Two events during the Early Days & Slavery period which caught my eye were: 1. In 1776 the passage condemning slave trade was removed from the Declaration of Independence. 2. The first Fugitive Slave Law was passed by Congress in 1793, making it a crime to harbor an escaped slave.
These two events are clearly significant in continuing the inhumane treatment of blacks and also affecting their self esteem and hopes for a quality of life equal to the white person.
Two events during The Building Democracy period were: 1. In 1867 the founding of 5 Black Colleges, including Howard University which impacts the quality of continued and higher education for the African American to become more competitive for jobs and greater income potential. 2. In 1872, the first African-American state governor of Louisiana is elected to the House of Representatives, only to be disputed which had to affect the self esteem of the black family and also prevented representation in government and positive outcomes for representation.
Two events during the Civil Rights Era were: 1. In 1957, The Reverend Martin Luther King helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference working toward full equality for African Americans. Today we are still impacted by the work of Dr. King and his legacy for a dream of a better world for the African American people. 2. The work of Jazz musicians like Miles Davis and John Coltrane were brought to light in 1959 as well as other artists in the Motown Music Label were added such as Gladys Knight and Lionel Ritchie. These were positive role models and positive images for the African American people.
Modern Times have brought many firsts for the African American and consequently, more positives in their own corporate self image, improved quality of life and positive public image. Some of these events are: Dr. Jocelyn Elders becomes the first Black surgeon general and Toni Morrison, the first African American to win the Nobel Prize in literature.
The principles of the Nguzo Saba, in relationship to the first two eras on the timeline, in my opinion speak to the challenge the principle of being able to maintain and build their own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together. The perpetuation of "slave" mentality was certainly a prohibition of (Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics) being able to have or establish anything for the future. The creation of black colleges did promote Kujichagulia (self-determination).
The Aminfu Harvey article, Individual and Family Intervention Skills with African Americans: An Africentric Approach, draws on the principle of uniting a community (Ujima) by gathering people together in a retreat setting. The family empowerment component builds the community and draws on the principle of Nia or purpose giving emphasis on parenting and family issues.
The Dynamic Duo reading by Jamal Watson shows the principles of Kujichagulia (self-determination) and Kuumba (creativity). The story of this family striving to build the life they believe they can and should have and teaching their children the importance of their heritage through their lifestyle.
 |
|
|
|
I like how you pointed out that modern times was a time for many first for African Americans, however there are other first achievements that African American tackled that just arent talked about or highlighted before the modern times. I also like how you pointed out the principle of uniting the community by gathering in a retreat setting is much like family reunions, cook outs, and block parties.
ReplyDelete