). A woman of many firsts, she was appointed as the first African-American female judge and the first to work in New York City’s legal department, in the office of the corporation counsel. She was a judge in Family Court and took on domestic issues, helping neglected and orphaned children, and changing segregationist policies that assigned probation officers based on skin color and the placement of children in child-care agencies based on ethnic background.

Notable fact: Jane Bolin chose not to wear judicial robes in order to help the children she worked with feel more comfortable (MesserliKramer).

Charles Hamilton Houston (1895-1950)

Charles Hamilton Houston started out as an English professor and eventually became known as “the man who killed Jim Crow.” While Houston was serving in the U.S. Infantry as a First Lieutenant during World War I, he experienced blatant bigotry so he enrolled at Harvard Law. He became the first Black-American editor of the Harvard Law Review, earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1923, and joined the Washington D.C. bar in 1924. Houston went on to become Dean of Howard University School of Law, helping make the institution the leading training center for civil rights activists pursuing law. Charles also served as the first special counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and was involved in almost every Supreme Court case about civil rights between 1930 and 1950. 

Notable fact: Houston wrote the strategy for ending segregation in public schools by proving that it would be more expensive to create “separate but equal” schools than it was to allow integration (LawWorks). 

Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993)

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Top student and protegé of Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall graduated from Howard University after being rejected from the University of Maryland Law School on the basis of his race. After graduating and passing the bar, Marshall successfully sued the University of Maryland on behalf of another Black student who was denied admission there. Marshall was the first African American to be nominated to the Supreme Court. He was the Court’s first African American justice, serving from 1967 to 1991. He also served as the 32nd Solicitor General and judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. Thurgood Marshall established a legal practice in Baltimore and founded the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. He led the landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education, that outlawed racial segregation in schools (LawWorks).

Notable fact: Marshall represented and won more Supreme Court cases than anyone else in history.

These lawyers have each made history in their own way. As we move forward to the future, reflecting on the struggles and achievements from those in the past allows us to make progress. As Thurgood Marshall said, “Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country” (judgeawcenter.umd.ed).

Sources Referenced:

https://lawworks.com/en/blog/read/1260974717/black-lawyers-who-changed-the-world

Five Inspirational African American Lawyers

Black History Month Editor: Evan Spry

Beautiful Culture Properly Incorporated

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This month we celebrate “Black History Month.” Blogger Erik looks to Black Panther–a film that rocked movie theaters around the world with its amazing all-Black cast, Black superhero story, and attention to cultural detail.

Names

Most of the film’s characters are lifted directly from the pages of the Black Panther comic books. However, their names have real-life origins. The names of Black Panther characters include . . .

Danai Gurira deserved better in Avengers: Endgame | by Marcel Ardivan | Medium

Okoye

  • Translation: “Born on orie market day”
  • Origin: Igbo (language), Eastern Nigeria 
Why Letitia Wright's Shuri could be the next Black Panther, Entertainment News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Shuri (right)

  • Translation: “Village”
  • Origin: Japan

Nakia (left)

  • Translation: “Pure and faithful”
  • Origin: Egypt
Forest Whitaker's 'Black Panther' Role Has a Big Twist

Zuri

  • Translation: “Beautiful”
  • Origin: Swahili (language)

 

Dora Milaje

The evolution of the Dora Milaje, from comics to movies | SYFY WIRE

One of the best parts of the movie was the all-female warrior unit: the Dora Milaje. Led by Okoye, the Dora Milaje are fierce and loyal to the Wakandan throne. Their design is a culmination of numerous cultural aspects. 

The Amazons were known for their fearlessness and strength (Credit: Credit: Chris Hellier/Getty Images)

The idea of an all-female warrior unit is not just a sign of progressive times. The Dora Milaje actually draw inspiration from a real-life group of warrior women who fought French colonial forces in the 1600s. The “Dahomey Amazons,” as they’re called by Western historians, were created because their nation needed manpower to fight colonists, but most of the manpower had been stolen by slave traders. So, King Ghezo, ruler of Dahomey (modern-day Benin), created the female military unit.

The Maasai Culture - Travel Discover Kenya

The tall spears and red armor of the Dora Milaje warriors resemble the semi-nomadic Maasai tribe of northern Tanzania and southern Kenya. The beaded and disc necklaces seen worn by other Wakandans were also borrowed from the Maasai.

Ndebele Tribe - Culture, Traditional Attire & Art Patterns

Speaking of neck jewelry, the golden neck rings originate from the Ndebele tribe of South Africa. Traditionally, Ndebele men give these rings to their wives after they’ve built a house together. However, these rings have lately become a fashion trend in modern-day South Africa.

Language

Xhosa Tribe in South Africa | African Safari Directory

Even though Wakandans are fictional, their language is very much real. The Wakandas speak isiXhosa, which is the native language of the real-life Xhosa people of South Africa. Namhla Mbawuli, a isiXhosa speaker who lives in Johannesburg, claimed the inclusion of the language in Black Panther is “phenomenal” and “reinforces the importance of our culture, accepting our language and having pride in being Xhosa” (www.nytimes.com).

Chadwick Boseman, who embodied Black icons, dies of cancer | MPR News

Sadly, Black Panther’s lead Chadwick Boseman passed away August 28, 2020. Mr. Boseman, you’ll always be king in our hearts. #WakandaForever

Sources

Black History Month Editor: Evan Spry

The Most Influential Black Scientists in History

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February is Black History Month, and the Palm Valley Blog would like to highlight some of the most influential Black leaders of our time. We start with blogger Sara’s list of the most influential Black scientists in history.

By Sara Habibipour 

We all know of Einstein, Newton, and Hawking. But, during this Black History Month, let’s take a moment to appreciate some Black scientists who also left their mark on history. 

George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist who made his scientific breakthrough with peanuts. Yes. Peanuts. 

Born a slave a year before slavery was outlawed, Carver left home young to pursue his education.

In 1894, Carver was the first African American to earn a Bachelor of Science degree. While studying at Iowa State University, he quickly impressed many of his professors with his research into fungi and soybeans. Eventually, they convinced him to stay for his masters studies. 

It was then that his idea of crop rotation created a scientific breakthrough. He learned that years of growing cotton had depleted the nutrients from the soil, resulting in fewer crops. But, by growing nitrogen-fixing plants like peanuts and soybeans, the soil could be restored. This scientific discovery soon greatly benefited farmers and the economy. 

Katherine Johnson

Not only was Katherine Johnson one of the first black students to integrate into West Virginia’s graduate schools, but she was a key player at NASA. 

In 1962, Johnson was called upon to help secure the orbital mission of John Glenn. The complexity of the orbital flight had required the construction of a worldwide communications network; these computers were responsible for keeping Glenn’s mission safe and successful. As a part of the preflight checklist, Glenn asked for Johnson, known then as one of the most talented mathematicians at NASA, to run the same numbers through the same equations that had been programmed into the computer, but by hand on her desktop mechanical calculating machine. “If she says they’re good, then I’m ready to go,” he said (NASA). 

Because of Johnson’s work, Glenn’s flight was a success. This moment was significant in changing the trajectory of the U.S. and Soviet Union’s efforts in space. 

To learn more about her, watch the movie Hidden Figures featuring Taraji B. Henson, Janelle Monae, and Octavia Spencer. 

Alice Ball

Alice Ball was an African-American chemist who developed the most effective treatment for leprosy in the 20th century. Chaulmoogra oil had been previously used for treating leprosy, but the treatment wasn’t widespread because it was too sticky and hard to manage in hospitals. Some hospitals used injections of the oil, but all it did was form bubbles under the patients’ skin, making their skin look and feel like bubble wrap with blisters. If the patients tried to swallow it, it tasted so bad that many threw up or choked while swallowing it. 

At just the young age of 23, Ball developed a technique that would allow the chaulmoogra oil to become injectable and absorbable by the body. This technique, now known as the “Ball Method,” was the only treatment for leprosy that didn’t leave blisters on the skin or a bad taste in the mouth.

Unfortunately, due to her early death, Alice was unable to publish her revolutionary findings. Arthur L. Dean, a fellow chemist, continued her work, published the findings, and began producing large quantities of the injectable chaulmoogra extract. 

Otis Boykin

Otis Boykin was a 20th-century African American inventor whose work improved electrical resistors, which made the development of electronic devices possible. 

Boykin pursued graduate studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology from 1946 to 1947, but, unfortunately, he had to drop out when his family could no longer afford to pay tuition. Although unfortunate, this event led Boykin to begin working on electrical inventions.

Boykin earned his first patent in 1959 for a wire precision resistor and a patent for an electrical resistor in 1961 that was both inexpensive and easy to produce. This resistor had the ability to “withstand extreme accelerations and shocks and great temperature changes without danger of breakage of the fine resistance wire or other detrimental effects” (MIT). 

Without Boykin, we wouldn’t have televisions, computers, radios, or pacemakers. We really owe him! 

In fact, we owe all these scientists. They’ve changed and impacted our lives.

Sources: 

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/george-washington-carver

https://scientificwomen.net/women/ball-alice-121

https://www.nasa.gov/content/katherine-johnson-biography/

https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/otis-boykin

Black History Month Editor: Evan Spry

18 Inspirational Quotes about Making the Right Choice

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Editor Erik asked the Blog Staff to write about “Missed Opportunities.” For those of you debating whether to jump at that next opportunity, Hannah’s compiled a list of quotes to keep under advisement. Dear reader, guide yourself through life by making the right choices.

By Hannah Hall

Missing opportunities result in probably one of the worst feelings ever, in my opinion. But, when you miss an opportunity,  it is most likely going to be for the logical reason of the risk being too high. And, even if you do take the chance, you have to think: Is it worth it when you are left with emotional, financial, or physical repercussions? I honestly say, no, but if you are in a sticky situation that requires you to either be all in or all out, I recommend you read these quotes and allow them to guide you towards making the right choice. Because, in the end, making the right decision is the best decision–even if you miss an opportunity. 

“The only way of catching a train I have ever discovered is to miss the train before.” ― G.K. Chesterton

“We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.” — Khalil Gibran

“Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.” — Eric Roth

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” — Michael Jordan

“Why cry about missed opportunities when you have the ability to smile at opportunities lived?” — Greg Plitt

“Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.” — Keri Russell

“Excuses will always be there for you. Opportunity won’t.”  — Anonymous 

“Don’t live in regret over missed opportunities, for if you do, you will miss even more.”  ― Charbel Tadros

“We are free to choose our paths, but we can’t choose the consequences that come with them.” — Sean Covey

“He missed an invaluable opportunity to hold his tongue.” — Andrew Lang

“Stop worrying about missed opportunities and start looking for new ones.” — I. M. Pei

“What goes around, comes around.” — Willie Nelson

“I’ll make the right decision, whichever one it is. I have to be 100 percent, not 95 or 99.” — Karl Malone

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. But if you do, make new ones. Life is too short to make the wrong choice twice.”  ― Joyce Rachelle

“We never regret the love we give, / We regret giving it to the wrong people …”  ― Samiha Totanji

“Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the decision right.” — Dr. Phil 

“All the roads you regret for not going to the end represent the alternative lives you have missed!”  ― Mehmet Murat İldan

“The only way to make the right decision is to find out which is the wrong decision, to examine that other path without fear, and only then decide.” — Paulo Coelho

Hopefully, reading these quotes have inspired you to take the path that is right for you. Take what resonates with you, and go. If you don’t, that choice could very well end up being your next missed opportunity.

Missed Opportunities Editor: Erik Bearman

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https://www.azquotes.com

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