I’m Black and I’m Proud

“The differentness of races, moreover, is no evidence of superiority or of inferiority. This merely indicates that each race has certain gifts which the others do not possess.”

Dr. Carter G. Woodson

This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I got on my soap box. I was general upset with the energy that is put into this holiday. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. absolutely deserves the honor and respect. But it usually doesn’t extend past his day of recognition. There is not a display of energy year round to make his dream a reality. Some things that I say here may offend people, but I don’t care. As a woman, who happens to be black, that lives in America, I have a problem. I have a problem with the way black people are treated in America. And it gets bigger if I look at the way black women, in particular are treated. This is usually when people get upset and bust out the all lives matter talk. No one has every denied that. It is great that people are able to see the big picture, but let’s not miss the details.


We have one national holiday where we honor one man for his contributions to this country in regards to black people. We have one month where we highlight the achievements of black people in this country. And each year they recycle the same facts and the same people. Yet there is so much more black people have contributed and continues to contribute to this country. Why are we not talking about that?

Okay, so if I have a problem, my job is to find the solution or be the solution. I will be the solution. Each week I will post about a little known Black History fact, person or event, including current ones. Whatever I find that educates and intrigues me. And if it is something that you already know, good. If not, even better.

As a black person, I know how diverse and unique we are. I love my culture and my people. I dislike when we are stereotyped by ignorant people, experience discrimination based on passed down racist beliefs and ostracized for our differences. Expected to assimilate to fit in, when what we bring is needed and helps to make this world better. I love the skin I’m in. And if I had to do it all over again, I would want to come back as a black woman with my ex-boyfriend’s hair and a couple inches more on the height ๐Ÿ˜†. Seriously, not joking. And I hope that everyone loves themselves in the same way, no matter what your race is.


So here is a quick Black History fact.


Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson is known as the father of African American History.ย  Dr. Woodson was an author, editor and historian. Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 because he realized that black people’s contributions and history was going to be overlooked and excluded from the history books. In 1926, Dr. Woodson launched Negro History Week observed the second week of February to raise awareness and celebrate Black History.ย  Dr. Woodson wrote over 30 books on Black History including The Mis-Education of the Negro, The Negro in Our History and The Journal of Negro History.


You can read more about Carter Woodson at these links,


https://www.wvstateu.edu/about/history-and-traditions/carter-g-woodson.aspx


https://www.history.com/news/the-man-behind-black-history-month


I am going to be honest, I have not done much research into black history before. The facts I know are the same ones that the majority of the population are familiar with as well. This will be educational and informational for me. I am looking forward to digging in and finding nuggets of Black History that have not really been discussed. If you know any lesser known Black History facts, please don’t hesitate to share them with me. Stay well and whole. Much Loveย  ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿ’š

Write It Down!

You know the infamous saying, “This is going to be my year.” Every year that I used that saying, I can tell you it was not my year! Each year I try to come up with a theme. A way to live my life that honors who I am and who I want to be. A way to specify the type of year I want to have and the way I want to accomplish things. Cute idea, right? I actually think it is, but I lose sight of my theme about 4 months into the year. Or even sooner if I experience a large speed bump in the road. The theme falls by the wayside just like a resolution. Do I plan on getting rid of the theme idea for this year? Nope. I just plan on executing the theme a little differently.

If you are like me, which I am sure about 50% of people are, you don’t write down your goals where you can see them regularly. Your goals are stored in a notebook or a notebook app on your phone. You don’t trot them out often for your viewing pleasure. Your goals may bounce around in your head, occasionally coming to the front as you accomplish one here and there. Yet they are not set in stone or written out where you will see them daily. How can you accomplish something that you are not even aware of?

In one of my previous post there was a link to my article for Vivyd Magazine with ways to keep track of goals completed. And they were good ideas, in my opinion. So this post is just piggy backing on that. If you haven’t read it yet, please do. Here is the link again,

https://www.ebonyoneverything.com/how-did-it-go-year-in-review-vivyd-article/

My favorite tip was the jar. I really liked how it gave you a clear idea of what happened throughout the year. It was all written out. And this is the point I’m trying to make here, don’t just type it, write it. I even heard it suggested that you write your goals daily. I have to be honest I probably won’t do that, but I can commit to writing them out weekly. This will keep my theme and my goals fresh in my mind. Not just an afterthought.

I am journal hoarder ๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿพโ€โ™€๏ธ. I go in the store and I see one I can’t resist and then I add it to my collection. I have gotten better. I can say I haven’t brought one in a few months. Since I have so many, I truly don’t have an excuse for not writing my yearly theme or my goals. Find yourself a journal that is irresistible and use it to write your goals in. Or if you aren’t into journals, get a notebook. I don’t care what method you use, just write. And write repeatedly.

If you have a method that has worked for you, stick to it! It would be greatly appreciated if you share it with me so I can share it with others. I will include it on my next post. It may be just the method for someone else needs. We all learn and do things differently. There is no right or wrong way. Any new tips I come across I will share. This year, I don’t want anyone to get to the end and feel like they haven’t accomplished anything. For one, you will have. For two, it may look different than what you planned and who cares, you still rocked it out! For three, if you don’t write it down, then how will you know? Stay well and whole. Much love ๐Ÿงก ๐Ÿ’š

A Dream Deferred, Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Photo courtesy of K. Wills

“You can kill the dreamer, but you can’t kill the dream.”

 

Today, we as a nation honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King has some well known quotes that we recycle year after year. Words that we should all live by, but only get toted out at the same time every year. Not much as changed from his time here on this Earth til present day. We are still in the fight for equality. This nation, and many others, still have an unprecedented amount of people living in poverty. We are still a nation divided. We are still at war. His dream has not been realized.


I decided to use some of his lesser known quotes this year. Quotes that pertain specifically to the individual. Quotes that make you re-evaluate who you are and who you want to be. Change happens within ourselves and we then go out and change the world.

 

“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.”

 

“Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity.”

 

“There is nothing more tragic than to find an individual bogged down in the length of life, devoid of breadth.”

 

“Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be first in love. I want you to be first in moral excellence. I want you to be the first in generosity.”

 

“A productive and healthy life is not something you find, it is something you make.”

 

“The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.”

 

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”

 

Photo courtesy of K. Wills

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

 

“Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.”

 

“We stand in life at midnight; we are always at the threshold of a new dawn.”

 

Photo courtesy of K. Wills

“My obligation is to do the right thing. The rest is in God’s hands.”

Let’s not live these words, honor Dr. King’s legacy and celebrate our unity only on this day. Let’s strive to live lives of service, greatness, acceptance, peace and love each and every day. I’m not on my high horse, I am speaking to myself as well. It is not too late to make his dream come true. Be well and whole. Much Love ๐Ÿงก ๐Ÿ’š