African American Studies Commons^™

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.

The New Face Of North Omaha, 2018: Our Asian/Karen Neighbors, Part 1, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

On September 21, 2018, I, along with many others, were shocked and dismayed at the disgraceful handling of 500 of our fellow North Omaha neighbors, the Asian ethnic group Karen. These wonderful, loving people, come from an area sandwiched between Thailand and Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Their plight is tragic because they have been victims of ethnic genocide and warfare in their own country, forced to become refugees in Thailand, in mostly isolated and overcrowded and otherwise horrible conditions. Over 400,000 Karen people are homeless, and with a few exceptions, no access to clean water, electricity, clothing and proper …

Face To Face With Black History, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

June 23, 40 of our youth, specifically OPS High School youth returned from a life changing Civil Rights Tour throughout the South. Memphis, Birmingham, Tuskegee, Selma, Across the Edmond Pettus Bridge, Montgomery (including the new lynching Memorial and Memorial) and Atlanta. They returned different than they left. They returned educated, sensitized, empowered and focused. They are going to be our future leaders. They came face to face with their own Black history. They will never be the same.

Urban Economic Development, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Previously, I have written that there are three emerging issues that will impact north Omaha and require collaboration and engagement with the community, Economic development is priority number one. Included in this article is what I see as the need for our political parties to act on.

North Omaha Makes Political History, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

“North Omaha, Vote like Crazy”
April 14th will go down in the long and rich history of North Omaha as a significant event albeit political for our community.

Over 250 community members of all political persuasions, cultures, and races joined together Saturday, April 14th at the MCC Culinary Arts building for a four-hour intense but relaxed first ever North Omaha Political Convention.

Responsible Economic Development In North Omaha: Scooters, 30th & Ames, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Below is the full statement I made at the ribbon cutting and Grand Opening of Scooters at 30th and Ames:

Greetings to all attendees to this very significant occasion. Special greetings to both the scooters corporate family and the Julian Young business family. I appreciate the small space on this momentous program.

Emerging Issues For North Omaha, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

In the book Economic Cataracts (Love, 2015), the author discusses the residuals of poverty-stricken communities and in particular, North Omaha. The book list and discusses 10 of the reasons poverty-stricken communities are not engaged, a few of the reasons: Poverty, Over-abundance of non-profits and low voter turnout.

Vanessa Ward For Governor!!, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Vanessa Ward represents every good and confronts the bad about the politics. North Omaha has produced some great gems over the years. Athletics, musicians, entrepreneurship, community, the professions, intellectual capital and lastly in politics. Space does not allow me to expand on each but I surely could. Ernie Chambers, Gayle Sayers, Buddy Miles, Cathy Hughes, Bob Gibson, Johnny Rodgers, Gabrielle Union, Dr. Donald Townsend, Symone Sanders, the Fair Deal Café and oh yea, Malcolm. This short list represents only the “tip of the iceberg” of what our north Omaha has offered. For of those not on this short, I ask …

“My Two Years With Jesse Jackson Sr.”, Part 4, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

Jesse Jackson Sr. has made many pilgrimages, negotiating and freeing many American’s in the sensitive world of formal and informal diplomacy. None were more dramatic than in his run for President in 1984. December of 1983 he traveled to Syria and successfully freed an American Soldier (Lt. Goodman) who had been captured and held hostage by the Syrian government. Later in June of 1984, Jackson freed American and Cuban prisoners, capping a dramatic exercise in personal diplomacy with President Fidel Castro of Cuba. Mr. Jackson's chartered Boeing 707 arrived at Dulles International Airport just before midnight with 16 American prisoners …

“My Two Years With Jesse Jackson Sr.”, Part 3, Preston Love Jr.

Black Studies Faculty Publications

With the recent announcement that Rev. Jackson has Parkinson’s disease I thought Omaha Star readers would enjoy some of my reflections from the historical times I spent with this civil rights icon. Part 1 and II is recommended reading)