The Pride Ride

Mandates and policies legislated for the education of our children have never facilitated enough lessons in history that instill pride. Our people need to identify with more people and situations that demonstrate pride so that we can change more conversations about defeat. Instead of focusing solely on the roadblocks, see and command the opportunities. Suicide is on the rise with black children. Their feelings of hopelessness and disillusionment are their main lethal weapons. Let us help them create a new protocol. Clearly, we need a mindset change to break the habit of surrender and defeat. Herein are some ideas while quarantined: The Monroe Dispatch and I are collaborating on a black history book entitled “Footprints of Conquerors.” In light of the pandemic, we decided to put a spin on it by encouraging people on social media to get involved by sharing facts about African American accomplishments and heroes past and present thru reviews, narratives, games, poetry, etc. Be as creative as you choose. Some examples: Make a list of accomplished African Americans, young and old, and create a black history pamphlet among friends and quiz each other; teach the babies in the belly, the crib, and skirt holders about their history, develop did-you-know pamphlets derived from church black history programs. Write a half page narrative on church members, develop a book, and choose a title like Soldiers of Faith or whatever. “Request one Sunday per month be formatted like black history month programs. Write a one-page narrative on each member of your family entitled “Family Legacy.” Sit down and watch historical films together. Allow me to jump-start that process by requesting you watch the film “Hidden Figures.” It is full of great discussion topics including the warmth and beauty of courtship, family friends, and so much more. Not only will you learn about 22 incredible women at NASA called colored computers, but the struggles and successes of three incredible ones. Dorothy Vaughn, Katherine Gobal Johnson, and Mary Jackson, who refused to let racism distract excellence in their work ethic, thereby catapulting them to long overdue fame because of their groundbreaking contributions to the triumph of America’s space program. In fact, despite the calculations of the great IBM, astronaut John Glenn said he will not leave the ground until genius Katherine Gobal Johnson calculated the figures for launch and landing. The film clearly shows had they brought her into the pool of “white men geniuses” earlier it is most probable that America would have been the first to orbit the earth instead of the Russians. Don’t forget to include in your history lessons, authors of the book, screenwriters, producers, etc., and create games and quizzes for all. There are countless hidden figures in the African American race. But it is up to us to research and discover them. After all, if we don’t reflect, we can’t respect! It is important for our young people to know that most people who make impact on the world are just plain often impoverished children and adults who lead normal lives. They fall but they get up and keep living through pain, struggle, and perseverance and, because of the grace and mercy of God, create joy and laughter thru love. Let’s not perish prematurely for lack of knowledge when we can do something about it.