Area residents reflect on African American History Month

African American or Black History Month in February became a national observance in 1976. Its roots go back to the 1920s continuing in the African American community through the 1950s and 1960s. The celebration is to focus on the contributions of African Americans, their history and culture.

Several Poplar Bluffians shared their thoughts and remembrances about the observance, including educators Rhonda Kennedy, who is president of the Wheatley Historical Preservation Association, and Katherine Harris; retired registered nurse JoAnn Brandon; Poplar Bluff Mayor Robert Smith and a long-time city council representative; local businessman and community leader Rex Rattler; and Kevin Ellis, who served in the U.S. military, works at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, and is involved with the NAACP.

“African American history is the story of the life, struggles, and contributions of Americans that have African lineage,” Kennedy said. “(People of color) as a whole have made major discoveries, invented products, and fought to improve our quality of life. February is a month set aside to recognize and give thanks for all they have done.

“History is such an important aspect of our everyday life. It makes us who and what we are. When we know and understand our history, our lives become more enriched. We realize all our forefathers went through to ensure a better life for us.”

For Kennedy, knowing where she came from, and the people who helped pave the way, helps her appreciate life even more.

“It also makes me work harder to leave an impression on generations after me,” she said. “The best way I can do that is by teaching them and showing them where they came from. Once they know where they come from, they will understand where they are going. I am a firm believer in that.”

Kennedy’s first experience with African American History month was at church.

“We have a program where we would sing Negro Spirituals, recite poems written by African Americans, and be presented with the history of local African Americans and their contributions,” she said.

Kennedy remembers, “The youth would do reports on well known African Americans. Prizes would be awarded for the top three in every level. A national theme is picked each year and would be addressed by the presenting quest speaker. Downstairs in the basement, you could walk through the different displays of art, informational history boards, and anything presentable about African American history. After the program, we would fellowship and have refreshments.”

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Kathern Harris

“I have participated yearly in various ways in programs recognizing the achievements, inventions, work ethic and sacrifices of Black Americans,” Harris said. “To me, Black History Month means gratitude for all of those who assist in paving the way for future generations.”

Harris retired from the Three Rivers College Educational Talent Search Program, working with seventh through 12th grade first generation college students. Harris worked with 1,000 students every year through Talent Search, until her retirement. A 1963 graduate of Neelyville High School, Harris in 1978 took what she thought would be a temporary position teaching first grade. She taught more than 500 children during her 17 years at Neelyville.

Harris also volunteers with the Wheatley school tutoring program, the Workforce Investment Board youth council, the Designing Women Foundation board and the Poplar Bluff Public Library board.

Harris said she has been aware of Black History Month since 1976 when it was first recognized and designated by President Gerald Ford.

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JoAnn Brandon

JoAnn Brandon explained on the surface, Black History Month sounds fine; the celebration to educate “all” regarding the positive role Black Americans have played in the development of this great country.

“Maybe we could move away from the stereotypes of pimps, prostitutes, maids and drug dealers,” Brandon said. “To get past the thought that Black students only have a future in service or trade positions or if they are lucky, they can have a sports career. It is sad to say, limitations have been applied in sports.”

Black History Month became a national observance in 1976, and Brandon said, “but our history books and classes still do not tell the whole story. I can see some change, but the change is slow. I can turn on the television and see a Black news anchor, judge or doctor in a leading role, stable married couple, or ranking military officer. This should be the norm not the exception. Many students of color do not have educators and counselors that look like them.

“My hope is that as we continue to celebrate these 28 days a year, a light will come on. A light that will illuminate the fact that we all are the same. Same need to be successful, same want for our children to be safe, same desire to be respected and recognized for the human beings we are. Not to look past my color because I am proud of it, but do not let my color keep you from seeing who I really am and all I have to offer.”

Brandon stressed, “By the way, Black history is American history.”

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Robert Smith

Mayor Robert Smith said, “I first became quite knowledgeable about African American History Month in 1993. I listened and learned about it. It means learning more and keeping abreast of the many things that African Americans contributed to in the past and even today. This was the first time that I became close and understood the vast amount of history that African Americans contributed to our nation and society.”

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Rex Rattler

Rex Rattler recalled, “My earliest recollections of Negro/Black History (then) and African American (Now) began during my pre-school days. Mostly, the senior citizens from the community, church and my baby sitting days would individually and collectively, as a group, inform me of a Glorious Past to be Proud of, in contrast to the negative images seen most often.”

These people served as Rattler’s earliest “motivational speakers” with stories including the details on the lives of people like Carter G. Woodson, Frederick Douglas, William E. B. Du Bois, and Marcus Garvey, while younger people profiled the likes of Jack Johnson, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson, Josephine Baker, Madam C J Walker and Cassius Clay, who later became known as Muhammad Ali.

Rattler said, “But, I must admit that I was most intrigued to learn about Blacks in the Bible from members of the clergy. Once I overheard a dialogue regarding some of them. I had never heard that type of information about so many Blacks and felt that others had been deprived of this information, too.”

Rattler asked church officials if they could invite a special guest speaker on the subject to their congregation.”The sermon was a fiery one that included Negro spirituals, a list of both patented/(un) patented inventors/inventions, names of leaders with great intellectual abilities, and several well-known cultural celebrations, as well as, it created an atmosphere where all could and did participate in praise filled with loud ‘Hallelujahs and Amens.’”’

Rattler said, “personally, I am of the opinion that African American history, though the dark pages of American history, are necessary for cultural diversity to exist and serve as a significant, vibrant fabric in achieving the American Dream.”

With 2020 Hindsight Vision, Rattler wants to thank Mr. Carter G. Woodson for his daily, weekly hopes and dreams that became monthly and nationally recognized reality.

“You were successful in documenting and exposing truths regarding the achievements and accomplishments of a race of people thought to be inferior, inadequate intellectually and incapable of making meaningful contributions,” Rattler said. “With this additional information, society is capable of making better informed decisions as an inclusive TEAM members where, Together Everyone Achieves More.”

Pointing out Rattler said, “Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a dramatic decrease in the number of public events. It would be a good thing for you to expose yourself to local African American culture by driving through the Garfield District of Poplar Bluff. There, it’s as simple as “A B C” where you can see the Academic contributor to educated minds since (1901), where a “mom and pop” business legacy continues with a “father and son” (1958), and the church that has been saving souls since (1875).”

The Garfield Historic District includes Wheatley School, Rattler’s Grocery and Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church

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Kevin Ellis

Kevin Ellis believes February is both a celebration, and a recognition of the perseverance, accomplishments and struggles of the African American race in the United States. He continued, “We as a African American people:

“May not be shackled or restrained in the physical chains of slavery as a means of denigration; however, we overwhelmingly, remain in bondage through the occupation of prison cells all over the Nation. Not because of equal Justice, but because of unequal justice.

“We may no longer be required to work from sun up to sun down preparing, maintaining and harvesting the crops of the master’s fields, yet we have not achieved equal economic development for ourselves.

“We may not be required to count the jelly beans in a jar to cast a vote, but we’re forced to stand in long lines, for many hours, due to the closing of polling stations. The closing of polling stations that’s meant to discourage and suppress the right to have a voice through the democratic process.

“We may not have our family members sold to the highest bidder on auction blocks, as a means of separating families; but, our families continue to be subjected to police brutality through the unnecessary and needless killings of our brothers and sisters, thus creating broken families and broken dreams future generations to come.

“Celebrating Black History Month, means we have endured and suffered through the before mentioned circumstances, and yet we still rise as a people. Once a year, for a month, we rise to educate America, and the world of the many sacrifices made through building and development of the nation.”

Ellis believes it’s important to remind both present and future generations of the contributions from citizens such as Archie Alexander to Vice President Kamala Harris. Alexander was an American architect and engineer. He was an early African-American graduate of the University of Iowa, and the first to graduate from the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering.

By bringing awareness of these accomplishments, Ellis said, “we inspire future generations to continue striving to advance the human race and continue striving to make this nation a more perfect union. It’s important to continue overcoming the machine of white supremacy and racism as a people. By doing so, we continue to educate the nation and debunk stereotypes that African Americans are inferior.

“By continuing to demonstrate that we can navigate through dark times and struggles, we’re just as equal as the next human being.”

He explains, “I didn’t actually learn about participating in African American history month until I left the military in 1993. It was then, that I was able to reflect back to my upbringing, that I realized, we’re not taught depths of African American history enough to inspire and educate the next generation. This is one of the reasons I began to mentor, coach and inspire track and field athletes to achieve higher levels of education. Through this education, we can help change the system by learning we can be competitors, while not being enemies.”