A 2021 Black History Month Blog

By Marsha Snulligan Haney

​

Social change refers to the way human interactions in relationships transform culture and social institutions over time. Social change has a profound impact on society, and as we know, no community ever remains the same. And when we think about our own and how it was different just one year ago, we can see how rapidly a society can change. Transformation, however, refers to lasting change, enduring and thorough. While the US is experiencing 25 million coronavirus cases, vaccine shortages and no national plan, and 400,103 US deaths attributed to the pandemic, an economic crisis is growing, and the demands for human and civic equity continue. Next month is celebrated as African American History Month, also known as Black History Month. What does Black History Month have to offer? It is my belief that because Black History Month is actually American history, there is much it has to offer as we wonder how do we move toward a better today and a healthier tomorrow?

 

Look Backward

​

In 2019, more Americans became aware of the significance of 1619, which

is often used as a reference point for teaching the origins of the enslaved

Africans who first arrived in colonial Virginia from Angola. As a teenager

growing up in St Louis, Missouri, the home of Anheuser-Busch company,

many of us who grew up recognizing the pictures and facts of the great Kings

and Queens of Africa posters donated by Anheuser-Busch through the

1970s-1990s. Not only were these posters found within the public elementary

and high schools, but they were also displayed in our churches and if we

were fortunate in our homes. Hence, there was a constant reminder, pride,

and the importance of black history, and the fact that Africa was the homeland.

​

Black history as a celebration of the African diaspora is celebrated in the

US and other countries worldwide, including Canada and the United

Kingdom, and devote a month to celebrating Black history. When speaking

of the power of Black knowledge, Dr. Woodson declared, "you must give your own story to the world." If you need inspiration this month, look at 120 Inspiring Quotes for Black History are provided by Lindsay Lowe under the heading:  "Freedom is Never Given", Parade Magazine, January 5, 2021.

​

https://parade-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/parade.com/260134/linzlowe/15-inspiring-quotes-for-black-history-month-freedom-is-never-given/amp/?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16104602268510&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fparade.com%2F260134%2Flinzlowe%2F15-inspiring-quotes-for-black-history-month-freedom-is-never-given%2F

 

 

​

Look Around

​

The 2021 Black History Month theme is The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity. The official theme is determined every year by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, an organization founded in 195 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. According to the City of Santa Monica, every "February people across the nation come together for events and activities to celebrate Black History Month it's a time for us to continue our collective honoring and deepening our knowledge of the history and the contributions of African Americans and people of African descent that had been marginalized from mainstream curricula and discussions because of our country's legacy of slavery and institutional and structural racism." (www.CityofSantaMonica.gov)

​

Henry Louis Aaron (February 5, 1934-January 22, 2021

 

However, when we look around, we cannot help but acknowledge with sadness that so many of our human rights advocates are passing before our eyes. The passing of the phenomenal icon "Hammer” of “Hammerin Hank Aaron" is one such person. Although Hank Aaron broke baseball barriers and will be remembered as the longtime baseball home runner and Hall of Famer, his legacy will always be more significant than baseball. The racial discrimination and racism he experienced never made him bitter, and though it made him question many realities, he continued to fight for racial equality after his retirement. His life of integrity and legacy will always be more significant than baseball. Current conversations have suggested that a statue is created to replace the confederate Henry Louis Aaron (February 5, 1934-January 22, 2021statue removed recently from the city of Decatur, GA.

​

​

In terms of politics, January 2021 began as a whirlwind. On January 6, an insurrection took place at the Capitol, in Washington, DC and there was a violent attack against the 117th United States Congress, carried out by a mob of supporters of Donald Trump, 45th present of the US, in an attempt to overturn his defeat. Seven days later, on January 14, the House voted to impeach Trump for the second time, making him the first US president to be impeached twice. And seven days later, on January 20 another history-making event was witnessed. And yet, several diverse communities (including their ancestors) are finding indescribable joy, hope, and promise as we witnessed the swearing-in ceremony on January 20. The first African American senator from Georgia, the first Jewish senator from Georgia, and California's first Latino senator- all three sworn in by the first woman, African-American and South Asian, to become US Vice-President.

​

​

​

​

​

In this image from video,

Vice President Kamala Harris swears in

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.,

Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif.,

and Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga.,

on the floor of the Senate, on Capitol Hill

in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021.

​

​

​

​

​

Look Forward

​

Black History Month has meaning for those who recognize it, and there is much work to be done. Despite the promise of equality and the talk of equity, as we look forward, we must be diligent. We must give attention must be given to understanding forces that resist this step onward. Thus we must read reading articles such as 'The Roots of Josh Hawley's Rage" by Katherine Stewart (author of "The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism") to understand "Why do so many Republicans appear to be at war with both truth and democracy?", books by Michael Eric Dyson, "Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America" by books that enlighten us, and by sponsoring and participating in public forums that discuss issues of white supremacy and the intersection of racism and gender equality.

While it seems as if our primary focus during Black History Month is political, it both is, and it is not. The word politics comes from the Greek politika "affairs of the cities, and suggest that all of life in one way or another is political.

 

Politics is the set of actions or activities associated with making decisions in groups. It speaks to the status, the distributions of goods and services, and other forms of power relations between individuals and groups. Therefore, while protest marches and demonstrations are essential, so also are the judicial legislations: they identified who and what is to be governed by the law, procedures to be followed, and means of enforcement. Therefore, many of the issues related to social change and transformation are political.

 

However, beneath it all is another reality, a foundation that holds life together and propels us forward, despite its disappointments and challenges. That is the spiritual foundation. We’ve seen it in the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama and we will see it operating in the life of Vice-President Kamala Harris. Religious beliefs, practices, and rituals are helpful because they point us to a deeper level of life, but they must not be confused with religion. It is at the spiritual level that we find meaning and purpose, and creativity. Amid the untimely death experiences, suffering, grief, sickness, unemployment, hunger, isolation, home evictions and systemic issues uncovered by the pandemic, some are re-examining life and rediscovering the human spirit.

 

While there is so much that could be said on the subject, let the West African Sankofa bird's

image suffice. The literal translation of Sankofa is "it is not taboo to go back and fetch what

you forgot ." What does the future hold for this little girl (and our young boys)? Are we laying

a strong foundation for the next generations? In the face of many challenges and in the quest

for life, and life abundant, we must go deep and rediscover the spiritual roots that have

sustained us for this many generations and provide what is necessary for future generations.

 

Thanks to The Spiritual Life Organization, we are given spiritual gems in African American

spirituality to reflect upon, share, and learn. Which ones did you hear while growing up?

Which can you embrace in the days ahead?

​

​

The Spiritual Life

 

https://slife.org/African American Proverbs

 

African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans or Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group of Americans with total or partial ancestry from any of the black racial groups of Africa. The phrase generally refers to descendants of enslaved black people who are from the United States.

 

A collection of African American Proverbs to inspire you. Wise African American Sayings in the form of proverbs that have been passed down for generations.

 

A harvest of peace is produced from a seed of contentment. – African American Proverb

 

A heard head makes a soft behind. – African American Proverb

 

A hit dog will hollow. Knock on wood. – African American Proverb

 

A joy that’s shared is a joy made double. – African American Proverb

 

A lady is a woman who makes it easy for a man to be a gentleman.

– African American Proverb

 

A penny saved is a penny earned. – African American Proverb

 

A stitch in time saves nine. – African American Proverb

 

Ain’t no use askin’ the cow to pour you a glass of milk. – African American Proverb

 

All poor people ain’t black/ and all black people ain’t poor. – African American Proverb

 

All that glitters is not gold. – African American Proverb

 

Ambition is putting a ladder against the sky. – African American Proverb

 

Arrogance is a kingdom without a crown. – African American Proverb

 

Be careful what you wish for you might get it. – African American Proverb

 

Black people must stop acting like crabs in a barrel and work together.

– African American Proverb

 

Black sheep of the family. – African American Proverb

 

Burning the candle at both ends. – African American Proverb

 

Character is what you are in the dark. – African American Proverb

 

Couldn’t hit the broad side of the barn. – African American Proverb

 

Count your blessings, not your problems. – African American Proverb

 

Death don’t see no difference ‘tween the big house and the cabin.

– African American Proverb

 

Diligence is the mother of good luck. – African American Proverb

 

Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way. – African American Proverb

 

Do as I say and not as I do. – African American Proverb

 

Dog don’t get mad when you say he’s a dog. – African American Proverb

 

Don’t beat a dead dog. Do or die. – African American Proverb

 

Dreams are wishes your heart makes. – African American Proverb

 

Each day provides its own gifts. – African American Proverb

 

Each One Teach One. – African American Proverb

 

Easy come, easy go. – African American Proverb

 

Eat drink and be merry. – African American Proverb

 

Eat, drink, and be merry. For tomorrow we die. – African American Proverb

 

Family must look out for family. – African American Proverb

 

Feed ‘em with a long-handled spoon means that there are certain people in life that you have to keep at a distance. – African American Proverb

 

Fix your face, before I fix it for you. – African American Proverb

 

Flies can’t fall in a tight-closed pot. – African American Proverb

 

Give a man enough rope and he’ll hang himself. – African American Proverb

 

Go with the flow. – African American Proverb

 

God can do anything but fail. – African American Proverb

 

God does not bless mess. Better safe than sorry. – African American Proverb

 

Going to be a cold day in hell. – African American Proverb

 

Hand plow can’t make furrows by itself. – African American Proverb

 

Hard times make a monkey eat red pepper when he don’t care for black

– African American Proverb

 

He that lives on hope will die fasting. – African American Proverb

 

He who hesitates is lost. – African American Proverb

 

Heaps of good cotton stocks get chopped up from association with the weeds.

– African American Proverb

 

Hee Hee Hell. – African American Proverb

 

Hope is the nurse of misery. – African American Proverb

 

If by chance someone tells you that you got to ease your hand out the lion’s mouth, it means that you must take great care in getting yourself out of a sticky situation.

– African American Proverb

 

If you ask a Negro where he’s been, he’ll tell you where he’s going.

– African American Proverb

 

If You Can Huh You Can Hear. – African American Proverb

 

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. – African American Proverb

 

If you don’t have a plan for yourself, you’ll be a part of someone else’s.

– African American Proverb

 

If you look back, you’ll soon be going that way. – African American Proverb

 

If you take care of your character, your reputation will take care of itself.

– African American Proverb

 

If you want to keep something secret from black folks, put it between the covers of a book.

– African American Proverb

 

I’m not going to lend you a stick to break my head with. – African American Proverb

 

I’m Not New To This, I’m True To This!! – African American Proverb

 

I’m Not One Of Your “Lil Friends” – African American Proverb

 

In the South they don’t care how close you get, as long as you don’t get too high. In the North, they don’t care how high you get, as long as you don’t get too close.

– African American Proverb

 

It takes a heap of licks to drive a nail in the dark. – African American Proverb

 

Jaybird don’t rob his own nest. – African American Proverb

 

Jealous? Hate the game and not the player. – African American Proverb

 

Life is short and full of blisters. – African American Proverb

 

Love don’t love nobody. – African American Proverb

 

Love many, trust few and always paddle your own canoe. – African American Proverb

 

Mama’s baby…Papa’s maybe. – African American Proverb

 

Maternity is a matter of fact, paternity is a matter of opinion – African American Proverb

 

Mothers raise their daughters and let their sons grow up. – African American Proverb

 

My great-grandmother would say, every closed eye ain’ sleep and every goodbye ain’ gone, which means that things aren’t always what they seem. This proverb lets us know that people are always watching our actions. – African American Proverb

 

Nothing can suffice a person except that which they have not. – African American Proverb

 

Nothing ruins a duck but its bill. – African American Proverb

 

Occasionally a man with a right smart education can’t find his knife when it gets in the wrong pocket. – African American Proverb

 

Old Satan couldn’t get along without plenty of help. – African American Proverb

 

Old used-to-do-it-this-way don’t help none today. – African American Proverb

 

One monkey don’t stop no show! – African American Proverb

 

Practice what you preach. – African American Proverb

 

Romance/ without finance/ don’t stand a chance. – African American Proverb

 

Rooster makes mo’ racket dan de hen w’at lay de aig. – African American Proverb

 

Talkin’ ’bout fire doesn’t boil the pot. – African American Proverb

 

Tell me whom you love, and I’ll tell you who you are. – African American Proverb

 

The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice. – African American Proverb

 

The more arguments you win, the less friends you will have. – African American Proverb

 

The rainbow might be better lookin’ if ’twasn’t such a cheap show.

– African American Proverb

 

The squirrel can beat the rabbit climbing a tree, but then the rabbit makes the best stew that sort of equalizes the thing. – African American Proverb

 

The very time I thought I was lost, my dungeon shook and my chains fell off.

– African American Proverb

 

The worm don’t see nothing pretty in the robin’s song. – African American Proverb

 

To this very day, my grandfather reminds me not to be naïve or gullible by telling me don’t take no wooden nickels. – African American Proverb

 

Using an analogy from needlework, my great-grandmother used to tell my mother to knit and tuck, meaning that as you work and go about your daily life, you should constantly save or ‘tuck’ something away for hard times. – African American Proverb

 

Wagon makes the loudest noise when it’s goin’ out empty. – African American Proverb

 

We ain’t what we want to be; we ain’t what we gonna be; but thank God, we ain’t what we was. – African American Proverb

 

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. – African American Proverb

 

When it rains, it pours. – African American Proverb

 

When the bait is more than the fish, ’tis time to stop fishing. – African American Proverb

 

You Smell Like Outside. – African American Proverb

 

You’ve got to work twice as hard to get half as far as a Black person in white America.

– African American Proverb