Tag Archives: Gerald Ford

Impact of Douglass’ Speech on American Freedom

Posted on July 5, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On July 3, 2026, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley delivered Frederick Douglass’ iconic speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” in the House, commemorating its history 174 years earlier. Douglass critiqued American hypocrisy regarding freedom and slavery, ultimately expressing hope for the end of slavery, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Black history. Continue reading →

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One Hundred Years of Black History

Posted on February 16, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

My father was born the same month Negro History Week was announced, timed to Lincoln’s February 12 and Douglass’s February 14 birthdays. Nearing his centennial, he embodied Black history: North Carolina segregation, a segregated WWII Army, then migration to New York. He rarely spoke of it, but history and literature helped me understand. Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday to Black History Month!

Posted on February 7, 2024 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Black History Month is nearly 100 years old!  Granted, it began as Black History Week, on February 7, 1926, and didn’t become Black History Month until February 10, 1976.  My father, a Native Southern Son, was born in the same … Continue reading →

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