Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 2-12-16

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Readers Discuss Celebrating Black History Month
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Born in New Canton, Vir- ginia, Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875 --- 1950) is known as the “Father of Black History Month.”
In 1915, Dr. Woodson and Rev. Jesse E. Moor- land founded the Associa- tion for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), later known as an the Associ- ation for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The purpose of the organization was to research and promote achievements of African Americans.
Dr. Woodson went on to establish National Negro History Week, first cele- brated in February 1926. The time period was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
In keeping with the cele- bration of Black History Month, some Sentinel read- ers shared their comments about celebrating Black His- tory.
The Question of the Week,” posed to them was, “Each February, we celebrate Black History Month, how do you feel about it?”
Rev. Clarence Nathan
said, “While I love to see more attention given to Black contributions to our nation's history, beyond one
REV. CLARENCE NATHAN
month a year, with that said, moving forward, Black His- tory month allow us to showcase Black inventors and a number of items their positive innova- tive contributions made to the technological progress in our nation's history.”
Ms. Denese Meteye James said, “History, this year, is again being made by Black Americans for the first time, the Florida State Fair is offering a ‘Salute to Black History.’
“Of significance to me is the 8-year collaboration be- tween the East Tampa and Middleton High School’s Art Students, as one of the Mu- rals they created of East Tampa is displayed.
“After visiting the Fair on Friday, East Tampa has a lot to be proud of, as many sig- nificant contributions of Black Americans in our com- munity are recognized. This is yet another historic event to be celebrated and appreciated by all and Iamsoproudtobepartof this inaugural celebration.”
Danny Green said, “Black History is a great month, but I think it should be Black History all year round. It’s good for the younger people to keep Black History alive so they can learn and know about Black History.
“But, we should not only teach it in February we should teach Black History all year round because Black History is not taught in most schools now, because Blacks throughout history paved the way for some of the young people to achieve their ac- complishments today. So I don't think we need to wait until February to celebrate Black History Month we should do it all year.”
Ms. Sherna Blair Rich
said, “Though I am extremely grateful for the celebration, I am yet mournful that we deem it both fruitless and unnecessary that our story, not their story, become real only 28 out of 365 days, year after year. It is unfortunate for Young Black America today that our Black Ameri- can History, despite the lives that were lost as well as the gains of our ancestors before
MS. SHERNA BLAIR RICH
us, has been and continues to be shaped by those who cre- ate, write and produce Amer- ican history textbooks and documentaries.
“These are those whom we ourselves have allowed to set a global picture of Black America today, devoid of our vast heritage, which is so full of unimaginable and world- changing accomplishments, that every other ethnic group awaits its opportunity to lay siege upon our community and rob us ‘hand over fist.’”
Ross Anderson said, “It's a great time for every- one in America to take the time out to acknowledge the accomplishments of African Americans in this country.
“But, we must to a better job of making sure that our students know the accom- plishments of some of our very own trailblazers in our community. It's not just about Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but people such as the late
FYI
ROSS ANDERSON
Jetie B. Wilds, Judge George Edgecomb, Robert B. Saunders, and Attorney Delano Stew- art. If you ask the students about these pioneers that they couldn't tell you a thing.”
Dr. Samuel Wright, Sr., said, “I am elated about the celebration of Black peo- ple. We have a history like no other ethnic group in America! To be honest, I make a valiant effort to cele- brate Black History each day Ilive. Iamproudtobea Black man in America and grateful for my deceased par- ents, family members, men- tors and others who made it vogue for me to know, appre- ciate and to love thyself.
“I look forward to the cel- ebration of Black History being planned in Tampa by Marie McKinnon on Feb- ruary 26th. I look forward to seeing you there! Let's really celebrate our Blackness... our Heritage... our Lives!”
Extras Needed
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The first 20 people to purchase the "I Am Standing Firm" t- shirt will be on camera!
Go to http://www.geraldcandersonsr.com/store and make your purchase. Your name will be saved and you will be assured of being in the movie and the credits.
Filming for this scene will be at 6 p. m. on Saturday, Febru- ary 27, 2016 at the Clarion Hotel in Brandon, Florida. For more information please contact Righteous Productions
at 1-877-882-4455 or geraldanderson@righteouspro.com.
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016