Black History Month, On Steroids: We Are Proud Descendants Of Slaves, Who Survived

By Ettie Rutherford
Contributing Columnist

Although there has been the annual celebration of Black History, since 1995, when former federal Minister and MP, Dr. Jean Augustine, introduced the motion for the Canadian Parliament to recognize February as the designated month, this year seems to have heralded more emphasis than in previous years.

It could be that an increasing number of us in the Black community are being more vocal about our heritage, or it could be the renewed emphasis on racism, due to events in the United States.

However, for us to be more aware of our contributions, our position in world history, as well as our resilience, and strong belief in God, let us all remember these words from one of our illustrious brothers, Les Brown:

“When our ancestors were dragged as slaves from Africa, our homeland, many died on the way, because of the inhuman treatment meted out to them, but the fittest of them survived.

“Mothers jumped overboard, with their children, but the fittest of them survived.

“Many died in the cotton fields of the United States and the sugar and banana plantations of the Caribbean, but the fittest of them survived.

“Many were hung, by the Klu Klux Klan, but the fittest of them survived.”

I urge everyone to remember that those of us, with African blood in our veins, who are alive today, are the proud descendants of those, who survived.

So, let us go forth and be proudly Black, and continue working together, and be respected for who we are — every month of the year.

In Sisterhood,

Award-winning Ettie Rutherford, B.Ed, Dip.Ed, M.Ed, is an educator, life coach, consultant and author of “Why Perch Like A Chick When You Can Soar Like An Eagle?”. An accomplished public speaker, Ettie is the Founder and CEO of Women Are Worthy, which provides step-by-step strategies for women to achieve their goals, with a minimum amount of stress. She can be reached at ettie@womenrworthy.com