Black History, White House

Black History, White House

The cover photograph was taken during an Easter egg roll by Frances Benjamin Johnston in 1898. The Library of Congress states that she was "one of the first American women to achieve prominence as a photographer." You can learn more about Johnston at the collection available at the Library of Congress click here.

Just finished reading the text The Black History of The White House by Dr. Lusane. Only wish I'd known of this text prior to visiting Washington, DC. Thought about connections to Dr. Dyson's book titled Black Presidency: Barack Obama & the Politics of Race in America. Another text I couldn't put down. The 2008 election was my first real moment as a voter where I got to notice more about a lot of what's discussed in this text. It was crazy seeing how deep race got int people's head once Obama stepped foot on that stage. Changes how I see Pete Souza's Intimate Portrait photo book too. Souza's text almost feels like a companion text to the last chapter of Dr. Lusane's book.  

Here's a quote from the closing chapter of the book, "Whether Obama turns out to be one of America's greatest presidents or something less, his tenure will nevertheless represent one nexus where Black politics and American politics meet. At this writing, they both live and lead from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Given the confluence of circumstances he faced in winning the White House, along with unknown events to come, it certainly will not be an uneventful presidency." - Dr. Lusane, The Black History of The White House Chapter 9, 'The Latest Political Milestone: The Obamas in the White House'