Did you know,
Black’s Law Dictionary defines alleged (adjective) as asserted to be true especially, or accused but not yet proven;
Oxford English Dictionary defines alliance (noun) as a union or association formed for mutual benefit, or a relationship based on beneficial interests, nature, or qualities; and
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines friendship (noun) as the emotions or conduct of friends, the state of being friends, or a state of mutual trust and support between allied nations?
This implies that much like criminal activity, alliances, and friendships, can be alleged, and gives pause to the following:
William de Fleurville, the lifelong friend and barber of Abraham Lincoln, was a Black Haitian immigrant, businessman, and the wealthiest citizen of the City of Springfield, IL when he died in 18681.
Allegedly… in exchange for the ability to play Delta Blues like it has not been played since, Robert Johnson, sold his soul at the “crossroads.” As implied by Polyphonic’s video essay, the legend of this alliance survives because his lyrics metaphorically speak of Black life in Jim Crow Mississippi.
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Allegedly… during a planned meeting on Jan. 28, 1961, Malcolm X asked an Atlanta-based Klansmen “Well, what do you mean, we can’t join the Ku Klux Klan?” Don’t believe it? Here’s Politico Magazine’s detailed account of this bizarre secret alliance.
All said, concerning the arts, business, and matters of social justice, it is safe to assume that alliances and friendships, allegedly each have a respective place.
A few resources to help with building culturally competent alliances:
The Commons Social Change Library
The US Civil War ended on April 9, 1865.
I wish I had attended that meeting back then. I wonder if the FBI will every release the tapes😆
This was a very good and informative article.