Today we’re going to celebrate Black History Month by using a special love of mine: an organization called Story Corps. Let’s begin with a few words about Black History month.
The celebration of Black History month can be traced back to a historian named Carter G. Woodson. The son of former slaves, Woodson was born in Virginia in 1875. Raised in poverty, he worked in the coal mines as a child. Amazingly, he eventually went on to become the second Black man to earn a PhD from Harvard. In 1926 Woodson established the first “Negro History Week” to focus on the accomplishments of Black people.
The first official Black History month was recognized in 1976 when President Gerald Ford extended the week to a whole month saying, the month will “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every endeavor throughout our history.” February was chosen because it incudes the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas, two prominant figures in the abolistionist movement. Black History Month is celebrated in other countries too, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Germany, France, and seven countries in Africa.
Now, what is Story Corps? It is an American non-profit organization founded in April 2003 that attempts to record, preserve, and share the stories of Americans from all backgrounds, ages, and beliefs. The mission statement gives the reason behind this massive project: “to help us believe in each other by the humanity and possibility in all of us… one story at a time.” Some of the stories are accompanied by delightful and poignant illustrations.
So far Story Corps has interviewed 645,000 people from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. plus several American territories. They have recording booths in many public places (including New York City’s Grand Central Station), plus they have converted Airstream trailers into recording booths that travel the country. You can even record a story for them on your cellphone! Over the years, Story Corps has built “the largest collection of human voices ever archived.” If you watch or listen to PBS, you have probably seen or heard some of these memorable stories.
I’m offering four stories below. Each is about 2-3 minutes long. These four seemed especially appropriate for Black History month.
Story #1: The Family Equation:
Story # 2: Walnut Street
Story #3: Always a Family
Story #4: Levar and Kevin – This story is part of the project called “One Small Step” where total strangers on opposite sides of the political spectrum volunteered to come together and have conversations about non-political topics. Sometimes these individuals met several times. Here is a fragment from one conversation between Levar and Kevin. (Levar’s words are in blue; Kevin’s are in orange.)
For reflection:
Did anything about the history of Black History month stand out for you? What do you think of Story Corps?
Did any of the four stories speak to you? If so, which one(s) and why?
What are some of your feelings about Black History month? Do you personally celebrate it in any way? Why or why not?
What are some of the ways we can come to see the humanity in each one of us?
This is a kids’ song by Miss Jessica entitle “Black People Who Change the World.” I’m no kid, but I really liked this upbeat song with its creative dance moves!
Reminder: I invite you to share some of your thoughts below. Anyone who writes a comment on my blog between Feb. 10-28 will be entered in a raffle to win a signed copy of my new book Sunflower Seeds of Hope. Your name will be entered ONE TIME only even if you write more than one comment. Thank you!
24 Responses
Hi Sister,
What a wonderful post. At the heart of it all is our humanity, every person made in the image and likeness of God and every person being so loved by God. I remember my grandma always telling us siblings (when we were in the middle of an argument), “oh, you are making Jesus so sad when you don’t love one another”. I try to think of that now when I start to react against someone on “the other side”.
Thank you for reminding me about the Story Corps. I’d forgotten. This morning, I think the story that touched me the most was the first one. The immense love and dedication of the father who stayed up all night to teach his son math.
Honestly, they are all giving me something to think about.
Stay warm everyone!
Good morning, Sr. Melannie…
Good morning, all…
Thank you for reintroducing me to “Story Corps.” I have heard the stories from time to time on the radio, but had never scene an animated one. I started to tear up on the first one and by the last one those tears were rolling down my cheeks. I think I needed a good cry of beauty, love and joy, perhaps we all do.
To Karen, yes, stay warm! Right now where I am it’s about nine degrees with howling wind. Brrrrrr!
Sr. Melannie,
I am a big fan of Story Corps and view those videos regularly. I like the “One Small Step.”
In these divisive times, it is important to be reminded of our humanity.
Stay warm!
Good morning, Sister,
Story Corps is so simple, it is profound. SC reminds us that it is all about relationships…relationships to family, spouses, children…and, yes, God. Each one of the stories you posted spoke of an important aspect of relationship…and we are all related; we are all brothers and sisters, each of us possessing a unique expression of the God who created us and gave us life.
Blessings,
Father John
I look forward to your blog every Monday. I especially appreciate your spiritual meditations.They feed my soul. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us. Please enter me into your raffle.
Hello Sister Melanie – thank you so much for your weekly blog. Its woncerful and I always look forward to it, especially the song. You must search forever to find just the right one.
Today’s topic celebrating Black History is beautiful which felt engaging with the Story Corp stories.
With much appreciation,
Colette
I have no words on how this post has touched me this morning. Thank you so much Sister Melanie. I will be sharing it with my family.
Sr Melannie,
I am thankful for your blogs. I learned about it from reading a reflection in my Living Faith book.
All the reflections were heart warming and inspiring, especially Miss Jessica’s World.
Thank you for sharing your gifts! Please enter me in your raffle.
Like the father helping his son learn algebra, you regularly take complex topics and make them enjoyable and easy to understand. Your students continue to appreciate your teaching and come back weekly for a new lesson :). I recently read “A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune.” The Story Corps about the couple on Walnut Street reminded me of it and their legacies. Giddy up & God Bless!
Dearest Sr. Melanie,
Thank you ever so much for an introduction to Story Corps. I was most touched by the third story, “We are still family.” When I was in my 20s, 30s and 40s, I worked in NYC. I witnessed the World Trade Center buildings go up. I have since that time have been long retired; however, I did witness those buildings come down via the mass media. My heart goes out to the woman telling the story and to her children and, most likely, her grandchildren. God Bless for all the good you do.
Jack (Retired PDNYC)
Sister Melanie, a swarm of memories came flooding in as I read and viewed the videos. I echo Karen’s sentiments. I am a retired white public school teacher in south Louisiana. I loved teaching. I never saw color in my classes. I saw students. I loved Black History month because I almost always learned something new. For several years I was in charge of the Black History month program at different schools where I taught. There was resistance on both sides -race wise. Some because of the programs and some because I was in charge. Students were always the ones who developed the programs and presented them. I gave the year’s theme and they took it from there. The presentations always got the kids and adults talking. Most were impressed. And they always learned something, although some would never admit it. The last school where I taught was a consolidated school and my heart hurt there. The day of the performance had to be “hidden” because we had massive absences. When a student asked what I thought about the absences and Black History month, I told them I had several thoughts. Why on earth would anyone miss an opportunity to learn something-that’s what education is all about-broaden our minds. We don’t all like what we learn but we have to process it and question it and come to a conclusion-open minds get people further than closed ones. Develop “higher order thinking”. I also told the class that I was very hurt that they would walk out on their friends and classmates who showed so much courage and talent. They didn’t know what they were missing. If we SEE each other and listen to each other, there is more peace and success all around. I still pray for my students.
Sr. Melannie, this was wonderful. I’ve always loved Story Corps! These are such heart-felt messages that truly resonate. Thank you!
Dear Sr. Melanie, what a wonderful blog. Thank you so much for celebrating Black History Month. Each story was so meaningful. I loved the song at the end too. I think I’ll share it with the sisters when we meet for prayer this evening. Blessings on your day.
Thank you Melannie for another thoughtful and inspirational post today. I’m glad black history is celebrated. Scripture reminds us that we are all God’s children created in His image and likeness. Think about that, “in His image and likeness”. Discrimination of any kind has always troubled me. Loved all the story videos today. The world is blessed by all their lives and gifts.
Good afternoon, Sr. Melannie. Loved today’s topic very much. Brought back many memories of my teaching and Black History Month. I wish I had known about Story Corps when I was teaching. During the holidays, I would assign my students to talk with and record the stories of family members. Lots of grumbling at the time but a few thanked me later because they had a recording of a loved one’s voice after they had passed. My thought about the assignment was to get to know what was important into other generations. We learned that we valued many of the same things in life.
Every January I would have my students research a famous black American and do a presentation of their choice forBlack History month. The kids were really creative – some did poster boards, some did artistic presentations, talk show interviews, I even had a few write poems about the impact their person had on our lives.
The song was truly upbeat. I would have loved to share it at my last school where I was teaching all black kindergartners and first graders. They would have lived it!
Thanks again for your creative blog! God bless you and each of us!
Sr. Melanie!
I have enjoyed your blog ever since I started reading it last year. I am continuously amazed at how God speaks to me personally through your reflections! God really is visible and hidden everywhere and all the time!
Thank you for entering my name into the raffle.
One way or another, I will be reading your new book!
💞
Thank you for sharing the stories. The first one had me tearing up and missing my G-pops on the 30rd. Anniversary of his death. It seems like 2.17.95 was just yesterday! As always I enjoyed your blog today and will be sharing it will my dear ol P-pops who is my G-pops son. I’m in South Florida sending sun and warmth up to y’all. 🌞
Good morning Sister Melanie
WOW & more WOW!! So many stories, reflection & songs shared . Like someone else shared I found out about your blog in my Living Faith reflection book. I believe GOD has truly chosen you to help spread his love to all
Have a blessed day. Oh yes I’m texting from home with temperatures at -30
Stay warm with GOD love all around you
V
Walnut Street, what a beautiful story!!!!
Thank you so much for these inspirational stories and wonderful videos. They did bring tears to my eyes too.
Thank you, Sister Melanie for your writing your weekly blog and thought provoking questions!
I love Story Corp! Thank you for reminding me about this wonderful treasure. I loved all of these, but especially the one of the dad staying up all night to help his son with his Algebra home work! Wow! Talk about sacrificial love like Jesus!
God bless you & your ministry!
Catherine
Dear Sr. Melannie,
I am blessed to receive your emails. I do not do social media and still use an old flip phone and I am on my laptop 2 x a week. I avoid the temptation of sitting too long as I know I could easily get in the habit of being glued these devices. (living in Fla. climate helps too). HOWEVER, I learn some wonderful information of what I am missing when I read your Blog. I never knew about Story Corps. All were meaningful and wonderful! Hopefully, what we are witnessing in our Country today with the transparency to take the time to civilly communicate with one another, many of our differences can be peacefully respected. I believe our media thrives on dividing us.
I wish we did not have to call it “Black History Month” because
all people who do great things deserve to be recognized every month of the year. Thank you for sharing your gifts and heart. Bless you.
Thank you President Ford. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for what the slaves went through.
Thanks for another good topic
Thank you for this beautiful celebration of Black History month.
So simple and so touching.
God bless.