Remembering the 2025 Black History Theme, “African Americans and Labor” prompts a consciousness of the innumerable and immense contributions of African Americans, i.e., Negro Slaves and unofficial “Freed-Negro Leaders.” Yet, still today, we (African Americans) are standing in the shadows, and on the shoulders of ALL Negro slaves and unofficially “Freed-Negro Leaders.” The life-time costs paid by Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas, Bill Richmond, and Denmark Vesey and their contributions were beyond exceptional and very expensive. Their “Labor” in efforts to make possibilities of their ‘Dreams and Visons’ for future generations, i.e., US was unquestionable!!! Interestingly, today, the world of ALL origins, races, nationalities, creeds, and ethnicities are also sharing and enjoying the benefits of their ‘Labor’ and often more than US!!!
While it is very tempting to use metaphors to acknowledge the vast inclusion of African Americans in our society today, and/or to reference the “Grand Sweep” as a mile-marker (if you will) to discuss how far we have or have not come, it is yet true that our struggles and fights for Civil Rights continue as fixtures in our daily lives. Certainly, via the laboring costs of the Colored/Negro/Black/African American forefathers/mothers, who were also pathfinders and leaders, made every step forward by the grace of God; their unwavering faith and commitment is proof of their conscious commitment to endure and stay the course. Without a doubt, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Father of Black History Week, which later became Black History Month is listed among those great African American Dreamers and Visionaries of yesterday.
Among ALL of them, we’re assured to acknowledge and celebrate life-changing accomplishments of African Americans such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the great Civil Rights Leader, Preacher and Nobel Prize Winner, George Washington Carver, the Scientist who did amazing things with peanuts and sweet potatoes, Rosa Parks, Mother of the Civil Rights Movement, Ida B. Wells, a Journalist and Civil Rights Activist who was to first to document lynchings of African Americans, and led Anti-Lynching Campaigns, and Madame C. J. Walker, entrepreneur, philanthropist, social activist, and self-made millionaire.
Nationally/Internationally, we continue acknowledging and honoring even more African Americans and their labor; namely, President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama (Respectively), and Vice-President Kamala Harris. Although the aforementioned Dreamers and Visionaries represent only a mere snapshot, a super small snippet of African American Laborers, let the record show that the contributions of African Americans labor parallels, and is synonymous to the unknown/unnamed number that John looked and saw in Revelation 7:9. AMEN. That alone is why it is not enough that we pause to celebrate/remember who we are only in February, we must apply our FAITH to LABOR 365/366/24/7.
In reflection, this Educator recalls one of the encouraging emails from South African Bishop Desmond Tutu. In 2010, Bishop Tutu wrote (quote), “Kathi, I know your research and dissertation process is quite challenging, but keep your faith in God, and stay focus on your work. Remember, without your faith and work, God will NOT, and without God, you CANNOT...but together, you have a winning combination….”
Finally, in the repeated advice/reminder of my mother, Dr. Castell Vaughn Bryant (quote), “… anything of which is too easily acquired and attained, is too lightly esteemed….” Meaning, that of which we work for personally, has more personal value. Readers, I submit to you, BOTH Bishop Tutu, and my mother are RIGHT, and having a consciousness of THAT too, is All About Literacy!!!
Until next month, HAPPY READING!!!
Warm Regards,
Kathi Vaughn-Malpress, Ed.D.