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About Black History |
Written by Glenn R. Towery |
Thursday, 27 February 2014 17:38 |
Black History is actually world history. We only call it Black history because it is told and created by Black people. Black History is the primal story of the indigenous Black people who are known to be the first people to grace the face of this world we call Earth. In that regard, it represents the history of all people because we all are derived from the original men and women who walked the earth. If we do not tell Black history, it is impossible to tell the totality of all history. Have you ever read a book without a beginning? That is what narrating history is like without telling Black history. There was a time when all there was, was Black history, because there has been a time when all there were, were Black people on planet earth. To understand where we are headed as a race (the human race) and as a people, (Black people) we must know and try to understand truthfully where we come from and how we got to where we are actually at today. In this way, we may be able to trail blaze a unique and beneficial course for ourselves as mankind. The stories that make up Black history have almost every culture on earth involved in them at some point in history one way or another. It is important to realize and to understand that as a culture, Black people have undergone and overcome nearly impossible odds and the way those odds were overcome was by individual sacrifice and collective mindset that never takes its subconscious eyes off the prize. All of this makes for a dramatic story of survival, defiance and the ultimate goal of ascendance to the exalted state of true freedom and self-actualization. Black History shows mankind that much can be achieved when we put our minds to work with a passionate zeal and distinct will to survive. Because the history of Black people is so rich, so continuous and inspiring, Black History should be taught in every school and on every level to remind people of what can truly be accomplished in a world in need of fresh ideas, inventions, concepts, courage and spirituality as well as mental stimulation. To share Black History with others is truly to shine a light on the subject of faith, will and the power of accomplishment through determination. I love Black history and feel that it has been relegated to a status of second hand education for far too long. Black History, more so than any other history that can be taught, aspires to lift man and will elevate the learner of its pages to a new in-depth understanding not only of himself in the world, but others too. Shakespeare wrote "The world is but a stage and we the players in it." Black History is a way to understand "The Play". There are so many areas of Black history that can be shared with others that there are probably few who can talk about all of it. I am mainly interested in recent history from the Mid-1900s until this present day. As such, if given the opportunity I would like to share with others what I know about some of the things that happened during this period in time and also learn new things from those who attend as well. I certainly cannot talk about one of my favorite subject matters, the Million Man March, without going back even as far as slavery. It is really interesting as it regards things that happened hundreds of years ago having relevance and an effect on the actions of people many years later or even today. So Black History is a key to life on this planet that all would benefit from learning and understanding to apply some of the lessons of its meaning to all cultures on every continent on Earth. ---------------------------------------------- About the author of this article: Glenn Towery is an African-American filmmaker, actor, lecturer and writer. As a filmmaker many of his works can be viewed by visiting his channel on YouTube. The author is also an honorably discharged Vietnam era veteran who served in the United States Navy on board USS Rupertus DD851. As a "Quartermaster" (navigator), he became the first African-American to serve on board his ship in that coveted position. Moreover, Mr. Towery attended Columbia College-Hollywood (CCH), a film school founded by Columbia University in Chicago and transplanted in Los Angeles, in 1952. Glenn Towery was the first African-American valedictorian in Columbia College Hollywood's 45 year history when he graduated in 1997 with his Bachelor's Degree in Cinema (specifically, he majored in Cinema and minored in Television Production). The school celebrated its 61 year anniversary last year. Glenn Towery did the documentary on the Million Man March that took place on October 16, 1995. It is titled "Long Live the Spirit of the Million Man March" and Towery is planning a commemorative for the documentary next year. He has been featured in Plazanoir.com and he can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |