The month of February brings to mind so many holidays and events: Valentine's Day; Presidents Day, celebrating the birthdays of two great American presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln; as well as African-American History Month. I have enjoyed the privilege of traveling to Mount Vernon on several occasions and of seeing the Lincoln Memorial; Ford's Theater, where Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth; and the pillow on which Lincoln's head rested when he died.
In my opinion, there's too much of a push for folks to want to rewrite history because someone is offended. I have three words for you: "Get over it!" Stop whining. I have never been able to bear a tattletale or a whiner. They both get on my last nerve. The world has never been perfect and never will be, but we can do the best we can with what we have where we are. A group of individuals who did this for decades were African American educators who were part of segregated schools.
These individuals, like all educators in that day, were held to a higher standard in the community. They were positive role models for many young people who followed them. They truly taught children, not only academics, but social skills and life skills. These African American educators worked in schools that were separate, but certainly not equal to those of their white colleagues. They labored and moved generations of students forward, many becoming productive and prominent citizens.
In my own small community of White Springs, I think of the late Sadie Williams Turner, the late Dorothy L. Bryant, the late E.W. Graham, Sr., the late Mary Graham, the late Rosa Jefferson Roundtree, the late Mary McKire, the late Sally Reddick and many others who taught in all African American schools before desegregation. These highly respected members of the community were great educators and wonderful workers in their churches and in the community.
If a student, regardless of race, got in trouble at school, the news of the trouble traveled home and "home" supported the school. My own parents had a message for my brother and me: "The teachers have their educations, but you have to get yours." Before we left home, we were admonished: "Remember who you are." We knew what that meant.
My salute to all these former educators throughout our area whose lives positively influenced the lives of thousands. I remember the lyrics of a song the late Sadie Turner taught her first-grade students for many years. I think it might do children, and possibly even a lot of adults, including our federal and state legislators, a lot of good to learn the song and sing it when they assemble.
"The more we get together, Together, Together.
The more we get together. The happier we'll be.
For your friends are my friends.
And my friends are your friends.
The more we get together the happier we'll be."
From the Eight Mile Still on the Woodpecker Route north of White Springs, wishing you a good day.