BLACK HISTORY 2023
Celebrating Young Creators
Social media posts written during Black History Month 2023 focused on seasoned American Black and Brown creators who were and are historic figures. They contributed and continued to engage in American arts, civic, literary, educational, medical, and political arenas. While I and others are remembering and celebrating Black/American history, White politicians and Conservatives are denying that these groups have contributed anything.
Governors, like Ron DeSantis and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, are passing laws to remove scholarly African American work from public schools, school libraries, as well as attempting to remove it from colleges and universities.
Sanders’ executive order suggests that teaching students about Black history and culture indoctrinates students. But her bad-faith characterization is a blatant attempt to silence educators, librarians, and even parents who want their students to learn about Black history and enjoy Black literature. And the wild part is they’re framing this censorship as positive because they supposedly believe discussing racism is inherently racist.
African American students in Alabama walked out of school because they were told to exclude civil rights from their prepared Black History Month program. That not only disrespects, insults, and demonizes these students, but suggests their history could only begin after the 1970s. Yet, there is no move to stop, remove Civil War re-enactments from southern and mid-western states. Double standard. Both sider-ism that serves racists and white supremacist. They see themselves as two groups when they are one. They’re racist who claim to be Christians.
This essay is the first in which I highlight younger creators, people who are in tune with their world artistically, educationally, politically, and socially.
My grandniece, Chelsea Taylor, is American of mixed race — African American and Chinese. She’s always been cognizant not only of her genealogical makeup, but the insidious nature of the world in which she was born.
She expressed that awareness in her book of poems, EVERY SEASON, written at age 11.
Consider this poem:
Chelsea’s poem speaks to the kind of world she believes we should have, one where people respond to one another like “seasons” for in doing so, “there is nothing we can’t overcome at all.” Her “we” includes Black, Brown, White and any other hues. Our differences are enhancements, not detriments and not meant to separate or discourage civil discourse.
Forgiveness is one way in which we, all people, can begin a new conversation, one that will move us toward a better world in which we all gain a degree of peace.
Like many young girls aged 6–16, the cruel assault on the world through over use of pollutants like cars, plastic bags, Styrofoam, gasoline, cigarettes and other similar products is of concern. Chelsea was 11 when she wrote these poems expressing concern for the way we treat one another, our lack of empathy, and irresponsibility towards cleaning up the harm our lifestyles have done in attacking nature. She speaks to these issues here:
What solutions does Chelsea propose? She’s pragmatic, realistic, and recognizes not much is required for the world and its inhabitants to live together with a better quality of life.
In summary, an 11-year-old, now 16, believed and continues to believe it won’t cost millions or even hundreds of dollars to start the process of Humans becoming better individuals; of the world becoming safer. We simple need “Less judgement…stop global warming…think what…little {thing} each of us can do to create “a big change.”
This essay honoring a younger “creator” during Black History Month 2023 is the First of several to come during the remaining days. I AM PROUD to know that this 11-year-old, turned 16 recently, continues to write and participate in teenage activities.
She is an honor student, on the volleyball team, studies ballet, and works part-time. She aspires to become a medical doctor. She’s putting in time, energy, and effort to experience life in preparation for that which she hopes will be her future.
Congratulations Chelsea! Onward and upward.
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https://findingaids.library.emory.edu/documents/marshall1462/
