User talk:Parkwells/Archive 1

African Americans in Omaha, Nebraska
Hi Parkwells, and thanks for your thoughts regarding the article I've written on African Americans in Omaha, Nebraska. Its been difficult to garner much constructive feedback from other WP editors - I'm afraid that concern for the representation of non-white histories here falls on the shoulders of few, rather than the many. I hope that you will consider taking a look through any of the other articles I've written about Omaha's black community, which I've listed here. Either way, thanks. • Freechild   'sup?   05:36, 8 October 2007 (UTC)
 * The history of Omaha article was difficult to write, and I'm glad you made any sense of it. There's too much information there in too many disconnected forms. I think a better representation of my work may be located in Racial Tension in Omaha, Nebraska and Civil Rights Movement in Omaha, Nebraska, both of which are unique on WP for their focus - no other city has anything like either one. Thanks again for reading, and keep my work in mind if you get time. • Freechild   'sup?   04:18, 9 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Again Parkwells, I want to thank you for your contributions to articles I have wrote. Your copy edits are nice, and necessary; however, your content edits are right on target. I think you've identified some of the "laziness" I have as a researcher, or at least the limitations of one who is located more than a thousand miles from the city I'm writing about. I am actively wrestling with your comments right now, and unsure of how to rectify the imbalance some of the articles I created have in their presentation. The limitations of distance and the apparent indifference of WP editors in Omaha is challenging. Keep going - I look forward to learning more from your responses. • Freechild   'sup?   17:09, 6 November 2007 (UTC)

I'm glad that your curiosity is piqued. You're take on the articles I've created pertaining to African Americans in Omaha, Nebraska, including Civil Rights Movement in Omaha, Nebraska, Near North Side (Omaha) and Racial tension in Omaha, Nebraska, is apt: They are full of holes. However, the dynamic nature of WP allows for there to be incompleteness, and that encourages me for several reasons. When I initially read information about Omaha on WP, it was so completely "lily white" and acceptable that my skin crawled. I know different from experience, if nothing else. But I quickly learned more.

The simple fact of the matter is that every city has many complex realities that co-mingle, and from the take you've shared I believe you understand that. There are many factors that have converged on the successes and challenges facing the African American community in Omaha, and I simply have not identified them all yet. Economics of Omaha should address some of those issues, as should Crime in Omaha and Education in Omaha; however, a broad scan of those topics would simply sophisticate the analysis of the situation of African Americans in Omaha. Redlining and race-based housing covenants segregated housing; racial discrimination, a predominately Jewish-owned business district and self-determination dominated economics for a long time, into the 1970s. Those things are not unique to Omaha. However, what I believe is unique to Omaha's situation is the convergence of the forces, which actually make weather and neoliberalism complicit with all the other factors. The evidence for those allegations includes the failure of the police department to diversify their hiring since the 1920s; the absence of an effective political voice in the local community; the failure of economic self-determination initiatives; and the continuous fluctuations of cultural/political/historical institutions throughout the community over the last 80 years, which has led to the absence of community progress, rather than individual progress. The story of Omaha's African American community advancement is full of fits and starts, and is not linear; however, its what we've got to work with.

Sorry to go on, but you have given me a lot to think about, as well. Thanks again. • Freechild   'sup?   15:21, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

Recent edits
Honestly Parkwells, you are among the few editors who actually have worked on any Omaha-related articles as much as you have; I haven't looked at your contributions, but your talk page tells me you're all over WP. That is great - you are a great, diligent and committed editor. I appreciate the recent spate of work you've done across the Omaha-related articles. Touching on an issue we raised earlier, one of my perceptions about WP is that a lot of editors shy away from topics related to African Americans, particularly once they're written into article form, as if they are taboo. Its curious to me, to say the least. Your recent delving into Mexicans in Omaha, Nebraska is great, too: the only other feedback I've received on it was a protest on the talk page. Regarding the statement on assimilation, I think it should probably stay there but in a historical tense: it still speaks of a condition that define(d/s) the community and its relationship to the larger city as a whole.

About the possibility of merging Civil rights movement in Omaha, Nebraska with Racial tension in Omaha, Nebraska, I am not completely adverse to it, because Timeline of racial tension in Omaha, Nebraska almost does that right now. However, I do have a few prominent concerns: first off, the article would be too long. Second, it would focus almost entirely on the African American community, and I have little information presently about other racial and ethnic groups. I am afraid that would unfairly represent the city at large, and the African American community specifically, mostly in a negative sense. Its why I was originally against Crime in Omaha, which is a mostly terrible article that is completely imbalanced, simply for its lack of facts and roundedness. If those issues were somehow resolved, a merger might serve the information best; I'm just not sure they can be resolved. Oh, also, I don't remember where I saw it, but you commented on a dead link: WP policy dictates that we leave dead links put, and let folks use devices like the Wayback Machine to retrieve content.

On a separate but related topic, another one I'm sure you'd have a heyday with is Driving While Black. I brought it back from a bad merger proposal some time ago, but it seems all over the place now.

Thanks again for everything you're doing - I notice it, and a lot of people notice it, too, from the looks of it. • Freechild   'sup?   15:26, 10 December 2007 (UTC)


 * I'm glad you've found Long School, which is one of Omaha's historic black schools. I am sorry that the three articles I've written on them thus far (*, *) are so woefully incomplete - it has been extremely difficult finding any information of substance online... as always, any suggestions are greatly appreciated, and will be (slowly) worked on. Thanks Parkwells. • Freechild   'sup?   20:38, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

April 2008
Categorization seems to be such a backdoor, admin-type activity... but increasingly I'm finding that I'm fascinated by it, and I am finding my editing being driven by holes I identify through categorizing. As you can probably tell, I'm plumbing Omaha's history as deeply as I can. While editing has taken me into other areas, its the history of this one little city in the middle of America that has grabbed my attention the most lately. The most recent article I have finished that I think would be of interest to you is Timeline of riots and civil unrest in Omaha, Nebraska, which is one of the more... riveting topics I've learned about yet via WP. After creating Category:Crime in Omaha I wasn't satisfied with what I see as a slant in the info available on WP for the topic therein, so I created the page as a response. Ah, the battle against systemic bias continues.


 * In other news, about defining North Omaha: As you surely saw on the talk page, I have had repeated "skirmishes" with the Omaha locals who suggest that "black North Omaha" is the only North Omaha in their eyes. Fact of the matter is that most of the neighborhoods in the region of Omaha most commonly referred to as North Omaha - including Benson, Gold Coast, Dundee, Gifford Park, Florence, Bemis Park, and East Omaha - would all cut themselves off from "North Omaha" if they had the choice, simply because of the way the area is portrayed by the media and in popular conversation. IMHO it is racism and classism that drive those thoughts - but that's just my two cents. It is the choice of those neighborhoods to cut themselves off from the rich heritage that is their area's - but that choice doesn't belong on WP until there are reliable sources standing behind it.
 * So the latest editor just shows that the conversation isn't resolved yet, and won't be for a long time. Alas, editing and life on WP goes on... I look forward to hearing your ongoing thoughts about the subject as you see fit. And actually, I am going to say something to the effect of what I wrote above on that talk page too. Thanks for the writing space Parkwells! • Freechild   'sup?   16:22, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

Parkwells, I would specifically like your feedback on Timeline of riots and civil unrest in Omaha, Nebraska when you get the opportunity. Thanks in advance. • Freechild   'sup?   08:45, 21 April 2008 (UTC)


 * Another homerun - thanks a million. I would lavish a dozen barnstars on you for everything you've done... Thanks Parkwells. As you may suspect, putting together that article was a labor of joy for me, especially since I found the form that allows me to feel okay for not finding all the info to construct a complete narrative - The Timeline! (Although here I think I have come close.) Thanks again. I would like to let you know that you spurred me on with this, as some of your past feedback on the articles I've created has indicated that indeed, there were larger contexts for many of the currently-focused-on-race-but-perhaps-driven-by-larger-social-issues topics I've covered. This is one attempt at flushing out those contexts. I am thinking of a history of the Omaha Stockyards next, because frankly I am not convinced post WWI Omaha was devoid of protest focused at the gov't - but I may be wrong. We'll see. Anything else you think I should specifically dig up?• Freechild   'sup?   13:59, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

May 2008
I want to reiterate how much I appreciate your hard work and consistent effort on the articles I have started. Every time I see anyone's edits on my watchlist for the topics I am particularly interested in I am enthused. Now that I'm familiar with your edits and have a positive take on your attitude, whenever I see your handle on the watchlist I'm excited, knowing that you have put some substantive thought and effort into topics that may appear mundane or arcane to the disinterested. I want to respond to every single point, issue and question you ask. However, for the sake of appearing "cool, calm and collected" I want to offer this blanket response to every in-depth response you've posted on any of the associated talk pages: I don't have access to a university library. I do have access to some academic journal databases, but I mostly pride myself on being a sophisticated user of Google's tools, including their basic search engine, Google books and Google scholar. I also have a growing collection of history books about Omaha. All that said, I don't have answers to most of your questions, particularly because you ask for such in-depth information. Without making too many self-incriminating statements, I will admit that information on Matthew Ricketts and Jack Broomfield is sparsely available from my sources. I need to go to Omaha and spend some significant time in the Omaha Public Library and at the Douglas County Historical Society; I'm afraid the Great Plains Black History Museum is closed forever. All this says nothing of the work I haven't done on George Wells Parker, James Jewell, Sr. and James Jewell, Jr., Father DeMarkoe of the DePorres Club, or any of the many other important community leaders who've touched a different realm of relevance than the "average" community leader (e.g. notability).

SO, all of this is to say "thanks," and please trust that I'm continuing to work on the challenges you've laid out for me. • Freechild   'sup?   00:39, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

July 2008
Parkwells, you are so steadily lionized for your labors that I don't feel like its enough to thank you again - but I trust you understand my sentiment. I would love to assist in the development of the NHL applications in any way I can, and I only wish that I was in Omaha to actually do some of the legwork needed for those apps. Someday... In the meantime, feel free to let me know if I can do anything to help. In other news, I replied to your question about the trails category - which I think is completely appropriate. • Freechild   'sup?   03:31, 9 July 2008 (UTC) the
 * One of the very first lessons I learned about racism in Omaha was from a mentor in my neighborhood who told me that European anti-Semetism created a sort of vacuum in the New World that made mainstream racism against Africans and African Americans "okay". I don't know if I quite understand or agree with that logic, but it has piqued my curiosity in terms of the tension between Omaha's African American and Jewish communities, which mirrored many Eastern cities (the similarities of which you've already elaborated on). I've been looking for the gateway or bridge between those patterns of discrimination playing out in Omaha, and had a hard time getting past the stories of "can-do-pioneer-spirit"-ism that pervade Nebraska folklore, until today. I finally found the bridge in a short story about the Highland Country Club. I've included it in the article on Jews and Judaism in Omaha, Nebraska, as well as "Racial tension..." - thought you'd be interested. • Freechild   'sup?   22:35, 20 July 2008 (UTC)
 * Two replies: Firstly, are you interpreting "racial tension" as a strictly white/black phenomenon? If not, that's where I intended the Jewish country club to fit in; if so, well, okay - that's the way the rest of the article is written. Secondly, if the article is too slanted towards violence, then would a "proper" re-balancing of the article be to merge Racial tension in Omaha, Nebraska with Civil rights movement in Omaha, Nebraska to create something to the effect of Race relations in Omaha, Nebraska? Even though the article on race relations is particularly weak at this point, I'd be interested in some edits to that effect. • Freechild   'sup?   14:17, 21 July 2008 (UTC)

Thought I'd let you know that in response to your question about Landmarks in North Omaha, Nebraska I revised my approach to many of the topics I'd originally thought were notable enough for WP articles. Those included Parks in North Omaha, Nebraska and Education in North Omaha, Nebraska, each of which I've merged into the related Omaha articles. Regarding Education in North Omaha, Nebraska, as soon as I'd completed it I thought it was worth to become part of a larger article, vis-à-vi Education during migration Charleston to the Mississippi Delta. However, re-reading that now I've decided its largely original research. Thoughts? • Freechild   'sup?   19:47, 27 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Researching the Omaha Jewish Community Center I came across a book that specifically discusses the connections between Jews and Socialism in Omaha. I'm not quite sure what to do with that, but thought you'd get into that. Here's |the link to the Google book. If that doesn't work the book is A Credit to Their Community: Jewish Loan Societies in the United States by Shelly Tenenbaum. • Freechild   'sup?   05:44, 29 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Hi Freechild - That's an interesting source and it shows how useful the loan societies were in Omaha. The book mentioned similar institutions among Japanese immigrants; more recently, I've read about something similar among Korean immigrants in NY.  Very powerful when people band together for  mutual purpose.  Will make more comments on the education piece later.--Parkwells (talk) 12:29, 29 July 2008 (UTC)

I certainly can't profess to know much about "knowledge ownership", but I suppose that forms the basis of a lot of tension within WP as a project. Folks aren't necessarily prone to seeing themselves as part of a larger movement beyond seeing their labors posted next to that of strangers. I sense that camaraderie escapes the masses of editors here. All that said, I have locked horns with others in the past, and honestly Parkwells, I have made a particular point of deferring to you on several occasions: you have stood as a voice of reason to me more than once. Over the last year I have also made a point of acquiescing to the will of the mob, as well. I like this funky little democratic anarchism enough to trust its judgment, and I want to model that which I've seen so many others ignore, which is that this is ultimately a project in democratic education, as much as anything else.

All that said, thanks for the compliment. • Freechild   'sup?   13:49, 29 July 2008 (UTC)

Omaha Landmarks
Its all good Parkwells. What you're finding now are the dregs of my early editing, with things like the Landmarks in North Omaha and Omaha Landmarks articles exemplifying my early belief that if an individual editor thought it notable, then surely it must be. I'm understanding the necessity of more substantive notability, and I have a little more clean-up to do now that I'm not so sure about. For instance, I'm uncertain about the need for History of North Omaha; I don't have any citations that say the history of the neighborhood is actually notable, per se. Additionally, Culture of North Omaha, Nebraska makes the same leap, and now that I'm looking at it I wonder if the topic isn't better served by Culture in Omaha, Nebraska and Music in Omaha, Nebraska, both of which I wrote far later on and with more zest for finding citations. In that same sense, Timeline of North Omaha, Nebraska history is interesting, but now its woefully incomplete and might overlap too much with Timeline of racial tension in Omaha, Nebraska and List of riots and civil unrest in Omaha, Nebraska, as well as probably being WP:OR. I would appreciate any insight you have about these Parkwells. • Freechild   'sup?   01:15, 31 July 2008 (UTC)

Reconstruction History
Hi there, Parkwells. Thanks for commenting. (I moved your comment to my talk page.) I am frankly glad to see your entrance into the cesspool of articles on Wikipedia that pass for Reconstruction history. As soon as I have more time, I intend to come back to flesh out many of those that have been so seriously marred by advocates of the Dunning School and their equally invidious successors, the so-called progressives. Contemporary historians have written so much in this field in the last 50 years, it is pitiful that this area of Wikipedia is so dominated by openly racist folk and folk like rjensen who cling so fiercely to turn of the 19th century historians that they fail to acknowledge so much that has been developed in the interim. If you need help or comment on any particular article, send an email and I will respond with citations and probably text. My library and databases on this subject is large. Best wishes, Skywriter 23:04, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

Keep up the good work!
Thanks for writing such clear edit summaries. I wish more editors did that. I don't know much about the topics you're contributing too, but your copyedit skills are obvious! OhNo itsJamie Talk 01:15, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

KKK
Article reads better than it has in a long while. I've contributed quite a bit to it and fought the good fight through many reverts. Keep it up. It's looking much better.Skywriter —Preceding comment was added at 16:37, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

Suggestion box
As I've said before, you've made great contributions in terms of content and copyedits. I just have one request, though; for minor copyedits and corrections, use the "minor edit" checkbox. It's something that I got crap for during my WP:RFA, and I'm still not perfect about using it. Nonetheless, it is greatly appreciated by folks that patrol selected or random pages. If you're at all interested in admin status, it's just one of those things that makes your RFA easier. Cheers! OhNo itsJamie Talk 01:29, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

Thanks, Jamie, I will work to remember that.--Parkwells 02:22, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

Great Migration (African American)
Thanks for your contributions to this article! You might want to consider joining WP:AFRO, it's a "wiki-project" that works on articles that relate to African Diaspora topics like the Great Migration... but, even if you don't join the project keep up the good work. futurebird 04:38, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

Owsley and Nathan Bedford Forrest
How long are articles allowed to stay up unsupported by sources? I happened on to the Forrest article today and made some changes, but really wonder. It details every battle, and claims he was not in the KKK, but other online fan sites seem to say he was, plus a recent biography. I saw your citation requests on the Owsley article, too, and am trying to remember to use them more myself. There is an endless amount of hagiography in wikipedia articles, and often not much perspective.--Parkwells 20:33, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

Once a request for citation has been made and not answered, anyone can take down the unsourced material at any time. It would be helpful to put brackets around the article you want looked at, as in Nathan Bedford Forrest. Then the reader can pop on over there. Being bold in cleaning up hagiography is considered a good thing. If anyone can defend what's up there, requests for citations would not stand more than a day or two. You're doing great. Keep me updated.Skywriter 02:09, 6 November 2007 (UTC)

Copyedit of Black Church
A quick question. I noticed you've gone through the article and lowercased Black and White. It was my understanding that when used in the context of describing a racial group Black and White would be considered proper nouns and therefore would be capatalized. CJ 12:42, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
 * After I left the message on your talk I checked the WP:MOS and couln't find any guidance on color. I also checked the Chicago Manual of Style and a few other places and couldn't find any consistent guidance so I left a question on the MOS:CAPS talk page asking for a guidance. I'm not particularly concerned about it. I just thought that it was an actual rule. I'm glad for your help. You should consider joining WP:AFRO if you haven't already. CJ 14:01, 6 November 2007 (UTC)

RE:WP:AFRO
Well glad to have you're help. We need it. CJ 15:44, 6 November 2007 (UTC)

Love seeing an active new editor
Put this on your userpage if you want. futurebird 02:12, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

Lynching in the United States
No, I can not prevent reverts but I can get in there and support the goals you've listed, which I share. If you get into a revert fight and are outnumbered, drop a line to my email and I'll visit the page you list. If there's a lot of discussion on an article's talk page, that tends to suggest a number of people are watching it and therefore it would be useful to explain your intent on the talk page. If people have objections, they'll weigh in. I'm glad Futurebird gave you that award. You are a welcome breeze of energy. Skywriter 23:12, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

Hi, again, You seem to be replacing specific examples of lynching in the US with theoretical excuses for why it happened. I do not think that improves the article, and worse, the removal of lynching victims like Rubin Stacy further contributes to depersonalizing their stories, making them seem unimportant and not human.

By the way, there is plenty of information around about what happened to the sharecropper Rubin Stacy. I saw your note and planned to improve that section but didn't get around to it. But now, seeing you remove his murder from this article causes me to want to cut out a lot of the theoretical justifications for lynching. It seems like you are turning these articles into empathy for the murderers and treating the victims like nameless abstractions. Skywriter 22:34, 11 November 2007 (UTC)


 * The reason I removed the Stacy case was that it was cited as "changing the climate in Washington", but nothing was added to the article n terms of legislation being passed, or any changes that happened after the lynching. So it didn't make sense. I'll put it back. I am not trying to be at cross purposes with you or anyone else. Providing more information about social and economic tensions (which historians have identified as reasons that lynchings took place, with specific factors for different places and different times) seems worthwhile covering as well as the specific details about different lynchings and the victims. It was more than the movie Birth of a Nation that caused a growth in the KKK after WWI.  That doesn't make the murders less horrific. I don't know who decided which specific lynchings to list; there are others in the KKK article.--Parkwells 23:03, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

I researched, wrote, and added every single specific lynching in the klan article and fought four times to make sure the list was not deleted, which it was, on three separate occasions. Part of the fight in that article is over the issue of how low on the totem pole 20th century killings by the klan are listed in that article, and as you can see, I lost that fight. I also regularly have to go back and re-add the references which strangely disappear. Folks who edit that article insist that the Klan, was not violent, and that was another fight that took its toll.Skywriter 23:12, 11 November 2007 (UTC)


 * I added back the Stacy case. Maybe someone will add how it changed the political climate in Washington. Your work on the 20th century lynchings (and all of them) in the KKK article is really important. I definitely agree with you that the Klan was violent, in every manifestation. Maybe I just need a break from these related topics - have been working a lot on Lynching in the US, Lynching (general), Reconstruction, the KKK, Nathan Bedford Forrest, different individual lynching accounts, late convictions of Civil Rights era murders. Have to clear my head. You have done such good, hard work. We'll get there.--Parkwells 23:23, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

What is it that is unclear about the Stacy case as it affected Washington? Roosevelt relied on the racist Southern Democratic power to hold power. FDR was a great president though, like anyone, he had weaknesses. He could have but didn't desegregate the armed forces. He could have pushed through the anti-lynching bill but didn't. I do not think he was hostile, more opportunist. Resistance is the most important part of the lynching article and that part has not been developed much. Old issues of The Crisis, lot of writing by Ida B. Wells, Paul Robeson, W.E.B. DuBois et al. is not reflected in these articles and that is the gaping hole in both articles. Resistance to lynching is both fascinating, important and much-ignored history.


 * What was unclear was that I read the article to imply that the horrendous facts of the Stacy case led to change in Washington. Instead, because Roosevelt relied on Southern Democrats, he didn't make changes he could have. Therefore, the Stacy case didn't lead to change (as I understand change).--Parkwells 13:31, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

What surprises about the Klan is not its violent history but that there are so many defenders on Wikipedia. The article Race and Intelligence is also both swamp and magnet for white supremacists.

The lead on the Reconstruction article is dead wrong, reflecting the very opinionated rjensen. One of these days, I'm going to go back to it. Meanwhile, I too will be taking a break. Good chatting atcha. We'll catch you next we're both "in town."Skywriter 07:47, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Mississippi
I removed your edits to Mississippi. I read the 1874 New York Times article and only saw one mention of Mississippi and it wasn't about slaves building levees. "The State of Mississippi had constructed about four hundred and forty miles, at a cost of $14,500,000..". That's the only mention of Mississippi in the source. Nothing about slaves or anything else which you added to the Mississippi article. Further, it wasn't just African Americans that were "slaves". There were many Native Americans, Mexican and Asian slaves during these time periods. I would suggest finding a better source that actually does talk about Mississippi's levees and them being built by slaves rather than the NYT source that focuses on Louisiana levees and doesn't mention slaves at all. I have no issues with the information, as I am aware and know that slaves did a lot of labor in which they were not paid for or recognized for. My only issue is the source and without a good source, it's not acceptable content. Thanks. --  ALLSTAR    ECHO  16:40, 13 November 2007 (UTC)


 * You rather freely removed all my edits, but you didn't worry about the masses of unattributed material in the article by other editors. Certainly the wealth of planters was due to their "property assets" in slaves as well as the fertile soil and cotton market (the latter details which have no reference). That was a condition across the South. I will revise the section on levees, but sources are for information that needs to be verified, not something as obvious as that slave labor built the levees.--Parkwells 16:59, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

Doing good work on Mississippi. I'd like to suggest that you follow guideline for ref/source link formatting. Please see Citation templates and use the correct formatting when placing/citing refs/sources. is not proper formatting and can actually break an article. At bare minimum, a ref/source should be formatted as: so if you were using a ref/source from the New York Times for example, it would be formatted like this: However, the full on correct formatting, again, can be found at Citation templates. Thanks for your hard work. --  ALLSTAR    ECHO  03:03, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

FDR
re--(cur) (last) 15:56, November 14, 2007 Parkwells (Talk | contribs) (57,972 bytes) (→Resistance - copy edit - add material to Chicago riot; note need for cite in Roosevelt's reasoning for not supporting bill) (undo)

It could have been a pocket veto. FDR may not have provided his reasoning but I don't know. This would take "original research." Skywriter 15:36, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

Pfeifer
Why is the relatively unknown Michael J. Pfeifer quoted three times in the lynching in the US article and Litwack, the contemporary giants in the field, not at all?Skywriter 15:44, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

Sorry I misconstrued thinking you had originated the Pfeifer citations. Thanks for setting me straight.Skywriter 17:12, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

Frances Farmer
Hi, I no longer edit here regularly, but your two recent edits to the Frances Farmer article are verifiably incorrect. I will not revert them, but I hope you will after you do a bit more research. First of all, not only are the medical records of Western State still largely extant, they are not in fact closed, though one must obtain permission to view them. This includes complete records of all lobotomies performed at Western State. Copies of the records are in the possession of the author of the article linked below below, and he has shared them with many major media sources, so it is a bit ridiculous to state they don't exist or are closed. Also, Farmer did *not* stay at Western State for another 5 years--she was paroled for a short time in 1946, also verified by parole records still extant. You might want to go here and read (this article was obviously used for the Wiki article): http://jeffreykauffman.net/francesfarmer/sheddinglight.html

P.S. I see in the FF Talk section you seem to think the "Shedding Light" article is not sourced--my recommendation is to read it again, as everything I've read there contains manifold sources (a lot of them previously unpublished, like the Court records, where the author specifically quotes the Judge's decision in the case), and I know that major media outlets (not that they're infallible) have used it as source material for many years. I do see someone agreeing with this already posted on the Talk page.75.164.223.219 23:32, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

Thanks
You suggestions and edits at Afrocentricity have been really helpful. I hope that you stick around. It's a complex topic. You suggestions are all really logical and focused on the facts and I appreciate that. -- futurebird (talk) 22:15, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

RfC
I don't know if you were around during the recent blocking of the page due to edit waring, but those events and events at other articles have resulted in an RfC for Dbachmann. This isn't about content as much as it is about conduct. You've always been very respectful and neutral even when we have not agreed so you opinion would be valuable, I think. Thought you might want to know. futurebird (talk) 18:19, 19 November 2007 (UTC)

African American neighborhoods
Can you take a look at this and give me some feedback? Thanks! futurebird (talk) 03:28, 26 November 2007 (UTC)
 * This article is handled differently than most all other ethnic enclave articles. Most of the information could be moved to the article on African Americans leaving this a list of neighborhoods like the others. Although the name distinguishes it from little Africa's in other countries unlike the Chinatown article.   See my talk in the discussion section. Alatari (talk) 05:09, 28 November 2007 (UTC)
 * I stay in North Saint Louis/West Walnut Manor area 4 blocks from the Club Imperial where Ike and Tina started. I don't see it mentioned.  Not sure I know how to demarcate this. Alatari (talk) 19:35, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

ArbCom
I have filed a case here, I just listed myself an Dbachmann as the involved parties, because I was unsure how to do it, if you would also like to be listed as an involved party and make a statement, please feel free to add your name and statement. futurebird 20:59, 30 November 2007 (UTC)


 * I'm also keen on your observations and advice regarding this matter, there are a lot of people who are saying that the arbcom is pointless, or saying the case should really be about those who brought it or commented on it... I'd like to know what you think. You could email me if you want, me@futurebird.com futurebird 16:56, 1 December 2007 (UTC)

Klan
Um. That seems like it'll take some careful reading and analysis before I can figure out what to tell Alabamaboy. Remember, though, he means well too. DS 20:32, 4 December 2007 (UTC)

Colfax massacre
Hi there. having noticed some of your well done copy edits to other articles, I'd ask if you could have a look at Colfax massacre. I edit only occasionally and haven't the time for more than the brief touch up I attempted, but the entry is important and worth the attention of competent editors. Thanks! Boodlesthecat 20:48, 4 December 2007 (UTC)


 * Thanks for your help! Boodlesthecat (talk) 18:32, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the comment about Shaw
I grew up in DC - but I've been away a long time - it is good to hear some local views. Egfrank (talk) 23:15, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

appreciation
I thank you for assisting in a reasonable way to deal with the articles. DGG (talk) 23:56, 8 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your note. Just as the deletion attempt looked very bad because it tried to do all the articles, so does insertion of a group of articles usually go better when it is done one at a time. It seems like efficiency in either case to do a batch of anything together, but it tends to come across as spam or COI or POV or something of the sort. Good luck with all this. DGG (talk) 01:47, 10 December 2007 (UTC)
 * You will see some further advice on my page--I put it there as it has perhaps some general applicability. DGG (talk) 08:43, 12 December 2007 (UTC)

Happy Holidays
  You got a Christmas card! → → →

Please use edit summaries
Hello. Please don't forget to provide an edit summary. --Jdcaust (talk) 19:35, 15 December 2007 (UTC)

AKA
I was unable to get involved at the time, but I think what you did with these articles was really helpful. It seems like we are more and more developing a team of active editors who are able to improve all topics related to the diaspora. futurebird (talk) 15:29, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for your work!


 Dear  ,

Thank you for your participation in making List of Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters  a featured list . This is the first featured list of a sorority on Wikipedia! Congrats!

Best,  Miranda 04:52, 18 December 2007 (UTC) 

Thank you
Thank you for the work on George Balanchine, Maria Tallchief, Alicia Markova and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo (are you a ballet buff?) Robert Greer (talk) 21:10, 28 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Thank you again! Robert Greer (talk) 19:49, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

Omaha AfDs
Well, I knew it would be a matter of time before someone caught a whiff of the series of articles I've written on the ethnicities in Omaha. I see you're working on Germans in Omaha; do you have any thoughts on the nominator's point? I noted that he has included all of the ethnicity article's I've written on the city thus far minus African Americans in Omaha, Nebraska, and I asked why that was. I'm almost positive nobody will answer that question for me. Anyhow, here's the nomination. • Freechild   'sup?   22:21, 30 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your work on this particular article. As messy as it was, that was a good AfD to go through, primarily because it showed there is support for the articles if for no other reason than that they were referenced.


 * As usual your feedback is apt. All of the different points you've raised give me some serious opportunities to improve the articles. Maybe in the future it would be best to put all article-specific suggestions you have for me directly on those pages' talk pages so that other editors might pick up where I slack off. As I enter my 3rd year of active editing on WP, I am finding a more mature playing field to operate on, and consequently more sophisticated editors playing, as well. I think folks like yourself can do far more for some of the articles I have started than myself. All that said, one suggestion: It is difficult to rename categories, and when you just retitled them as you did at Judaism in Omaha it only breaks the wikilink - it doesn't change them. For that category I was only following the precedent started at Category:Jews and Judaism in the United States by city. Okay, take care and stay busy - you have really helped me a lot, and WP is built on the labors of those like you and I who toil without hesitation. • Freechild   'sup?   19:50, 7 January 2008 (UTC)


 * As you surely suspect, if I am trying to "make a point" with these articles it is that the ethnic history of the U.S. - which has been particularly suppressed - is fascinating. Honestly I have not read enough of it to know if Omaha is unique for its patterns, as the immigration statistics show. But the city's treatment of immigrants, well, that is another thing. The hysteria and xenophobia that cuts open the US every 30 to 50 years is tremendous, and Omaha was a prime contributor to that national phenomenon - if only the published materials would back that up that would be the article I would write. Not particularly encyclopedic, and definitely in keeping with my penchant for sensationalism. :) • Freechild   'sup?   22:20, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Featured Article


Dear  ,

Thank you for your <font color="#E75480">help  in making <font color="#E75480">Alpha Kappa Alpha  a <font color="#E75480">featured article .

<font color="#4CBB17">Best,  <font color="#960018">m <font color="#E75480">ir <font color="#F6ADC6">a <font color="#E75480">nd <font color="#960018">a  08:27, 25 January 2008 (UTC)
 * My apologies if this was late.  m <font color="#4CBB17">ir <font color="#ADFF2F">a <font color="#4CBB17">nd  a   08:59, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Edits to Birmingham campaign
I am hoping you're not trying to kill me with your edits to Birmingham campaign. The article is up for featured status and there is a great amount of scrutiny payed to any article nominated for feature. I've been working on the article for six months, contributing about 95% of the content. I don't know why you prefer short sentences to complex ones, or why gerunds aren't preferable, but I compromised by changing your edits that would cause serious problems in the FAC process. Some of your statements added need to be cited, so I removed the ones that would require a citation. Some of the changes put a point of view slant on the article, so I removed those as well. You can find the featured article discussion here. It will serve to show the kind of things people get very, very picky about. --Moni3 (talk) 21:55, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Ballets Russes and Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
I'd like to come up with a sub-category (similar to Ballet companies in Canada, in the US, etc.) for Ballets Russes and Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo -- and perhaps any other "legacy" companies as the computer people would call them -- but genuinely cannot come up with a name that sounds right for ballet. Ideas? Robert Greer (talk) 22:34, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Edit to Martin Luther King, Jr.
I reverted your recent edit because this level of information was excessive for an already-lengthy lede. -- Orange Mike  |  Talk  20:35, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Tawana Brawley rape allegations
Hi again--I'm hitting yup a few good copy editors to take a look at this article, the lead in particular. I recall the case being far more contentious and complicated than the one sided "hoax" meme that the article was portraying a few rounds ago. I've added some (I think) well sourced balance to the lead, while keeping intact the findings of the grand jury, the defamation case etc, other than copy editing the quote farm that the lead had been turned into. I also corrected a subhead which had read "maintaining innocence" subhead which was a BLP faux pas, since she has not been found guilty (I recall one commentator who had documented how many times the media had referred to her as "the defendant"). There's a low level edit skirmish now with an editor who wants to maintain the unipolar "hoax" meme. An outside look at the recent versions of the lede would be appreciated. And then, there's the rest of the article, which needs some serous work. Thanks, Boodlesthecat (talk) 05:19, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

Hi, Parkwells! I appreciate your willingness to work on the article about the Tawana Brawley hoax, copy-editing it for style. However, one of the things that you copy-edited for style ... was a direct quotation, which of course should not have been altered. Don't worry, I fixed it. There were a few other places where I felt that the phrasing which was replaced was actually superior (an example is changing "There was considerable evidence that King could and would violently attack Tawana; when Tawana had been arrested on a shoplifting charge the previous May, King attempted to beat her for the offense -- at the police station itself." to "There was considerable evidence that King could and would violently attack Tawana. When Tawana had been arrested on a shoplifting charge the previous May, King attempted to beat her for the offense at the police station." These aren't disconnected sentences, and the fact that King did not just try to beat his stepdaughter but apparently lacked the self-control to even refrain from doing it in front of police is very significant in establishing just how plausible it is that fear of retaliation by King could have motivated false allegations.) -- 65.78.13.238 (talk) 04:49, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

History of South Carolina GA Sweeps Review: On Hold
As part of the WikiProject Good Articles, we're doing sweeps to go over all of the current GAs and see if they still meet the GA criteria and I'm specifically going over all of the "World History-Americas" articles. I have reviewed History of South Carolina and believe the article currently meets the majority of the criteria and should remain listed as a Good article. In reviewing the article, I have found there are some issues that may need to be addressed, and I'll leave the article on hold for seven days for them to be fixed. I have left this message on your talk page since you have significantly edited the article (based on using this article history tool). Please consider helping address the several points that I listed on the talk page of the article, which shouldn't take too long to fix with the assistance of multiple editors. I have also left messages on the talk pages for other editors and a related WikiProject to spread the workload around some. If you have any questions, let me know on my talk page and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. --Nehrams2020 (talk) 22:43, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

Tawana Brawley redux
Excellent copy edit work as always. I'll try to address some of the sourcing and weight issues you commented on later today; I believe I can find sourcing for the Black press role. The actual local Black press role is a bit hard to obtain digitally; but in NY the Black press at the time (many now defunct) were polar opposites in their coverage compared to the mainstream dailies. Thanks again. Boodlesthecat (talk) 14:10, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

Disfranchisement encouragement
Looks like a good idea. Plenty of material there, but was needing a good polishing. -- SEWilco (talk) 18:50, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Clarence Lightner
Thanks for looking over the article and tweaking it. Do you think it could be a good candidate for DYK? I've never submitted an article, but I think this would be a good one. AgnosticPreachersKid (talk) 11:59, 18 March 2008 (UTC)
 * When you get a chance, could you take a gander at the question I raised here. Thanks. AgnosticPreachersKid (talk) 12:39, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

Happy Easter
Sadly, Former First Lady Nancy Reagan has been abducted by the Easter Bunny's evil cousins, Frank and Billy Ray. But don't let that stop you from having a great Easter! Cheers. The one and only > AgnosticPreachersKid (talk) 07:51, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

DYK for Clarence Lightner

 * replied on my page. AgnosticPreachersKid (talk) 13:00, 23 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Do you think the MLK Memorial Gardens in Raleigh would meet notability if I wrote an article about it? AgnosticPreachersKid (talk) 17:04, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

Leonard Hall (Shaw University)
Someone nominated it within a few minutes of creating the page. I think it might be another DYK. AgnosticPreachersKid (talk) 11:50, 25 March 2008 (UTC)
 * (crosses fingers) It hasn't made it to DYK yet, but I was hoping you could scan over it and see if I missed any details you think would be important. BTW, thanks for adding more to the Clarence article. AgnosticPreachersKid (talk) 12:55, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

Rev. M.L. Latta House
I feel like I can add alot more could to that article, like the background of Latta University, but there's not alot of information I could find. Although one of the references contains an autobiography written by Latta that might come in handy. Those pictures I found were nice and if I make a separate article for the university, they'll be a nice addition. I love old pictures. AgnosticPreachersKid (talk) 00:30, 30 March 2008 (UTC)


 * From the pictures and the autobiography (I read some of it), it appears he definitely modeled his school after Booker T. Washington's Tuskegee Institute, so that would be one approach you could incorporate into an article - the industrial arts and manual training buildings, the emphasis on work and pragmatism, all relate to Tuskegee. This model of black education, rather than a classical academic model, was the subject of a lot of debate in the 19th century, but was supported by white philanthropists who felt it was part of progressive learning for African Americans. --Parkwells (talk) 20:13, 31 March 2008 (UTC)

KKK
Thanks for joining in, although I've seen you've been there previously. I showed up only because I watch a bunch of science and medical articles, and I came across some BS assertions by one of the KKK editors with respect to Human evolution. Big mistake on his part, because there's a lot of editors who watch those kind of articles and came storming over to put GordonUS in his place, including having him blocked for a short period of time. I will not stand by racism, denialism or out and out POV BS. Thanks for helping out. Orange Marlin Talk• Contributions 16:00, 31 March 2008 (UTC)

Hello friend. I saw you are interested in constructive help with the Klan article. Honestly I believe it is a matter of time it will lose its FA status, if the quality will remain as it is now. Therefore I am asking you if you are willing to help more with this article, i.e. expand with some text referenced with academic sources. I have on my PC many Klan-related academic articles from JSTOR, so if you are interested, I will be more than glad to send 'em to you by e-mail. - Darwinek (talk) 16:26, 31 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Good, so if you will decide to participate more intensively, just let me a note to send 'em to you. - Darwinek (talk) 14:15, 1 April 2008 (UTC)