WS Chronicle

Black History Month: Embrace the Spirit of Black Achievement

To the Editor:

What did the children learn from Black History Month?  Did we lead them to think that having money and the right parents counted the most?

On the other hand, what did adults learn from the life work of those who overcame?

Racism has reared its ugly head in America once again.  The prophetic voices of leaders, educators, and politicians served their generation and rest from their labor.  As a student of history and a gadfly, I question students who attend Winston-Salem State University.  Only a few know the contributions Dr. Simon Green Atkins made on our behalf in the city.

The personal stories of notable persons reveal faith in God and belief in themselves.  Our ancestors embraced a God of the Bible liberated the oppressed.  After the Civil War, children of former slaves discovered freedom and opportunity that America never intended to offer us.  Amid the obstacles, Blacks excelled.

When questioned about his inventions and research with the peanut, George Washington Carver announced, “The Lord has guided me” or “Without my Savior, I am nothing.”  Prophetic voices, challenged the poor, and marginalized to pursuit God-given talents.

Katherine Dunham, famed dancer and anthropologist, founded her own dance company.  She said, “Go within every day, and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out.”

James Weldon Johnson, a polymath extraordinaire, spoke often to inspire a black nation in his tenure as NAACP president.

His words inspired Lorraine Hansberry, who wrote “Raisin In the Sun” years later.  “You are young, gifted, and Black.  We must begin to tell our young, there’s a world waiting for you, yours is the quest that’s just begun.”

The lyrics of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” told us to march “yet with a steady beat.”

Mary McLeod Bethune makes it clearer and declared, “The drums of Africa still beat in my heart.  They will not let me rest while there is a single Negro boy or girl without a chance to prove his worth.”

Are we embracing the Spirit of liberty?  Perhaps this God is waiting for us with light in the dark 21st century at the “path” from which we strayed.

Elder Deborah Dickerson

Winston-Salem 

My legislators are missing in action

To the Editor:

Senators Richard Burr and Tillis and Rep. Virginia Foxx have been spotted regularly in Washington D.C., so we know they are alive and well.

But it appears that none of them will be spotted in the state of North Carolina during the week of congressional break.

We know this because many of us constituents of these legislators weeks ago began requesting a Town Hall meeting. We received either no reply to our multiple requests, or “Sorry he/she  is unavailable.” Then we asked for a small group meeting. Same response. Then some of us asked for a one-on-one meeting: same reply. From all of them.

Nobody likes having to face tough questions from whomever is paying their salary – in this case – we, the taxpayers. But we have a right to ask those questions, and those who work for us have an obligation to answer them. The form letters we receive to our written requests are meaningless, empty statements of platitudes. The Congress people need to meet with us face-to-face and respond to our concerns about the many serious issues that are facing our country.

Their unwillingness to meet with constituents to discuss the frightening, destructive and un-American policies and statements coming from this administration is shameful and cowardly. Republicans in N.C. and across the nation refusing to meet with constituents strongly indicates the power of the growing resistance of the 54 percent of the people who did not vote for this president.

Lois Roewade

Pfafftown

Positive Black men still exist in Winston-Salem

To the Editor:

As an African-American woman myself, I would like to take this moment in time as a “Black History Moment” not only to recognize, but to commend the Black Positive Brothers of Omega Psi Phi, Winston-Salem Chapter and the Mu Psi Chapter brothers of this Black historical Greek Fraternity: Cassius Smith of the Winston Salem Chapter, LeGrand Langford, Jeremy Taylor, Nino Robinson and Ervin McBride IV all of the North Carolina A&T University.

Again, as a Black woman living in a new strange community, a long way from home, with no physical help or good social action community resources for “outreach,” it can be very hard and challenging.

But thanks for the information – the Internet and decent black men within this black historical organization in this area whom was just one phone call away.

Omega Psi Phi and its positive black men pride themselves on community outreach and leadership; along with an outpouring of compassion.  One call was made and the immediate response to the need of community integrity and success was the end result.

All of these positive – do-right  – Black men showed up to help when no one else would; with the right heart and the right mind ready to take on the challenges put before them.

So lastly, this is my small salute and tribute of recognition to the Men in Purple and in the moment of Black History, we should all tip our hats to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity brothers for still doing “The Right Thing.”

Let’s not be so easily deceived. There are still outstanding Black men within the community, ready for the challenge.

Ms. L. D.

Winston-Salem