Grandmas are so cool!

Last Sunday, my grandma was charged with the assignment of making a Black History presentation to our church congregation.  In her beautiful traditional African attire, she makes some brief opening comments, reads a nice poem by family friend Dr. Mona Lake Jones, and then begins to read the following piece that she indicated was very, VERY special to her.  It was featured February 14, 1994 in familiar hometown publication called The Columbian:

Black History Month Offers Challenge

February is the annual observance of Black History Month.  It produces a variety of negative reactions in its observers.  First, there are those who use the sentiment as a weapon to push their own personal causes.  There are also those who celebrate it as a divisive force, a kind of blockade from a unified country.  And sadly, there are those who use it to offer reparations for the past and its cruel, unfair society.

Abusing Black History Month has gotten us nowhere.  It has warped our desire for peace and harmony, and it has actually kept African-Americans from enjoying their long-awaited freedom

No one is completely to blame, and yet everyone nust be held accountable.  We have attitudes that produce actions that are not always in the best interests of ourselves, our culture, our nation.  To be "free at last", as the beloved Dr. King declared, means we must accept the responsibility of free America and understand that it is the land of liberty and justice for all.

The rapid resegregation by choice in schools and housing areas causes me to realize that it is time to make a definie change, and seek a new direction.  A direction that is truly free, including being free from hatred and hostility.  Only this kind of freedom will allow us to develop all our talents and potential.  When we begin to focus on our strengths and positive contributions, then others will be less likely to call attention to our weaknesses.

The past is done.  Our responsibility is to know it well so that its errors are not repeated.  We need to know what was done in order to build a better country for ourselves and others.  Black History Month is a good time for celebrating the achievements of the African-American heritage.  It is a time that Afircan-Americans can reminsce the triumphs and contributions of their forebearers, but more importantly, it is a time to move forward in order to make life better for future generations.

Black History Month is no time to exhibit hatred and disgust toward anyone.  It is, rather, a time to renew values and traditions that will make us strong and improve our chances for success.  Nowhere is it required that we be everybody's best friend, but it should be understood that we are all roommates on this earth.  So why not just get along?

There is no time better than Black History Month to prove that we can indeed all get along.

By --- Me!

I wrote that?  I had no recollection of it and was completely shocked when at the end of the reading, she announced that I, her granddaughter, penned the article.  Who knew my grandmother held on to a piece I'd written over a decade ago?!!

You see why grandmas are SO COOL?!  They have an awesome way of archiving our life's memories and then finding appropriate times to celebrate and re-celebrate them.

My sweet devilish grandma  is 73 years young, and she continually finds unique ways to remind me why I love her so much!!!  Gosh, I do love this woman.