Black History
Queen Calafia Returns to California
There will also be a reception on October 5 for Calafia at the GLBT Historical Society Museum in the Castro in San Francisco.
A celebration of the return of Queen Calafia to California will be held on Sunday, October 3, at 3:30 p.m. in Dunphy Park on Bridgeway between Napa and Litho Street in Sausalito. The celebration will be free. Everyone is invited. Bring a picnic.
The Citizens of California know their state’s name. But few know where the name California came from, and fewer still know that it is named after a mythic Black Amazon warrior queen, according to the announcement.
Queen Calafia is returning to California to change all that.
Queen Calafia and her entourage will arrive by boat at Dunphy Park and will be greeted by the Cal Alumni Band with a fanfare and a rendition of Calling Calafia. The queen will place her foot on California soil for the first time in hundreds of years and then parade to the band shell to be greeted by the mayor of Sausalito, Emperor Norton, and other dignitaries. Proclamations from the City of Sausalito and the City of Oakland will be read. Various performers and presenters from all walks of life will welcome Calafia. The queen will speak to the assembled Californians.
This is history in the making. Come and welcome Calafia back to California. Don’t miss it.
There will also be a reception on October 5 for Calafia at the GLBT Historical Society Museum in the Castro in San Francisco.
To read more about Queen Calafia, go to www.postnewsgroup.com/queen-califia-california-namesake-or-legend/
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
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Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
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Black History
Matthew Henson: Explorer Extraordinaire
Matthew Henson, a trailblazing explorer who overcame countless obstacles to leave an incredible mark on history. Born on August 8, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland, his journey is a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of adventure.
By Tamara Shiloh
Matthew Henson, a trailblazing explorer who overcame countless obstacles to leave an incredible mark on history. Born on August 8, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland, his journey is a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of adventure.
Henson’s life began amidst the backdrop of post-Civil War America, where opportunities for African Americans were scarce. From a young age, he possessed an insatiable curiosity about the world beyond his small town. At the age of 12, he embarked on a journey that would change the course of his life forever when he joined a merchant ship as a cabin boy.
His most famous expedition was his journey to the Arctic with renowned explorer Robert E. Peary. In 1887, Henson joined Peary’s crew as a seaman and quickly proved himself to be invaluable with his skills as a navigator and craftsman. Over the course of several expeditions, Matthew endured extreme cold, treacherous terrain, and grueling conditions as he and Peary sought to reach the elusive North Pole.
In 1908–09, Peary set out on his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. It was a big expedition, with Peary planning to leave supplies along the way. When he and Henson boarded their ship, the Roosevelt, leaving Greenland on August 18, 1909, they were joined by a large group. This included 22 Inuit men, 17 Inuit women, 10 children, 246 dogs, 70 tons of whale meat, blubber from 50 walruses, hunting gear, and tons of coal.
In February, Henson and Peary left their anchored ship at Ellesmere Island’s Cape Sheridan, along with the Inuit men and 130 dogs. They worked together to set up a trail and supplies along the way to the Pole.
Peary picked Henson and four Inuit people to join him in the final push to the Pole. However, before they reached their destination, Peary couldn’t walk anymore and had to ride in a dog sled. He sent Henson ahead to scout the way. In a later interview with a newspaper, Henson recalled being in the lead and realizing they had gone too far. The group turned back, and Henson noticed his footprints helped guide them to their destination. At that location, Henson planted the American flag.
Henson’s legacy extends far beyond his expeditions to the Arctic. He shattered racial barriers in the world of exploration and inspired countless individuals, regardless of race, to dream big and pursue their passions. In 1937, he was finally recognized for his achievements when he was inducted into The Explorers Club, an organization dedicated to promoting scientific exploration and field research.
Matthew Henson died in the Bronx, New York, on March 9, 1955, at the age of 88.
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