Black History Month 2026
- Feb 5
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 19
The Skater Who Backflipped Her Way Into Olympic Legend
This Vanity Fair feature tells the story of Surya Bonaly, the French figure skater famed for her athleticism, defiance, and signature backflip
— a move long forbidden in competition but central to her legacy. The article explores how Bonaly’s powerful style, bold personality, and refusal to conform to traditional skating aesthetics made her a standout in the sport during the 1990s.
It delves into her rise through the international skating ranks, the cultural and institutional challenges she faced, and how her backflip — performed on one blade — became a symbol of her rebellious spirit and enduring impact on the sport’s history and popular imagination.
This blog post from the Library of Congress highlights Hazel Scott, a trailblazing jazz and classical pianist and singer who became one of the most glamorous and influential Black entertainers in mid-20th-century America.
Known for her technical brilliance and dynamic performances, Scott broke racial barriers in music and on film and television.
The article discusses her artistic achievements, her role in challenging segregation and discrimination, and her later struggles during the McCarthy era when her career was impacted by allegations of communist ties.
Overall, it paints a portrait of Scott as a musician of extraordinary talent and cultural importance.
The Erasure of Black-Led Social Justice Movements: A Closer Look at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition
August 16, 2024 — Throughout history, cultural and social movements initiated by Black Americans have often been met with resistance, only to be later embraced and recontextualized by mainstream society, sometimes at the expense of the original authors and their intentions.
One poignant example of this phenomenon is the evolution and reinterpretation of the rainbow symbol, which, before its widespread association with the LGBTQ+ movement, was a key emblem of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition founded by civil rights leader Jesse Jackson.
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, established in 1971, grew out of the civil rights movement and the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Poor People's Campaign."
The coalition's mission was to unite diverse racial and ethnic groups in the pursuit of social justice, economic equality, and civil rights for all, particularly focusing on the needs of Black Americans.
The rainbow was chosen as a symbol of unity, representing the inclusion of all races and backgrounds in the fight for a more equitable society.
However, over the past few decades, the rainbow has become more closely associated with the LGBTQ+ community, symbolized by the Pride flag.
While the flag has become a powerful representation of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion, the original context and contributions of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition have largely faded from public memory.
This shift raises important questions about the recognition and preservation of Black-led social justice initiatives.
The appropriation of the rainbow symbol, without acknowledgment of its origins in the civil rights movement, reflects a broader pattern of cultural erasure.
Black leaders like Jesse Jackson and Dr. King laid the groundwork for many of the social justice principles that continue to be championed today, including those related to equality, inclusion, and human rights.
Yet, the lack of recognition for their pioneering efforts in these areas suggests an ongoing issue of racism within the broader social justice landscape.
The current administration's focus on social justice and equality, while commendable, often overlooks the foundational work done by these early Black leaders.
The narrative around these issues is frequently rebranded and presented without reference to the original movements that inspired them. This form of historical erasure not only diminishes the contributions of Black activists but also risks distorting the true origins of the symbols and values that are now widely celebrated.
As society continues to progress toward greater inclusion and equity, it is crucial to recognize and honor the full history of social justice movements. This includes giving due credit to the Black leaders and organizations that first championed these causes and ensuring that their legacies are not lost in the retelling of history.
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition and its use of the rainbow as a symbol of unity and equality should be remembered as a vital chapter in the ongoing struggle for civil rights—a chapter that deserves its rightful place in the narrative of social justice.
In Living Color Super Bowl halftime history
Marlon Wayans: 20M Super Bowl Viewers Lost To In Living Color…
The clip features comedian and actor Marlon Wayans discussing a humorous claim that around 20 million viewers stopped watching the Super Bowl after In Living Color aired, leading to the next year’s halftime featuring acts like Michael Jackson and others to win back audiences.
The video appears to be a stand-up or commentary on entertainment and viewership trends.
Unearthing a Forgotten Chapter: The Story of Sidney Dearing and Piedmont’s History
In the serene hills of Piedmont, California — today known for its tree-lined streets, high-performing schools, and affluent neighborhoods — lies a story that many locals never hear about. It’s a story of ambition and prejudice, of community pride and painful exclusion. It’s the story of Sidney Dearing, a successful Black businessman whose attempt to build a life in Piedmont in 1924 revealed deep currents of racial discrimination that shaped the city’s history.
The Man Behind the Name
Sidney Dearing was not a drifter or outsider; he was a respected entrepreneur. Born in Texas in 1870, Dearing moved to Oakland in 1907 and by 1918 had become the proprietor of the Creole Café, a vibrant jazz club on 7th Street. His establishment was known for New Orleans-style music, big-band performances, and Southern cuisine. Despite the restrictions of Prohibition, which ultimately ended the café’s liquor license in 1921, Dearing’s presence in the community was notable and influential.
A Home of His Own
On January 21, 1924, Sidney and his wife Irene purchased a home at 67 Wildwood Avenue in Piedmont. To navigate the racially restrictive housing covenants of the time — which explicitly prohibited sale to non-white buyers — Irene’s mother purchased the house with Dearing’s money, stating she was French Canadian. At first, this use of a proxy approach worked, and photos of the house even appeared in local newspapers.
Backlash from the Neighborhood
But when neighbors discovered Sidney was Black, resistance erupted. Piedmont residents, believing the original deed clause — which limited ownership to “whites only” — was still socially enforceable, demanded he leave. Community members pressured the City Council to intervene, not on constitutional grounds, but as a “neighborhood matter.” Officials said they had no legal authority to stop the sale, but suggested that neighbors “cooperate” to buy him out.
Letters poured in, urging Dearing to sell or rent his property to a white family. Despite the pressure, he stood firm. And that’s when the situation escalated.
Escalation and Intimidation
Tensions reached a boiling point in May of 1924 when a crowd of 500 residents gathered outside the Dearing home demanding he sell. Dearing agreed to discuss a price, but he insisted on fair compensation. City officials then proposed buying his property for $8,000 — significantly below what Dearing had invested — and prepared to use condemnation proceedings to seize the property for public works. Attorney John D. Drake, representing Dearing and associated with the NAACP, argued that the city’s actions violated basic constitutional rights.
The legal battle continued into the fall, with Dearing maintaining that the condemnation effort was a pretext to force him out. In the end, the city succeeded in pressuring him to sell the home for about $10,500, and by May 1925, the property was advertised for sale again.
Aftermath and Erasure
Shortly after the forced sale, Sidney and Irene divorced and Irene relocated with their daughters. Sidney Dearing faded from local headlines. He died in 1953 in Oakland, his remarkable stand largely forgotten in Piedmont’s community histories — including memoirs written by early residents that glossed over or omitted this painful episode entirely.
Rediscovery in the 21st Century
The story of Sidney Dearing remained buried for decades until renewed interest in local histories surfaced after nationwide social justice movements in 2020. Residents began to reckon with Piedmont’s past, including its exclusionary practices. The Piedmont City Council formally acknowledged past wrongs and committed to examining its policies through an equity lens. New community groups formed to promote racial awareness and inclusion.
A Broader Context: Piedmont’s History
The Dearing story sits within a larger historical tapestry. The Piedmont Historical Society — an organization formed in 1972 — exists to preserve and share the city’s heritage, including its early settlement, architectural landmarks, and demographic shifts. The area’s development from ranch land in the mid-1800s to a city of estates and communal parks reflects both growth and exclusion. Early settlers like Walter Blair built dairies and mineral spring resorts, while others, like Isaac Requa and Hugh Craig, established grand homes and led the push toward incorporation as a city.
For many years, public stories focused on picturesque elements like cable car lines, scenic parks, and the rise of community institutions. But examining ventures like Dearing’s reveals the complex social dynamics that also shaped Piedmont — including how race and power influenced who could live where and under what conditions.
Conclusion
The story of Sidney Dearing is more than a local curiosity — it’s a reminder that the histories we inherit often leave out inconvenient truths. Documenting and acknowledging these stories doesn’t diminish community pride; it enriches it by presenting the full picture. Piedmont’s present efforts to confront its past show a community striving for a more inclusive future, one that honors all of its residents and champions a history that is truthful as well as proud.
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