African American Studies Commons^™

Column: The Development And Recovery Of North Omaha, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

COMMUNITY COLUMNIST

To understand the long-term lack of development and economic devastation of the North Omaha community, one must understand the history. That history includes the growth of an African American community, during and after the turn of the 20th century, during a period of mass migration from the racist South. Despite the Nebraska Legislature’s passage of its Economic Recovery Act, I submit that without the understanding of these historical elements, an attempt to lead or create a plan to develop and recover North Omaha will struggle.

North Omaha Lessons From A National Tour Of Black History, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Community Columnist article that discusses the Black Votes Matter Tour.

Column: Déjà Vu All Over Again, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

In the period prior to the Civil War, which began in 1861, there was slavery, Black people were denied of Civil Rights, human rights, voting tights, dignities ... all with supporting legalities. The southern sector of our country were willing to create their own country, to secede from this country in order to maintain these practices.

Jimmy Carter: A Black Perspective (Community Columnist), Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Collaborative Effort Joins North Omaha And Convences A Joint Effort To Hold Oppd Accountable For Toxics From Coal Burning, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

I share an important issue affecting all of Omaha but critically affecting North Omaha residents. Coal burning creates toxic air and many other public health issues. Coal plants are responsible for 42 percent of US mercury emissions, a toxic heavy metal that can damage the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, and is a serious threat to the child development. Just 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury deposited on a 25-acre lake can make the fish unsafe to eat. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Emissions Inventory, US coal power plants emitted 45,676 pounds of mercury in 2014 …

North Omaha Begins A New Chapter, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Preston Love Jr.'s Community Columnist web article discusses the historical economic devastation that this community experienced for generations, and the new chapter full of potential for North Omaha.

Truth Can Save Democracy, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

As part of a national effort, to mourn the anniversary of the insurrection that took place on January 6, 2021, another national effort occurred on January 6, 2022. Here in Omaha and in over 230 cities vigils occurred with a focus towards a “call to action,” a very important day of remembrance and call for action, directed towards an affirmation of Democracy.

Dei Vs. Crt, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

In this article Dr. Love discusses both DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) and CRT (Critical Race Theory) both of which have become focal points within the University of Nebraska system.

2024: The Fall Of The Empire?, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

The recent news of a potential Presidential run of Donald Trump, for president in 2024, signifies the transition from the slow drip, drip leaking of Democracy to a fire hose flow, and the fall of our great empire.

Save Our Children, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

It has been a topic of my mental anguish for several years: the plight, and the state of affairs, of our young, our children and our youth.

Redistricting In Nebraska, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

This article discusses the redistricting process in Nebraska, the dangers of gerrymandering, and importance of community vigilance of the process.

Summer 2021 Is The Time To Celebrate Black Culture Once Again, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

We Are Watching Racism's Tug-Of-War With Democracy, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

King's Dream Is Not Achieved As Nebraska Carries Out Assaults On Democracy, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

I reflect on the iconic speech of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the summer of 1963, where he spoke of his famous dream. Embedded in that wonderful soliloquy are the dreams of freedom, justice and equality. All dreams have a commonality: The dreamer wakes up.

Blacks And The Vaccine — A Teaching Opportunity, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Over the past months I have written about the need for Whites to listen, learn and recognize the plight, anger and demands of people of color. Uniquely, 2020 provided many opportunities for that journey toward clarity and, hopefully, participation in needed reform. Specifically, the teaching opportunities in 2020 were presented by George Floyd’s death; the rise in White supremacy; and, dramatically and tragically, COVID-19.

Lessons From My Journey (A Call To Action), Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

In this past election, the 2020 general election, I had a special opportunity to observe my Nebraska communities, from a very unique viewpoint.

Attack Ads And Big Spending Don't Get To The Real World Underlying Political Campaigns, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

For the 2020 general election campaign, I had a special opportunity to observe my Nebraska communities from a unique viewpoint.

White America May Have Amnesia, But Don't Ask Blacks To Forget, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

In 1775, Patrick Henry spoke to both his fellow colonists and to the British when he said, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

Nearly 250 years later, I too, scream for liberty.

'My Hope Is That John Lewis’ Life Will Be As A Beacon To Our Young", Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Congressman John Lewis was a friend of mine for 40 years. I mourn the passing of my dear friend, who was 80.

Understand North Omaha's Past To Chart The Best Course For The Future, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

As a native of Omaha with years of accumulated wisdom as to the plight of my beloved race, I have a responsibility to speak up during these tumultuous times. I do not have the right, however, to speak for my community. I am observing a tremendous surge of activism and conversation among black Omahans, from our elected officials and organizational leaders to our lay leaders and, most importantly, our young leaders.

The Pandemic Of Racism Has Endured And Grown. It's Time To Listen., Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Noted African American scholar W.E.B. Du Bois more than a century ago wrote of the “peculiar indifference” to the magnitude of human suffering brought about by racial disparities in health outcomes.

2019 Black Votes Matter Tour: Comprehensive Report With Data Detail Breakout, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Background: The seed for the Black Votes Matter Youth initiative is as a response to the lack of knowledge of the black history and the civil rights movement. In order for our youth to become effective leaders, they must learn and have respect for their own history. The Black Votes Matter Tour was designed to address this void. Students are chosen from nominations made by various grassroots organizations serving youth, such as the HOPE Center, Avenue Scholars, 100 Black Men, Urban League, Big Brothers Big Sisters and more. In addition to individual donations, we received significant grants from The Sherwood …

The 2019 Black Votes Matter Face To Face With Black History Tour, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

For the record, the BVM 2018 Tour exceeded all expectations as to content, impact and outcome. For a complete review, there is a Comprehensive Analysis and Report on the 2018 Tour, available upon request through the BVM Office at 402-905-9305.

Planning and arrangements, for the 2019 Face to Face with Black History Tour, is in full throttle and in the final stages. The 2019 students have been identified and meetings with the nominating groups and parents have been completed. In 2018, we were able to take 40-OPS high school kids on the tour. In 2019, there will be 65 students …

Did You Know That He(She) Had A Stroke?, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Did you know that he (she) had a stroke? The aforementioned, menacing question is being asked in every city, every social circle and every family, every day. Most recently, this haunting question has been asked about me, 76 years-old, 225 pounds, 6’4,” and by all appearances in great health, but I indeed, had a stroke. I had a stroke on the third day in 2019, and I am writing this article because my experience with my stroke and to increase the awareness of my community to the its dangers and to provide some facts and some precautions as it relates …

Face To Face With Black History Tour: A Complete And Comprehensive Trip Report, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Thank You!
Thanks to you, our donors and partners, the 2nd annual 2019 Black Votes Matter Tour exceeded all expectations!
We inspired youth and adults to Learn, Respect, and then Go Make History. We are extremely grateful for all of our donors and ask for your support as we continue to invest in the next generation of youth leadership development.
We are also educating Greater Omaha to greater empathy and understanding of Black History and where our youth fit in the picture.
Will you join us?

Background
The seed for the Black Votes Matter Youth initiative is as a response …

Omaha’S Documented Lynching: Where Do We Go From Here?, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

One of Omaha’s riots occurred September 28–29, 1919. The riot was by white people: it was not a race riot as they were frequently termed and it resulted in the brutal lynching of Will Brown, a black worker(he was also shot, burned and dragged through north Omaha); the death of two white rioters; the attempted hanging of Mayor Edward Parsons Smith; as well as white and black citizens; and a public rampage by thousands of white rioters who set fire to the Douglas County Courthouse in downtown Omaha. It followed more than 20 race riots that occurred in major industrial …

2018 Election: North Omaha Voted Like Crazy!!, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

After years of low voting numbers in post 2008 (Obama era), North Omaha voters are fully awake and taking care of business. Years of pounding the streets, Forums, Town Halls, Voter Registration and Education efforts, our first North Omaha Political Convention, finally a commitment of staff and money by the Nebraska Democratic Party, new fresh activism by new and upcoming political leadership like Precious McKesson, Barry Thomas, Kimara Snipes, NOISE and many others, added to the long term work of Black Votes Matter and even the presidency of Donald Trump, North Omaha has gotten the point, that our vote is …

Black Votes Matter Election Endorsements, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Most years our list of endorsements is made up of several very difficult decisions. Not so, this General Elections. Black or white, Democratic or Republican, what and who we think will work with and for this community, we endorse. Because of serious problems we have with National policy, State policy and local issues this was not difficult in 2018.

The Black Votes Matter Tour Banquet, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

In July 2017, we had a vision that was rooted in my experience, research, and observation of our youth. The challenge is that our youth, as wonderful as they may be, and with all their innate potential, by and large, have little or no knowledge of their Black and civil rights history. Thus, our vision.

As many know, the vision was to provide as many youths as possible with knowledge, face to face experience and inspiration, as it relates to that history and the development of future leaders. Our strategy was, and is, a significantly transformative experience by touring many …

North Omaha Voter: Which Excuse Is Yours!! Part 2, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Recently I conducted a scholarly research project for my Master’s Degree class of study at Bellevue University. I wrote two 2000-word papers on my finding. Both papers analyzed finding from a random survey which included an interview question. The survey asked about voter habits, age, race, and reasons for the participant who are not voting, why not. The results were stimulating and I plan to expand on the study this year. The two papers are available from my website: prestonlovejr.com/ blackvotesmatter/case study.