Founded in 1914 in Virginia

A New Perspective on Black History Month

Posted by Pam Tubbs on Feb 27, 2017
 
 
Cassandra Newby-Alexander (l) and Dr. Stephen Jones
 
 
The Program:  Rotarian of the Day Dr. Steve C. Jones introduced our guest speaker, Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Ph.D., professor of history at Norfolk State University and co-author of numerous publications on the subject of African American history and education, presented a thoughtful and detailed Black History Month overview.  A board member of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, the Historical Commission of the Supreme Court of Virginia, the Norfolk Sister City Association and the Norfolk Historical Society, Dr. Newby-Alexander possesses superb bona fides to enlighten us on her subject. 
 
Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander prefaced her comments with a quote from political leader Marcus Garvey: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”  Black History Month began in 1926, evolving from an effort by historian Carter G. Woodson and other scholars at Howard University to promote knowledge of black history to the general public through a national celebration they called “Negro History Week.”  The second week in February was chosen because the birthdays of two freedom fighters—Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln—fell within that week.  Woodson’s original intent was that this celebration would continue only until black history was fully integrated into the American story.
 
Unfortunately, Dr. Newby-Alexander noted, most American history textbooks relegate African-American contributions to our shared history to brief discussions of slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement.  She opined that this situation is what makes this year’s Black History Month theme, “The Crisis in Black Education” even more relevant.  She added that by marginalizing black history, the legislated Standards of Learning proved to be an incomplete guide for what is important to teach in our public schools, and yet has inspired the quest to fully integrate black history into the national narrative.  She asserted that many local and national political activists and legislators celebrate our Founding Fathers as morally ideal while ignoring their having been slaveholders who supported a legalized system of discrimination against and abuse of people of African descent.  Moreover, these same activists and legislators have driven the deliberate placement of school history textbooks that gloss over or totally avoid these uncomfortable reminders of our country’s complicated past. 
 
Politicized narratives refute the reality that the contributions of African-American people are deeply woven into the fabric of our nation’s history.  Instead of black history being studied all year round, with all children being able to see African-American contributions and connections across the entire curriculum, black history is often isolated within the arts, sports, and religion.  We all lose by not teaching an inclusive history.  For example, most students learn about George Washington Carver, the celebrated botanist; however, most never hear about other black inventors who influenced American life, such as:
* Charles Drew, a surgeon and researcher who invented the modern large-scale blood bank;
* Lewis Latimer, son of runaway slaves, an engineer who worked closely with Thomas Edison to create the light bulb, and Alexander Graham Bell, the telephone.
* Patricia Bath, an ophthalmologist who invented a laser device that revolutionized the treatment of cataracts; or
* Garrett Morgan, inventor of the traffic signal. 
“Hidden Figures,” the current film about black women serving as “human computers” for NASA during the early years of the American space program, certainly has helped shine a light on black Americans whose contributions previously were unknown to the general public.  Dr. Newby-Alexander said that as we progress into the 21st century, we also must make progress in correcting history textbooks that ignore such people whose work has been a vital component of our shared history.  Will we persist in allowing America’s narrative to be dominated by an exclusive, pro-European perspective or will we work collectively to craft another, more inclusive narrative that tells the whole truth about America?  
 
America is a place where great minds turn fantastic imaginings into reality, a place where humans are catapulted into space--to the moon--and soon, to Mars.  This also is the place where writers of influential literature have ignited the imaginings of a global community, where music and storytelling has dared our dreams to soar.  We must remember, urged Dr. Newby-Alexander, that to appreciate our place in history, educators must be allowed to teach our true and complete narrative, and hopefully, inspire our enduring future.
 
The Meeting
President Bryce sounded the gong and led recitation of The Four-Way Test.  Song Leader of the Day Chuck Spence led spirited renditions of “R-O-T-A-R-Y” and “America.”  Following the Pledge, Julie Keesling offered a thoughtful grace.
 
Visitation Report:  Fred Walker updated us about Bill Burnett, who is continuing to recuperate and now is back at Harbor’s Edge, and Bill Eisenbeiss, who is recovering from his third hip surgery. 
 
Announcements and Club Business: 
 
Make-up reports for February are due to Jane Dembert.
 
Dues & Meals Invoices have been emailed.  If you did not receive the email or need a printed invoice, please sign the list at the check-in table or contact Jane Dembert.
 
Shep Miller introduced new member, Craig Reilly.  Craig is a Norfolk native and a graduate of Hampden-Sydney.  He is an Executive Vice President and Director of Business Development with Waypoint Advisors. 
 
Lorna Cochrane put in a plug for our 3rd Annual Suds ‘n’ Buds party coming up on Friday, 19 May.  How we can help:   
  • Buy tickets NOW at the advance price of $45. Your ticket gets you great food from area restaurants, two adult beverages, live entertainment by Lewis McGehee, a garden tram ride and after-hours garden admission. Ticket link: http://bit.ly/2jMzFol
  • Tell adult family and friends about the party and share the ticket link with them as well as the sudsandbuds.org website.
  • Share details on Facebook by liking, commenting on and sharing posts you will find on https://www.facebook.com/sudsandbudsparty/ as well as https://www.facebook.com/sudsandbudsparty/ 
  • Help connect our vendor and sponsor teams to restaurants you would like to have provide food at the party and businesses who would be great event sponsors.  Lisa Chandler added that “you don’t get if you don’t ask,” relating her experience at having asked someone she’d bumped into by chance, who happily contributed $1,000 (anonymously)!  Forms for prospective sponsors and caterers are in envelopes on the front desk.  No need to do any of the recruiting yourself; just contact Lorna (cochranelorna@cox.net) or Steve Jones (dr.scjones@gmail.com), and the committee will do the work!
 
Happy Bucks, Congratulations & Fines
  • Jerry Friedman was delighted to report that he had moved to Harbor’s Edge--finally! 
  • Lisa Sands plugged her Opera Gala coming up on 26 April. 
  • Sharon Laderberg happily paid her fine for having been pictured in the Virginian Pilot being serenaded on Valentine’s Day; she added happy bucks for her father’s successful heart surgery. 
  • Jeff Wells pitched in $10 and an invitation for us to join him in the annual Polar Bear Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics. 
  • Chuck Spence was happy to report having appeared recently onstage at Carnegie Hall (despite the old joke about getting there only by practicing, Chuck said one may also get there with lots of bucks!). 
  • Steve Schultz contributed to celebrate his son’s first job (at J. B. Hunt Co.). 
  • Julie Keesling happily remembered this, the 9th anniversary of her daughter’s successful kidney transplant (donated by her husband). 
  • Linwood Beckner celebrated his 46th wedding anniversary. 
  • Sally Hartman had a great time at a recent murder mystery dinner. 
  • Ashley Molinaro was happy about her 5th wedding anniversary. 
  • Bob Latimer paid up regarding his annual Hot Dog Day having been covered in a local neighborhood newspaper (he’s worried that the advertising may balloon his bill!). 
  • Chick Robison offered a confession and fine for having forgotten to wear his Rotary pin (Pres. Bryce encouraged all other forgetful folks to contribute accordingly). 
  • Susan Donn instigated an instant auction to pawn off some University of VA glassware: Norfolk Rotary Charities earned $30 as a result.
  • Walt Sobcyyk celebrated the great time he and his wife had while visiting Denmark recently. 
  • Joe Massey’s phone rang, which he said was doubly painful, since the call was from an irritating lawyer!  
 
Visitors:  Guests were recognized by Marty Raiss. There were no visiting Rotarians. 
  • Will King introduced a long time friend and prospective member, Major James Allison from the Salvation Army.
  • Bob Heely brought Monte Stewart, a participant in our Career Day.
Raffle:  Pam Tubbs won the daily raffle (with the free ticket from last week's 100% table!) netting $10; drawing the eight of clubs, she left the big pot to roll on.