During my trip to Washington, D.C. my friend suggested that we go to the African American history museum. I was more then delighted to visit such a monumental place for African Americans like me.
During our tour, we saw how far African Americans have come from Slavery in the 1800 to Social Activist in 2018. Passing thru the times, I felt ashamed, upset, and finally empowered. Because although our generations have endured so much pain, we also have come together to make changes in our society. Of course, we are still fighting as the ideologies of some people haven’t changed about people of color. Things like stereotypes, racism and hatred still exist in our society today. It’s sad but understandable since the things we are taught are often what molds our everyday thinking. So for example if your taught by family or friends that “white is a better race than black”, in today’s society, disregarding the history and laws that have changed us as a whole, you will still think “white is better than black”.
Thankfully we have had strong Activist like Martin Luther King Jr., Mohammed Ali and even Shirley Anita Chisholm. Who taught us that our we are beautiful. That we can accomplish whatever we put our minds too. That we can grow stronger as a community together as one!
That leads me to one exhibit that allowed me to reflect. The room had a camera that allowed you to speak and share one question related to the exhibits you’ve learned from during the museum visit. The question I choose was:
What inspires your activism?
I had to sit and ponder this for a second. How could I share that just from my experiences and the museums information ? How I could share what inspired me? And it all cane together. In the museum you start out in harsh slavery times. Where my African American people were forced to leave their community to be sold, used and hurt in slavery across the Americas. Soon it moved on to the fight were slaves stood up for themselves and were able to earn rights while still segregated. And amongst those rights I saw my people being punished for whistling to white women, our not moving from the front to the back of the bus. And from there came prisons! Were peoples rights were taken away when they were arrested. Forcing them to labor for their convictions. And from there people fought! Fought for more of a voice , Malcolm X fought to end this new form of slavery. That’s when it hit me! That’s when I realized everything that has brought me to were I am. Modern day Racism! This new form of slavery has taken my father away from me. Taken other fathers away from their children, without actual evidence convicting them. Or with coerced lies from witness given deals under the top. Or even having done the crime but sentenced to life for minor accusations.
The Georgetown University professors and students did an amazing job helping wrongful convictions have a voice this past Monday. And it amazes me that of the 4 cases chosen 3 of them were black men. 3/4 men incarcerated 20 plus years for a crime they didn’t commit.
So back to the question at hand, “What inspires my Activism?” My activism is inspired by the morderme day slavery effecting our children. I’ve had students my class tell me how there parents were in prison. And I’ve often wondered were they wrongfully sentenced, given exaggerated sentences? Were these parents effect by the generations before with no educational background to keep them level headed . This cycle is dreadful and I hope that it can be resolved. But until them, I will continue to inspire my students to follow their dreams, encourage morals and values in my own children and do my best to share my journey with the world.
Remember, you never know what light you might spark in someone else thru your kindness or example.
Valentina ❤️
During our tour, we saw how far African Americans have come from Slavery in the 1800 to Social Activist in 2018. Passing thru the times, I felt ashamed, upset, and finally empowered. Because although our generations have endured so much pain, we also have come together to make changes in our society. Of course, we are still fighting as the ideologies of some people haven’t changed about people of color. Things like stereotypes, racism and hatred still exist in our society today. It’s sad but understandable since the things we are taught are often what molds our everyday thinking. So for example if your taught by family or friends that “white is a better race than black”, in today’s society, disregarding the history and laws that have changed us as a whole, you will still think “white is better than black”.
Thankfully we have had strong Activist like Martin Luther King Jr., Mohammed Ali and even Shirley Anita Chisholm. Who taught us that our we are beautiful. That we can accomplish whatever we put our minds too. That we can grow stronger as a community together as one!
That leads me to one exhibit that allowed me to reflect. The room had a camera that allowed you to speak and share one question related to the exhibits you’ve learned from during the museum visit. The question I choose was:
What inspires your activism?
I had to sit and ponder this for a second. How could I share that just from my experiences and the museums information ? How I could share what inspired me? And it all cane together. In the museum you start out in harsh slavery times. Where my African American people were forced to leave their community to be sold, used and hurt in slavery across the Americas. Soon it moved on to the fight were slaves stood up for themselves and were able to earn rights while still segregated. And amongst those rights I saw my people being punished for whistling to white women, our not moving from the front to the back of the bus. And from there came prisons! Were peoples rights were taken away when they were arrested. Forcing them to labor for their convictions. And from there people fought! Fought for more of a voice , Malcolm X fought to end this new form of slavery. That’s when it hit me! That’s when I realized everything that has brought me to were I am. Modern day Racism! This new form of slavery has taken my father away from me. Taken other fathers away from their children, without actual evidence convicting them. Or with coerced lies from witness given deals under the top. Or even having done the crime but sentenced to life for minor accusations.
The Georgetown University professors and students did an amazing job helping wrongful convictions have a voice this past Monday. And it amazes me that of the 4 cases chosen 3 of them were black men. 3/4 men incarcerated 20 plus years for a crime they didn’t commit.
So back to the question at hand, “What inspires my Activism?” My activism is inspired by the morderme day slavery effecting our children. I’ve had students my class tell me how there parents were in prison. And I’ve often wondered were they wrongfully sentenced, given exaggerated sentences? Were these parents effect by the generations before with no educational background to keep them level headed . This cycle is dreadful and I hope that it can be resolved. But until them, I will continue to inspire my students to follow their dreams, encourage morals and values in my own children and do my best to share my journey with the world.
Remember, you never know what light you might spark in someone else thru your kindness or example.
Valentina ❤️