Tag: slavery

Paving the Way

by Mershon Niesner

In recognition of the 60th anniversary of Dr. ML King’s “I have a dream” speech and historic The March on Washington, I’m repeating this post.

These women are me. Oprah

Oprah has a collection of property ledgers from former plantations framed and hanging in her library as a reminder of where she came from. The ledgers contain the names, ages, and prices of people along with cattle, wagons, and other possessions.

Oprah is the great-great-granddaugter of enslaved people. In a different era, her name would have been in someone’s ledger. Oprah says she wants this constant reminder so she remembers, “These women are me.” 

Hard as some might try, they can’t erase history, it’s built into the fabric of our lives. 

Who would you be, where would you be, what would your life be like if someone hadn’t fought for your freedom? I’d be the property of my husband, with no voice, no vote, and no property.

Affirmations: I honor and remember those who paved the way. I will be a “paver” too.

Coaching questions: What lessons do you want to take away from your history? What do you believe needs to be done today so more will have a life of freedom? What are you doing to pave the way for future generations?

Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash

What Does National Freedom Day Mean To You?

by Mershon Niesner

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God, cannot long retain it. Abraham Lincoln, letter to H.L. Pierce, April 6, 1859.

Today is National Freedom Day in the United States. It’s the day we celebrate freedom from slavery, and recognize America as a symbol of liberty. On this day, Abraham Lincoln signed a joint House and Senate resolution that later became the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

In a time when our voting rights are being restricted, some public school districts are questioning whether to teach the truth about our history, and books dear to our hearts are being banned in schools and libraries, National Freedom Day takes on renewed significance.

Affirmation: I support freedom..

Coaching questions: Why does freedom mean to you? What will you do to protect your freedom? 

Social History Archives

Celebrating Our Diversity

by Mershon Niesner

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Martin Luther King Jr

At a time when the history of slavery is relegated to a few paragraphs in some school textbooks, it behoves us to educate the public on the accomplishments of African Americans throughout the years since slavery. 

The Black History Month 2020 theme, “African Americans and the Vote,” is in honor of the centennial anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment (1920) granting women’s suffrage and the sesquicentennial of the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) giving black men the right to vote.

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

In my family, the theme is “Blended makes us beautiful!” Honoring our diversity keeps us alert to injustice.

Affirmation: I honor and respect the accomplishments of my black brothers and sisters.

Coaching questions: What does diversity, in all aspects of life, mean to you? This month, I’m celebrating Rosie, an American of Haitian descent, who I helped obtain a college scholarship. Who will you celebrate? 

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