The February 8, 2012 Dayton Daily News posed the question, "Do we still need Black History Month?" to its readers.
Here is my response, published in the February 16, 2012 Letters to the Editor, titled We shouldn't get rid of Black History Month.
Re the question, "Do we still need Black History Month?": The
need for Black History month remains the same as when Dr.
Carter G. Woodson founded Black History Week in 1926. There
is still public education funding disparity where black kids
live, racial wealth disparity, and under-representation of
African-Americans in history books.
Black History Month promotes and enhances, in a significant
and concentrated way, African-Americans' historical and
cultural awareness.
To end Black History Month would be a misguided act.
No racial or ethnic minority can leave the teaching and
dissemination of its history solely to others.
Even with Black History Month, countless African-
Americans had never heard of the contributions and
achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen until the
recently released movie "Red Tails." I suspect the
same lack of knowledge existed for Caucasians,
Hispanics and Asians in this country.
Yes, people are more aware today of the historical
contributions of African-Americans and that is
because of Black History Month. Schools in African-
American communities could do a better job of
teaching black history if they had more funding.
If Black History Month went away, it would be like
the darkness overcoming the light. Black History
Month is a wonderful way to celebrate African-American
history and the richness of diversity in America.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Reflections on the Girl Scouts
On March 12, 2012, the Girl Scouts celebrated its 100th anniversary.
This event stirred a few memories such as seeing the Girl Scouts Headquarters
in Savannah when I toured the city in 2000, and reminder of its founder,
Juliette Gordon Low.
A scout during my youth, I have cherished memories of being a part of
the first black Girl Scouts in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, founded by my
beloved fourth grade teacher at St. Peter's Catholic School, Miss Doretha
Daniels. This was 1944-1945. My sister, Jettie, and lifelong friend, Marinda were
part of this group. I remember singing songs that were foreign to me and
still remember to this day, like "Over in Killarney, an Irish Lullaby.
Who could forget those once a year awesome Girl Scout cookies? My
favorite became the shortbread. I have no idea what became of my
badge or pin. I regret there are no pictures. Cameras were rare in those
days.
I am sure I learned a lot of valuable life lessons, but it is the friendships
and relationships I remember the most.
This event stirred a few memories such as seeing the Girl Scouts Headquarters
in Savannah when I toured the city in 2000, and reminder of its founder,
Juliette Gordon Low.
A scout during my youth, I have cherished memories of being a part of
the first black Girl Scouts in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, founded by my
beloved fourth grade teacher at St. Peter's Catholic School, Miss Doretha
Daniels. This was 1944-1945. My sister, Jettie, and lifelong friend, Marinda were
part of this group. I remember singing songs that were foreign to me and
still remember to this day, like "Over in Killarney, an Irish Lullaby.
Who could forget those once a year awesome Girl Scout cookies? My
favorite became the shortbread. I have no idea what became of my
badge or pin. I regret there are no pictures. Cameras were rare in those
days.
I am sure I learned a lot of valuable life lessons, but it is the friendships
and relationships I remember the most.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Visited By An Angel
Remember the popular CBS television show, Touched by an Angel,
starring Della Reese, Roma Downey, and John Dye? I especially enjoyed the show
because of its decisively candid religious theme. Angels from God visited
humans on earth in a variety of roles. The angels brought hope and inspiration
to those at the crossroads of life or facing tragedy with the message to
"turn to God." The show started a fad of angel pins wearers.
I had learned about angels in Sunday School. I knew angels served as messengers from God in the Old and New Testament. Sometimes, the angels appeared directly or in dreams or spoke from heaven. The biblical accounts most familiar to me were:
. the angel calling out to Hagar in the desert, with her son, fleeing Sarah
. the angel annunciation of the Christ child to Mary
. the angel annunciation of the ressurection of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and the other women
I knew some angels were cherubims and seraphins whose role was to glorify and worship God. Others brought warnings and recompense. I learned that I had a personal guardian angel whose job was to guard and protect me.
In 1997, when I retired from the V A Medical Center, the wife of a veteran gave me an angel pin as a retirement gift. The pin remained in its original wrapping until May 2004. Earlier in May of that year, I had attended a "Blessed Among Women" Conference where each woman was presented an angel pin in an Angel Pinning Ceremony. So, I asked myself, "When were you visited by an angel?"
Four experiences came to mind:
During my sophomore year in college, my mother warned me not to ride with a boy, named Joe Lowery. Joe had returned from the Korean Conflict. One day, Joe arrived on campus, between classes, during Spring Quarter, and invited me for a ride. Immediately, on to Highway 79 North, Joe accelerated to a high rate of speed. The tires hit the gravel on the right shoulder. The car flipped upside down, blocking the highway in both directions. I could smell and feel oil, fuel, and sand falling in my hair. The impact of the crash had thrown me into the rear of the car. My first thought was, "I'm trapped, there is going to be an explosion." I pushed against the right rear door and it flew open. I had no injuries. My guardian angel had been on duty and protected me.
While a social work field placement student atCook
County Hospital
in Chicago
On July 5, 2000, I was transferring betweeen flights atLambert Airport
in St. Louis
to the C Concourse. When I stepped on to the UP Escalators, people ahead of me suddenly began to fall backward, with their luggage, like a house of cards. It seemed surreal. My mind sensed the
danger although I was calm. I fell backward and could not get us. There was no escape. I thought I would be crushed. In a flash, a big man rushed on the scene, picked me up, and carried me to safety.
My guardian angel had visited me.
The Bible teaches that angels watch over God's people (Luke 15:10). "For he will command his angels to guard you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:11)
I also recall a time of extra- sensory perception of danger. The feeling suggested grave danger was present. This was in 1975 when my husband and I were attempting to engage a taxi, during the early morning hours at the airport inMonrovia , Liberia Monrovia from Nairobi Ghana
Perhaps, we do not give enough credit to our guardian angel or thank God for the ministering work of the angels.
I had learned about angels in Sunday School. I knew angels served as messengers from God in the Old and New Testament. Sometimes, the angels appeared directly or in dreams or spoke from heaven. The biblical accounts most familiar to me were:
. the angel calling out to Hagar in the desert, with her son, fleeing Sarah
. the angel annunciation of the Christ child to Mary
. the angel annunciation of the ressurection of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and the other women
I knew some angels were cherubims and seraphins whose role was to glorify and worship God. Others brought warnings and recompense. I learned that I had a personal guardian angel whose job was to guard and protect me.
In 1997, when I retired from the V A Medical Center, the wife of a veteran gave me an angel pin as a retirement gift. The pin remained in its original wrapping until May 2004. Earlier in May of that year, I had attended a "Blessed Among Women" Conference where each woman was presented an angel pin in an Angel Pinning Ceremony. So, I asked myself, "When were you visited by an angel?"
Four experiences came to mind:
During my sophomore year in college, my mother warned me not to ride with a boy, named Joe Lowery. Joe had returned from the Korean Conflict. One day, Joe arrived on campus, between classes, during Spring Quarter, and invited me for a ride. Immediately, on to Highway 79 North, Joe accelerated to a high rate of speed. The tires hit the gravel on the right shoulder. The car flipped upside down, blocking the highway in both directions. I could smell and feel oil, fuel, and sand falling in my hair. The impact of the crash had thrown me into the rear of the car. My first thought was, "I'm trapped, there is going to be an explosion." I pushed against the right rear door and it flew open. I had no injuries. My guardian angel had been on duty and protected me.
While a social work field placement student at
On July 5, 2000, I was transferring betweeen flights at
to the C Concourse. When I stepped on to the UP Escalators, people ahead of me suddenly began to fall backward, with their luggage, like a house of cards. It seemed surreal. My mind sensed the
danger although I was calm. I fell backward and could not get us. There was no escape. I thought I would be crushed. In a flash, a big man rushed on the scene, picked me up, and carried me to safety.
My guardian angel had visited me.
The Bible teaches that angels watch over God's people (Luke 15:10). "For he will command his angels to guard you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:11)
I also recall a time of extra- sensory perception of danger. The feeling suggested grave danger was present. This was in 1975 when my husband and I were attempting to engage a taxi, during the early morning hours at the airport in
Perhaps, we do not give enough credit to our guardian angel or thank God for the ministering work of the angels.
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