The Art of War:
Conflict and the African American Philosophy
An In-Person and Virtual Series
Sundays, February 2 – 23
Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Ave, Portsmouth, NH
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.’ – Sun Tzu
From the first European contact to the formation of the United States, war has constantly shaped the nation's history. Key conflicts such as the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War defined America's territorial expansion and policy direction.
As the U.S. nears the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, marginalized communities are raising concerns about these commemorations. While official celebrations aim to unify the nation and reflect on its history, BIPOC communities seek a more truthful reckoning, particularly regarding the lasting impacts of colonization, enslavement, and systemic injustices.
Drawing inspiration from Sun Tzu's The Art of War, which offers a holistic approach to victory in conflict and life, our 2025 EWH Tea Talk Series presents a unique framework. It explores how African philosophies of war, strategy, resilience, and collective action have influenced African American history. The series will also examine how African cosmology provided psychological resilience and survival strategies for those enduring oppression.
PROGRAM SPONSORS
To be announced
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Things They Carried: An African Philosophy on War, Surviving Enslavement and Citizenship
‘If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.’ – Sun Tzu.
African societies have deep-rooted traditions of military strategy and guerrilla warfare, which were often used to defend against invaders or internal conflict. Enslaved Africans carried these traditions with them, applying their knowledge of strategy, resistance, and rebellion to resist oppression.
This panel will explore how African philosophies of war and cosmology helped enslaved Africans endure and cope with the trauma of enslavement. Panelists will discuss how these spiritual and communal frameworks fostered resilience, resistance, and hope, empowering the enslaved to recognize their internal strength and resist dehumanization.
Presenters:
Anthony Van Der Meer, Department: Africana Studies, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Grant E. Stanton, Assistant Professor of History and Africana Studies, Drew University, NJ
TBC
Moderator: Akeia des Barros Gomes, Sr. Curator of Maritime Social Histories, Mystic Seaport Museum, CT
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Hopes and Impediments: War and Strategies for Belonging
“If you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots and there wait for him to come.” – Sun Tzu
The principle of maneuvering in war emphasizes flexibility and adapting to changing conditions. Historically, African Americans had to navigate oppressive political and social environments, using spiritual and cultural tools to maneuver within systems designed to suppress them.
This session will highlight how, rather than passively accepting their imposed status, African and African American involvement in early wars like the Revolutionary War and the Civil War was both an offensive strategy and a spiritual defiance against a society that deemed them inferior.
Presenters:
Allyson Schettino, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, New York Historical Society, NY
Glenn Knoblock, Independent Scholar, Historian, Author, NH
Bob Sheppard, Lecturer, "Maine's Tuskegee Airman: A Son's Perspective"
Moderator: Mack Scottn III, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Brown University, RI
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2025 | 2:00 PM
The Great Migration: Military Service and the Shaping of a Diversified New Hampshire
"If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are .” – Sun Tzu.
In The Art of War, Sun Tzu highlights the importance of using terrain to one's advantage. For African Americans, navigating the U.S. political and social landscape often required knowing when and where to engage. Many viewed military service as a means of achieving social mobility, financial security, and proving their patriotism.
This panel will examine the integration of military bases in New Hampshire—such as Pease, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and Grenier in Manchester—and how these bases contributed to the state's diversification. Panelists will also discuss how military service became a tool for asserting rights and claiming full citizenship.
Presenters:
Timothy Berry, Class President 2013, US Military Academy at West Point
Andrea Williamson, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones, Kennebunk, ME
Leah Dearborn, Assoc. Director, Aviation Museum, Manchester, NH
Moderator: TBA
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Eyes on the Prize: Protests, Movements, and the Road Ahead
“There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.” – Sun Tzu
African American civic movements and participation in wars have often been driven by deep moral and ethical goals—freedom, equality, and human dignity. The Civil Rights Movement, for instance, was led by individuals who invoked faith as a unifying force, drawing from Christian theology, African spiritual traditions, and a collective consciousness of liberation. Effective leadership, like in The Art of War's "unity of command," was essential. Many African American leaders were inspirational not just through strategy but through moral and spiritual authority, grounding their calls for justice in deeply held spiritual principles.
This panel will explore African American protest movements, past and present, focusing on nonviolence and self-determination. Panelists will discuss the current state of these movements, highlighting African American spiritual resilience, the strength of unity, and the enduring importance of community.
Presenters:
Noelle Trent, President & CEO, African American Museum Boston/Nantucket
L’Merchie Frazier, Visual Activist, Educator, Artist, Executive Director of Creative / Strategic Planning for SPOKE Arts
Richard Josey, Founder and Principal Consultant for Collective Journeys LLC.
Moderator: Jason Sokol, Professor of History, University of New Hampshire.
Past Tea Talks Archives
2024 EWH Tea Talks Archive
2023 EWH Tea Talks Archive
2022 EWH Tea Talks Archive
2021 EWH Tea Talks Archive
2020 EWH Tea Talks Archive
2019-2020 EWH Expanded Tea Talks Archive
2019 EWH Tea Talks Archive
2018-2019 EWH Expanded Tea Talks Archive
2018 EWH Tea Talks Archive
2017 EWH Tea Talks Archive
