“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
History class was not always my favorite class at school. Especially since I’m not good at memorizing names and dates. I trusted that at school I was learning everything I needed to know about the history of the United States, but that was not true.
In the last 10 years I have been more aware of how much I did not learn about the history of the US. This has become more real in knowing, listening and speaking with people who have been marginalized, have suffered injustices or have seen the reality of racism in our country. Even my own experiences have made me become more aware of how history affects our current realities.
Big and important pieces of American history have been omitted from our schools.
In the United States, the month of February is observed as Black History month, it is designed to remember the important contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout the history of our nation. History that I did not learn enough of in school, but thanks to the friendships I have with some amazing women, I am learning more about African American history.
I want to share with you the stories of 5 courageous women, who with their faith and determination changed history. Their achievements deserve to be taught in our schools, families and communities.
Phillis Wheatley, who persevered through difficult circumstances after being captured and subjected to slavery at seven years of age. After being bought by the Wheatley family, they soon realized her intelligence and decided to educate her. She studied and became deeply rooted in her faith which influenced her poems and other writings. Phillis Wheatley was the first African-American writer to publish a book in the United States and is currently considered the mother of African-American literature.
Claudette Colvin, who at 15 years old, courageously refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus to a white woman. The fact for which she was arrested but her actions began a movement. Some historians consider her the “Mother of the modern movement of Civil Rights”
This incident preceded nine months to the one of Rosa Parks, who also denied her seat in a bus to a white person, but the case of Rosa Parks was much more publicized. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was also arrested; this later preceded the fight for civil rights.
Rosa Parks, who with her decision and firmness, by denying her seat in a bus to a white person, changed the history of the United States and began the debates for the rights of African-Americans. “After that day the communities organized a boycott against buses to demand recognition as equals. Among the Protestants was the pastor and leader for the defense of equality, Martin Luther King Jr.“
Fannie Lou Hamer, was one of the powerful voices among civil rights activists. She emerged from humble beginnings to become one of the most important, passionate and powerful voices of the civil and electoral rights movement.
Fannie Lou worked actively in registering African-American voters and fought hard until she succeeded in registering to vote but everything came at great cost. During the course of her activist career, she was threatened, arrested, and beaten but that did not dissuade her from her job.
“When Hamer hit bottom in her pursuit of justice, the sweet water of faith welled up in her soul. Belief in the Christian God of liberty and justice fueled her efforts and that of many civil rights activists. Hamer did not just keep her faith to herself, she vocalized it in her fight for justice.”
– Jemar Tisby, “I’m Not Backing Off”: Racism and the Undefeatable Faith of Fannie Lou Hamer
Harriet Tubman, a hero, who after escaping from slavery, risked her life as the conductor of the underground railroad, that led escaped slaves to freedom. In a period of ten years, she made 19 trips to the south and guided more than 300 slaves to freedom.
Her guidance of so many to freedom earned her the nickname “Moses.”
Tubman’s friends and fellow abolitionists claimed that the source of her strength came from her faith in God as deliverer and protector of the weak. “I always tole God,” she said, “‘I’m gwine [going] to hole stiddy on you, an’ you’ve got to see me through.’”
These 5 women are heroes among many other African-American women, who with their faith and courage opened the doors for all people of color to experience freedom and equal rights in the US.
I have the privilege of serving with women from whom I learn a lot about the history. I have learned from them how to love my neighbor better, how to have compassion, and how to use my voice and position to open doors for the next generation.
Women like Dominique and Gwen who are educating Christian leaders and the church about history and race relations. In their field of leadership, they are advocates for ethnic leaders who struggle in ministries led by majority culture leaders.
For example, Dominique is one of the Cross Cultural Training Coordinators for the high school ministry of Cru, she helps staff take steps of faith in their cultural competency journey and help their ministries reflect the diversity of their scope.
Gwen and her husband, Darryl, direct Cru’s Oneness and Diversity team. They are committed to helping shape a unified community that increasingly values ethnicity, age and gender.
Part of the commitment statement says: We believe every human being is made in the image of God, and we affirm the God-given worth, dignity and equality of men and women from every tribe, language, people and nation. Because ethnicity is part of the good of creation, we seek to honor and celebrate the ethnic identity of those with whom we serve as well as those we seek to reach. We are also committed to ensuring that our ministries and leadership reflect the ethnic diversity of the communities we serve.
Cru’s Commitment to Oneness and Diversity
Even in our churches and ministries there is a lack of knowledge and education about the history of the United States. It is important to learn it because history also affects our faith. Dominique and Gwen are helping to change the patterns and culture of our ministries and churches so that in them we reflect the diversity that God created in His image.
February is not the only month in which we should celebrate the contributions of these women. Take the time to learn more about them and about other women like Ruby Bridges, Dr. Louise Fleming, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Katherine Johnson, Michelle Obama and many others who have helped shape history.
“The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are.”
Maya Angelou
Stay tuned to the next word…
