A Personal Look at Black History Month, Pt 4

Obama once said, “It was in my father’s image, the black man, son of Africa, that I’d packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, Dubois and Mandela.”

As a father, it is in my image, a Black man, a father of black sons, that I walk in my truth. The truth of my people. It’s the truth and history of many great men and women of African descent. As a black man and father, I must pack many of these great attributes into myself, so my son sees me walking in the pride of the History of the African American people. It is my responsibility as a father to teach my sons not just the history of our people but to be proud of our history. I am proud of where we as a people have come. And yes, there is so much more to come. Black History is 365 days a year for me and my house, but Black History Month allows me to celebrate my pride publicly. It is my hope that as we celebrate this month, we celebrate inclusively.

– Oshaun Curinton

Being from Albany, Georgia, I’m proud to say that from the fall of 1961 to the summer of 1962 Albany, Georgia was at the epicenter of the entire civil rights movement in our country. In December of 1962 local leaders invited Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to come to Albany, Georgia. Dr. King ultimately made multiple speeches while in Albany and lead a civil rights march that resulted in his arrest along with more than 1,000 African Americans from the surrounding area. Today Albany, Georgia has a civil rights museum that highlights the importance of the contributions my city made in the fight for equality for all that breathes. Because of this, I’m proud to call Albany, Georgia my home.

– Theresa Daniels

Knowing where I am from and the history of my city makes me proud to be from Albany, Georgia. Albany, GA was the milestone of the civil rights movement for many. We have had many great leaders come through and come from Albany, GA, like Slater King, who was a civil rights activist, author, and real estate broker and one of the leaders of the Albany movement. Slater King marched alongside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Albany civil rights movement (1961-1962). When I reflect on this, as a child in middle school during these times, knowing and seeing the conflict that was happening in my city took a toll on my upbringing; but seeing our “Home Leaders” fighting for our rights, gave me hope and the mental strength to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

– Keith B. Thomas