Learotha Williams, Jr. PhD
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learothawms.bsky.social
Learotha Williams, Jr. PhD
@learothawms.bsky.social
3.7K followers 4K following 920 posts
Professor of African American and Public History @TSUedu | Coordinator of the North Nashville Heritage Project | Historic Preservationist | Author | Foodie | Dude with a Camera | Wanderer | Memory Keeper

Website: learothawilliamsphd.com
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learothawms.bsky.social
Good Morning Moon.
#moonoverhermitage.
January 12, 2026 at 8:25 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
Best First Day of Class Ever

At the start of the spring semester 3 years ago, my friend—noted Jazz composer Hannibal Lokumbe—asked if he could visit and play a piece he was working on for a symphony he was creating called The Jonah People. This piece was his interpretation of the Middle Passage🧵
January 12, 2026 at 4:11 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
Coming this spring to TSU:

Black Nashville in History and Memory.

Join us in examining what Nashville remembers and has forgotten about the rich history of its Black Residents.
#studyhistory
#TSU
Arna Bontemps Home. #northnashville
January 11, 2026 at 4:55 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
Playing hide and seek with the moon this morning. It seems like the sun is sleeping in today. 🤔
#astrophotography
#moonshots
#luna
#moon
January 5, 2026 at 6:32 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
A brown libation, a spectacular Wolf Moon, and a classic Blues tune provide a much-needed respite from a long day. 🧵
#WolfMoon
#moonshot
#astrophotography
#Blues
January 4, 2026 at 3:27 AM
learothawms.bsky.social
“entertaining the belief that the day is not distant when the old Union will be restored with slavery nationally declared to be the proper condition of all of African descent.”

Jefferson Davis, Richmond Enquirer. Jan. 5, 1863.

#TeachHistory
January 2, 2026 at 7:12 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
statements regarding race relations held by many from the period:

“In view of these facts, and conscientiously believing that the proper condition of the negro
is slavery, or a complete subjection to the white man, and” 2/3
A family of enslaved African-Americans, sitting on the ground, working with a horse and wagon in the background
January 2, 2026 at 7:12 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
I am taking a moment this morning to consider how the Confederacy responded to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Here is their president’s response to the prospect of free Blacks in the South.

In this document, we get a clear view of why the South went to war and one of the clearest 1/3🧵
ADDRESS to the PEOPLE of the FREE STATES by the PRESIDENT of the SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY Richmond, January 5, 1863. Citizens of the non-slave-holding States of America, swayed by peaceable motives, I lave used all my intluence, otten thereby endangering my position as the President of the Southern Confederacy, to have the unhappy conflict now existing between my people anc yourselves, governed by those-well established international rules, which heretofore have softened the asperities which necessarily are the concomitants of a state of belligerency, but all my efforts in the premises have heretofore been unavailing. Now, therefore, I am compelled e necessitati rei to employ a measure, which most willingly I would have omitted to do, regarding, as I always must, State Rights, as the very organism of politically associated society. For nearly two years my people have been defending their inherent lights their political, social and religious rights against the speculators of New England and their allies in the States heretofore regarded as conservative. The people of the Southern Confederacy have--making sacrifices such as the modern world has never witnessed- patiently, but determinedly, stood between their home interests and the well paid, well fed and well clad mercenaries of the Abolitionists, and I need not say that they have nobly vindicated the good name of American citizens. Heretofore, the warfare has been conducted by white men peers, scions of the same stock: but the programme has been changed, and your rulers despairing of a triumph by the employment of white men, have degraded you and themselves, by inviting the co-operation of the black race. Thus, while they deprecate the intervention of white men--the French and the English--in behalf of the Southern Confederacy, they, these Abolitionists, do not hesitate to invoke the intervention of the African race in favor of the North. The time has, therefore, come when a becoming respect for the good opinion of the … Jefferson Davis, 1/5/1863, p.2 Now, therefore, as a compensatory measure, I do hereby issue the following Address to the People of the Non-Slaveholding States:-- On and after February 22, 1863, all free negroes within the limits of the Southern Confederacy shall be placed on the slave status, and be deemed to be chattels, they and their issue forever. All negroes who shall be taken in any of the States in which slavery does not now exist, in the progress of our arms, shall be adjudged, immediately after such capture, to occupy the slave status, and in all States which shall be vanquished by our arms, all free negroes shall, ipso facto, be reduced to the condition of helotism, so that the respective normal conditions of the white and black races may be ultimately placed on a permanent basis, so as to prevent the public peace from being thereafter endangered. Therefore, while I would not ignore the conservative policy of the Slave States, namely, that a Federal Government cannot, without violating the fundamental principles of a Constitution, interfere with the internal policy of several States; since, however, Abraham Lincoln has seen fit to ignore the Constitution he has solemnly sworn to support, it ought not to be considered polemically or politically improper in me to vindicate the position which has been, at an early day of this Southern republic, assumed by the Confederacy, namely, that slavery is the corner-stone of a Western Republic. It is not necessary for me to elaborate this proposition. I may merely refer, in passing, to the prominent fact, that the South is emphatically a producing section of North America; this is equally true of the West and Northwest, the people of which have been mainly dependent on the South for the consumption of their products. The other States, in which slavery does not exist, have occupied a middle position, as to the South, West and Northwest. The States of New England, from which all complicated difficulties have arisen, owe …
January 2, 2026 at 7:12 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
Enjoying a sip of Georgia Moonshine while being bathed and anointed in Florida Moonshine.
Happy New Year, Fam.
#moonshine
#HappyNewYear2026🍾🎉
#cocktails
A jar of some of the Williams Family’s infamous SW Georgia moonshine. Moon over Florida set against a pitch black sky.
January 1, 2026 at 6:14 AM
learothawms.bsky.social
Bidding farewell to 2025
#FavoritePhotos2025
#sunsets
#photography
#LowcountrySC
#NewYearsEve
December 31, 2025 at 8:32 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
Scenes from a recent outdoor hike. 🪾🪾🚶🏿‍♂️🪾🪾
#TNWaterfalls
#photography
#waterfalls
#nature
A cascading waterfall flows over layered limestone rock formations into a turbulent pool, surrounded by bare trees and rust-colored fallen leaves on the forest floor in a winter woodland setting.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ A cascading waterfall flows over layered limestone rock formations into a turbulent pool, surrounded by bare trees and rust-colored fallen leaves on the forest floor in a winter woodland setting.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ A cascading waterfall flows over layered limestone rock formations into a turbulent pool, surrounded by bare trees and rust-colored fallen leaves on the forest floor in a winter woodland setting.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ A cascading waterfall flows over layered limestone rock formations into a turbulent pool, surrounded by bare trees and rust-colored fallen leaves on the forest floor in a winter woodland setting.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
December 27, 2025 at 2:19 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
#FavoritePhotos2025
The Harriet Tubman Monument and Gravesite.
March 2025.
#TeachHistory
December 26, 2025 at 5:03 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
“Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that.”
#booksky
#ChristmasEve
December 25, 2025 at 7:25 AM
learothawms.bsky.social
#FavoritePhotos2025
Niagara Falls. March 2025.
#wateralls
#photography
#nature
Niagara Falls Niagara Falls Niagara Falls.
December 23, 2025 at 7:59 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
Still, I am curious how this wound will heal. My friends are optimistic.
Nashville #scarsandstars
December 22, 2025 at 8:06 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
Many thanks to everyone who helped make this moment possible and to those working to ensure new development honors and respects the historic legacy of this street.
#Preservethesestreets
#2ndAveReopens
December 22, 2025 at 8:06 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
Five years after the Christmas Day Bombing, 2nd Ave N has reopened.
#Nashville
#2ndAveReopens
December 22, 2025 at 8:06 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
Negro Dolls for sale in Nashville. 1908.
#northnashville
#TeachHistory
December 22, 2025 at 2:24 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
#FavoritePhotos2025
Goree Island. Senegal. 🇸🇳
I cans remember the name of the dish but it was delicious!😋
*Four of us polished this off

#food
#photography
#AfricanDishes.
December 21, 2025 at 11:36 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
#FavoritePhotos2025
January 2025. Dakar, Senegal. 🇸🇳
Walking beneath the Baobab trees. African Renaissance Monument. A busy street intersection in Dakar Senegal. An uninvited shower buddy.
December 21, 2025 at 11:28 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
Early 20th Century “Dear Santa” Letters from
#NorthNashville
Dear Santa Claus: Tam a little girl and my name is Letha Porterfield. Though grandma scolds me at times i hope you will not forget to bring me something. Dear Santa Claus: Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 9, 1910. I am a little girl 8 years old and I want you to bring me a large colored doll, some nuts and candy. That is all for this time. WILLA MARY RUCKER.
December 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
A Christmas Conspiracy and a Carnival of Violence in Dover TN, 1856

As we enter into the week of Christmas, I am always reminded of the story about a reported, conspiracy of enslaved men living in and around the iron producing areas of MiddleTennessee.

Real or imagined, the Christmas of 1856🧵
In 1856 a plot was discovered among the slaves of Stewart County for a gen eral uprising of the race and the striking of a blow for freedom. A feeling of unrest and apprehension prevailed among the white people throughout 1854 and 1855, it being evident to a careful observer that mischief was brewing among the blacks. They would hold meetings on Sundays and of nights in secret places, and were instigated by several white men who claimed to be preachers. The plot was disclosed to the white citizens in De-cember, 1856, and a vigilance committee was at once organized at Dover. Slaves from all parts of the county were arrested and carried before the committee, and under pain of severe punishment or death were made to confess. The object was that on a given day the slaves would arise, overpower their masters, arm themselves, and push across the country to Hopkinsville, Ky.. and then march into Ohio, where they supposed they would be free. Six of the ringleaders were captured and hung by the vigilantes at Dover a few days before Christmas, in 1856, and a large number were severely whipped To make the execution of the negroes impressive a citizen of Dover (now living) cut off the heads of the dead slaves, and hoisting them on poles paraded the streets during the day of the hanging, displaying the ghastly, gory objects to the terrified negro population.
December 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
I made some sorrel last night and it is gud!😋
#libationsfridays
#happyholidays
#cocktails
A white pot with the ingredients for a pitcher of sorrel cooling on a stove. A glass of sorrel garnished with a slice of orange.
December 19, 2025 at 5:51 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
#FavoritePhotos from 2025

I literally stayed up all night to witness this breathtaking sight. Watching it slowly disappear, I could understand how some cultures believed the moon was being devoured by a celestial beast.

#photography
#astrophotography
#moonshot
#lunareclipse
December 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
learothawms.bsky.social
#Favoritephotos from 2025.

Writing my first poem of 2025 and watching poetry in motion in Saly, Senegal. The basket on the woman’s head didn’t move an inch, even as she walked up a flight of stairs. January 2025.

#Photography
#Senegal🇸🇳
#Africa
#Ocean
#Poetry
December 18, 2025 at 8:18 PM