John Hope Franklin R.I.P.

25 Mar 2009 Author: Baratunde Thurston (Jack Turner)

via TAPPED Archive | The American Prospect

The trailblazing African American historian John Hope Franklin has died at the age of 94. Chair of President Bill Clinton’s Presidential Initiative on Race and a winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Franklin was best known for his research on the lives of free blacks living in the pre-Civil War South. I was lucky to meet Franklin four years ago and write a profile of him for my college paper.

Please offer up your links, memories and condolences for one of our princes in the comments.

Tags: American History, Black History, John Hope Franklin, R.I.P.

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rorysmomma
I actually met him once. I was eating dinner at Briggs here in Durham, NC and he was having dinner with one of his friends. I knew who he was so I waved, and he waved back. I spent my whole meal talking about him to my husband and telling him why I was so in awe of him. I am so sorry to hear that he has passed.
http://www.thebottomofheaven.com claudia_m
My deepest condolences to Prof. Franklin's family. He was an amazing historian. I read his book in my first undergrad African American history class. I was always so impressed with how prolific he was, how sharp and enthusiastic he was about his work even in his later years. He will be sorely missed.
http://www.thebottomofheaven.com claudia_m
And one more thing: here's a clip of Franklin talking about Presidential Obama's success a few months ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpUTRbXTRos&feat…
http://www.justicelove.com Webb
My Lord…I can't begin to innumerate how many of his books I have read. Being a student of history (more importantly, OUR history) Franklin's Work was a cornerstone.
He will be missed and I am so thankful that he lived to see the First African-American President of the United States.
whiterosebuddy
He was a pioneering trailblazer that endured all the hate of racism in America. and ROSE ABOVE IT
.may he RIP
ChrisChambers
The sad thing is: who'll take his place?
Mike Dyson? Lawd.
Skip Gates? A historian but he's sort have gone commercial–know what I mean?
Cornell West? A bit strange…and his background isn't in History.
Melissa harris Lacewell? Possibly, but she's more politics than history, and is a pundit now.
The giants die off, who is left?
Sepia
I believe Dr. Jochannan is the only one left.
You know who would be the PERFECT person to take over? Dr. Greg Carr of Howard University. Dude is a walking encyclopedia of African and African American studies.
http://55secretstreet.typepad.com/anovelista/ Anovelista
Commercial or not, I would not dismiss Skip Gates. The good part about his “going commercial” is that he has (to some extent) taken Black American History out of the vaunted ivory tower and brought it to the people – many of whom are extremely intelligent but not especially well-versed in history. I think more scholars could take a lesson or two from him in that regard.
As for Cornell West, his background is theology, not history and Melissa Harris Lacewell specializes in politics and religion.
Who will take his place? There are many great black historians who don't get any play on MSNBC like the recently retired Nell Irvin Painter (whom I am sure you know of as a Princeton alum). It will be interesting to see if we have anyone else that even comes close…
rikyrah
He was a legend. A giant. He was so large and so great.
rikyrah
EVENING OPEN THREAD IS UP!!
freespiritbty
I can always count on JJP. I have been swamped in projects and came on here for a break today to catch up. OMG, Mr. Franklin, I can't begin to articulate what he means to me. He inspired me at an early age to be proactive in learning about history and I thoroughly enjoyed his PBS specials. May he R.I.P. and went home to glory. It's a big loss.
rikyrah
He was a legend. A giant. He was so large and so great.
rikyrah
EVENING OPEN THREAD IS UP!!
freespiritbty
I can always count on JJP. I have been swamped in projects and came on here for a break today to catch up. OMG, Mr. Franklin, I can't begin to articulate what he means to me. He inspired me at an early age to be proactive in learning about history and I thoroughly enjoyed his PBS specials. May he R.I.P. and went home to glory. It's a big loss.
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