"The progress is healing the wound that the blow made. And they haven’t even begun to pull the knife out, much less heal the wound. They won’t even admit the knife is there." - Malcolm X Malcolm X was born on May 19, 1925. In this episode Lettie shares a few facts about him, she talks about a newspaper he started in 1960, and Lettie reads a few quotes you need to hear and remember because they are still just as applicable in 2023. Happy birthday to one of the most brilliant and influential revolutionary leaders in history! Book recommendations: The Autobiography of Malcolm X Malcolm X: A Lif ..read more

Yes, an essay written 130 years ago—by a Black woman who was a crusader for justice—is still relevant today as we read and hear about what happened to Jordan Neely on a train in New York earlier this week. In this episode, Lettie reads excerpts from "Lynch Law" (1893) by Ida B. Wells and shows vital connections to not only the killing and lynching of Jordan Neely, but also to the racist systems and institutions in the U.S. as a whole. History always shows us! Become a patron and learn from Lettie. Follow Lettie on Instagram @sincerely.lettie and @historyshowsuspodcast Read more about and fro ..read more

Lettie is back!! In this episode she reintroduces herself, provides a few life updates, and reads words from James Baldwin. The year and a half long hiatus of this podcast has Lettie excited to be back behind the mic ..read more

It has been a month and a half sine I dropped a podcast episode, but I'm back! On this episode I answer some questions I received last month and they happen to be perfect for this comeback after my hiatus. A few of these questions allowed me to reflect on this year and I hope it resonates with and encourages you all! Follow me on Instagram @sincerely.lettie and @historyshowsuspodcast  Join my Patreon community to get history education and antiracism content. This can include live Q&As, history lessons, my book club, and more ..read more

The civil rights movement is decorated with well-known names, but one that isn’t heard and known enough is Gloria Richardson’s. As a pioneer of the civil rights movement in Cambridge, Maryland and leader of the Cambridge Nonviolent Action Committee (CNAC), Richardson was a force and unapologetically fought for human rights in the Black freedom struggle. Gloria Richardson passed away on July 15, 2021 and I’m grateful for her incredible legacy. There is a famous picture of her pushing a bayonet, held by a National Guardsman, out of her way as she protests in Cambridge. Her “who do you think you ..read more

Understanding systemic racism also requires knowledge about the weaponization of whiteness and how it continuously functions. In this episode, I'm joined by my friend Kina Reed and we dive into this, anti-Blackness, the lies surrounding history and whiteness, Kina's perspective on trauma and how it affects humanity, and more.  Kina Reed is a DEI consultant and facilitator, researcher, learning strategist, community advocate, and someone who is committed to moving us all closer to the goal line of shared humanity. I met Kina through Instagram early last year and I'm so glad I did. Her spir ..read more

Juneteenth is now a federal holiday and, well, I have many thoughts that of course dive into history's context. The U.S. has continuously had an idea of progress that aligns with the same racist system that is at the core of its foundation. This holiday is coming at a time when people are arguing against Critical Race Theory, there is more legislation that needs to be passed for Black lives (like the anti-lynching bill, legislation that would protect Black voters, etc.), reparations are still being argued against, and more. So, what does this holiday mean? Join my Patreon to get access to hist ..read more

In this episode I talk with my friend Tasha Hunter about the intersections of trauma, race, history, what our bodies hold onto, and Tasha's personal journey which led her to become a licensed clinical social worker.  Tasha Hunter specializes in the treatment of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress, and works to eradicate the stigma of mental health through her private practice. Tasha is also the author of What Children Remember (which she discusses in this episode) and the host of her podcast When We Speak. Not only is she a close friend who I am beyond grateful to have in my life, but s ..read more

On this episode I am joined by Marcie Alvis-Walker, an incredible writer and the creator of both Black Coffee with White Friends and Mockingbird History Lessons. I love what Marcie had to say about writing as a Black woman, her experiences navigating white spaces, humanizing Blackness through history and storytelling, and the reasons behind the names of both of her social media platforms. Follow Marcie Walker on Instagram at Black Coffee with White Friends and Mockingbird History Lessons. You can also click here for more of Marcie's resources! Follow me on Instagram @sincerely.lettie and this ..read more

When you think about the civil rights movement and angry white responses, there are probably certain images that come to mind. In this episode I will be going through a brief history of white backlash against Black progress, starting with the Reconstruction era. Last week, the Derek Chauvin trial verdict was read and though there were many Black people who were relieved (and many of us who had mixed emotions), there were even more people who were enraged about Chauvin being convicted because he is "one of their own." This history context is important and I get into it in this episode! Please r ..read more