Black Family Life

Eventsà

Early Days & Slavery

• ·       -  1746- Lucy Terry, a slave, composes “Bars Fight,” the first known poem by an African American.  A description of an Indian rain on Terry’s hometown in Massachusetts, the poem will be passed down orally and published in 1855.  This event to me was particularly interesting in that I’ve always heard that Phyllis Wheatly was one of the first known publishers of poems to arise during these times of oppression.  I would assume that in this time, her achieving this would spark many positive images of themselves as a collective people in that it was obvious that the race could and some were more educated than they were given credit for. 
• ·      -1787-   Free blacks in New York City found the African Free School, Where future leaders Henry Highland Garnett and Alexander Crummell are educated. Over all the creation of this education institution would educational opportunities for the African American community.  This would be important for Black Family Life in that education was not readily available because segregation was so prevalent still. 

   Nguzo Saba: (1) Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in a way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial that we inherited it.” (2). Imani (Faith) To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Building Democracy

• ·         1866-The white supremacist organization known as the Klu-Klux-Klan is founded in Tennessee. The establishment of this organization would have had many effects on Black Family Life.  For instance it would have caused for community organization.  Together they would need to band together so ensure somewhat of a protection against the violence that would be geared towards them.  Also it may have impacted migration patterns because families would migrate to areas that they were less likely to encounter such organizations. 
• ·         1903- African American Sarah Breedlove MacWilliams, better known as Madam C.J. Walker, starts an African American hair-care business in Denver and eventually becomes America’s first self-made woman millionaire.  Not only is this great in the history of women’s movement and success but in the context of the impact it had on the race as a whole, it demonstrates entrepreneurship opportunities.  It would allow other African Americans to excel in areas that they were good at while at the same time benefiting their race and allowing for upward mobility. 

·         Nguzo Saba: (1) Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together. (2).  Kujichuaguua (Self Determination) To define ourselves, name ourselves,  create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.   

    Civil Rights Era

• ·          1955-Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus to a white person, triggering a successful, year-long African American boycott of the bus system.  Although there other boycotts, this one is the most monumental because it ignited a real sense of community organizing that allowed for one of the longest and most successful boycotts in history. It also is an example of a social movements that would improve the quality of life because it was just one of the struggles that African Americans had to break through and break down. 
• ·         1962- African American radical Malcolm X becomes national Minister of the Nation of Islam. He rejects non-violent civil rights movement & becomes champion of African American separatism & black pride. His position in the community gave him the ability to influence tons of his followers.  Although he advocated for violence if necessary he was a part of the civil rights movement as well as social movements that would strive to improve the quality of life. 
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• Modern Day
• ·         1977-Andrew Young becomes the first African American person to serve as the U.S ambassador to the United States. The overall impact of this is the start of African Americans gaining access to political leadership positions in white America.  This would create a pathway for many others to achieve high levels in the government as well the race would now have an advocate to speak for them that could possibly be received better. 

• ·         1984- The Cosby Show starring African American comedian Bill Cosby, premieres on television.  It will become one of the most popular sit-coms in history.  It also departs from what had been the usual negative stereotyping of African American on television by showing an upper-middle class, professional well educated family.  Black Family Life had been portrayed very negatively but this had the opportunity to portray positive images of them-selves in entertainment.  It would also encourage families to strive for better work opportunities and demonstrated that a middle class lifestyle would be possible with education and a strong family structure. 

When thinking about the article on the Dynamic Duo, what caught my attention the most was his beginning story of how is father always made him pay to those different black geared organizations.  The principal Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility) really was displayed here. I say this because early on he was given the responsibility to give to this organization regularly, so much so that it would become a habit and he was also being taught that just because he was middle class, it did not exclude him from being black.  This was the most interesting thing about the entire story because it was teaching him to value an education and the benefits that can come from it but was also teaching him Umoja (Unity).  Although he was not struggling, as an African American he could help those under him to continue to strive to also become middle class citizens. 

I found the clip we watched on Thursday to be very informative.  It was almost heartbreaking because it made me think about one of the first articles we read by Monyihan and how black’s oppression is self-inflicted.  The story about Jeremy was a realization that this is sometimes true.  He has complete control of the grades he receives but he seemed uninterested in improving them because he has this dream of becoming a basketball.  It was also sad to see that his mother was not supportive of this goal he had previously stated he would work on and this was demonstrated by them not showing up to the meeting to discuss his progress. It’s a sad realization that people don’t take advantage of opportunities presented to them when given the chance to better their situation.