What Can We Tell Children About Black History

Ruby Bridges
Norman Rockwell - The Problem We All Live With

Often young students think that they can't relate to history. They believe history is the story of another time and another generation. Maybe, if they realized the important role Black children and young adults have played in the formation of  American history they would be more interested. American history would be very different without the pivotal role played by young Black children.

During slavery children started working as early as six years old.  They along with their parents worked in the fields and homes providing  the free labor that allowed this country to develop into the economic power that it is today. 

After slavery educating children to read and write became a priority. Former slaves set up schools where young people were taught and in turn taught others. For these young people education and knowledge became the tool for social advancement.  Today children need to understand how important education was for these young people and how eager they were to learn. Today children need to be reminded that education is still the key to our advancement.

We can't talk about the Civil Rights Movement without mentioning the participation of young people like Ruby Bridges and Lynda Blackmon Lowery. Ruby Bridges has become an iconic figure representing the young children who integrated schools after Brown vs The Board of Eduction made segregated schools unconstitutional. Lynda Blackmon Lowery, author of "Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom," was  one of the youngest participants in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. Several years before she had heard Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak and joined the movement at a very young age. There she learned the principles of non violence, and was beaten during the Selma to Montgomery March. They were not alone. There were many young people across the country stepping out against segregation and racism. Young adults sat at lunchroom counters, integrated classrooms. marched, and were beaten and jailed for their convictions.

Black History Month offers an opportunity for young people to learn about these courageous people who at a very young age made a difference and paved the way for their generation.

What Can We Begin To Tell Children About Black History Month

Celebrating the African American Child

Welcome to Black History Month 2020

What Can We Begin To Tell Children About Black History Month

Black  History Month was created  as Negro History Week in 1925 by Carter G. Woodson,  a Harvard-trained historian,  and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).  This was during a time when African American were told that they had no history or culture.  He hoped to raise awareness of African American’s contributions to civilization and chose the week that encompassed the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. His efforts not only enkindled a fire and interest by educators and scholars but the creation of Black history clubs. By 1970, the week had become Black History Month.

Although Black History Month is only one month, we celebrate our heritage 365 days of the year.  Each time we step out and proclaim our rights as human  beings we are a part  of a grand human history story.

February gives us the opportunity to honor those that have stood strong with purpose and changed the face of this country. Those who pushed us to be more, and to take fear into our own hands like Harriet Tubman who carried a rifle and no one turned back.  She was fearless and never lost a fugitive slave.  Our history reveals people who saw the light no matter how dim the circumstance.

Our history is the foundation on which we stand. Our ancestor speak to us through our history, and their dreams and hopes come alive.

Grace Hopper Celebration 2020   Black Girls Code has shared the following information about Grace Hopper Celebration 2020.  Black Girls Code's goal is to build the largest pipeline of future female engineers in the United States. To support their work, learn more about their organization and become part of their cohort visit their site.   Are you in college and pursuing a future in computing? Do you want to attend the 2020 Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC)--the world’s largest gathering of women technologists? Apply for a GHC Scholarship today! GHC Scholarships are fully funded, covering registration, travel to/from GHC, and hotel. In 2020, alumnae of our programs will have an opportunity to be part of a unique GHC Scholarship cohort that receives access to special programming and events leading up to and at GHC. When completing your application, please make sure to select Black Girls CODE. Doing so will make you eligible to be part of our cohort if you’re awarded a scholarship.  Grace Hopper Celebration is the world's largest gathering of women technologists. It is produced by AnitaB.org and presented in partnership with ACM.  GHC 20 will be held from Sep. 29—Oct. 2 in Orlando, FL.  To apply and get more information visit https://ghc.anitab.org/

Harriet in Theaters November

"It seems impossible until it is done"   Nelson Mandela

Harriet Tubman is one of my favorite sheroes. As a conductor for the Underground Railroad, she did the impossible lifting hundreds out of slavery while never losing a passenger. Hearing the story of this visionary always gives me chills.  In November families have an opportunity to check out a new film about her life, and be inspired by this woman of courage and faith. Harriet starring Cynthia Ervio will be released to theaters on November 1.

A Tribute to My Mother During Breastfeeding Month

Thanks to my mother whose example inspired me and other mothers to breastfeed long before it was fashionable. A tribute to her as we celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week.

One of my earliest memories was watching my mother nurse my sister. Sometimes she would talk to my sister while she nursed, and explain to her that she had eaten a nice healthy meal just for her.  Listening to my mother I got the connection between caring for the baby and self care. So breastfeeding  always seemed like a natural process to me although few women were breastfeeding, and many considered it old fashion and out dated at that time.  My mother probably felt like a pioneer going against the tide of modern advancement. However, she instinctively knew this was the best for mom and child. So without any documentation extolling the benefits of breastfeeding, she encouraged other mothers to breastfeed.

Even when I nursed my son years later, breastfeeding was still a novel idea. However, by that time organizations like La Leche were paving the way by providing information and support to new mothers. Unlike my mother, I found a community where I could get information and support. Today the tide is slowly changing, breastfeeding is beginning to be looked at as a natural process with benefits to both mom and baby. Everyday researchers hail the benefits that help build the baby's immunity system, create bonding between mother and child, and strengthen the mother's body.

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time to spread the word on the benefits of breastfeeding. All month long, people around the world are celebrating the amazing benefits of breastfeeding, while continuing the fight to ensure women have the support they need to breastfeed. In America the message needs to be heard loud and clear especially for African American mothers whose rate of initiating breastfeeding is the lowest in the country. There are social, political and cultural reasons for this disparity that need to be addressed. Today laws are being passed to protect mothers who decide to breastfeed but more work has to be done.  Women should not have to fear losing their job in order to nurture their babies.

Communities and hospitals need to spread the word and provide support for breastfeeding mothers. Even as individuals, we can help mothers with words of encouragement, a cooked meal, housekeeping, shopping errands and much love. We are all part of the village.

Here are a few groups providing information and support.

La Leche
https://lllusa.org/
https://www.llli.org/

United States Breastfeeding Committee
http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/nbm19

Black Moms Do Breastfeed
https://blackwomendobreastfeed.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Blackmomsdobreastfeed/

Mocha Milk Mommy's Breastfeeding Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mochamilkmommys/

Happy Juneteenth!

Juneteenth For Mazie by Floyd Cooper

Today we celebrate the struggles, hopes and dreams of those who came before us. Floyd Cooper shares the history and significance of the day with young people in his book, Juneteenth for Mazie. We have come a long way and still have a long way to go but today we celebrate our accomplishments and our vision for the future. Happy Juneteenth!

Juneteenth: Celebrating The African American Independence Day

"But, if this part of our history could be told in such a way that those chains of the past, those shackles that physically bound us together against our wills could, in the telling, become spiritual links that willingly bind us together now and into the future - then that painful Middle Passage could become, ironically, a positive connecting line to all of us whether living inside or outside the continent of Africa..."

                                                                                                                Tom Feelings

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.

This year 2019 is especially important because it will mark the 154th year of celebrating Juneteenth and represents the 400th anniversary – 1619 – of when enslaved Africans arrived in Hampton, Virginia aboard a Dutch ship.  Juneteenth Celebrations will be held will be across the country this weekend. Check your local historic societies and museums for more information. Here are

a few listings:

The Johnson House Historic Site -6306 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144 (215) 438-1768 continues a 13-year tradition with its Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival, a free day of cultural and educational presentations vendors and performances including a Children's Village, a street festival, and a Beer and Hard Cider Garden on Saturday, June 15 from noon to 7pm.

10th Annual Juneteenth Heritage Festival - Join Black Arts LA for their 10th year celebrating one of the greatest events in American history on June 15-16 from noon - 6pm!  Bring  family and  friends to enjoy the 2-day free outdoor festival showcasing outstanding work from fine artists, fashion & jewelry designers and food artists as well as enjoy great music.  Be sure to visit their History/Inventors area, Health Village, and Technology Tent.  Fun for the whole family!In Leimert Park Village, Degnan Blvd & 43rd Street, Los Angeles 90008.

2019 Juneteenth Rhythm & Blues Celebration at Mills Park in Carson - The City of Carson invites everyone to enjoy Classic Cars, Food, Live Entertainment and Fun Games for the kids on June 15 from 11am - 6pm. At Mills Memorial Park, 1340 E. Dimondale Dr., Carson, CA 90746

(310) 631-3130.

32nd Annual Berkeley CA Juneteenth Festival! - Adeline St. at Alcatraz Ave, Berkeley, CA. The Juneteenth Festival is held annually in June in South Berkeley’s 5-block Alcatraz-Adeline Corridor with performances, children's events, fashion, art and basketball on June 16 from 11am-7pm.

Juneteenth Celebration - Nautilus Playground- W. 30th St. & W. 32nd St, Brooklyn, NY - join NYC Parks, Alvin Ailey Extension, and NYC Council Member Mark Treyger as we commemorate the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans throughout the former Confederacy of the southern United States. This wonderful event will feature music, dance and community performances on June 19, 2019 from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

10th Annual Juneteenth 2019 Festival - "Back to the Future" - in Brooklyn, NY at Gershwin Park, 800 Van Siclen Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11207 There will be vendors selling crafts and food (really good food), activities for kids, games for parents and their children, a wonderful showcase, great raffle prizes and Trivia about the African American journey. Enjoy the parade on June 15 from 11am - 6pm.