“I am where I am because of the bridges that I crossed. Sojourner Truth was a bridge. Harriet Tubman was a bridge. Ida B. Wells was a bridge. Madame C. J. Walker was a bridge. Fannie Lou Hamer was a bridge.” – Oprah Winfrey
It’s the birthright of every human being to be free. Slavery is one of the darkest marks on human history and we have to be grateful for its abolition. Black History Month is a time to remember just how far from those days we are today and of the outstanding achievements made by the descendants of those slaves. There are still barriers today but many bridges have been successfully crossed by many people. Hurrah for Black History Month!
This is a time to look at some of the people whose achievements we can’t help but admire. We are all familiar with the popular international figures but there are some people we may not know about or may have forgotten. Here is a list of outstanding black people to jog your memory:
Martin Luther King (1929 – 1968) – King was a pivotal figure in the non-violent civil rights movement. During the 1950s and 1960s, he sought to improve race relations and overturn discrimination in American society. He is remembered for his powerful speeches which sought to bring about a united society – where race did not act as a barrier.
Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013 ) – Mandela spent most of his life campaigning for an end to apartheid in South Africa. After over 20 years in prison, he was released and was able to be the first elected President in post apartheid South Africa. Also admired for his forgiveness and willingness to reach out to the white community in South Africa.
Desmond Tutu (1931 – ) Leading figurehead in the South African anti apartheid movement. Desmond Tutu is a leading figure in speaking out for humanitarian and civil rights issues.
Oliver Tambo (1917 – 1993). President of the ANC (1960 – 1990). Tambo was a leading figure in promoting international opposition to the apartheid regime in South Africa.
Mohammed Ali (1942 – ) Great boxer of the 1960s. Refused to fight in Vietnam. Then a controversial decision, he later became widely admired as a principled figure of great stature.
Kofi Annan (1938 – ) UN Secretary General from Ghana who served two terms. Widely admired for his skills of patience and diplomacy.
Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) A former slave, Douglass became a leading figurehead in the anti-slavery movement. One of the most prominent African American leaders of the Nineteenth Century. His autobiography of life as a slave, and his speeches denouncing slavery – were influential in changing public opinion.
Haile Selassie (1892 – 1975) – Leader of Ethiopia and symbol of African independence against colonialism
Barack Obama (1961- ) – First US President of African origin. Obama served two terms as President and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
Malcolm X (1925-1965) – Member of the Nation of Islam which advocated black self-determination separation of black and white people. He later disavowed racism and the Nation of Islam
Jesse Owens (1913-1980) (athletics) Won Olympic Gold at ‘Hitler’s Olympics’, Berlin 1936.
Pele (1940 – ) (Brazil, footballer) Pele was the greatest footballer of the century. Since retirement Pele become a global ambassador for sport and is a well known advocate of overcoming poverty.
Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009) – Musician and singer. Famous for albums such as ‘Bad’ and “Off the Wall”. Jackson was also a pioneer of music videos.
Michael Jordan (1963 – ) – Great American Basketball player
Chinua Achebe (1930 – 2013) Best selling Nigerian novelist. He wrote the 1958 classic, ‘Things Fall Apart’
Haile Gebrselassie (1973 – ) Ethiopian record breaking distance runner.
Usain Bolt (1986 – ) iconic sprinter who has won a double Olympic triple of Gold medals at 100m, 200m, and 100m relay at 2008 and 2012 Olympics
Carl Lewis (1961 – ) US, athletics Nine time Olympic gold medallist, Carl Lewis won gold over three Olympics and was the great star of 1980s track and field.
Mo Farah (1983 – )- Somali refugee who came to Great Britain. Won double Olympic gold at 5,000m and 10,000m
Abebe Bikila (1932-1973) – A trailblazer of African running. Bikila won the 1960 Olympic marathon whilst running barefoot.
Olaudah Equiano (1745 – 1797) – The first black African slave to write about his experience as a slave. His book ‘The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano’ played a pivotal role in turning public opinion in Britain against slavery
Benjamin Zephaniah (1958 – ) English poet and writer, born to West Indian parents. Zephaniah writes poetry influenced by Jamaican Rastafarian tradition. He is also a social activist in fields of civil rights, animal rights and vegetarianism
Famous Black women
Rosa Parks (1913 – 2005) – Instrumental in the US civil rights movement of the 1960s
Oprah Winfrey (1954 – ) Influential US media personality with ground breaking chat show and own book club.
Wangari Muta Maathai Kenyan environmental and political activist. Awarded the Nobel peace prize 2004.
Tegla Laroupe (1973 – ) – Keynan long distance runner and global spokesperson for peace.
Mary Seacole (1805 – 1881) – nurse during Crimean war, contemporary of Florence Nightingale.
Maya Angelou. (1928 – 2014) American poet, writer and campaigner. Wrote poem for Bill Clinton’s inauguration ceremony which expressed the hopes and aspirations of a whole generation.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1962-) US, athletics. One of the most successful female track and field athletes. Won Olympic gold in Heptathlon and Long Jump
Serena Williams (1981 – ) (US, tennis) 19 single grand slam titles, 15 double titles. Also has won four Olympic gold medals.
The above list comes from blog.biographyonline.net I couldn’t have made up a list such as this so I’m grateful that I found this one.
In September of this year, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History will open in Washington, D.C. The Museum will feature artefacts and exhibitions that explore the African American experience from “slavery to the present”. (bbc.com) This will be a wonderful addition to the Smithsonian’s vast collection and a valuable resource for students of Black History, as well as the general public. Below is an interesting video I saw on Facebook about another type of Museum.
Of course, blog posts like this one could go on and on – but I’ll bring this one to a close with Siyahamba which is of South African origin and is sung in some churches in North America. In Zulu, it means “We are Walking.” In the lyrics below, it is translated as “We are Marching.” This Black History Month, hopefully, we are walking/marching in the light of God.
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwen-,
Khanyen’ kwenkhos’,
Siyahamba, hamba,
Siyahamba, hamba,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwen-,
Khanyen’ kwenkhos’.
Siyahamba, hamba,
Siyahamba, hamba,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’.
We are marching in the light of God,
We are marching in the light of God,
We are marching in the light of God,
We are marching in the light of,
The light of God,
We are marching, marching,
We are marching, marching,
We are marching in the light of,
The light of God,
We are marching, marching,
We are marching, marching,
We are marching in the light of God.
If you can’t fly, then run.
If you can’t run, then walk.
If you can’t walk, then crawl.
But whatever you do, keep moving.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.