Vote: Let Your Voice Be Heard

This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the passing of The Civil Rights Act of 1964 by Congress. This was a landmark decision that outlawed discrimination in the United States based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964, and it ended the application of "Jim Crow" laws. The act also strengthened voting rights, desegregated school and offered protection for workers. Many fought and died in order for this legislation to pass. Now this important document is being challenged. So exercising our right to vote is a very important issue in this election. 

Personally, I have no desire to go back to a time when voting rights were restricted and for only a few (women and people of color were not allowed to vote,) workers had few benefits, and good healthcare was for the wealthy. Even more recently, I don't want to go back four years when everything was shut down and toilet paper was scarce, and the president was suggesting we drink bleach.

I hope everyone will find out what the important issues are and let their voices be heard. There are many issues to be addressed, for me as an African American it starts with being treated with dignity and respect and not garbage, having a truthful rendition of our stories in the history books, health care for everyone including women, children and seniors, protecting Social Security, gun control, and preserving our environment. Remember we vote not just for ourselves but for future generations.

Let your voice be heard, vote.

"We must learn from our history. We must teach our children our history because it is part of our history as a nation. Today is a day of celebration. It is not only a day of pride. It is also  a day for us to affirm and rededicate ourselves to action."   Kamala Harris

In 2019 I wrote,  "We can only imagine the joy, jubilation and trepidation of our  ancestors on June 19, 1865  when Major General Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and informed everyone that slavery was abolished.  We know that it left enough of an impression that the day is still commemorated today. Juneteenth has become the independence day for African Americans.

One of the first things that the newly freed slaves did was to thank God and begin looking for family.  In that spirit Juneteenth has continued to be a day of thanksgiving, prayer service, bringing together family, connecting with the past and celebrating our accomplishments."

Now after a years of protest and strife, Juneteenth, the holiday marking the end of slavery has become a federal holiday. Although the holiday is symbolic, it is hoped that this will be a catalyst and another step for addressing the systemic problems of racisms. Hopefully, children will learn the story of Juneteenth in their homes, and schools will provide a more accurate history of Black people in America. While Juneteenth recognizes over a century and a half of progress, it also reminds Americans more work is needed to continue to build a more equitable and unified nation. 

Many thanks to Opal Lee who has lobbied for decades to make Juneteenth a national holiday. Today Juneteenth has become a day of either gathering with family and friends, or practicing  self care, enjoying rest and restoration.

Happy Juneteenth!

This Google Doodle, illustrated by Oakland-based guest artist Christian Robinson, celebrates Juneteenth.

 QgBhttps://www.google.com/search?q=Juneteenth&oi=ddle&ct=308474480&hl=en&si=ACC90nyvvWro6QmnyY1IfSdgk5wwjB1r8BGd_IWRjXqmKPQqm-3yuPdMADLgmZI9FvJVpJDmTY1f82bDv0w3SdmL7nCbdgODZz0Vd3uw6AGLm0oBApSkLSOLOfXmCSZCQssyGfBcnYBdOLt084xMo-CRXkYG6RqIDA%3D%3D&source=doodle-ntp&ved=0ahUKEwjd6bDbnumGAxWmMlkFHdWwBBYQPQgB

70th Anniversary Brown vs Board of Education

Kansas City artist Michael Young created the Brown v. Board of Education mural inside the Kansas Capitol in Topeka in 2018 to depict the legacy of the 1954 landmark U.S. Supreme Court desegregation case that had its roots in Topeka.

 Black history needs to be told and celebrated year round especially when we see our history is still being banned and left out of history books and school curriculums in certain states. Today seventy years ago the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education changed the trajectory of public education and sparked the end of segregated schools. A group of families challenged separate but equal laws and won. So as we commemorate  this event we are  reminded every day that our Civil Rights are still in jeopardy, and there is so much more work to be done.

 

The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention provides a platform for creators, writers, and editors to connect with the Black community on May 18  from 11AM to 7PM

Take part in FREE Comics Book Workshops, AfriCoz Cosplay Contest, Panels, Screenings, and More! Come help celebrate positive Black images in comic books and the Science-Fiction Entertainment Industry!

 at TEMPLE UNIVERSITY STUDENT FACULTY CENTER-

3340 N. Broad St. Phila., PA 19140 

https://www.ecbacc.com/

The Second Annual Eloise Greenfield Children's Poetry Advocate of the Year Prize.

 The Annual Eloise Greenfield Children's Poetry Advocate of the Year Prize was awarded to Untia D. Bigelow. Poet and author Eloise Greenfield was a pioneer writer of books for African American children.Her Honey I Love is a classic read by generations.

The Children’s Book Council and HarperCollins Children’s Books are proud to announce that Untia D. Bigelow, a public librarian, is the winner of the second annual Eloise Greenfield Children's Poetry Advocate of the Year Prize.

Untia, the volunteer coordinator at Wicomico County Free Library in Salisbury, Maryland, was chosen by Eloise’s children, Monica and Steve, for her work as an advocate for the reading of children's poetry books by Black poets.

Untia said, “Poetry is the heart in the form of words that sometimes take on rhyme and rhythm, and which has the impact to change lives through expressed expression of life!” 

Monica and Steve Greenfield added, “Our mother was an activist and would be inspired by the work of today’s black writers. Attempts by others to erase black history and culture are nothing new. Our work must continue.”

The Children’s Book Council and HarperCollins will donate a selection of 100 children's poetry books and other children’s titles to an organization of Untia’s choice.

https://www.cbcbooks.org/readers/reader-resources/eloise-greenfield-childrens-poetry-advocate-prize/

The Schomburg Center's 12th Annual Black Comic Book Festival

The Schomburg Center's 12th Annual Black Comic Book Festival at 515 Malcolm X Blvd New York, NY 10030 will hold their  Annual Black Comic Book Festival. The festival celebrates the rich tradition of Black comics featuring panel discussions, favorite authors, a cosplay show, and more on April 27 - 28 from 10 am - 7 pm! 

The 2024 Schomburg Center Black Comic Book Festival marks 12 years of bringing together animators, Blerds, bloggers, cosplay lovers, fans, families, illustrators, independent publishers, and writers to celebrate Black comic books and graphic novels and provides a platform to get the works directly to readers. This annual event features panel discussions, workshops, cosplay showcases, and highlights the work of creators from across the diaspora! 

A Very Black Cosplay Showcase returns to the Schomburg Center! Come show out on the Schomburg stage. Participation is open to attendees of all ages and skill levels. Wanna join the show? Sign up at the Schomburg Center on Saturday, April 27 between 1 PM - 5 PM (slots are limited).

For a complete schedule and registration information visit https://www.schomcom.org.

Celebrate Black Children's Book Week