By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
What makes race one of the most talked about topics in the United States of America? Why do some let the color of one’s skin stand in the way of their humanity?
If you are African American in this country, race has always mattered. My growing up in the South made race a sticking point in almost everything that you did.
Joyfully and thankfully, we had parents who believed that we could achieve. We developed our self-esteem from watching our parents at home and in the public square. No matter their social position, they moved with confidence and because of them, we did, too.
East Winston in Winston-Salem NC was the community I lived in as I was coming of age.
We had role models that gave us inspiration so that we could have aspiration.
Everything we needed for the most part was in our community.
We had schools, churches, and businesses. However, there were some conveniences that we didn’t have yet, our parents found a way and made a way.
The foundation they gave us was really a blueprint for success. It has remained with us through our adult lives. One of those assets was a love for education.
Our Black History education started in our homes. We learned about men and women in our community who made a difference. Upon reflection now, I know that seeing men like Carl Russell, a Black city alderman and Lester Ervin, a Black fire chief gave me a sampling of what success looked like.
As I progressed in elementary school, I began to quietly wonder why there were only five days (Black History Week) to celebrate the accomplishments of Black people. I wasn’t mature enough yet to have asked my teachers about it.
Black History Week became Black History Month in 1976. History shows that the first official observance came from President Gerald Ford whose words established Black History Month. February was chosen to go along with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
During this month, we hon- or men and women like Dr. Charles Drew, Senator Carol Moseley Braun, Representative Barbara Jordan and Granville T. Woods. There are countless Black people because of their creativity, perseverance and wisdom that made this nation a better, more enriched place to be.
For example, when we are driving our cars, remember that Garrett Augustus Morgan invented the traffic signal and the gas mask. Dr. George Washington Carver discovered over 300 uses of peanuts and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was the founder of Bethune Cookman College, now University in Daytona Beach Florida.
The importance of our history cannot be overstated or taken for granted.
Obstacles and oppression did not deter these great men and women from creating their masterpieces. Against all odds is a time-honored expression that I believe is synonymous with our history.
African American parents and grandparents have a moral calling to teach our children and grandchildren their history. It must begin early in their lives. We can’t and shouldn’t depend upon schools for these early learnings. For example. We must take them to explore Black artifacts and venues. We must take them to see Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
February is one of twelve months that Black History should be honored and high-lighted. We stand on the shoulders of our ancestors. There could be no Michael Jackson without there first being Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. There could be no Kamala Harris without there first being Shirley Chisholm. Our roots of excellence run deep, and we must keep our history in America’s history as they are both inextricably tied together.
There are some politicians who we know are trying their best to marginalize us. We cannot and will not let that happen. Generations not yet born are depending upon us.
As we attend our celebrations, let us be reminded of our civic duty and that is to vote in the November presidential election. We have a voting history in this country, and we must continue it.
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a long-time educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. One of the top tennis players in the state, he was inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in January 2021. A graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, he received his M. A. degree in Education from Catholic University in Washington, DC, and Ed. D. degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA. He has also done post-doctoral studies at Harvard University and Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
