OPINION: Black history, experienced and studied for a lifetime

 At an early age the writer came to realize he was part of a single-parent, but multi-generational family. There was his mother and three older siblings in one house, while the three of them were cared for by their mother’s elderly friends, whom they called “Blanch and Dad.” In addition to their treating them like their grandchildren, the church family across the street treated them with love. By his sixth birthday, he also had friends at the all-Black school. 

The family spent a great deal of time listening to Black music on the radio and recorded discs. Within a year, he joined the rest of the family, and the Black community, picking cotton. 

In 1952, he joined his mother and “Dad” rooting for Adlai Stevenson and the Democrats at their convention. Three years later, at the age of 13, the events surrounding the murder of Emmett Till and the subsequent trial captured the attention of the whole family. 

Those lived experiences helped steep the writer in Black culture. That made it easier for him to have a hunger for knowledge of his culture. They also helped buttress him from some aspects of white racist culture. In addition to that, for 11 years we were exposed to Negro History Week programs in high school and to a course in Negro History at Jackson State College.

Today, he remembers and reflects on this combination of experiences as he listens to the frustrations and concerns of individuals who have become aware of the importance of understanding Black history and of the lack of this understanding on the part of so many fellow citizens. He shares their concern and the willingness to help others to become informed.

On the other hand, he cautions against the frustration. He realizes how mis-educated he had been going through school, even with one-dimensional Negro History Week programs. But he also realizes the role that living the Black experience can have at this late date in orienting or psychologically preparing one to understand Black history when it is presented.

Rather than giving in to frustration, it is important to recognize the levels of consciousness that can and do exist, even among those who consider themselves “informed.” The writer realizes that he learned a great deal of Black history as a result of being “invited” to teach a course to his students at Immaculate Conception High School; that he learned a great deal more when he was a doctoral student at the University of Washington and decided to develop his dissertation on racism and powerlessness as problems facing Black Americans. Finally, he realizes that there is always more Black history to learn. 

As dedicated advocates of Black history, let us recognize and work diligently with our brothers and sisters on their paths of development, no matter how distant they may be. 

The writer has experienced Black history as he has lived. Many others can be in similar or very different boats. He has learned Black history as he has come across new facts and truths and when he has been confronted with new challenges and conditions. He prays all of this for sincere fellow travelers and welcomes the same. It is, in fact, the only sure way that we can all become truly liberated.