Booker T.

Yesterday I got a phone call from a teacher at Booker T. Washington High School.  I thought, "Hmmm...who is Booker T. Washington?  And why did they name a school after him?".  But I left it at that.  Later, my husband and I went to a local book store and I came across this book: Guest of Honor: Booker T. Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and the White House Dinner That Shocked a Nation.  "Oh, he was a black man" I thought.  "He ate at the White House...He must be a very important person.  Why the heck don't I know anything about him?!"

Running into Booker T. Washington twice in twelve hourse is enough of a sign for me.  I've got to know about him.  So, today, I'm starting my research.  There's much more to come, but so far I'm fascinated by the following things about his life:

1. He's a black man who is famous for his dedication to education.  How much do we need that kind of role model?!!  (thank you Geoffrey Canada!  I mean it.)
2. Despite the fact that black people built the White House and served many presidents there, Washington was the first black man to be invited to dine there as the president's guest.  This caused quite a stir, apparently. 
3. His life is a blueprint of the interconnectedness of white and black (and even native) populations in our country.

I'm excited to share more of my thoughts as I learn what I should have learned in (my excellent and racially-integrated) elementary school...  Hope you'll come along for the ride!

Soul

Yesterday I began writing another blog post on a terribly serious topic.  I realized most of my posts are serious.  It's time for something a bit more uplifting and positive.  So, today (inspired by the song I just heard on the radio, linked below) I'm going to write about one of my most favorite aspects of black culture in the U.S.: music.
Ah, there isn't anything quite like the way jazz, soul and gospel get into my blood and move me.  If I could live 5 different lives, in one I would definitely be a black female singer from the 1960s.  Or a black back-up singer.  Or a black woman in a church that had a choir.  Alas...I don't have a voice even for a white girl. 

But, I can still pretend.  I can roll up my car windows, turn the music on loud, raise my hands and sing along with Aretha, Etta, and Gladys.   :) 



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v78-ftcqpNw