Decolonized Storytelling: Black and Indigenous History, Erasure, and Resistance

Vanessa Blacknall-Jamison, Her Many Voices Board Member, leads Theo EJ Wilson in a discussion on the origin of Black History Month, tracing it from Carter G. Woodson’s Negro History Week near Abraham Lincoln’s birthday to its expansion after the civil rights era. He explains what it means to be in a Black historical family, citing lineages like Douglass, Tubman, Shabazz, King, and his own connection through his grandfather, Tuskegee Airman Theobald Wilson. Wilson argues attempts to erase Black history will fail because knowledge is widely accessible, and critiques anti-“woke” politics, DEI rollbacks, and book bans. He links Black and Indigenous histories through shared resistance, colonization, extraction, and decolonization, emphasizing accurate storytelling that contextualizes divisions such as slavery among some tribes and Buffalo Soldiers’ role. He recommends restoring banned books, centering displaced voices, and using the 1619 Project’s rigor against efforts like PragerU/1776 Project, framing Black and Indigenous history as resilience, community wisdom, and a guide to resisting tyranny.00:00 Welcome and Setup00:49 Origins of Black History Month01:36 Growing Up in Black History03:28 Can Black History Be Erased05:31 Black and Indigenous Parallels07:42 Why the Right Targets History10:16 DEI Backlash and Reality Check12:29 Reclaiming Education with 161916:00 Indigenous History and Who Tells It18:25 Responsible Storytelling Together21:34 Protecting History in Practice23:45 Final Reflections and Sign OffHer Many Voices Gaia Gossip programs amplifies climate solutions and empowers community connection for the betterment of Mother Earth. Host Theo Wilson powerfully blends artistic expression with a profound commitment to social justice. As a founding member of the National Poetry Slam-winning Denver Slam Nuba team and Executive Director of Shop Talk Live, Inc., he inspires community dialogue and healing. Theo is the author of "The Law of Action," and was launched nationally with his widely viewed TED Talk, "A Black Man Goes Undercover in the Alt Right". Theo is a recognized media personality and the  host of The History Channel’s "I Was There" and a recognized media personality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.