Some of you probably don’t recall or never had any books as a child that had black girls as the main characters. Thanks to Marley Dias going around that tough terrain mountain; trailblazing her way to make #1000BlackGirlBooks the main characters in the hearts of black girls and children everywhere, it has changed. I encourage all educators, especially those who work as teachers in black communities to ensure having a selection of books where black girls and children are the main characters. I mean, why not! It is imperative to have healthy representations of black children as the main characters in books where they can make connections to characters that is about them! It is not equivalent if all of the black and brown kids are only reading books about everyone and everything else with them being absent. It is crucial to know the background and culture you educate.
MARLEY DIAS Exceptional black girl magic has graced our society affirming powerful sprinkles of inspiration to the world, one book at a time. Her name is Marley Dias. In fifth grade (2015) she was required to read books like ‘Shiloh,’ 'Old Yeller’ and ‘Where the Red Ferns Grow.’ All of these books were about little white boys with dogs. Marley was starving and thirsting to see images in books where little black girls were the major and not the minor characters. She was not alone. In her proactive efforts to feed her hunger; making black girls as the main character, she launched her campaign for #1000BlackGirlBooks and to her surprise she received an overwhelming support of 11,000 books. Marley Dias fantasticated her love for literacy making history. Some of you probably don’t recall or never had any books as a child that had black girls as the main characters. Thanks to Marley Dias going around that tough terrain mountain; trailblazing her way to make #1000BlackGirlBooks the main characters in the hearts of black girls and children everywhere, it has changed. I encourage all educators, especially those who work as teachers in black communities to ensure having a selection of books where black girls and children are the main characters. I mean, why not! It is imperative to have healthy representations of black children as the main characters in books where they can make connections to characters that is about them! It is not equivalent if all of the black and brown kids are only reading books about everyone and everything else with them being absent. It is crucial to know the background and culture you educate. Marley Dias has the recipe we all need to use. If you don’t like something then change it. She didn’t like reading about white boys and dogs all the time. She wanted to see reflections of herself in story elements so she did something about it. Marley Dias is a Sancti-Fly Mama who has lifted the ban on excluding black girls as the main character and given hope to a culture of diversity inside and outside of the classroom. She was only 10 years old when she started on her mission to make black girls the main characters in books but ain’t no stopping her now. At the compassionate age of 13 this Power-Pretty little mama has written her own book. What is it that you don’t like and want changed?
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Elijah McCoy Canadian-American is the nationality of Elijah McCoy. Incidentally he is also an African American man. Mr. McCoy is renowned for his 57 inventions during the 19th century. He was a patrician of mechanical engineering; giving the world the luciferous wisdom it needed to lubricate steamed engines; trains and ships. McCoy razzle-dazzled the industry making an automatic lubricator for oiling engines. He worked on his craft and designed it better, one patent at a time. Yes, I said 57 patents graced the stardust of his ingenuity. This was a big deal back in his time. All 50 of his patents originated from lubrication. McCoy also had patents on a lawn sprinkler and a folding ironing board. Although Elijah McCoy was born a free man in Canada, his parents (George and Mildred) were fugitive slaves from Kentucky and benefited from the Underground Railroad in hopes of instauration; a new life in Ontario Canada. “The Real McCoy” is the terminology given to Elijah McCoy in light of so many other lubricant patents being on the market. McCoy’s oil-drip cup invention was superlative and in high demand so if there was a request for it, folks would say they wanted the real thing, the real McCoy! So when you are driving in your car and a train comes, please don’t think you are stuck by a train. Instead, look at those railroad trains and remember it was McCoy’s invention that helped them to run faster and better. Elijah McCoy’s legacy proves to black children and to all people that no matter how hard your beginning is, you can have a palmy middle and ending. His father was a farmer and his mother gave birth to 12 children. It inspires all of us to know we can be the antithesis of a maladroit group of people that some wish to attenuate black history with. Elijah McCoy attended a segregated school in Colchester Township in Canada. When he turned 15 he was blessed to attend Edinburg, Scotland for a chance to study mechanical engineering. This was the beginning of the benevolence McCoy would give to the world. He went from being an oiler to an inventor. There is the possibility that your children can and WILL do heartsome things; leaving their mark in this world. You don’t know who your children will be one day so please share African American History with them so they can see themselves in Elijah McCoy. IVORY BANGLE LADY The bossdom phenotype of the inexplicable Ivory Bangle Lady was featly originated in Roman York (Eboracum). Her skeletal remains were discovered in 1901 around the second half of the fourth century. There is no evidence of her real name. Examination of her remains show that she was around 19 when she died. Archaeologist research concludes that the woman known as the Ivory Bangle Lady had a bloodline mixed with North African and European blood flowing in her wealthy veins. The findings of this woman dispelled the fact that she was a slave in light of the jet and elephant ivory bracelets, earrings, pendants, and beads found on her at the time of discovery. This signified that the Ivory Bangle Lady was more of a plutocrat than a poor woman. The human remains of the Ivory Bangle Lady has been preserved and is displayed at the Yorkshire Museum. The Ivory Bangle Lady helps us to cerebrate intensely, the possibilities of our own genotypes. What is in your DNA? Do you have some African blood in you? The Oblivescence of Black History is not conducive to black children. It is imperative for them to know about the Ivory Bangle Lady. It certainly makes a bold statement that African Romans ruled in Britain. It also encourages our kids to research their ancestry to find out what is in their bloodline. Some of the items that were found in her stone tomb.
JUNETEETH (JUNE 19) Pressed down shaken together in the abominations of stanchless pain; chains, iron collars and the separation of families immediately ended on June 19, 1865. The slaves in Galveston, Texas found out 2 years later in the month of June (Juneteenth) they were permitted to drown and bleed in the pursuit of some form of happiness. General Gordon Granger was responsible for informing the slaves they were unrestricted to be human beings. It was a jamboree! President Abraham Lincoln wrote a document called the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring an end to slavery. In light of not having enough representation of Union soldiers to enforce the new law in the state of Texas, the slave owners in Galveston, Texas opposed the law. They did not want to give up their free labor! This is why we celebrate June 19th. The slaves were freed! It was the end of a chapter of bondage for them. All they ever wanted was to be Black American citizens with the same rights and privileges.
July 4, 1776, gave White Americans their Independence Day. Black folks were slaves during that time. Independence Day did not apply to them. June 19, 1865, is known as Black Independence Day. The captivity and liberation of Juneteenth is more crucial now than ever, as pointed out in the Vox. Colorism and self-hate begets the residual consequences of slavery. The psychological effects of seeing black people and people of color treated less than American citizens when it comes to inequality, racism and racial injustice is a direct effect of slavery in America. The seeds of white supremacy has taken root in the earth and it is too stubborn to die; to let go! The corruptible beginnings of slavery made inhumane treatment towards Black Americans bleed heavy. Our minds have been conditioned in judgments passed down from generation to generation about black folks and white folks. The history of slavery is not a resource for blamestorming. No one is saying you are guilty of what your ancestors did. If you are repeating the pattern you are certainly adding to the problem that America has not fully dealt with, slavery. Hast thou not heard of such a buoyant group of people who only wanted to be created equally? Their bloodlines were renewed by God and their strength was increased when they were weary. We have every reason and right not to forget about Juneteenth. Ignorance avails very much when we choose not to confront our past. The celebration of Juneteenth represents Black American History for all to study. There are so many magnificent reasons why Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and legacy is celebrated with an amative stimulus of strength throughout the world. How can you not love a man who used passive resistance coupled with love to fight for the human rights of all people, especially black people? If the United States constitution was not enforced for all Americans, how can you expect those Americans to pledge their allegiance when they had none?
Dr. King affirmed, “All we say to America is, Be true to what you said on paper.” Dr. King was uniquely endowed with a stentorian voice leaking in fearlessness to remind the United States of America about the laws they enacted; their 'illegal injunctions' is what Dr. King called it. The 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution blatantly contradicted itself when it came to the lives of African or black American citizens. African Americans were not able to assemble together peacefully to protest against the sweltering hate thrusted upon them. To refute the ugliness of America even further, black Americans did not have equal access nor protection under the laws; as written in the 14th Amendment for all American citizens to have. The federal government undeniably legitimized the injustices that were done to black Americans during their fierce movement of freedom and justice. Black folks, as well as activist, (black and white) were murdered in their homes and churches. Black people were attacked by the police and their dogs. They were bullied, terrorized, and water hosed by firemen. Dr. King’s home was also bombed. All of this immorality was performed on black folks because they wanted to have the meticulous rights of their freedoms like the rest of the (white) Americans. Disgraceful and appalling was the face of America. Black people armed themselves with the greatest dignity and self-respect as they fought for their freedoms; as witnessed in history. During the fruitful 1955-1956 Montgomery Bus Boycott, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. decided to take a ride for freedom. I am so pleased he did. This is another great reason why we love his motivation. Martin's anointed presence in the civil rights movement helped to desegregate the city buses in Montgomery Alabama. Black Americans could finally ride the buses with white Americans. In regards to equal treatment, black Americans were not granted equality on bus rides before King stepped on the leadership scene. God used Dr. King to powerfully equalize the situation. Dr. King aggressively armed himself in the awareness of racism being the way of life for the majority of white people who lived in the south. The flavor in the south was white supremacy. The mood and the tone unfortunately has not been fully altered for some who desire to keep white supremacy alive today. Dr. King believed freedom belonged to black people who were Americans. He took a stand for liberation by applying his non-violent movement; teeming with peaceful protest. Martin King and other peaceful protesters were consistently arrested for organizing peacefully (marches, sit-ins). They too were black American citizens. Although the law stated American citizens had the right to protest peacefully, it was not applied towards black people. Dr. King proved countless times that wickedness will always bow down to righteousness. In July of 1966 Dr. Martin Luther King’s footsteps crossed over into the City of Chicago to bring peace and justice to segregated public accommodations for the open and fair housing issues. Dr. King stated that Chicago was one of the most hostile and hateful cities. His plan was to do what he did well. He wanted to bring the evil out into the open. He labeled Chicago the city of shame. As I watch the history of Dr. King; his documentaries and his speeches, I am not too surprised by the actions of others. Sometimes I've often wondered if the people who were caught in between harvesting the pain and humiliation towards black people ever realized how completely foolish they would someday look (for years) as whites were bravely filmed illustrating how stiff their necks were. It was hard for them to accept people that were different from them. The heritage of embarrassment has continued for some who show no shame. Dr. King had superlative logic and love. The yokes of terrorism, discrimination or segregation could not stop him. No surge of racism could stop black folks in their movement for freedom and justice from turning around. Black folks kept on going despite the heavy burdens of opposition and challenges staring them in the face daily. Black families wanted their emancipation by any means necessary. Martin thrived continuously. He not only marched, he negotiated the best deals for black folks. Dr. King accomplished what he was purposed to do! King forced America to confront their unhealthy issues they had politically, socially, and economically with African Americans. He raised his voice and raised the consciousness at a national level. In April of 1968 the man who was full of faith, love, and goodwill towards all men was killed; assassinated. He could not be broken so I surmise killing him was the only way they thought they could stop him. Fortuitously, Dr. King spirit of service, legacy of love, freedom, and justice lives on, stronger than ever. Dr. King brought deliverance from the plantation to rock an unbalanced nation with the promised liberty and justice for all. This is why we will never forget the sacrifices of his light (love). We are far from the Promised Land. Times are different. At times it feels the same. Dr. King did bring monumental changes in racial equality for all men. King insured voting rights and human rights for men to be treated as men. The oppressor has you in domination because he plans to keep you there. – Dr. King How long will prejudice blind the divisions of men? No lie can live forever. – Dr. King AMERICAN LYNCHING Marion, Indiana flaunted the truthiness of love and justice as they allowed the lynching of Thomas Shipp and Abe Smith in 1930. Shipp and Smith were black teens accused of murdering a white man and raping a white woman. History has taught us that these terrorist attacks were never justified. They were used unjustly against black folks in light of the demonic mentality whites consumed during that time. If you were white and you were against lynching; helping blacks, you were lynched too. If you study the picture above, it appears they are dressed up to go to church; men and women gathered in their best attire. Children were known to be present at these murders, sadly. It was normal for church folks to come home from church and attend a lynching. I don’t know what bible they were reading back then but I thought God was love. I understand why some people don’t want to embrace Christianity. A lot of white supremacy was used to control black folks through religion. They lusted for the intimidation and control of black people with lynching as their ammunition! “Today I have stood, where once Davis stood, and took an oath to my people. It is very appropriate then that from this very heart of the great Anglo-Saxon Southland, that today we sound the drum for freedom as have our generations of forebears before us done, time and time again through history. Let us rise to the call of freedom-loving blood that is in us and send our answer to the tyranny that clanks its chains upon the South. In the name of the greatest people that have ever trod this earth, I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny…and I say…segregation today… segregation tomorrow…segregation forever." Unfortunately, there are scientific elements of hate and white supremacy dripping dangerously in the "heart of the great Anglo-Saxon" of America and in other countries that keeps racism effective and in place. They are the remainders of the George Wallace effect; mass incarceration, oppression, discrimination and all the other abominations tied to lynching. It's time for atonement. “One hundred years of delay have passed since President Lincoln freed the slaves, yet their heirs, their grandsons, are not fully free. They are not yet freed from the bonds of injustice. They are not yet freed from social and economic oppression. And this Nation, for all its hopes and all its boasts, will not be fully free until all its citizens are free. We preach freedom around the world, and we mean it, and we cherish our freedom here at home, but are we to say to the world, and much more importantly, to each other that this is the land of the free except for the Negroes; that we have no second-class citizens except Negroes; that we have no class or caste system, no ghettoes, no master race except with respect to Negroes?” FRANCOIS DOMINIQUE TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE Toussaint is the naissance of the Haitian Revolution. He eradicated colonial supremacy by defeating the English and Spanish armies. He unified his people (the Haitians). The Europeans were out skilled and mentally unprepared for Toussaint’s military strategies. Toussaint is a Haitian American hero that black children can aspire to emulate; his strength, his ingenuity and his military brilliance is worthy of recognition in American history no matter how painful or truthful it is. It is such a shame American text books do not acknowledge him and the important role he played in history. If they are bringing up Napoleon Bonaparte’s name in the history books, there is no way to ignore Toussaint’s presence in history. Toussaint’s crew annihilated Napoleon’s troops and freed Haitian slaves. Napoleon did not like losing a battle to an extraordinary black man like Toussaint so he caught Toussaint off guard with deception and trickery, which lead Toussaint as his prisoner. He died in prison at the hands of Napoleon. There is not extensive awareness taught to black students or children in general on the fact that some slaves did not lay down and submit to slavery. They fought back! Toussaint’s martial talent is the best evidence of that. There was an insurrection of slave revolts going on. Unfortunately, the history books do not confirm all the black American conquerors like Toussaint who left his munificent stain in the unknown pages of history. If you ask most children who Toussaint L’ouverture was, they would not be able to tell you.
Toussaint’s bravery illustrates how important it is to stand up for yourself. It does not matter how big your enemy appears or how small you are. Toussaint had a small army and they overpowered giants. His image stands for the formula to fight against injustice anywhere and everywhere. He is Black History! All children have a right to study and know about Toussaint L’ouverture. Toussaint refused to submit to European colonialism. His actions sparked rebellions all over the world as men and women; black and white, fought for their freedom. He was born in 1743 on a plantation as a slave; enriched with intelligence as a leader and teacher. He spoke, Latin, French and Creole. He died as a warrior in 1803. The lengthening of inequality still leaks in the bloodline of America for people of color and poor people. All Dr. King wanted was for America (whites) to see him and other black folks as human beings. Dr. King was viewed by those European brothers and sisters who feared him as dangerous. He smelled like an educated black man who understood he had the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of a form of happiness as an American who just so happen to be born black. On April 4, 1968 Dr. King was slain to death while in Memphis, standing on the balcony at the Lorraine Hotel. Dr. King was doing what he treasured; serving and helping people. He was in Memphis trying to help the sanitation workers gain economic strength and fairness for their freedom as they went on strike. Has anything really changed in those 50 years? In 50 years we have conquered racism (we not fully done yet) coupled with racial prejudice and discrimination. People are justified in articulating how slow the progression, nevertheless, no one can deny that Dr. King and his team's labor of love did not change things. The truth is, Dr. King did change a lot of things. We just have more work to do. We went from treating people like they were invisible creatures to seeing them as visible humans. I don't know when you were born but I never experienced sitting on the back of any bus unless I wanted to. People of all skin colors enjoy each other’s company in public facilities. Also, we were able to welcome transportation in a decent way because of Dr. King's dream! In light of the Montgomery Bus Boycott we can all sit together in peace and harmony. Intimidation and cruelty was done in front of the world as Bloody Sunday made its mark in history. Black folks wanted to vote and those white southerners were afraid of that kind of political power. There is so much work to be done; the way some (not all) police officers handle people of color. It has not changed that much when black men and boys have to exude perfect behavior if they are stopped by the police. In 50 years we have gone from Bloody Sunday to Eric Garner being put in a choke hold to his death as the world watched. American people were outraged by Bloody Sunday and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted as a result of it. What about Eric Garner or all the other black men and boys? I certainly don’t ever remember having to go to a different water fountain than a white person. It is foreign to those of us born after the civil rights movement. As we look back at the history of America, it really is silly that those who were in control of the laws of this land decided to make separate but equal laws. Today Americans can go to school with a bunch of beautiful people that God created on purpose; of all skin color and races. Dr. Martin Luther King was obedient to his assignment; his calling to change legislation. In 50 years since his absence, we no longer have segregation (well overall) like it once was. Dr. King was very instrumental in the desegregation of this nation. Dr. King's righteousness did exalt a nation; piercing the heart of America to be born again! Only God can change a person's heart. As long as wicked intentions drips and mixes in the legacy of America, we will overcome with bold resistance. There are so many young lives that were sacrificed for the struggle of freedom against hatred. This is what Dr. King was fighting for and against: racial injustice, economic and political power, social justice, inhumane treatment of darker skin and pure evilness. There were four innocent little black girlfriends at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham who lost their lives in a church bombing. They were worshiping God when they died. Emmett Till was 14 years old when he died for no reason at all. It was alleged that he whistled at a white lady. It was all a lie. Blacks and whites even died together for the suffrage of others. Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney were civil rights activist who risked their lives for the cause. America got it wrong and has done so for so many years.
Thankfully, the kismet of Americans are getting it right by having conversations with each other; mobilizing and strategizing for a better more just America. There are people of all races and backgrounds who continue to fight for all the things Dr. King stood for. I pray for the continuation of those active collaborations. |
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