The last episode of Great Migrations: A People on the Move aired on Tuesday, February 18. The fourth and last episode focused on the migration of Africans and People of the Caribbean to the United States in rather startling numbers. For me, this was the most eye-opening episode especially with regard to the very significant cultural and political impact that the sons and daughters of the Caribbean have had upon the progress that has been made by Black folks over the last 100 years. I hope others were able to see these episodes and that the viewing was a family affair.
While the Great Migrations program was well done and, at times, quite eye opening, ultimately it could only cover a small sliver of the story of the four great migrations that it touched upon. For greater depth on the first two migrations -- the 1910 to 1940 migration and the 1940 to 1970 migration --- I again recommend the book "The Warmth of Other Suns". I just finished the Exodus segment of the book in which Ms. Wilkerson describes the perils involved in simply traveling cross country while black during the time when Jim Crow still reigned. In reading the sheer struggle to find a place to sleep and the danger that was associated with not being able to find such a place, my mind repeatedly shifted to the story of Charles Drew, Amherst Class of 1926. For a long time, the myth concerning the death of Dr. Drew centered on his being denied medical care after being involved in an automobile accident.
But what appears to have been the main culprit was Drew's driver fatigue. In my mind, I wonder if there had been easy access to a hotel maybe Dr. Drew could have gotten some sleep and avoided falling asleep at the wheel. It is only a thought but based upon the depiction of traveling while black in the 1950s set worth in "The Warmth of Other Suns", I am relieved that on this issue there has been great progress made since that time.
Peace
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
Fairfield, California
February 20, 2025
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com>
To:
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 01:03:57 AM PST
Subject: Great Migrations and "The Warmth of Other Suns"
It is Tuesday, January 28. Tonight at 9pm PBS will air the first episode of "Great Migrations: A People on the Move". In conjunction with airing of the program, I have selected The Warmth of Other Suns to read to provide deeper substance to what may or may not be shown on PBS program. In particular, one fellow alumnus has questioned whether the PBS program will essentially water down the violence and heartbreaking discrimination that fueled the flight of millions of African Americans from the South to the North. Having not seen the program, I do not know. However, the violence and discrimination that fueled the flight is sometime graphically set worth in The Warmth of Other Suns. On pages 59 through 62, the book describes what Ms. Wilkerson claims may have been "the single worst act of torture and execution in twentieth century America" -- the lynching of Claude Neal. You can read about the Lynching of Claude Neal at
But more importantly for now, would be to watch the show and to read the book.
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com>
To: Everett Jenkins <skipjen2865@aol.com>
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2025 at 11:28:00 PM PST
Subject: Book of the Month for the Month of February 2025: "The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson
In conjunction with airing of the "Great Migrations: A People on the Move" program on PBS, it seems only appropriate that the Book of the Month for the Month of February 2025 be a book that deals with the same subject. Fortunately, such a book does exist, and, by all accounts, it is a great book. The book is The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. You can read about the book at
and, maybe, you can join me in reading it now.
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
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