BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2004

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AFROCENTRIC CAMEOS

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Black History EveryDay, Not Just February

This month of February is Black History Month, also known as African Heritage Month. Schools and organizations nationwide will make an effort to publicize events of historical significance by African-Americans.

Although this "set-aside" acknowledgement of African-American culture is greatly needed for those who refuse to search history out for themselves, it would be much better if African-American History was taught everyday along with "American" History.

American History is African-American History. There is no American without it. How can one teach one without the other. Setting it aside for ONE month out of 12 months makes a mockery out of the accomplishments significant persons of history have made. All accomplishments to further or attempt to better "our" condition in this society are equally as important as those of Caucasian descent.

Americans use their inbred race hatred towards "blacks" as a signifier of who they are. The South's whole economy and social culture/mores were dependent on this. So how can one teach about the beginnings of American civilization without teaching ALL aspects? African-Americans did not just accomplish things in one month and should not be limited to just one month to showcase the brilliance and courage that pervade the culture.

Teach and study African-American History everyday just as you would History in general. If you are into community service, start an afterschool program to teach children the WHOLE history of the United States, and not just the partial, selective one that is forced upon us to leave us blinded to the truth.

Peace and God Bless

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

- a short story dedication in his memory

Black is Beautiful -

Whether at FAMU or FSU and Education Should Be Color-Blind

The Morally Impoverished Rev. Jackson? - Feb 2001

by Yvette Carnell

(January 30) - I've never been a fan of George Will. His adnauseam adorations of pseudo conservative ideals usually leave me wanting (usually for a bat). But, a comment he made in a recent op-ed piece struck a vein of truth. He likened the Presidential election to a moment in a baseball movie when the batter realizes that after the swing, and hit (or miss, whichever the case may be) , the moment is over. There is no time to lament in sorrow or languish in glory. Instead, the ballplayer must muster up enough will and enthusiasm to outstretch the grasp of previous achievements.

The declaration here: the moment is fleeting, and soon over. So too is the moment over for Jesse Jackson. A man who's been allowed to bathe in the glory of Selma for far, far, too long. This week the Reverend (and I use the term loosely) revealed that he would be taking some time off after the revelation that he'd fathered a 20 month old child outside his marriage. The revelation came just days before the inauguration of President Select George "Dubya" Bush. Weeks after the blatant and unapologetic disenfranchisement of thousands of black voters in Florida, and almost a month and a half to the day that a transparently right wing and politically motivated Supreme Court issued a resounding blow to the tenets of democracy.

Throughout this debacle, Jesse had been at the forefront of the protests in Florida. Whether on CNN with Wolf Blitzer, MSNBC with Chris Mathews, or in the middle of a sea of protesters, Jesse was putting forth a valiant effort on behalf of a struggle greater than himself. It was reminiscent of the Civil Rights Movement that gave birth to Rev. Jackson's leadership and prominence in the African American community.

What a difference a few weeks makes. Now, Rev. Jackson is facing the surprisingly quiet critics of his own moral indiscretions. While watching BET, I heard African Americans downplay the adulterous affair that created a child that will never have the nuclear two parent home that Jesse so often touts as essential to the success of the African American family. Not to mention the fact that he has betrayed the woman who has stood by his side for thirty plus years in order to yield to the temptations of the flesh (sound familiar Rev). So I come before black-America to pose one question: where's the shame? President Clinton was almost impeached for his affair and Former Congressman Newt Gingrich was banished from the helms of power. And need I remind you that neither of these men were ordained Baptist ministers.

But blacks somehow refuse to give Jesse a verbal chastising or even a slap on the wrist. We are accepting this man "as is" with no high expectations or moral guidelines. Which, as far as I am concerned, is far too forgiving a reaction for a community that for so long has stood as a reflection of moral fortitude for this country. Morality was at the core of the Civil Rights Movement. The sit-ins >were used as an arena to spotlight the immoralities of the white power structure here in America. So too were the marches which Jesse continues to relive in the spirit of his hay day. But when you are attempting to uphold a moral imperative, it is essential you exhibit moral behavior that parallels your belief. Practice what you preach Reverend. Jesse Jackson has attacked Republicans and their immoral behavior in Florida with their refusal to count the votes, and rightfully so.

Now, however, he has compromised the welfare of the community he represents by refusing to be upright. He follows in the footsteps of woeful African American leaders who have proven themselves intellectually and/or morally undeserving of the leadership positions they covet. Leaders that echo the behavior of former Washington D.C. mayor Marion Barry, Former head of the NAACP Benjamin Chavis, and state legislator Ralph Abernathy III.

Over and over again African Americans have succumb to the burden of piss poor leadership. Leaders who reap the rewards and accolades of those wishing to be in good favor with our community but are unfit to continue the traditions of W.E.B. Dubois, Barbara Jordan, and Thurgood Marshall.

I am sure after this editorial is published there will be those who will espouse the mantra that in this era of human history it is only the issues that matter and will attempt to minimize morality as antiquated subjectivity with no modern day use. To them I say, the two are equally important. There are infinite issues here with exponential implications.As an African American woman I share the desire to see reform in our Judicial system, welfare system, and tax code just to name a few. But someone who is morally inept cannot be an effective catalyst for the substantive change we so desperately need

Many in white America have decided to let bygones be bygones in as far as President Clinton is concerned. But white America is not us, and their needs are not as raw and urgent as ours. Now is our chance to resist being reactive to the mainstream and to begin to be proactive where our needs are concerned. It is time to put our morals and our values first. Today Jesse came back to church from his all too brief moment of contrition, looks to his wife and says "thirty years, and we're still here." Yes Jesse you are, and that's the saddest ending to an all too familiar story.

Yvette Carnell is a freelance writer currently residing in Washington D.C. She can be contacted at Yvette_Denise@hotmail.com

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VOUCHERS AND ALL THAT JAZZ

by Jack Albertson

Bush's Education Program

Choice of School

Why does the Voucher movement continue to emphasize choice of school as the goal to be attained? If for no other reason, it shows how successful the formal school has been in convincing most people, even the President and governors, that schools, rather than teachers, teach. Attending a so-called prestigious school is no guarantee that one will study with a superior teacher, one that is recognized for his superior teaching ability, one who consistently turns out successful students. More to the point, given that schools do not recognize superior teachers, and put them into positions of leadership, how is possible that they can effect change, or become accessible to students and parents looking for superior teachers?

The very fact that so many people have joined the voucher movement, including leading politicians, confirms the fact that they see superior schools as the answer to improving schooling, this even with its well over a hundred years' of mediocritya costly effort that should be seen as a miserable failure because it fails to do what has the potential of making it a dramatic success.

Shouldn't Voucher people focus on the underlying reasons for the that failure and start screaming for change? For example, demand that the system do what makes virtually all other callings successful, recognize superior peoplesuperior teacherspublish their names, making this information available to anyone, and putting them into positions of leadership; create the competition that they love when it comes to sports, and provide the incentives that would induce teachers to improve their performance. (Why should any teacher make an effort to improve when years on the job, rather than skilled teaching, is the only was to climb the income ladder?)

Giving superior teachers the rewards common in other callings will create the opportunity that will induce more superior people to enter teaching and thus improve schooling. Another demand should be that superior teachers work together to develop almost scientific presentations that will be carefully student-tested, ones that will replace the present practice of each teacher doing his thingGod in his classroom!implying that any presentation by, for example, any English teacher is just as good as any other English teacher. These presentations, ideally, should be what is technically called Programmed Instruction (PI), a highly successful method that avoids the all-too-much failure of group teaching that is based on the fiction that we all learn at the same pace. This is a method that has been around for well over fifty years, one that the system blatantly ignores. This method, which enables students to study largely on their own, starts with the most basic step/s, checks for comprehension, reviews when the students errs, and then moves on to more advanced steps, ones that are also checked for comprehension.

Critics of this method might assert that not all subjects lend themselves to this approach, thus justifying an opinion that none should be taught this way. One might counter that opinion by asserting that if certain subjects don't lend themselves to such treatment, then it's possible that these subjectspossible fact?shouldn't be taught at all, inasmuch as their real life value may be about as scientific as the Supreme Court's 5-4 rulings ? Programmed Instruction has the potential promise of doing away with the shortcomings of group teaching which not only creates failure, but continues to ignore it. PI makes it possible for each and every student to move at his pace dealing with subject matter that is at his level, to avoid failure, to capitalize on the largely ignored adage, "Success builds on success," and one that tends to create a positive attitude towards learning rather than a negative one the is so common to all too many students and to adult victims who were incarcerated in a system that loves to take credit for successes that are largely the result of student effort. Failure? "Oh! that's the fault of stupid and lazy students!"

Another potential plus is the possibility of providing learning for individual aptitudes that the system continues to ignore.

Finally, and best of all for all too many students who can't swing with the formal system's great wisdom, is the freeing up of teachers to give badly needed individual attention. I wonder if most people, including voucher advocates, are really aware of how the odds are stacked against improvement?

How many see the formal system for what it really is, a business-- that like us, is concerned with its interestsgetting as many students as possible, for as long as possible and doing it with as much money as possible? (When private schools accomplish about twice as much with half the money, one can only question of the wisdom that declares that more and more money, all by itself, is going to improve formal school mediocrity.)

To repeat, the only ones that are going to make a significant change in schooling are superior teachers. (Let's kill the belief that the answer is superior schools!) How many people in Administration, how many of the hangers-onpoliticians, the NEA, Boards of Education, et al, those outside the classroom who never face the problems inside the classroom, do you think are going to make the slightest effort to see superior teachers get a share of the spotlight, to get a piece of the power?

Secondly, in order for the system to maintain the aura of "it's the schools that teach!" it must never imply that not all teachers are superior, even those in so-called better schools. Recognizing superior teachers might suggest that not all teachers are superior, that some may be average like most of us, and horrors! some might not even be able to teach as well as most politicians. Why should the system change? It's firmly in powera cartel as one discerning person labeled itand politicians, governors, even Presidents, all of whom have become experts on education simply by running for office, support it with their great inexperience and our overtaxed dollars.

With hope! Jack Albertson, San Clemente, CA

Jack Albertson, 77, has taught for 17 year, in a State prison, about 12 public schools, 2 juvenile, and his own school for 5 yrs. He is the author of two text books, and has, over 9 yrs of college, majors in music, history, minors in math & english.

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Best Family Books: Celebrate Black History Month

by Sonja Meyer

If you are looking for books to share with your children for Black History Month, check out your local library. Here you'll find titles that teach about African American history, as well as those that simply feature black children in lead roles, beneficial for all children to read.
Start with these:

"Bippity Bop Barbershop," by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley (Little, Brown And Company, 2002, 32 pages. Ages: 4-8. Hardcover, $15.95.) A boy's first trip to the barbershop is exciting, scary and special, especially if Daddy bring you. Miles wakes up to Daddy's secret knock: "Bippity-be-bop- bop!" It is time. Daddy is taking Miles to that special place where men alone go, where they saunter in past the red and white pole, where they sit and chat and wait their turn, where they talk basketball and stretch up tall in a row of chairs.

When Miles enters the barbershop with Daddy, he wonders what the men mean when they say, "be brave." He takes in the scene, looking at the poster of hairstyles and seeing men pick different looks, from the gleam of a freshly- shaved bald head, to big curly Afros to long, thick dreadlocks.

Miles finally finds a look he likes: low on top and shaved around the sides, just like Daddy. He hunkers down, afraid of the buzzing clippers, until Daddy tells him to pretend he's a giant. And then it's Daddy's turn, and he wants to look like... guess who?

This book offers a glimpse into a rite of passage to which every boy can relate, from an African American youngster's point of view.

"Danitra Brown Leaves Town," by Nikki Grimes (Harper Collins Publishers, 2002, 32 pages. Ages: 4-8. Hardcover, $15.89.) "School is out soon and Danitra's advice is: surrender to summer." But what kind of summer will it be? Danitra's leaving, taking vacation with her family in the country. Zuri's not too happy to be left behind in the city without her best friend. The girls decide to share their experiences by writing back and forth all summer. In the letters we hear about Danitra camping out under the stars and fireflies, Zuri swinging at a block party with the "hot, hot dance beat that sizzles up through the concrete, grabbing hold of my feet," tree- climbing, softball playing, down-in-the-dirt weed- yanking, fireworks and more.

The letters are simple and poetic and expressive of girlhood and friendship. The final one, "Home Again," illustrated by the two in each other's arms, declares joy at being together again, " 'cause that is 10 times better."

"Ella Fitzgerald, The Tale Of A Vocal Virtuosa," by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Hyperion Books For Children, 2002, 32 pages. Ages: 5-9. Hardcover, $16.99.) Who better to tell the story of one of the most famous jazz vocalists of all time than Scat Cat Monroe, an imaginary feline whose cool narrative is reminiscent of the signature style of Ella Fitzgerald herself? This hip narrator spices up the tale of the big-boned girl from Yonkers who gets her start in a talent contest at the Apollo Theatre, joins the Chick Webb Orchestra and works an audience with both her powerful voice and her dancing feet. She makes scat famous, taking nonsense syllables and singing them with a beat and fervor like they are her own private instrument. "Ella put scat on the map. When she and Dizzy threw down their skippity- hop-doo-dee-bop, every soul in the place slipped into the jam."

"Goin' Someplace Special," by Patricia C. McKissack (Atheneum Books For Young Readers/Simon & Schuster, 2001, 34 pages. Ages: 4-8. Hardcover, $16.) In 'Tricia Ann's 1950s town, going someplace special is harder than you might think. That is, until you realize she is an African American girl forced to navigate through the Jim Crow signs impeding her trip. This story, based on true events in the author's life, gives children an idea of what kids their own age had to deal with during segregation. It meant they were forced to sit in the back of the bus, always make sure to read the signs in parks and public places, and comply with unfair rules. But in this town, as in the author's hometown of Nashville, there is one place where color doesn't matter, and that place is so special that 'Tricia Ann is determined to get there, no matter what. As you read this book with your children, they will see how wonderful it is to find a spot where everyone is welcome to read and learn.

"Martin's Big Words, The Life Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," by Doreen Rappaport (Hyperion Books For Children, 2001, 34 pages. Ages: 4-8. Hardcover, $15.99.) As Martin grows up, he sees the signs everywhere: "White Only." But his mother says: "You are as good as anyone." This book offers a slightly different take on the story of Martin Luther King Jr. It focuses on the importance of language and words in his life, from the meaningful biblical messages he hears in his boyhood church to the momentous words he himself later embraces and proclaims as an adult who changes history: "I have a dream that one day in Alabama little black boys and black girls will join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers." The text offers children a simple but informative chronology of King's life and is accompanied by collages that depict scenes with color and emotion.

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Sonja Meyer may be contacted at http://www.coventryparkgifts.com and http://www.coventryparkcommunications.com coventryparkshops@ureach.com. Sonja Meyer is a freelance writer with three girls. She also owns http://www.coventryparkcommunications.com where she offers ready-to-go content for web and print and manages other communications services.

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Ten Great Books by Black Authors for Black History Month

by Susan Dunn

To learn about a culture, read their great writers. They can express for us we can't always ourselves. Here are some suggestions from encarta.msn.com for Black history month or any time.
1. "The Marrow of Tradition," by Charles Chestnutt. Explores the repercussions of Plessy v. Ferguson, the Supreme Court case of 1896 that established "separate but equal" as the law of the land.

2. "The Autobiography of an ex-Colored Man," by James Weldon Johnson, outstanding fiction about a Black artist who passes as white.

3. "Their Eyes Were Watching God," by Zora Neale Hurston, considered the first Black feminist writer.

4. "Native Son," by Richard Wright, "still has the capacity to shock today," says the review.

5. "Invisible Man," by Ralph Ellison, a landmark of American literature. His first book, it remained on the bestseller list for 16 weeks and won the National Book Award for Fiction.

6. "Mumbo Jumbo," by Ishmael Reed, called "an idiosyncratic celebration of multiculturism," it takes a lot of swings at Western culture.

7. "Dahlgren," by Samuel Delaney, is one of the best-selling science fiction books of all time. It's "a sprawling exploration of gender, art, race, identity and much more," says the reviewer.

8. "The Color of Purple," by Alice Walker, a winner of the Pulitzer Price for fiction and the American Book Award.

9. "Beloved," by Toni Morrison, ; best seller and winner of the Pulitzer prize for fiction.

10. "Devil in a Blue Dress," by William Mosley, a mystery in the classic tradition, mixes "the hard-boiled poetry of Raymond Chandler with the racial realism of Richard Wright to explosive effect," says the Barnes and Noble review.

Source: encarta.msn.com.

Susan Dunn may be contacted at http://www.susandunn.cc sdunn@susandunn.cc. Susan Dunn, MA, Clinical Psychology, cEQc, The EQ Coach™ . Coaching resources, tools and support for your personal and professional development. EQ Alive! - EQ Coach training and certification. Susan is the author of numerous ebooks, including "How to Live Your Life with Emotional Intelligence," "Depression," and "EQ's Answer to Addiction: the 14th Step." She is widely published on the Internet, a syndicated columnist for WebProNews and Family-Content, and a regular speaker for cruise lines. She offers home study programs through her distance learning school.

Ways to Celebrate Black History Month

by Susan Dunn

Here are some sites and resources for celebrating the important history and contributions of Blacks.

1. Check out some videos on Black history, such as "The Black West" or "Abubakari: The Explorer King of Mali". These are recipients of the Gold Apple from the National Educational Media Association, Telly Award.

Including comprehensive support materials, 16 reproducible cross-curriculum activities and activity guides.

2. Get some celebrate diversity life savers and other multicultural celebration aids such as education posters, tshirts and videos.

3. Multigenerational celebrating with songs, books.

4. Take the Black past quiz.

5. The African-American Mosaic, A Library of Congress Resource Guide for the study of Black history & culture, including ex-slave narratives.

6. Read about inventions made by Blacks.

Did you know Alfred Benjamin invented stainless steel pads; John A.Burr invesnted the lawn mower; George Carruthers invented the image converter radiation detector; L.F. Brown invented the horse bridle bit; and Sarah Boone invented the ironing board?

7. Go to the Harlem Renaissance Page.

8. African Americans in the Visual Arts.

9. Archives of African American Music and Culture selected list of Internet resources for African American Music.

10. A wonderful link with profiles of prominent Blacks.

Read about Marian Anderson, contralto; Jackie Robinson, baseball pioneer; Wilma Rudolph, Olympia sprinter; Sidney Poitier, Oscar-award winning actor; Maya Angelou, poet; George Washington Carver, inventor, and other important Black figures in our history.

Susan Dunn may be contacted at http://www.susandunn.cc sdunn@susandunn.cc.
Susan Dunn, MA, Clinical Psychology, cEQc, The EQ Coach™ . Coaching resources, tools and support for your personal and professional development. EQ Alive! - EQ Coach training and certification. Susan is the author of numerous ebooks, including "How to Live Your Life with Emotional Intelligence," "Depression," and "EQ's Answer to Addiction: the 14th Step." She is widely published on the Internet, a syndicated columnist for WebProNews and Family-Content, and a regular speaker for cruise lines. She offers home study programs through her distance learning school.

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Excerpt from The Ebony Tree

by Maxine Thompson

As Jewel drew near the house set twenty feet off the sidewalk, she hesitated. Drawn venetian blinds with a tired yellow hue gave the dilapidated house a vacant look. Jewel felt a slight trembling inside of her, but she took it to be her nerves. She watched the day darken and could have sworn she was walking through a cemetery at midnight.
Although everyone whispered behind her back, calling Miss Mamie ''The Butcher,'' the number of notes which had passed surreptitiously between hands, but which directed one's path to this dark house, could not be counted over the years.

Miss Mamie was rumored to be related to the Seven Sisters in New Orleans. She was also said to be a root woman, conjurer, number lady, and abortionist.

The latter two claims were the most stablished. Not only did Miss Mamie pay promptly when one hit the number, she also sent away many relieved customers who left her door in a much lighter condition than when they first arrived. Miss Mamie led Jewel back into the kitchen, a dim dank room, reeking of camphor and sulfur. A white enamel table, with folded-down sides, stood in the middle of the room.

''Climb up.'' As she examined Jewel, Miss Mamie's face froze into a waxen mold. Her eyebrows, slanted in consternation, looked like furry black caterpillars. Yet her eyelids were shutters over her protruding eyeballs.

''Pull your dress down,'' Miss Mamie finally said. Jewel pulled her dress down, wondering what the next step would be.

''Why'd you wait so late?''

''What?'' Jewel thought she'd heard wrong. What was Miss Mamie talking about? Was it too late to do it today? It wasn't sundown yet.

''What?''

''You're too far gone.''

''What do you mean? I only missed two months.''

''Well, looking at your life line on your stomach, I'd say you're about four months along.''

''I can't be.''

''It happens like that sometimes. You have a period when you're actually pregnant. . . .Did you take the nutmeg ball or the quinine?''

''Yes, I did.'' ''It didn't bring you down?''

Jewel's stomach plummeted through her legs to the floor. The room began to swirl.

''I wouldn't be here if it had.''

''Well, I've never lost a patient, and I don't intend to start now.''

''I'll be all right. Please - Miss Mamie. I can't wait another day.''

''Well, I don't see why you waited so long in the first place.'' Out of the glazed windows of her eyes, Jewel watched the oasis of Miss Mamie's silhouette waver, flicker, and recede. At first, a moan, similar to that of a wounded animal, escaped from what sounded like a voice in her bowels.

Then, the strange noise worked its way up to her throat. The sandbags holding back the dam of tears behind Jewel's eyeballs burst open. ''You've got to help me,'' she balled in protest, like a lusty baby as it was being thrust into the world. ''I was breast-feeding, and I thought I couldn't get pregnant again.'' Miss Mamie's voice oftened. ''What's the matter, honey? It's not for your husband?''

''No, that's not it.''

''Well, then don't worry about it. This baby may end up being somebody. In the spring, or early summer, I'd say, you're going to have a little papoose.''

''But is there anything I can take?''

''You done took enough stuff to kill yourself and a baby. I think this baby was just meant to be. Like I say, if the cotton root mixed with tansy didn't work or the nutmeg and quinine, you just might as well be ready to welcome your new visitor.''

Jewel thought of the bitter tea which had made her vomit until she couldn't retch out anything more than a white foam. All for nothing. Thoughts began to scurry around in Jewel's head. Baby Boy was not even out of diapers yet, and another one halfway here. At one time, she'd enjoyed babies, but now that she'd had a baby in diapers for the past nine years, she felt like her head would crack open. Endless visions of soiled diapers, clabbered milk bottles, and overflowing toilets (where the kids had accidentally dropped soiled diapers down the stool,) made her head feel as if it had helium in it.

One day, it would surely rise up off her shoulders like a balloon let loose by one of her children and float all over the city. How come she had to be such a breeder? Her mother, Luralee, had only had two children. Even in her mother's second marriage, Jewel was unaware of any pregnancies. Saying ''Water and oil can't mix,'' Luralee swore by vaseline as a contraceptive. Well, in that case, Jewel's last two babies had been ''vaseline babies.''

Two of her mother's sisters, Mercy D and Sunday, had each been married over twenty years and never had given birth to a baby. Luralee always told Jewel that her younger sisters were barren as mules because Mama Lovey and Papa had borne them so late in life.

''They came from old seed,'' Luralee would say. But worse than that, she could just hear her neighbors, who were known for their outspokenness.

''I saw you down at the welfare office, Jewel. Too good to speak, but you on welfare just like the rest of us.''

Low-life riffraff. Jewel couldn't help it. She would never be like those women. She hated being on public assistance which primarily consisted of food commodities. Standing in line all day had made her lose a baby about six months earlier. She recalled the miscarriage she'd had earlier that year. She'd bled enough blood to fill the Red Sea. Jewel had been so weak, she'd seen death's furry shadows lingering around the corner of her eyes. But the needs of her children had superseded the pale horse.

''Mama, we hungry.''

''Mama. When you gon' get up?''

''Mama, Baby Boy's diaper done went down the toilet and it's running all over the bathroom.''

Jewel needed an extra set of hands on her time and energy. ''Mama, can I have a glass of milk?''

''Mama, tie my shoe.'' And—Lord Have Merciful Fathers—worse yet—''Can my friend come over for dinner?''

A moist blanket of gray mist fogged up the streets, as Jewel stumbled home in a blind blaze of despair. Her face was clammy with the sweat of regret. What could she do? How would she make it? Jewel felt as ancient as time. Here she was, only twenty-nine years old. Solly was too much of a goodtimer, himself, to make having five—no six—babies an easy lot. What a fool she'd been to have wanted a large family! Well, never again! If she got through this fix,—she didn't know how,—she would have to stop having babies. Sometimes, Jewel just wanted to sleep, unmolested by someone's nagging cough. She just wanted to get through an entire night without rubbing a menthol salve on one of her children's heaving chests, or cleaning up slimy vomit which looked like raw eggs. In order to break fevers, Jewel had discovered that if she took the heated iron and glided it over the top of the blanket, whoever the patient was would usually sweat out his cold and get well. Jewel never slept a complete night even when the children were well. She could never forget that the family had no health insurance. Because of this, her knees were darker than the rest of her body, since she stayed down on them so much. Even when her children were well, Jewel could always hear the specter of their sick whines behind the screen of her mind.

''Mama, I threw up.''

''Mama, I got a sore throat. Look down my throat. Daddy don't know how to do it. I want you, Mama.''

''Mama, I got a fever. Feel my head. I'm burning up.''

Jewel never knew exactly how she made it home. She didn't come to herself until she stood in her garden. A few straggly sunflowers, which had survived late fall, weaved and bobbed their saffron heads at her. Jewel dropped down to her knees and languidly ran her hand over the gray topsoil. She pulled some up to her tongue. She just couldn't take another step. She glanced absently over at her bare rose bush, which without the swaddling of its pink, red, and yellow skirts, looked as ravished as she felt. She had planted the rose bush the first spring they had moved to Delray. Every year, the children trampled it, picked off of it, and in general, abused it. But every year, in the spring, it returned like a faithful lover.

Absently, Jewel looked up at the sky, just as a light feathery snow began to fall. Filaments of pink light streaked the evening sky. Jewel knew that she was at the nadir of her life. There was no lower ebb that she could sink to. But she was going to have to put up with this situation until she could do better. If she would have to have this baby, somehow, she'd make it. Jewel knew she'd just have to swallow her pride and go on down to the welfare office the next day, since Solly had not worked long enough to draw an unemployment check. The mortgage was due, as well as she needed coal for the furnace. Old man winter was breathing down their necks, easing up under every crack in the house, and climbing under the covers with you at night.

In the spring, she'd have her garden again. That would help. She always went to the Farmer's Market and bought bruised pears, apples, or apricots by the bushels. That which they couldn't eat, she made Mason jars of jelly or jam out of. She also bought dented can goods from the Salvage up on Jefferson. From the harvest of her garden, she usually had plenty of canned vegetables laid up for the winter. Suddenly, an idea, as fructose as a warm syrup spreading over the waffles of her brain, invaded her mind. The upstairs of her house was empty. She could take in boarders. Why hadn't she thought of that before? The redolent scent of sarsaparilla from an old vine in her garden made her think of Mama Lovey, and the last winter of her life as she lay dying. Mama Lovey's sickroom smelled of sarsaparilla. Although Mama Lovey still loved her tea with sarsaparilla in it, she had been too weak and too sick to even hold the amber liquid down. Jewel had been with her grandmother when she drew her last breath, but sometimes, she could swear that Lovey had never died, she sensed her presence so. Jewel often dreamed of Lovey whenever she was troubled. Somehow, Lovey was a fly buzzing around in Jewel's head. Remembering Mama Lovey's last words, she said to herself, ''This too will pass.''

The Ebony Tree is available from Black Butterfly Press.

Maxine Thompson may be contacted at http://www.maxinethompson.com maxtho@aol.com. A former social worker of 23 years, I have published 2 novels, The Ebony Tree and No Pockets in a Shroud, A Place Called Home (A Short Story Collection), two self-help books, The Hush Hush Secrets of Writing Fiction That Sells, and How To Market, Promote and Sell Your Ebooks. I have had numerous short stories, articles and essays published in magazines, anthologies and e-zines. Recently, I began an on-line column to promote the works of new and self-published writers. The column is called, On The Same Page. Since 1999, I have written book reviews and columns across the Internet. Since 3/05/02, I have hosted an on-line radio show on www.voiceamerica.com called "On The Same Page". The show is aired live on Tuesdays at 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time, 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and Saturday 1:00 p.m.

Are You Ready for Juneteenth?

by Susan Dunn

General Order No. 3: Delivered by General Gordon Granger and the Union Army, Galveston, Texas, June 19, 1865.

"The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."

Ready to celebrate?

Q: What’s the only state to have declared Juneteenth a state holiday?
A: The Great State of Texas.

1. Get the supplies you need - here - http://www.juneteenth.com/juneteenthstore.htm and here - http://www.19thofjune.com/shopping/index.html . Party supplies, t-shirts, hats, buttons, stickers, posters, and more!

2. Learn the History.

"Every morning, perhaps, more instances than one are found of the living and the dead fastened together," wrote John Newton, a Slave Ship Captain. Did you know that after several voyages, Newton quit the slave trade, became a minister, and wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace," with its autobiographical line "...that saved a wretch like me."'

3. Check out what's happening worldwide here www.juneteenth.com/worldwide.htm .

And add your own list the celebration here: http://www.juneteenth.com/submit.htm .

4. A big day for my hometown, San Antonio, Texas. Y'all come!

On May 31, a traveling exhibition of documents dating from 1683 to 1969 is set to open at San Antonio's Witte Museum that's expected to attracts tens of thousands of visitors. The highlight of "American Originals: Treasures from the National Archives," will be the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

"Because it's fragile," says the press release, "the original proclamation will be on display only for a total of 48 hours over four days beginning June 19, or Juneteenth, the anniversary of the day in 1865 when word reached slaves in Texas that they were free." [Source:www.juneteenth.com/worldwide.htm] .

5. Texas leads the nation in proclaiming Juneteenth an official state holiday.

On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official Texas state holiday through the efforts of Al Edwards, an African American state legislator. Juneteenth is the first emancipation celebration granted official state recognition.

6. Sign the petition to make Juneteenth a National Holiday.

Go here: http://www.19thofjune.com/petition.html .

7. Take a family trip to Tyler, Texas (or get some ideas). These folks know how to celebrate. "Please come and be a part of the celebration!" they add - a bit of Texas hospitality.

The Juneteenth Association of Tyler sponsors the celebration which includes:

Teen Dance on Friday, June 20, 2003;
Annual Juneteenth parade starting at 10 am on Saturday, with floats, car clubs, motorcycles, drill teams, and grand marshal;
Celebration in the Park-FREE food, drinks, and entertainment and activities for the kids, praise dancers, and gospel and R&B singers;
Annual Juneteenth Ball for the adults.
Closing on Sunday with a Gospel Extravaganza with more FREE food and entertainment.

8. Read, listen and learn.

FOR THE FAMILY:
1. Freedom's Gifts: A Juneteenth Story, by Sharon Wilson (Illustrator), Valerie Wilson Wesley.

2. Juneteenth Jamboree, by Carole Weatherford.
3. Juneteenth Freedom Day, by Muriel Branch.

FOR YOU: Did you know Ralph Ellison (author of "Invisible Man")died leaving the manuscript for a novel called "Juneteenth,” available as uncorrected proof on amazon.com.

MUSIC: Check out William Ropert's CD "June Teenth" - available here. It has great cover art!

9. Watch a video.

"A Time to Be Remembered: A Juneteenth Story" is a 57-minute VHS videotape, with Teacher's Guide, Student's Time Line, and Activity Ideas. Go here to order it.

10. Put up the flag!

Beautiful Juneteenth flag, 3' by 5', $55.

Susan Dunn may be contacted at http://www.susandunn.cc sdunn@susandunn.cc. Susan Dunn, MA, Clinical Psychology, cEQc, The EQ Coach™ . Coaching resources, tools and support for your personal and professional development. EQ Alive! - EQ Coach training and certification. Susan is the author of numerous ebooks, including "How to Live Your Life with Emotional Intelligence," "Depression," and "EQ's Answer to Addiction: the 14th Step." She is widely published on the Internet, a syndicated columnist for WebProNews and Family-Content, and a regular speaker for cruise lines. She offers home study programs through her distance learning school.

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