Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Hymns, prayers and devotional remarks began the Black History Program at the Jefferson Senior Citizens Center (JSCC) on Thursday, Feb. 17, creating a strong inspirational atmosphere for eight readings and a keynote message about the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society.
President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Last week's program at JSCC did just that.
Minister Ether Harrell presided over the program, opening with a welcome to all those who had pulled nearly every available chair into the full activity room. She then told how Black History Month grew out of “Negro History Week,” which was started by noted historian Carter G. Woodson and others to promote knowledge of and pride in achievements by African Americans.
Betty Connor then sang the chorus from “I'm Free,” with audience members naturally joining their voices with hers. Deacon Lester Campbell offered the opening prayer, and then JSCC Director Latoya Moody added her welcome.
“The seniors have been practicing and have worked very hard to present to you their program,” she said. “I hope you enjoy it!”
For the first reading, Mary McIntosh summarized the extreme difficulties experienced by African slaves involved in Plantation Life, from long hours in the fields to abuse by cruel overseers to feeling hopeless about ever being freed. Nevertheless, McIntosh read, plantation slaves did have some moments when they could gather for games, dances, church and shared meals.
For the second reading, Diane Johnson described the Underground Railroad, which was not an actual railroad but rather a series of routes and safe houses that took runaway slaves to freedom to the north. Railroad terminology was used to refer to slaves as “passengers” or “freight,” and rest stops were called “stations” with “stationmasters.” One of the most famous “conductors” was Harriett Tubman, who helped more than 300 slaves to freedom.
Mary Parker then read about Sojourner Truth (born Isabella Baumfree), who became a free woman in 1827 when New York outlawed slavery. Soon after being freed, she had a vision that compelled her to walk throughout Long Island and Connecticut preaching the gospel. She also became active in both the anti-slavery and women's rights movements.
Linda Smith highlighted the accomplishments of Booker T. Washington, a black educator who founded Tuskegee Institute. He believed that blacks could better themselves by becoming self-sufficient, which brought him into direct conflict with some black leaders who believed blacks could only attain equality by political means. Washington won the support of many whites and even became an informal adviser to presidents, but many blacks referred to him as an “Uncle Tom.”
At this midpoint in the program, Martha Lamar led the singing of “I Get Joy.”
Then Harrell introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Ola Sylvia Lamar Sheffield — a Jefferson County native, Valedictorian of the Jefferson County High School Class of 1976, mother, grandmother, great aunt, member of Faith & Worship Ministries, retired FAMU professor, businesswoman, Big Bend Hospice board member, MLK Community Center board member, TV producer and more! Her message emphasized focusing on today, even while honoring the past and get inspired for the future.
“WE are Black History,” she said. “We represent freedom. We are the ones who are standing on the shoulders of the ancestors who come before us.”
She encouraged people to breathe in, breath out, and keep moving forward with purpose. Being on the right track is not enough, she added, if you are sitting still. You will get run over! For Sheffield, faith in Christ is the moving force. Considering her audience, Sheffield applauded senior citizens, “Continue to age with dignity, age with security and age with purpose. Longevity has its place.”
Sheffield closed with a reading about Job from her daily devotional book. When Job has us reflecting here, she said, he is wanting us to reflect on where we come from in order to project where we are going.
“Let us aspire to inspire,” she urged. “If I can't say something encouraging to you today, if I can't give you something that makes you want to lift up your head, oh ye people, and shout with the voice of triumph... Let us shake off every weight and every sin that so easily besets us and think … everything is possible with God.”
The program then offered three final readings prepared by the JSCC clients.
Dorothy Jones recognized James Farmer, who founded C.O.R.E., the Congress of Racial Equality, as part of his deep involvement in the struggle to end discrimination through peaceful acts of disobedience. For his life's work, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton in 1998 – the highest award given to a civilian for service to our country.
Mary Ann Johnson presented readings that honor the legacies of Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parks is known for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man in 1955. This action sparked a boycott of the Montgomery, Ala., city buses, which ultimately resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that segregation on buses was unconstitutional. She has often been called the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.
Martin Luther King Jr. entered the spotlight during the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955 and soon became the heart and soul of the civil rights movement. He and other black leaders formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, which went on to coordinate many nonviolent civil rights activities during the 1950s and 60s. His leadership resulted in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. At the time of his assassination in 1968, most Jim Crow laws had been struck down, and America's blacks had moved significantly closer to realizing full equality.
In closing remarks, JSCC Board President Gloria Cox recognized fellow board members George Pittman, David Love, Miner Brookins and Martha Creel. JSCC Older American Act Coordinator Annie McDuffie thanked the senior citizens who are dedicated to keeping the center open. She encouraged seniors to participate regularly in JSCC activities, because their involvement is key to keeping the beautiful center in operation.
To keep the inspiration flowing beyond Black History Month, JSCC staff gave each attendee a parting gift of a magnetic mini-poster, with reminders of actions that can keep society moving forward:
DREAM like Martin
HELP like Harriet
FIGHT like Frederick
SPEAK like Sojourner
INVENT like Madam C.J.
WRITE like Langston
DARE like Rosa
CREATE like Quincy
INSPIRE like Maya
LEAD like Barack
For more information about programs and activities at JSCC, contact Older American Act Coordinator Annie McDuffie at (850) 342-0242.
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