Marsha P. Johnson and the Stonewall Rebellion: Crash Course Black American History #41

Today we’re learning about Marsha P. Johnson and the Stonewall rebellion. Serving as a pivotal moment in the modern Gay Rights Movement, Stonewall began on June 28th, 1969, and lasted six days in New York City’s Greenwich Village. And even though the rebellion lasted less than a week, the reverberations lasted for generations. Out of Stonewall emerged the establishment of one of the first gay pride parades, increased activism and organizing on behalf of gay people, and greater attention paid to the rights and needs of LGBTQ+ communities.
Clint's book, How the Word is Passed is available now! bookshop.org/books/how-the-wo...
Sources and References
David Carter, Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution (New York: St. Martin’s, 2004).
Martin Duberman, Stonewall: The Definitive Story of the LGBTQ Rights Uprising that Changed America (New York City: Plume, 2019).
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[@sandhya315]

Not to be dramatic, but it is so significant to see a Black history course that includes the contributions and histories of Queer folks. Especially since I know students watch Crash Course. I would've never imagined as a Queer kid in the 90s tbh. Amazing.

[@chickenpants]

I am so glad that black history has its own extensive crash course. This episode was fantastic. It's sad beyond words that she was murdered. Such a strong woman. Thank you.

[@carpespasm]

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” ― Martin Luther King Jr Pointing out that the gay rights movement has direct and inextricable ties to African American history is fantastic! Those in power using that power to marginalize and harm people just trying to live their lives is always noble to fight against.

[@vivianbeckford3084]

As a black trans woman, I'm so glad that this part of history was not skipped. I'm also glad to see that the comments here have not gone the way they do on other channels!

[@MrPersona94]

May you rest in peace Marsha, your bravery and activism will live on in our memories.

[@Willsolacethecowboy2]

So proud to live in Greenwich Village, a few blocks from Stonewall Inn. This was such an important part of history :)

[@aryah66]

Yes thank you for this! Marsha's legacy continues: the organization she and Sylvia started is still in existence in NY (STARR) ran by Mariah Lopez Ebony. I'm Board Chair and appreciate the enlightenment of our history.

[@MPWalter]

I'm having so many happy tears right now! I have learned SO MUCH from Crash Course in general, and this season especially, but I never expected this episode! It is wonderful, informative, caring, honest and powerful. With all the horrible things going on in the world right now, the timing of this epidose (right after one of the most challenging Pride weekends in a long time) did wonders for my tired activist heart and soul! Bravo, Crash Course and thank you!!!!

[@hannahwaterman2679]

Thank you so much for making this video. Lots of folks don’t understand the history and hurt behind ‘no cops at pride’ and having this narrative and history accessible is crucial to remembering the history of queer spaces and cultures.

[@feitocomfruta]

The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson is a great documentary, but it is HEAVY. Thank you for sharing this important part of LGBTQIA history.

[@aaronp0324]

The very best 11 minute telling of Stonewall and why it was so significant to our society. Well done 👍

[@kaseybrown7945]

I'm so happy our history is being discussed like this. I am so thankful for my transestors, and I hope to play a role carrying the torch they lit. I hope everyone had an awesome pride!

[@smokeyeyes__]

I always knew Marsha as one of the early spearheads of the Gay Liberation movement, but learning more about what an awesome but complex person she was has me completely enamored with her. The echoes of her actions, as well as the actions of the queer people who were there that night on Christopher Street, are the reasons I'm able to live comfortably as a queer person today.

[@SpeakShibboleth]

My dad marched in that anniversary event with my gay uncle. He had some incredible photos of it and I wish I knew what happened to them after he passed.

[@esmfamil5086]

This is the first thing that got me interested in black history. This movement influenced life beyond racial inequality and brought ppl of all backgrounds together. I'm glad I kept watching after finishing this episode

[@troupe5195]

I'm so glad to see more and more people talk about Marsha and Sylvia!!❤️❤️

[@eugenescott559]

This channel has taught more than I have ever been taught in any course or school. Thank you!

[@sujitroy3628]

Inspiring stuff, Clint. The War on Drugs video will be a tough watch

[@trevorames889]

I continue to watch and be thankful for so much history that I'm now learning, which wasn't taught in my education. This is a terribly worded comment. My apologies. I'm tired, but I mean to say, keep up the amazing work. I am thoroughly enjoying this series episode after episode.

[@pensepf49]

I'm amazed at the massive hundred percent positive responses

[@jmudikun]

Thank you so much for this informative and nuanced piece that also managed to be very brief and clear 🤗 These are stories we need to hear about

[@seangraham2344]

what a wonderful gift to drop on my B day! Thank you Clint Smith and everyone else on the Crash Course team for putting together this series in particular - I have learned so much.

[@ancientswordrage]

I'd heard of Marsha and Stonewall but I had no idea there was a connection! Thank you so much for coming in the gaps!

[@southernpennsyrailfan8579]

thank you so much for shining attention on this Event in History. I never learned about this in school and with me just recently have graduated I had to learn about this event for myself.

[@danielwright4964]

Rest In Power Marsha.

[@derrickthomasjr3395]

Can we have a series based on LGBTQIA+ Rights/Activism

[@rudrathebest6360]

I have learnt lots of things from there.Its really interesting. Love from 🇧🇩

[@jerrybaba2]

I just want to say that I was truly impressed by your astute coverage and grateful for it as well.

[@SCHRODINGERS_WHORE]

This made me cry 😭. Thank you

[@tarani5aviel]

the start of stonewall is my birthday . thank you for this video . as a black trans person, it’s so important to tell 🏳️‍⚧️

[@theicon808]

Marsha Pay it no Mind Johnson 💜🧡💛🤍💚💙🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

[@kindcoffeeart]

Thank you so much for covering this!

[@Caterfree10]

Also, I must once again thank y’all for using the reclaimed Qu33r (even if KZbin continues to censor my usage of it when spelled right). It’s so good when discourse never takes a break, even for Pride Month.

[@volvo30]

Oh wow! I'm seriously impressed that this was included! I'm proud 😁!

[@pensepf49]

I like your tone , your subject matter , and I have gladly watched all episodes

[@est9949]

I appreciate this channel and this course so much. Subscribing.

[@isaidwhatIsaid86]

She deserves a biopic movie!! Hollywood level.

[@pongop]

Amazing lesson! Thank you!

[@xcastruckeysquad3373]

How did I not know about this sooner, thank you for showing this, it's really super informative

[@Sarah-wy7pc]

Thanks for this video, amazing as usual

[@Ari-gm8bf]

Thank you so much for this extremely important video.

[@Caterfree10]

Also also, if y’all want some of Marsha’s own words on Stonewall, there’s a podcast called Making Gay History (same name as the book for good reason lol) and one of the first (of not the first) interviews featured is one with her. Definitely recommend a listen!

[@JenSingtheDragonQueen]

Amazing stories of truth to power! ✊💪✌️

[@iceblinkmender]

these series are so great. thank you!

[@audreyannslade]

Well done.

[@user-ht1lo7fm5q]

Beautiful video guys

[@darkacademiavanessa]

wow, just in time for the end of pride month! unfortunately i couldn't watch this until today :(

[@MY-uf8rd]

Thank you for making this video

[@WonkyStickman]

Grateful for this course ❤️

[@ダンピール]

just in time for pride month! thanks

[@andromedasmoons3647]

i was WAITING for this one!!!! yesssssss

[@eileensbian]

Thank you for this!!

[@AlbertoDiaz-fl5yd]

Great Work, just want the truth

[@Davlavi]

Informative.

[@melancholystreet]

amazing video

[@charliespinoza1966]

Thank you

[@LadyPinkster]

Thank you for this.

[@nursomancer1837]

I can't believe I am just now learning about Stonewalll and this amazing woman. I literally searched this topic because Chat GPT mentioned it as an important historical point for LGBTQ+ progress. Honestly, I bet she would be better known if she wasn't: 1) Black [or] 2) Trans

[@StevenSegalFu]

No mention of Storme DeLarverie?

[@notbenh]

Thank you!

[@damianrobbins4167]

And this is why I keep notifications on :D

[@tomstieve]

Thank you very much, Dr. Smith, for including the LGBTQ+ in the history of black US

[@wolfieafo]

love her so much

[@princelasdoce1702]

Nice

[@Andrzej451]

I loved the episode, despite it being so short, it taught me a lot. But you have mentioned the worldwide effect that Stonewall had, and unfortunately it didn't... There are 20ish countries having criminal penalties for being gay, few of them have death penalty. And even outside of those countries, me living in Eastern Europe can be open about my sexualities, because of discrimination I could face. So, in fact, the Stonewall riots did have effect but in Western world. Here the majority of us doesn't even know about them. In my opinion, describing the effects as global or worldwide is harmful, because it convinces that everybody and everywhere is on the same page regarding gay rights, when it's obviously not true.

[@chrissystewart6268]

Marsha P Johnson " Rosa Parks" of the the queer community deserves to be honored R.I.P.🙏

[@MacarioDeLosRios]

What a hero :)

[@RENTBOYBEAUTY]

YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! Pay it no mind, baby!!!!

[@brookels66]

Thank you for this. We just want to be treated equally🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

[@dabraude]

Had to pause for a moment on the fact there ever was eleven year old sex worker. There is SO much wrong with that I can't even

[@erikaroth6049]

Love Marsha ❤️

[@slickandslaycious6579]

So glad Marsha is getting her recognition! It’s sad how cruel our society can be to people for just being different

[@williamwells434]

YES! MARSHA P JOHNSON!!!!!!!!!!!

[@louise-yo7kz]

May Marsha R.I.E.P

[@bbrev106]

🔥

[@manicpixiecremegirl]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@k3n0ju]

For the algorithm

[@roguepumpkin1514]

Crash course please do a qu33r history series!

[@alicecourtney5816]

I wish they would make a biopic of her. I think Laverne Cox would be amazing in the role.

[@AmanGillNow]

🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@mellodope8904]

MOVIE.

[@tiffanyknight-hughes258]

this is awesome trans rights now x

[@ubertaco6416]

[@Imthefake]

they could have waited a couple of months so that we would have pride month in september and march the streets without cooking in the sun

[@natalieeware]

shes a girlboss

[@missmyasia]

I just watched PBS documentary on Stonewall…and Marsha and Sylvia were totally left out. Not one mention! This is a problem. White Gays and lesbians wanna take credit for it. I’m sickened! And let’s be clear, Marsha was homeless! And may have been given money to speak about that night. It seemed like she was reading from a script. The people of color who was there, said it was MARSHA who set it off! Rip Marsha and Sylvia.

[@RogerSwabknuckle]

Can you speak up a bit?