It's been a long time ...

 February 2024

Black History is American History

In a New York Times article from February 25th, 2021 by Veronica Chambers, a quote resonated with my 2024 self:

Dr. [Carter G.] Woodson believed that “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.” To that end, he asked his Omega Psi [Phi] Fraternity brothers to join him in the work of spreading the importance of Black history.

In 2002 as a public school teacher, every year from September through the end of the school year in June, I posted in the center above my blackboard (and eventually a whiteboard) the message:  Black History is American History, 365 Days.

At some point during the early months of the school year adults and students alike sometimes asked about the message or would acknowledge the message.  There were always a few who wanted to challenge the message.  I never backed down.  

I only had one principal to ask me to take it down since Black History was only celebrated in February.  I did not remove the message.  I explained that Black history is very much American history and went into a litany of well known American history events that included people of color from the beginning of what would become America. 

If anyone stared long enough at the message, I would share bits of history many, Black or White, did not know was common knowledge among better informed people (especially Black people).

Which brings me to Black History Month.  Growing up in a home with parents who graduated from historically black colleges and universities and with two bookshelves lined with Carter G. Woodson's Journal of Negro History, black history was everyday. The tomes held dense, specific writing that often required explanation of parent to child. Black History Week was celebrated at school. 

Woodson sometimes used drawings published by the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, an organization he founded, to attract readers. (The ASNLH was later renamed Association for the Study of African American History) The annotated comic book-like drawings were far easier to understand and geared for school children and adults.  

(Those years "Negro" was the more common term to identify people of color. "Colored" was also commonly used.  Once when I was a teen, I was called a "darky," while browsing in a dress shop. I don't think I have to even mention how callously the "n" word was thrown around.)

Today, unless you live in a predominantly white influenced community it is not hard to find resources of black American influence from food, fashion, businesses, to technology.  And black history as American history is indeed becoming common knowledge, bit by bit. 

I'm looking forward to going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC to see the art exhibition of The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism opening February 25th-July 28th, 2024.  Art of Harlem Renaissance & Modernism

13th amendment

Wandering around New Orleans

Summer 2015

NOLA City Park -- Caught the Charles Street Trolley on Canal Street to take the line to City Park!  A 20-minute ride that only cost a regular $1.25 fare and a senior citizen fare of $. 40!   What a treat!  The streetcar rides down the middle of the street, and the driver rings a bell that sounds just like it probably did in the '30s and '40s to alert riders to the next stop.  Our destination was at the end of the line, where we disembarked.

A fun ride!   Then we crossed to street to read the directory.

A painting of the street car.

               

The park has amazing views, flora, pathways,  and wildlife.

 


















Later that day, we wondered through the French Quarters after dark.   Walked past crowds captured by tour guides doing their best to spin tales of Haunted New Orleans!  Adding to the spooky environment was a shadow cast behind St. Louis Cathedral!

So much to do!

Recently read about the private-public police force deployed in the Quarters (Street Sweeper by David Amsden, New York Times Magazine, August 2, 2015). I had wondered about the  blue light vehicle we had noticed during our walk about, and had thought it was a private public collaboration-- an interesting idea.  Their presence added to the feeling of safety as we casually wandered around New Orleans.

                                                                           

Love NOLA!

 

Hurry Came Sandy: Or, getting ready ahead of a hurricane -storm

Uh, oh! Just lost a tophat from the chimney!!       

Storm tracking -- Sandy is a late season storm (late October) that has become a menace to the east coast as a result of a deep cold front and a yielding jet stream, coinciding with a full moon causing high tides.

          Oh, what fun! (sarcasm)

This year, though, the residents who lay in the path forecast appear to be taking heed and evacuating or buying flash lights (can't find D batteries any where), buying water (I bottled my own and filled my bath tub), buying generators, stocking up on non-perishable food items (planning to eat up all the perishable stuff soon), and checking on friends and medication.  Most people are bracing for at least a week of inconveniences in the aftermath of the storm.  Most have vivid memories of the Oct. 30th, 2011 freak snow storm and before that the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.  Weeks of disrupted services, the high cost of clean-up and repair, all cobbled with everyday distress.




Yesterday, searched for inexpensive (cheap) gas and a friend told me there was a Delta station close-by with gas for $3.15!   Found it.  Had to wait in a line about 15 minutes. Haven't had to wait in lines that long in a quite a while.  Gas prices along the way ranged from $3.84, average was $3.47, then down to $3.39 and $3.33.

 

So, what happens next?

I think we (the residents) at least raised a few questions for the Zoning Board members. Hopefully, they are more on our side and not for the Love of Jesus Family Church.

The next meeting is September 20th - which is when I expect a decision will be made. In the meantime, I guess I need to make some phone calls.

Vote NO! -- Highland Avenue Residents tell Zoning Board

July 12, 2010 -- For nearly three steamy hours a capacity crowd at City Hall listened as residents who live on or near Highland Avenue spoke against the application by The Love of Jesus Family Church to build a mega-church and social service facility in the neighborhood.

Those in favor of granting the application were members of the church; a few who live in Orange, either in apartments or a few in one of the many single family homes. They spoke in terms of the ministries that the church offered, and that residents should not focus on "things" or "ownership." Most, did not live in Orange. Yet they told how they brought their children to the church from their towns of Newark, East Orange, Irvington, and as far as Pennsylvania to "raise their children in a place of God". They came to the quiet stability of a residential neighborhood and its ambiance. They spoke with passion to belittle the importance of paying city taxes.

As much as I am pained by taxes, taxes pay for the community, the schools, and the services, and must be paid. Since I moved to Orange, taxes have tripled.

I was annoyed by the more than borderline righteousness of their members claiming that their membership gives back to our community. They take more than they give.

Those of us opposed to the application pointed to our high (and consistently rising) property taxes, reduction in services provided by our city because of budget cuts, rising costs, and wanting our AA rating to be respected, to remain a residential neighborhood. The only ratables we are zoned for are single family homes. We bought our homes in the neighborhood for the backyards, the ambiance, our friends and families who already lived here. We attend our churches, in Orange and elsewhere - none of which are interrupting residential neighborhoods -- and what! there are other churches in Orange with community ministries. LOJFC does not have the lock on prayer and service to Orange

The zoning meeting was a reunion of sorts for many of us, who sent our children to the public schools, volunteered as scout leaders, served on the school board, attended council meetings, little league games, bike round ups, saw each other at the Y or the Library, and carpooling to activities. Like many families we bonded through school and club activities as well as church activities. Not necessarily LOJFC activities.

This has been a call to action for the neighborhoods!!

I know many residents who want to leave Orange now because it has disappointed in the implied promise of maintaining the residential neighborhoods and schools and expected services. Areas are zoned to create quality living spaces, business areas, and open spaces for quality of life. LOJFC will not help reduce taxes or improve the schools or community services that make the neighborhood nice.

There are still many residents who envision Orange as a family friendly community and many residents who moved to Orange for the resources, and its neighborhoods. Build mixed income affordable single family homes instead -- build and they (taxpayers) will come.

Should the Zoning Board not listen to its taxpayers and vote contrary to our stand there will be more bitterness and resentment among homeowners -- not apartment dwellers -- more homeowners than the Zoning Board, the City Council, and the Mayor can imagine.

Neighbors gather to be One Voice!

10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 26, 2010 neighbors (from Central Av to Sterling Av) met at the vacant lots site on Highland Avenue to share conversation about the request and plans for The Love of Jesus Family Church (which already has a church nestled between apartment buildings on the block between Lincoln and Highland Terrace) to build another church (a mega-church) and community center in our quiet, tree-lined, neighborhood.

There are NO ADVANTAGES for our neighborhood to have a(nother) church and community center here --- Their presence will not REDUCE our property taxes; will bring more (undesirable) traffic; further spoil the ambiance and OUR SENSE OF COMMUNITY!

Read about Orange, NJ --

http://www.ci.orange.nj.us/history_main.html

http://jbc07050.blogspot.com/