Crash Course Black American History: Marsha P. Johnson & The Stonewall Rebellion

Introduction

• Host: Clint Smith
• Focus: Marsha P. Johnson and the Stonewall Rebellion
• Stonewall Rebellion: A pivotal moment in the modern gay rights movement
  • Began: June 28, 1969
  • Duration: 6 days
  • Location: Greenwich Village, NYC
  • Long-term impact: Establishment of gay pride parades, increased activism for LGBTQ rights

Key Figures

• Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera
  • Black and women of color activists
  • Inspirational leaders against societal bigotry and discrimination

Stonewall Rebellion

• Pre-Rebellion Environment

  • Surveillance by NYPD
  • Criminalization of queer actions
  • Bars like Stonewall Inn as safe havens

• Events of June 28, 1969

  • Police raid at Stonewall Inn
  • Assault and arrest of patrons
  • Community resistance against police harassment
  • Sustained protests: 6 days on Christopher Street and adjacent blocks
  • Protest actions: Kick lines, smashing windows, uprooting parking meters, chanting slogans

Marsha P. Johnson

• Early Life

  • Started dressing in girl's clothing at age 5
  • Moved to NYC in 1963
  • Became involved in sex work and nightlife

• Activism and Legacy

  • Co-founded STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) with Sylvia Rivera
  • Focus: Support and advocacy for transgender and queer youth
  • Member of Gay Liberation Front
  • Worked with drag theater and artists like Andy Warhol
  • Advocated for LGBTQ rights amidst personal struggles with mental illness and societal harassment

Impact and Legacy

• Post-Rebellion

  • One of America's first gay pride marches: Christopher Street Liberation Day, June 28, 1970
  • Marsha P. Johnson's role in highlighting intersectionality in oppression
  • Influence on subsequent generations of LGBTQ activists

• Tragic End

  • Died on July 6, 1992, under suspicious circumstances
  • Legacy celebrated in films and continued activism

Conclusion

• Stonewall's long-lasting impact on LGBTQ rights
• Recognition of Marsha P. Johnson's contributions despite complexities
• The ongoing connection between gay rights and human rights

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