History was not my favorite subject growing up. I remember learning about Columbus and other history topics, but that’s about it. I really don’t remember anyone who looked like me being in the history books back then. It wasn’t until I was in my early 20’s that I learned more about history we now call Black history, i.e. African-Americans building America. When I would play a game of African-American trivia, it was then and only then that I learned that I really didn’t know much about my history at all. I was eager to learn more than just my family story.
Our family story is that my Papa (pictured above) was a sharecropper. Sharecropping was common back then. It was when Papa would farm the land that he and our family (my Mom, her brother and Grandmother) lived on, in return for sharing a portion of the crops he produced with the owner of the land as rent. Momzi boasts of being a farm girl. She was so thankful for her childhood and experiences that only one could have on a farm. She reminded me regularly, to not take for granted how I could go in the store and get butter, when they had to churn it, etc. She spoke fondly of having plenty to eat as well as Grandmother’s delicious cooking . . .just couldn’t beat growing up on a farm!
Last year I sent in my DNA to 23andme. Just by looking at me, I think it is obvious that I am African. The results confirmed that and so much more. I am 87.9% Sub-Saharan African (84.4% West African), 8.7% European, 2.7% East Asian & Native American, 0.4% South Asian and 0.3% Unassigned. I now better understand the term African-American, ie Americans who were originally from Africa. I now believe that it’s safe to say that my ancestors were apart of the transatlantic slave trade who were shipped over to America from Africa.
And for this, I am proud of my heritage, my lineage and my history. Today is not only the last day of Black History Month celebration, reflection and acknowledgement, it happens to also be my birthday, February 28th. As we end the shortest month of the year, I am thankful for my ancestors’ tenacity, faith and strength to prevail and survive during such tumultuous times. I celebrate Black History, not just for a month, but daily!
