This weekend was filled with many emotions. Last year while chaperoning my daughter's Student Council trip( this year she's Student Council President), we purchased National Parks Stamp books. There's a list of every National Park, Monument, Civil War, Trail of Tears etc..., location throughout the U.S. We've been to quite a few locations to date. Our American passport!
With all of the hype and history tied to the movie Selma, I felt it would only be right that we make history by crossing the bridge and I share a few teachable moments with my 2.
As we neared Selma, i could feel my heart racing. I've experienced so much about black history while living in The South. Some moments have hurt and some were definitely Ah ha's, but nothing could compare to what I was feeling as we drove to the bridge.
In my mind, I was envisioning Dr.King and the countless men and women who stood together to cross the bridge in solidarity. As I drove, I glanced at my surroundings. Tears began to fill my eyes and fall. These people cared enough for my future that instead of guns, the walked. They were hit and yet they walked. They were spit at and yet they walked. Sprayed with water hoses, attacked by dogs, arrested but yet they WALKED...
Forward...
I pulled over to park and I just stood there. I took it all in. The moment was so surreal. I stood with my children and together we were thankful for the movement. While my son is 3( and was dressed as Green Lantern) he really didn't grasp what we were doing but my daughter just stood there as well. She kept saying, "Mommy this is so real, this really happened". Yes. We had hoped to visit the Voting Rights Museum but it was closed as was the National Parks Indirective where we would receive our stamps and the kids become Jr. Park Rangers. The amount of history in that little city was so unbelievable.
As we crossed the bridge, there was this sign( if you came to my blog via my IG, you know what I'm talking about) that hit me like a ton of bricks. My daughter read it and it sparked a conversation I was not ready for. It made reference to the KKK losing the battle. My daughter asked, "Mommy why did they hate black people so much"? I though of all the elaborate words I could use but instead I chose to explain this way," sometimes, we dislike things and people when we don't like ourselves. We do mean things because it's how we were raised". Her response, "well I like all people". I stood there and hugged my children. I'm not perfect, I make tons of mistakes. But my charge, as their mom is to help them understand HISTORY, our History to be specific.
We've come a long way and we still have a ways to go. But what's ahead is better than what's been. I will continue to push Forward..
Today my lovies, I challenge you to make history in the lives of the little ones connected to you. What they learn in school is a start, it's our job to take charge and teach because some things they will never learn in a history book. I Am My Beautiful Black and not just during Black History Month..
Signed,
A Proud Black Woman
