Hello Everyone! I’m back and wanted to share a quick blog entry in honor of Black History Month! I was so elated this year to see this, as the internet said it “HER-story” in the making with our first Black, South-Asian descent Vice President Kamala Harris! And to those that walked before her like Shirley Chisholm and Ruby Bridges just to name a few…I’m incredibly honored to be a black woman with ancestry of culture, power, and fight to keep going and to be recognized as equal to all human beings. I see us breaking glass ceilings, diversifying education and organizations, and opening doors that were at one point closed for us. And it’s just a sight to see. My daughter will grow up in a tougher world than when I was a kid, but she will have the teachings to know that she can be anything she wants to be in this world and will shed her light on others who are fortunate to walk her path.
Black History Month celebrates the brightened paths that men and women of color chose for us and also signifies the importance of never forgetting where we came from to get to where we are today. The year 2020, shook the foundation of this country as we saw time and time again the hurt, pain, and fight in us caused by police brutality and racial injustice. The fight continues today, but I believe amid darkness we can find the light and become Black History in the Making.
And all we have to do is look into the details of our own lives, to see how we are impacting others and shining our lights. Light is seen in a woman named Rosa Parks, who simply chose to not give up her seat because she knew she mattered. Light is seen in Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Treyvon Martin who was murdered for simply walking while black. Sybrina chose to turn the pain of losing her son into power by running for public office in Florida to create change. Light is seen in recognizing that every vote counts as Stacey Abrams took a stand against voting disparities in the black community to change the state of Georgia from red to blue in the 2020 elections. Light is seen in my father, Paul W. Johnson, who marched for the integration of schools in Washington, D.C so that I could have a solid education with a B.S. and M.A. degree from the universities I chose to attend.
The brightness that is within us can impact many or just a few of those around us. It means playing and laughing with your family to create memories. During a pandemic, it means teleworking from home and helping your kids with their schoolwork and homework at the same time. It may mean starting a business, pressing your way into work every day, or supporting a friend or family member who is going through challenging times. We all can shine bright and become a part of Black History.
And yes, I’m aware there is more influence beyond the measures of color. However, I just want to take a moment to be grateful for our Black History…the black men and black women who have and will continue to shine bright. So what if I don’t have a million followers on my blog and I may not get to touch every person’s resume out there lol, but I make a difference to my clients, my family, others within my circle, and myself. I am Black History in the Making!
In loving memory of Paul W. Johnson, Sept. 27, 1933 – Sept. 19, 2020.
Comments