I was just doing some research on black history and there is a lot of really interesting stuff out there. I suggest that you trying searching ‘black history month’ on the web and see what you get.

There is a reference book here in the library called African American Holiday Festivals and Celebrations by Kathleen Gay. It is located in the reference section on the main floor. The call number is 394.26 GAY

Another source is INSPIRE that will take you to different articles about the topic. You can get to INSPIRE on the library website. If you have any trouble using it, call or email a reference person here at the library.

OR maybe Jerry will read this comment and give us a quick tutorial. (hint hint, Jerry!) :) (Jerry takes good care of us)

Anyhooo… I am very interested in what you have to say on this topic! Have a great day!

— Shonica    Dec 27, 01:34 PM    #

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Just letting everyone know the essay contest entry form is now posted!

— Jerry    Jan 9, 01:59 PM    #

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It is when the meager voice of a man is heard by many. It is when the actions of a single man open the eyes of his community. Like the exalted sails on a boat, the individual pushed by winds of morality and hope can set a new course for society. Without the wind, without the moral passion and faith, the sails cannot take the boat anywhere, but with these elements the boat can be sailed to the shores of enlightenment and then it is known that an individual can change society.
Within every individual there lies a conscience with moral values because it is in the mind where actions originate. Religious beliefs, parental teachings, and even events can contribute to crafting anyone’s moral code. Individuals like Martin Luther King were advocates for equality and justice. His Christian beliefs and even the Emancipation Proclamation were the foundations of his moral codes. So to him, racial inequality and injustice was worth fighting for and so his actions represented. This individual’s ideas and perspective contrasted with that of his society and so his goal became to enlighten it.
Every human being has different beliefs and humans cannot read each other’s minds, so an individual by simply thinking about what’s right and wrong cannot bring enlightenment to a society. The individual must act because through actions others can see either madness or reason. If it wasn’t for Martin Luther King’s many boycotts and compelling words, his society might not have seen such a righteous perspective revealed. With his words he made known not only his plight with society but he also exposed many goals he had for his society, for example, his hope that one day his children would not “be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” The only question then, was whether or not the society understood. The answer to that questions arrived as segregation laws became laws of the past and as mankind made a step toward racial equality. The society had changed with the presence of the motivated individual who was unafraid to act.
A boat without a sail just bobs upon the waves and it is taken nowhere as an ignorant society only remains ignorant without an inspired individual to teach them. However, when a motivated individual presents him or herself to their society through their actions, the society can learn something and so the boat with a sail and good strong winds to push it can travel to enlightenment and change.

— Daniel Poku    Jan 11, 11:51 PM    #

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“A day in Black History”

In my opinion, Harriet Tubman, (born Araminta Ross) made one of the best contributions to society. She taught us to strive through life’s greatest challenges. Harriet was a strong enslaved African-American woman, born in Dorchester County, Maryland. The labors and sacrifices on behalf of her race were beyond measure. She fought many political wars, from slavery to women’s rights. Harriet was an intriguing pioneer, which leads me to believe she was one of the most valuable people to influence today’s society. While being a slave Harriet experienced insurmountable trials and tribulations. She was beaten by her owners since early childhood. When she was twelve years old an angry slave owner accidentally threw an iron weight at her head, (aiming for another slave). That incident caused Garriet to suffer life long head trauma. As a result of the head trauma she endured disabling seizures, sever headaches, illusions, and hypersomnia. She also had visions. With her being christian, she believed the visions were premonitions from God. After Harriet eacaped from slavery to Philadelphia she became known for her bravery for returning back to Maryland to rescue her family and many others. These rescues were the inception of the underground railroad. She freed over three hundred slaves with the underground railroad. The underground railroad was informal network of secret route and safe haouses used by nineteenth centur slaves to escape to free states, or as far north as Canada. It was supported by othe abolitionist and quakers. Harriet earned te name “Moses,” and never lost a passenger. When her passengers obtained freedom she assisted them with finding employment. Harriet and her undergroung railroad were greatly appreciated, so appreciated that when slaveholders offered a forty-thousand dollare reward for the capture of Harriet, no one even considered turning her in, which again proves her great valve. Not only did she lead the path of the underground railroads, she also begun the path to freedom that African-Americans experience today. Harriet was a humanitarian, she believed all human-beings should be treated with respect and dignity. Believing in equality lead her to become active in The Women’s Suffrage Movement, where she fought for women’s rights. She also participated int eh civil war where she worked as a cook, a nurse, an armed scout, and a Union spy. Unbeknowst to many, she was the first wonam to lead an armed expedtion, like the raid on The Combahee River. That raid freed over seven hundred and fifty slaves. Harriet died in 1913. Not only do I honor the memory of Harriet Tubman, for she was buried with military honors. A large bronze was placed at the Cayuga County Courthouse on June14, 1914 in her honors. The liberyt ship was named “Harriet Tubman.” In the summer of 1944 Freedom Park in Auburn, New York, was also a tribute to her memory. Harriet was honored by the Federal Government in 1955 with a postage stamp, showing her proud face and legendary name.There are only some of the things that honor Harriet, there are much more. Her memory will not stop there, but continue to be honored many years after today. An icon of American courage, determination, and freedom is what I believe Harriet to be. Her drive and motivation to carry out a most desired task is why I believe her to be a success in society. If not for Harriet’s influence in the American society people such as: Marin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandella, Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, and Collin Powell would not be recognized. She blazed a trail in which soiety is following today. Although, I do not feel that Harriet Tubman is as honored as she should be, this is how and why I believe she is invaluable. She was a woman who not only stood up for her fellow African-Americans, but she stood up for the right to be treated equal as a woman. Harriet Tubman fought to improve everything that I believe is important with how I am living today. Therefore, she became my favorite African-American to contribute to society. I also wish to one day help make an impression on things that are influential to society, as Harriet Tubman did.

— Adrienne Norris    Feb 29, 08:39 PM    #

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