[Ohio-Talk] Black History Month

Wed Feb 2 02:41:32 UTC 2022

Maggie,

You are amazing! Your ability to profoundly use words in an inspiring manner is unparalleled. Thank you for sharing!

Suzanne

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 1, 2022, at 9:23 AM, Maggie Stringer via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Dear Ohio,
> 
> 
> 
> Recently, I have been researching and reading through hundreds of historic
> speeches and legendary quotes from civil rights icons including Martin
> Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass, and W.E.B. Du Bois. These powerful
> leaders along with other inspiring modern figures inspired me to create a
> montage of their insightful words, historic speeches, and powerful writing,
> as one.
> 
> I had been asked to share, “The Power of One”, with my federation family.
> My hope is that all of our members will recognize Black History Month as an
> opportunity to understand Black histories and will take the time to
> celebrate Black achievement.  I believe it is essential to have a fresh
> reminder of where systemic racism persists and give visibility to the
> people and organizations creating change.
> 
> 
> 
> Without further ado.
> 
> 
> 
> The Power of One
> 
> “I had no idea that history was being made.  I was just tired of giving up.”
> 
> We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It’s our
> basic human right. The thing about black history is that the truth is so
> much more complex than anything you could make up. There are still many
> causes worth sacrificing for, so much history yet to be made. Black History
> Month must be more than just a month of remembrance; it should be a tribute
> to our history and reminder of the work that lies in the months and years
> ahead. Won’t it be wonderful when black history and Native American history
> and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just
> U.S. history.
> 
> “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached
> in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
> 
> We have a wonderful history behind us…and it is going to inspire us to
> greater achievements. A man without knowledge of himself and his heritage
> is like a tree without roots. If you know whence you came, there is really
> no limit to where you can go.
> 
> “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that
> cannot fly.”
> 
> Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one
> another’s uniqueness. My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be
> human together. In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay
> ourselves the highest tribute. If there is a book that you want to read,
> but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it. One of the
> hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can’t utter.
> Make a difference about something other than yourselves. Whatever we
> believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us.
> 
> “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a
> way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
> 
> Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations. Life has two
> rules: number 1, never quit! Number 2, always remember rule number one.
> Whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when
> you’re free . . . your true self comes out. Just don’t give up what you’re
> trying to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go
> wrong. I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t
> accept not trying. Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you
> know better, do better.
> 
> “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
> 
> Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the
> struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the
> struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in
> every generation must do our part.
> 
> “Have a vision. Be demanding.”
> 
> 
> 
> **Every line has been written or spoken by:
> 
> Colin Powell.
> 
> Dr. Mae Jemison.
> 
> Thurgood Marshall.
> 
> Susan L. Taylor.
> 
> Desmond Tutu.
> 
> Langston Hughes.
> 
> Frederick Douglass.
> 
> Booker T. Washington.
> 
> Ella Fitzgerald.
> 
> Nelson Mandela.
> 
> John R. Lewis.
> 
> Maya Angelou.
> 
> Ola Joseph.
> 
> Aretha Franklin.
> 
> Michael Jordan.
> 
> James Earl Jones.
> 
> Toni Morrison.
> 
> Henry Louis.
> 
> Marty Meehan.
> 
> Tina Turner.
> 
> Michelle Obama.
> 
> Duke Ellington.
> 
> Dick Gregory.
> 
> James Baldwin.
> 
> Carter G. Woodson.
> 
> Alice Walker.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Maggie Stringer
> Phone: (443) 750-0070
> Email: ravensfan784 at gmail.com
> Community Service Facebook Page
> <https://www.facebook.com/CommunityServiceDivision/>
> NFB Website <http://www.nfb.org>
> NFB Ohio Website <http://www.nfbohio.org>
> “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra."
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