Falling in Love with Black History
- Sha'Malia Willis
- Feb 18
- 3 min read
Black History is not just a collection of past events; it is a vibrant tapestry woven from the stories of resilience, creativity, and power. Each thread signifies a person or moment that has contributed to shaping the African American experience and the very fabric of our world today. Exploring Black History opens pathways for empathy, learning, and growth, revealing narratives rich in cultural depth and significance.
February is such a beautiful month to be reminded of the LOVE that binds us together. As well as the strength, perseverance, and triumphs that make our Black History so rich.
Get me right, Black History is 365; it’s just turned up without interruption in February.
Being reminded and saying the names of those that sacrificed and paved the way for unborn generations to be educated, appreciated, celebrated and free is a wondrous feeling.
Those strong men and women sacrificed for children they didn’t bear, children they would never meet, and indeed knew YOU WERE WORTH IT!
Now we must do something with the sacrifice.
We must honor those who came before us by taking our rightful place.
February is a month of LOVE
The love
The love of our ancestors
The love of our ancestors who came before us
The strength of our Kings and Queens
We have that same Love & Strength running through our veins
In your hands you carry the building blocks to educate
Like Bethune did with five students and a $1.50 budget, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune
started the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls
In your feet you carry the fortitude of Evers and Lewis. Medgar Evers, John Lewis
In your heart you carry the beat of Jamison Judith Jamison
In your sight you carry the trailblazing spirit of Jemison Mae Jemison
In your voice you carry the passion of Hughes Langston Hughes
"Hold Fast to Dreams"
You carry the Bravery of the Freedom Riders
and those who joined the cause like Trumpauer-Mulholland Joan Trumpauer Mulholland
The heroism of Black men and women who served in
World War II, despite unfair treatment like
The Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps
You carry:
Tubman's will to save more than yourself Harriet Tubman
Wells Will to Advance the people and fight for equality Ida B. Wells
Chisholm’s Courage to go first Shirley Chisholm
Bridges stick-to-itiveness Ruby Bridges
Malcolms boldness Malcolm X
Carvers witty ideas and creative inventions George Washington Carver
Truths voice Sojourner Truth
Dr. Heights leadership Dr. Dorothy Irene Height
Dr. Martins bravery to stand up in the face of evil Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Mayas wisdom Dr. Maya Angelou
Smiths Philanthropic muscles and building blocks Robert Frederick Smith
The fearlessness of Coleman Bessie Coleman
And the Impact Winfrey Oprah Winfrey
You Possess The Same Strength
Strength that is used to lift up a head that is down trodden.
If you knew where you came from, you would hold your head up, as I know you do
You would acknowledge the beauty of those in passing, as I know you do
You would cherish every individual around you, as I know you do
You would compliment your sister and uplift your brother, as I know you do
You would meet people where they are and celebrate their progress, as I know you do
You would unapologetically focus on your focus and play your role while allowing others to do the same, as I know you do
We stand on the shoulders of the greats. The wisdom they left behind allows us to pick up the baton where it was laid and catapults us to “living our best lives NOW” leaving behind within every footstep, wisdom and perseverance for the next generation to glean from, the kind that will allow them to stand taller, and more stable, on these our broad shoulders.
Go love and be loved, Go in the Strength of the ancestors who have gone before you, and in the strength of a God that will never fail.
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