Baltimore Weekend: Blacks in Wax

This past weekend, I came to the Baltimore area for two purposes. One was to attend a church convocation and the other was to visit some sites significant to African Americans in one way or another. After plans fell through for some of the sites I wanted to see, I decided it wasn't a bad idea at all to revisit The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum.

I had been several times, the last time, (I think) back in 2009 or so with my 6th grade students.

Each time I go, it's a revival of juxtaposed emotions, anger and pride. Anger because of what our ancestors went through at the hands of racist white supremacists (Redundant? Maybe. So what.) AND at the hands of fellow blacks. Reflections of pride because of those who refused to be oppressed in their minds! (Could haul off and go off on a huge tangent there, here in 2015, but not right now). While manacles and torture may have enslaved our ancestors physically, many risked life and limb to free themselves in their mind (attitude) and some, as we all know, even freeing themselves out of their physical condition by escaping northward!

Nothing I post here can capture The National Great Blacks in Wax experience. Nevertheless, here are some pictures that, admittedly (and intentionally) don't do the museum justice. I want you to make this place one of the places you visit and soon!!

Their website - http://www.greatblacksinwax.org/

Below the deck of a slave ship 

Blacks in wax

The Johnson House

I sat and pondered about some of the "Black History" significant sites that I'd like to visit at some point, some  this summer and others throughout the school year to come. Some included places where tragedy struck including the Lorraine Hotel (now a museum) where Dr. King was killed and the16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, the site of the September, 1963 Sunday School bombing where four black girls were killed.

As I sat, thought, calculated, I decided that I would jump in my car and head about 20 minutes (on a good day) up the road to Germantown Avenue right here in Philly to the Johnson House, a well established historical site and former station on the Underground Railroad. I'm glad that I did.

I even lent my voice in knowledge of my ancestral heritage to the two ladies with whom I was touring; very nice ladies from Montgomery County.

It was a great learning experience and I'd love to revisit, learn more, and even take a few folks with me! (You ready 207?)

Check them out here -- http://www.johnsonhouse.org/

Quil Lemons, Photographer Extraordinaire!!

His name is Quil Lemons. He’s 18 years old and fine example of a young black man doing some good in the hood!

Quil and his camera work wonders and those wonders were on display at the James Oliver Gallery on the 700 block of Chestnut Street here in Philly!

After ascending Jacob’s ladder, an unending and very steep stairway to heaven, I quickly discovered the climb was worth it! I beheld white walls awash with Quil’s photographs, on display for all of the guests take in. Pictures of young men, young ladies, objects, and an object of his affection, his sister, Zuri!

I eventually made my way to introduce myself to mister picture-taker extraodinaire, mentioning that his mother and I went to school together and that I was proud of what he was able to accomplish!

During the evening I made my way to James Oliver, the owner of the gallery and thanked him for giving Quil the opportunity to showcase his talents. While it may not have been my place to thank him, I felt like I needed to do so on behalf of young black men everywhere who are making a fine mark on the world with our talents and abilities, one way or another! I informed him that I read the piece on Fox29’s website and appreciate the focus on the positive contributions of our youth to society at large!

FOX 29 News Philadelphia | WTXF-TV

As I sat and munched on the hors d’oeuvres that were available, I noticed Quil doing “Quil”, snapping candid shots of the guests he knew. As he snapped, I got a quick snap in myself, a pic of him getting pics!

Capturing young ladies seated just outside of the picture!

All the best to Quil and big ups to mom, Jade and grandmom for raising a great kid!! Now, on to New York for college!!

Related:
Young, black, male, and plays classical!!

Re: The Suburban Station Violinist

No, I REALLY can't breathe!!

It was sickening to learn that a grand jury, yet again, decided not to indict a white police officer on charges in the death of an unarmed black man, one, Eric Garner. Despite what was seen in the video and the medical examiner's report, no indictment....again!

Last night, as I learned of the inaction taken by the grand jury, my thoughts raced all over the place as I decided not to entrench myself in what normally would have been a twitter tirade complete with hashtag activism and the retweeting the words that were in my head but couldn't come out the way I wanted!

I just couldn't and still can't seem to....breathe!

Even this post could go on and on and on and on and on and ON!!! But I really need to sit back and catch. my. breath!

3rd Grade Perspective on Race

During our Social Studies period, the kids and I were having a discussion on the the colonies and the founding of Jamestown. Because the history that is taught tends to be lopsided, I infused in that same conversation how the Europeans of the day treated the Native Americans and how many African men, women, and children were forced over to the colonies.

I also mentioned that those of us who are African American in the class (all), were descendants of slaves and that slaves were considered property.

Somewhere during the conversation a kid said,

"That's why we can't come to school and act up because that's just what the white people want us to do. We come here to learn."

This is from an 8 year old black boy. His opinion is real to him and necessitates a conversation and he felt comfortable enough to express that thought to his black male teacher and classmates.

What I didn't do was shoot down his opinion. At 8, he already has some thoughts about how he sees the world. I did address the fact that the racist ones probably would expect that behavior from him and that not all white people are racist.

Biogaphy of Jackie Robinson

A few moments ago I completed one biography of Jackie Robinson, Jackie Robinson: An American Hero by Anne Schraff. This particular biography is written for middle school-level students.

Up until now, I had never sat and read a biography on this great man, Jackie Robinson.  I had learned only tidbits of information on him while in school. So as an adult, I'm choosing to read up on him and others, not just for personal information's sake, but also in preparation to expose my current 5th grade students to pioneers and leaders who are/were of African American descent.

This particular biography, which I purchased through www.townsendpress.com for $1, explores the life of Robinson with just the right amount of information and at just the right pace for students in upper elementary and middle school or even high school. I'm an adult and I learned quite a bit from reading this particular biography.

I did not know that Jackie Robinson was quite skilled at a few sports. In school, we knew him just as a baseball great.

I did not know that he and his wife had a son who struggled with a drug addiction and some personality struggles.

Furthermore, I learned that Jackie Robinson considered himself a liberal Republican and often worked, politically,  on behalf of the Republican party at a time when most African Americans identified with the Democrats.

I enjoyed learning about Jackie Robinson in greater detail than what was covered in school, during Black History Month. As a result of reading this particular version of his biography, I'm inspired to read other versions.

The author of this particular biography, Anne Schraff, has authored several books geared toward adolescence that do not disappoint. For those who enjoy reading realistic fiction, the plots of which draw readers into the often unstable and complicated world of the American teenager, Schraff along with author Paul Langan, both do a phenomenal job of satiated that desire!