Black History Month is a time for reflection. The tremendous sacrifices of our forefathers must be remembered. Jay Harold believes that there are many great quotes from visionary black people. Jay Harold has highlighted some of these quotes about the black condition in America with a video.
“Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise.” – Maya Angelou
Quotes from W.E.B. Dubois1, President Barack Obama, Nikki Giovanni2, Jaachynma N.E. Agu3 and more renew your spirit. The determination displayed to rise despite the crushing burden of repression is amazing. You can feel the strength of character of W.E.B. Dubois when he wrote these words. “There is in this world no such force as the force of a person determined to rise. The human soul cannot be permanently chained.” Powerful words that stand the test of time.
The quotes are brought to life when set to the music of Morgan Bouldin4. The song “U know what time it is” implies that more hard work is needed for a better future for black people.
William Ernest Henley wrote the poem “Invictus” while recovering from surgical procedures to save his leg. One of his legs had already been amputated, and he was determined to keep the other one. His fight is similar to African-Americans of the past. We start out walking toward the future with twin pillars of hope and opportunity as our legs. Somehow we lose one of the pillars. That’s not the end of our journey for black people. We keep moving forward. Wilma Rudolph5 said “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” Here ‘s the poem:
“We ask for nothing that is not right, and herein lies the great power of our demand.” – Paul Robeson
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Take a car ride through recent Civil Rights History with the free “Slow Roll Through Civil Rights” on the Jay Harold website. Enjoyed this post? Share it and read more here.
Jay Harold is always looking out for your Health and Wealth.
