February is Black History Month, granted to us by the American people to learn, teach, and celebrate our heritage. We as Black Americans should honor our ancestors for keeping the true faith of our greatness until death. Today we celebrate and honor our slaves’ bravery because even in chains they helped make America what it is today. Our men were field workers, timber cutters, inventors, blacksmiths and builders of this country and whatever job was left they did. Our women were caregivers in every way imaginable from the house, kitchen, children, fields and anything else left to do. This opened the door for our people to be the best at whatever they did. We became some of the best cooks, seamstresses, maids and cleaners. Our men were called jacks of all trades, meaning they could do almost everything.

The age of education then came. We stepped up to the plate and hit a home run. They were hungry for knowledge and learned fast. We brought to the American table preachers, teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, pilots and servicemen in every war. We fought to keep America free and to live in freedom. Now, here we are twentieth and twenty-first century Black Americans in every walk of life, businessmen, politicians, scientist, and astronauts. We are champions in almost every sport known to man.
Today let us give thanks to the faith, hope, love and courage our ancestors demonstrated. They over came every brick, stick, and stone thrown at them. They stood strong even until death. This is the courage
and love Martin Luther King, Jr. had for not only black people but all peoples. Dr. King was the epitome of loving others as himself, so when the shot was fired and the bullet brought him down, the world mourned
our loss. We laid Dr. King to rest until Jesus comes; his dream and legacy still live in us.

We are marching on as productive Americans. However, some of our children are falling by the way side. Not only blacks but all of our children are losing the desire to be the best they can be. Where are the leaders of tomorrow? We need to give our children more responsibility by teaching them to earn their way and to help prepare them for life, college, leaving home, and taking care of themselves. How many college students know how to wash clothes? I mean boys or girls. We the adults need to carry ourselves in a loving and respectable way, so we can give our children the love and guidance they need for the world they will inherit. Let us teach our children to work by showing them how it’s done. Teach them the value of a dollar by letting them earn it the old fashion way - by the sweat of their brow. Love them, take time with them, and play with them. Teach them to read and encourage them to share with you what they have learned. Teach them truth and honesty. Teach them to tell the truth, be honest, and have love and feelings of compassion for others. Don’t blame others for your failures and faults; these are the stumbling blocks of life. You can’t be successful, famous, or all that you can be if you believe you are not responsible for yourself. The bottom line - you and only you are responsible for whom and what you become in this life. You owe yourself a life. Make life fun and exciting for your children. I speak from experience. My four sons and I had great times together. I had a full time job, kept a clean house, came home and cooked and because the boys wanted me to play kickball or basketball they would help me wash dishes or clothes just so we could play. The key to all of these interactions are order and making life fun. To my black sisters and brothers, hold your heads high and honor your heritage; our ancestors paid a very high price for us. There is a debt to be paid to them for their blood, sweat, sacrifice and tears. We must be the best, the over-achievers, never giving up when the road gets rough and tough just dig in and get to the finish line with honesty, integrity, truth and a job well done. Make your children proud to say Father God. Lord Jesus, look at our children. Oh! Lord, they are wonderful, by loving you Lord and abiding by your laws. All children ask yourself what are my gifts and talents for this life on earth? Find your gifts and make history and let it make a difference in this world.

In conclusion, I want to share two items. First a verse of a poem by a black poet named Langston Hughes called Let America Be America Again. Second a poem from my book, I Am Not Afraid to Speak, titled Fields of Cotton. This verse from Let America Be America Again was turned into a song and performed by a beautiful black lady during President Bush’s inauguration in January 2005.

O, Let America Be America again.
The land that never has been yet –Enclosed
And yet must be--the land where every man is free.
The land that’s mine--the poor man’s, Indian’s
Negro’s, ME--
Who made America?
Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,
Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,
Must bring back our mighty dream again.

This was Langston Hughes after the turn of the nineteenth century. This is a poem I wrote about event in the 1950’s and it is also about my background.

FIELDS OF COTTON

Working side by side in the cotton fields,
Whether chopping, or picking, it was a
Close bonding of mind, body and spirit.

We hoed in silence, as the hoes hit
Simultaneous to the ground;
Our body was in continual motion with
A rhythm and sound all its own;

Picking, is and empty sack and lots
Of people raring to go,
Loud talking and laughter, as we
Brag who the best, and worse,
Cotton picker of the day would be.

You work the whole day long,
Sharing life’s ups, and downs, stories from
Lives past.
With all our hopes and dreams!
When out of the blue the church
Bell tolls, you know someone has
Passed this life in our community

Field work is a contest to the finish line.
Who finished the first row?
Who weighted the first sack with the most cotton?
No doubt about it, you were working to be the best.

We learned not to be a quitter at the starting line. This lesson was learned from the cotton fields on
Deovolente, Mississippi
It doesn’t matter where you learn to be a winner - just as long as you learn! Thanks America for our month of honor, in paying tribute to all Black Americans both living and dead for their contribution to America the beautiful. Let all Americans live in unity together to make America strong and enemy free.