Our Spirit Comes From our Ancestors, It's Up to Us to Make the Connection

Someone once said, "...our children hate us because we haven't told them about their ancestors". That someone was, Mia Angelou. 

I have to agree. Many people of African descent have such disdain for their history to the extent that they forbid their children from even talking about the subject. Some of this comes from shame, some from the continuing negative broad brush we've been painted with, and some from rank indifference. 

But, we are not alone when it comes to things in the past we'd like to forget. All civilizations throughout history have had hardships, been defeated in wars, enslaved by conquering enemies, etc. And, even though many countries still suffer some effects of their past, most do not hide the brutal facts from their children. Those discussions become part of the healing process to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself.

The history of the Americas, as it relates to slavery, contains thousands of examples of everything from bravery to ingenuity on the part of Africans, both enslaved and free. We need to take our heads out of the sand and, as the great Olympian Jesse Owens has said, "Find the good. It's all around you. Find it, showcase it, and you'll start believing in it".

This is what we must teach our children.

Michael Baisden Reminds All of US

Black History Means Black Responsibility

The most important lesson we can teach our children during Black History Month is that the color of their skin has an amazing story connected to it that began as the first people to walk the earth, whose technology built the Great Pyramids, and whose strength survived the brutality of slavery and Jim Crow. 

We must use the celebration of Black History Month to challenge them to create their own history. Our legacy only continues through them.

We have to ask ourselves, "Am I raising a future doctor or lawyer, or a future criminal or inmate? Am I setting an example that will create a better husband or wife, or a deadbeat and abuser?"

Parenting and mentoring is a powerful thing, you can nurture a genius or destroy a child's self esteem if you don't take your responsibility seriously.

Black History Month is about Black Struggle and Black Responsibility. Let's honor our ancestors by sacrificing for our children as much as they did for us.

Michael Baisden