Ode to the Unsung Hero -- She Didn't Fit The Image

(Uh oh!)

Do a little research and it's pretty easy to find lists of African American "icons" and "heroes" that include women like Maya Angelou, Josephine Baker, Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks. Dig a little deeper and you can learn that Rosa Parks is considered the "Mother of the Civil Rights movement." In fact, Rosa Louise McCauley Parks has earned her place in U.S. history for her refusal on December 1, 1955 to obey a bus driver's demand that she relinquish her seat to a white man. Her arrest and trial triggered the Montgomery Bus Boycott and -- according to history books -- "launched" Martin Luther King, Jr. to the forefront of the civil rights movement. Wikipedia says that Rosa's "role in American history earned her an iconic status... and her actions have left an enduring legacy for civil rights movements around the world."

Now, before I go on, let me say that I am NOT knocking Rosa Parks and what she did. Shoot - I, CERTAINLY, appreciate every single man, woman and child who played any part in the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, I stand on their shoulders everyday. But...

What about the Women Who Refused to Get Up Before Rosa?

With that question in mind, the second installment of my tribute to Black History's unsung heroes highlights CLAUDETTE COLVIN WHO -- ON MARCH 2, 1955 -- AT THE AGE OF 15 REFUSED TO GIVE UP HER SEAT ON A MONTGOMERY BUS TO A WHITE PERSON, in violation of local law. Her arrest preceded Rosa Parks' refusal to get up (on December 1, 1955) by nine months.

Colvin, a student at Booker T. Washington High School and active member of the NAACP's Youth Council, was going home from school when she got on a Capital Heights bus downtown -- the same place Parks boarded another bus months later. Colvin was sitting about two seats from the emergency exit when four whites boarded and the driver ordered her, along with three other black passengers, to get up. She refused and was removed from the bus by two police officers who took her to jail as she screamed that her constitutional rights were being violated. The police accused the teenager of spewing curse words, which Colvin denied. She was later convicted of violating the segregation law and assault (although witnesses said no assault was involved in the incident).

According to Wikipedia, E.D. Nixon, then a leader of the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP, had been waiting for a test case to challenge bus segregation and vowed to help Colvin after her father posted bail. But then came the second-guessing: Colvin’s father mowed lawns; her mother was a maid. They were "church-going" people, but they lived in the poorest section of Montgomery and the original "freedom rider" was pregnant. Apparently, little Claudette didn't fit the image the NAACP was looking for... consequently, "giving up her seat" in the History books to a "more suitable" Rosa Parks.

Talk about PR strategy...

For more information on Claudette Colvin, check out Wikipedia and I definitely encourage you to read this article when you have the time -- knowledge is power.

This has been today's little known nugget of Black History (part two) -- uh oh!

Be enlightened. Be proud. Be blessed.

Ode to the Unsung Hero -

Lift Every Voice (Ah Ha!)

Wednesday, February 28, 2007. The last day of Black History Month 07. The final day of our annual celebration that has existed since 1926 -- credited to Harvard Scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who was determined to bring Black History into the public arena. According to historians, Woodson devoted his life to making "the world see the Negro as a participant rather than as a lay figure in history" and organized the first annual Negro History Week in 1926. Fifty years later, as part of the nation's bicentennial, Negro History Week expanded into the Black History Month that we know today -- a four-week-long celebration of African-American History.

Now, if you know me well, you've probably be waiting for this one since February 1st. You KNEW the chick who complained about her history teacher ignoring Black History Month in a letter to the editor of her middle school paper... the chick who claims to have a little Angela (Davis), Sojourner (Truth) and Rosa (Parks) living inside of her... THAT chick would NOT let February 2007 pass us by with ZERO mention of BLACK HISTORY MONTH on her blog. Yep - you guessed it. So, on the last day of the shortest month -- right on the heels of freshly recorded Super Bowl, Oscar and even State of the Union Address Black history... I give you the first installment of my ODE TO THE (BLACK) UNSUNG HERO.

Lift Every Voice & Sing...

The Negro National Anthem might be one of the things I love most about being Black. I mean, 108 years after it was written, the lyrics still move me every time I hear or sing them. And even though I recently learned that many people of other races have no idea that the song exists, I absolutely love "lifting my voice to sing" it at every HBCU football or basketball game... and I look forward to belting it at the top of my lungs with my head held high during the "congregational hymn" for four Sundays out of the year. Ah, the joys of Black History Month....

Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, felt in the days when hope unborn had died; yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears have been watered, we have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last where the white gleam of our bright star is cast....

Man, James Weldon Johnson did his thing when he wrote that song (one time for all of his -- and my -- fellow Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University alum)! Verse-to-verse, The Negro National Anthem tells the story of our past, our future and OUR HOPE ("God of our weary years... thou who has brought us thus far on the way..."). But, for the purposes of this blog posting...

I bet you didn't know there is an (BLACK) UNSUNG HERO in the Negro National Anthem. His name is JOHN ROSAMOND JOHNSON.

While James Weldon Johnson gets plenty of credit for writing the Negro National Anthem, you never hear anything about his little brother's contribution to the song. Born August 11, 1873 in Jacksonville, Florida, composer John Rosamond Johnson WROTE THE MUSIC TO THE NEGRO NATIONAL ANTHEM. Brother of James Weldon Johnson, John R. Johnson attended Atlanta University and the New England Conservatory of Music. He and his brother belonged to the song writing team of Cole and Johnson Brothers, writing over 200 songs. He also edited a number of collections of African American music. John R. Johnson died on November 11, 1954 in New York City.

This has been today's little known nugget of Black History (part one) -- ah ha! :-)

Be enlightened. Be proud. Be blessed.

The Coldest Winter Ever (He he!)

I never read Sister Souljah's book. I've only heard great things about it, but for whatever reason... It's been on my bookshelf for years and I haven't cracked it open. Maybe this will be the year that I actually take the time to read the Essence Best-Seller -- who knows. In the meantime, let me tell you about MY coldest winter ever.

It was February 2007 and the temperature was a chilly twenty four degrees fahrenheit. Brrrrrrr.... Hat, gloves, scarf -- all were necessary if I was going to bear "the hawk" that was outside my door. Those cotton, long-sleeved pajamas that I got for Christmas came in handy. The space heater that I'm not supposed to have at my desk is on HIGH. It is cold as a MUG. No snow... not much ice... but, FREEZING COLD nonetheless. I'm talkin' the kind of cold that makes it sooo difficult to get a move on it in the mornings... the kind of cold that leaves you with a taste for hot cocoa and gives you the "cuddle bug" -- you know the one that finds your fingers dialing a special someone so y'all can be freezing cold together. :-)

I Tend To Exaggerate...

Okay, you got me. Twenty-something degrees below the Mason Dixon line is NOT my "coldest winter ever." In fact, it's NOTHING in comparison to what I experienced in New Jersey's "Blizzard of 96"... I almost forgot about that frost-biting January weekend in NYC back in 03... and the snow storm in D.C. that nearly stopped my mom from birthing me at a local hospital was SO the 70s! I have experienced some COLD winters in my day, but for whatever reason, this past week found me totally blown away by how freaking cold my dear "hot"-lanta has become. How cold, you ask? So cold that I've decided to use this Monday's post to share a few "fun facts" on Winter.

Things You Didn't Know About Winter:

1. Winter babies like me... Researchers from Southampton University found that babies born in cold winters are more likely to suffer from obesity as adults. (I don't know why this makes me laugh. Maybe because I'm a fully-grown winter baby who weighs a whopping buck-O.... LOL!)

2. Tiny bits of dirt? When water freezes inside clouds, crystals form around tiny bits of dirt that have been carried up into the atmosphere by the wind. These ice crystals join together creating snow flakes. Once the flakes are heavy enough they fall to the ground as snow. (tiny bits of dirt... snow... and I used to EAT this?)

3. Snow Pink?? Believe it or not, snow is actually clear. It appears white because the crystals act as prisms, breaking up the light of the sun into the entire spectrum of color. Since the human eye is unable to handle that kind of sensory overload, we see the snow as white or sometimes blue. Or, if you live in a place where your soil is red, snow is pink. The red dust blows into the clouds, discoloring the snow. (Wow!!)

4. February blahs? Apparently, winter can have several "psychological" impacts on people. There are the "winter blues" and "February blahs." "Holiday depression", or doldrums, is also noted amongst people -- the severest case of which is diagnosed as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Symptoms include sleeping more, tiredness, depression, and physical aches. Although causes include genetic disposition and stress, the prevailing environmental influence is decreased exposure to light due to winter weather patterns and the increased amount of clothing that must be worn to keep warm.

You mean to tell me that the "increased amount of clothing" that I have to wear because it's cold as I-don't-know-what outside can lead to some kind of psychological disorder?!?! First, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are giving people salmonella, now too many warm clothes are causing depression -- IS ANYTHING SACRED?!?!

Button Up Your Coat & Walk Into Your Season...

As I laughed at those silly/interesting facts and thought about how brisk it is outside, I was reminded that - however cold - winter is but a SEASON that we have to go through. We're always excited to see it come (so we can bust out our cute boots and warm sweaters)... We can't rush it away (it's here December through February, whether we like it or not)... we'll reminisce about it when it's gone (and we're complaining of 100 degree temperatures come July)... and we'll never see another one exactly like it.

So, with that in mind, I remember Ecclesiastes 3:1, appreciate winter 07... AND revel in THIS wonderful SEASON of life.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 -- To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...

Be blessed. Be warm. Be SEASONed. :-)

Cherry? (Ah ha!)

Twas the night before Valentine's Day and throughout the land, women are finalizing details -- all in an effort to please her man!

Speaking of which...

One of my girls put me on to a cool little blog recently -- http://brothersmanlaw.blogspot.com. Last Tuesday's post, in particular, sparked some interesting conversation among me and the homies. The focus was on "Cindy" -- a woman who claims to have the "worst spoiling tendencies" when it comes to her man. How so, you ask? Well, according to last Tuesday's post, Cindy was planning a Valentine's Day surprise for her boo -- a trip to Hawaii, complete with a vacation wardrobe -- ALL ON HER. Cindy says she enjoys knowing that she can splurge on a guy. Cooking, baking and tons of gifts all the time "make her feel good." And the young man who authored this blog suggests that ladies need to listen to Cindy's story and TAKE NOTES.

Well... let me tell you what I've NOTED from Cindy's little story...

Does The Chinese Buffet Cater?

Back in the day, I would drive 25 minutes up 85 to an all you can eat Chinese buffet. I'm talkin' all the fried rice, house lo mein, egg rolls and crab legs I could eat. I knew I couldn't take home a doggy bag (that wasn't allowed)... And, I never thought to ask if the Chinese Buffet people catered. DOES the Chinese buffet cater? If they're anything like Cindy, they do!

In my mind's eye, I see Cindy's dude getting ALL he can eat -- full access to the girl 24/7. He's probably never heard her voice mail. In fact, she picks up on the FIRST RING. Two-three rings just won't do for Cindy's boo. She cooks dinner a few times a week. If they shack up, she probably packs his lunch in the mornings (or leaves his lunch money on the counter) -- after she has picked his outfit, ironed his shirt, creased his drawers... Not only is Cindy providing her sweetheart with all he can eat, Cindy's buffet CATERS. Or, at least that's what she and Destiny's Child might call it:

Let me help you take off your shoes
Untie your shoestrings, take off your cufflinks
What you want to eat boo? Let me feed you...
I got your slippers, your dinner, your dessert and so much more!
Anything you want just let me cater to you...

What A Man Wants...

Now, ladies -- if we're smart, we won't read Cindy's story (or the lyrics of Destiny's Children) and immediately bust out our pens and pads. I'm all about doing nice things for my man (I mean, I've been known to purchase a "just because" gift or two... send grits cross country... and cook a meal in my day). But, if we're smart -- and I know we are -- we WILL NOT (I repeat, WILL NOT) empty our savings accounts to purchase a last minute package to an all-inclusive resort in Hawaii with matching swimsuits. Instead, we'll first figure out if Cindy's philosophy and tactics are REALLY in line with what a man wants. I mean, any caterer will tell you they need to know what the market wants before they can deliver the food!! So, let's see what the fellas want:

[here's where I include the results of my informal survey of single, mid-late twenties, bachelors on "catering"]

1. What does “catering to your man” mean to you?

Bachelor #1 -- To most women, it means do what ever they read, saw on t.v./movies, or what ever they did with their last man to make him happy. Some know that you have to take the time to learn what makes your new man happy. Then, they truly cater.
Bachelor #2 -- She keeps me focused on my focus, know's my likes and dislikes, finds joy in making me happy -- regardless of if it's something that she doesn't like to do. But, because she knows that he likes it, she does it (and I don't mean somthing huge, I mean something like, she hates cooking, but will fry some chicken because she know's he likes it). And, she's smart, because, he'll cater to her as well. Its a two way street.
Bachelor #3 -- I believe catering to your man involves being a support mechanism for him.

2.. If a good man is hard to find… what SHOULD a woman do to keep a good man IF she is lucky enough to find him?

Bachelor #1 -- If a woman is lucky enough to find HER good man, not just a good man (their is a difference), she would not have too do much to keep him. This is because she will know how to honor, respect and submit to her man when needed. Just as he will know how and when to do the same.
Bachelor #2 -- Love when he needs it, space when he needs it, high heels and lingerie while cooking if he likes it...
Bachelor #3 -- If a woman finds a man she deems worthy, she should play a supporting role in his life. This could mean many things, but supporting men is the greatest attribute women have. Supporting your man does not mean you should be subjugated to his commands, or that you cannot have personal goals. It only means learning what his goals are and helping him achieve
them.

Poor Cindy...

Well, it looks like sista-girl Cindy's catering company might soon be out of business because it doesn't offer the full-line of delicacies that its patrons are looking for.

Cindy dear, according to the bachelors surveyed (and the gospel according to me and my girls), a woman has to come with more than pretty garnish (i.e. trips to Honolulu)... nice china (i.e. freshly baked brownies) and fancy napkins (i.e. a new shirt in this spring's hottest color) to ensure successful "catering." A REAL CATERER has a full menu of beverages, appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, deserts, an assortment of teas and coffees, and post-dinner mints. She knows her client's (her man's) taste and she knows exactly which menu options will satisfy his various appetites and needs -- according to his taste on any particular day, in any particular moment. In fact, Cindy's pretty garnish can be likened to the lone cherry on top of the exquisite "love sundae" A REAL CATERER serves her man every day -- one scoop of listening, one scoop of understanding, a scoop of support, special whip creme called "laughter," extra sprinkles of prayer... THE CHERRY IS OPTIONAL.

Be blessed. Be loved. Be remembering 1 Corinthians 13 -- Love never fails. :-)

Chicken is Good (He he!)

My mom is a pretty hip chick. She stays up on the latest fashion trends… she knows more about the hottest R&B hits than I… she’s what people call “young at heart.” So… I’m not sure how I ended up being an “old soul” – maybe it’s the deep-rooted spirit of my ancestors… maybe I emulated my grandma’s southern dialect and frequently used phrases a little too much… maybe I really am 29 going on 69. Either way, I find myself using – and LOVING – more “old folk, country” sayings than a little bit!!! I figured I’d use today’s posting to share some of my favorites (some that I’ve only heard… some that I find myself using all the time). Feel free to work them into your daily conversations… He he! :-)

D-E-I-S-H-A’s Top Ten Old Folk, Country Sayings:

10. Old folk on not-so-nice people…
“He is as mean as a rattle snake!”

9. Old folk on a child who is out of her place…
“You are smelling yourself!”

8. Old folk on telling it like it is…
“I ain’t talkin’ about you. I’m just talkin’ ‘bout what I’m talkin’ ‘bout!”

7. Old folk on a lazy child…
“You wouldn’t hit a lick at a black snake!”

6. Old folk on greedy children…
“If I had a fly, you would want a wing!”

5. Old folk getting excited…
“Watch out there now!” (pronounced: watchoutdehnah)

4. Old folk on picky women…
“You are gonna pick, pick, pick until you pick sh*t!”

3. Old folk on continuing to work hard and achieve your goals…
“Just keep on keepin’ on, baby!”

2. Old folk on a stinky diaper…
“Ooo wee! It smells like somethin’ crawled up in you and died!”

1. Old folk on God’s blessings and majesty…
“Baby, chicken is good. God [on the other hand] is GREAT!”

In a world where our elders are not paid nearly enough homage or respect (their healthcare costs are ridiculous… social security is a joke, the list goes on), the LEAST we can do is think back on the things our grandmothers (“Big Mamas”), grandfathers (“Pappys”) and even great-great parents (if you were lucky) always said… and let the light bulb (ah ha) that says, “I never knew what that saying meant, but now I know it is SO TRUE,” OR “that mean-snake analogy was great!” go off. Then, keep the legacy living… embrace the “old folk” sayings… pass them down to the next generation. Why? Because you gotta love old folk and all of their country sayings – I sure do! :-)

Be happy. Be blessed. BE COMMENTING with the old folk, country sayings that you think should’ve made my list. LOL! :-)