February 2022 Edition

Culture & News

A Brief History of Courage

Each of us have a gift -or if you will, a talent. A divine blessing bestowed upon us to use at our will. But are we courageous enough to use these gifts in times of uncertainty? Dictionary.com defines courage as: “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.” ¹ So, courage is an inner light of strength to navigate a brutal sea of darkness. This Black History Month edition will honor three individuals whose courage is a tribute to freedom: Queen Nzinga, Harriet Tubman, and Robert Smalls.     

Queen Nzinga (1583-1663) was born in the region of modern-day Angola. As a child, her father recognized her leadership abilities. He ensured she had the necessary political and military training. She courageously fought against the Portuguese conquest of her nation and established a safe haven for former slaves.   

Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) was born into the American institution of chattel slavery. She escaped and then made multiple returns to the South to free others from captivity. She navigated dangerous escape missions by star constellations and kept a gun on hand. Often, she was called the “Moses” of her people. And there was a hefty bounty placed on her head by slave owners. According to author Sarah Bradford in her book: Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman (1868), Harriet Tubman was invited to the stage play Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Her response was: “No,” said Harriet, “I haint got no heart to go and see the sufferings of my people played on de stage…I’ve seen de real ting, and I don’t want to see it on no stage or in no teater.” ²       

Robert Smalls (1839-1915) was enslaved in South Carolina. He was forced to work as a wheelman for the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. He devised a daring escape plan for his family and fellow enslaved shipmates aboard the Planter, a Confederate gunboat. He successful navigated the boat to freedom. He joined the Union Navy and later became a U.S. Congressman.  

The accomplishments of these heroic individuals is a reminder to be of courage. Happy Black History Month! 

Bibliography

(1) Dictionary.com, Courage (noun), Accessed February 1, 2022 https://www.dictionary.com/browse/courage

(2) Bradford, Sarah. Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman (pp. 18-19). Heraklion Press. Kindle Edition.

Met Museum: Women Leaders in African History Ana Nzinga, Queen of Ndongo (2003)

https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/pwmn_2/hd_pwmn_2.htm

Deadline: Yetide Badaki To Star In African Warrior Queen Nzinga Drama Series In The Works At Starz From 50 Cent, Mo Abudu & Steven S. DeKnight (2021)

https://deadline.com/2021/12/queen-nzinga-yetide-badaki-starz-50-cent-1234892198/

U.S. National Park Service: Harriet Tubman

https://www.nps.gov/people/harriet-tubman.htm

U.S. National Park Service: Robert Smalls

https://www.nps.gov/people/robert-smalls.htm

Art/Film/Literature News

Valentine’s Day  

Valentine’s Day includes the traditional red roses, chocolate, and card giving custom. But what is the origin of this romantic holiday? The holiday has both pagan and non-pagan roots. According to History.com (2022): “The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred…others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia…Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture…” ¹ So, this holiday has an interesting back-story. For those of the Judeo-Christian tradition the approach to this holiday does not involve the worship of a pagan deity. It’s a moment to show love for family and friends, which should be year-long. But honestly, who doesn’t appreciate a bonus day that celebrates the gift of love!            

Here are three holiday books to give you and your little ones the warmth of a loving hug. First, My Baby Loves Valentine’s Day (2020) by Jabari Asim and illustrated by Tara Nicole Whitaker, is an adorable book available in hard cover or kindle format. This is such a delightful and sweet board book, it gave me a toothache! The mommy and daddy make this holiday special for baby. A rhyming storyline and beautiful illustrations.

The Littlest Valentine (2017) by Brandi Dougherty and illustrated by Michelle Todd, is a sweet and cute book available in paperback. Emma Valentine tries to help-out at the family owned gift shop. But each task is too hard for this little one. Soon, she’s “sad and a bit grumpy.” Will an unexpected friend inspire Emma to remain in love with her favorite holiday? A good storyline and cute illustrations. I really like that it featured three generations of family: grandparents, parents, and children.

Granny Twitcholeen’s Valentine’s Day (2017) written and illustrated by Yvonne Lifferth Moore, is a super cute book available in paperback or kindle format. Granny Twitcholeen makes Valentine’s Day cookies for her friends. But will a mishap in the delivery process spoil the holiday? It has a very cute rhyming storyline and pretty pastel illustrations.  

💖Happy Valentine’s Day!           

Bibliography

(1) History.com Editors. “History of Valentine’s Day.” History. A & E Television Networks. Originally published December 22, 2009. Last Updated January 24, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2022. https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2

Business/Non-Profit News

The Newest Barbie

The legendary freedom fighter, Ida B. Wells, has her own Barbie doll. This newest Barbie is a part of the “Inspiring Women Series.” A great gift idea! Ida B. Wells was previously mentioned in the December 2021 Edition (Black Victorians), to view click here

NPR: Journalist Ida B. Wells is commemorated with a Barbie doll for fearless activism https://www.npr.org/2022/01/11/1071885031/ida-b-wells-barbie-doll

Book Review

Black and British

The opportunity to learn about Black History extends beyond the borders of one nation. The book: Black and British: A Short Essential History by David Olusoga (2020, 217 pages, kindle edition) provides the historical background of Black Britons. It begins with the time period of the Afro-Romans in Britain through the current events of today. A few of the topics of discussion are: Aurelian Moors, the Barbados Slave Code, the Industrial Revolution, and Lord Mansfield’s judicial decision (and related content about his grand-niece Dido Elizabeth Belle, a mixed-race woman).

The book is a children’s introductory history lesson. But it can also be read and appreciated by adults. The writing is clear and concise, includes a glossary, and has several photos. The author writes in the afterword: “Black history is global history, as much as British history is global” (kindle p. 212). A great book!           

💖Purchase/Read the book synopsis here

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