Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Allan Rohan Crite

Allan Rohan Crite

Allan Rohan Crite has been a favorite artist of mine since childhood. My mother had a signed copy of "Three Spirituals from Heaven" by Mr. Crite. It was in this book that I first saw a Black angel, can you imagine the impact that had on me? It confirmed what I was taught in church and believed as a young child...."We are all God's children."

Friday, February 17, 2012

Thank you Ms. Washington!

Ms. Shirley Washington wrote the museum the nicest letter:

"Dear Mrs. Nelson-Linck:

Thank you again for having me as a guest at Long Elementary School.  I had a great time visiting with your students.  They are very impressive, very well mannered, and very smart!

I applaud you for creating the 'Hands on Black History Museum'.  I'm sure the lessons the students learn will enrich their lives. 

Thank you again for the invitation.  Have a wonderful school year!

Sincerely,

Shirley Washington"

(Ms. Washington is an Anchor/Reporter for KTVI FOX 2/KPLR News )

First year partnership with North Middle School / Kirkwood

This is the museum's first year to partner with another school and share the guest speaker.  Mr. Walker, freedom rider, was also a guest speaker for Black History Month at neighboring school district, Kirkwood where he addressed students at North Middle school. A local newspaper covered the event. 

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Maya Angelou

This morning on the radio I was listening to an interview with Maya Angelou.  I first fell in love with her when I was in high school, I wrote a term paper on "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."  I since have read her collection of autobiographies and had the honor and privilege of meeting her on more than one occasion.  Her eloquence and grace is inspiring.  I share some of her wisdom here:


"Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible."


"My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return."


"It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength."

"History despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A note of Thanks from Mr. Walker

Mrs. Linck,


Thank you very much for your warm and gracious hospitality. Although I have made numerous trips to speak at different places, never have I been treated better than on my visit to St. Louis, kudos for the cook (Editor's Note: We shared a special meal the night before he spoke, prepared by one of my favorite chefs, my brother).  Your black history museum is a treasure and the hands on aspect makes it all the more meaningful to the children.


Your friend,


Matt Walker

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Civil Rights Activist Dr. Ernest Patton Speaks In St. Louis

 Mr. Ernest Patton had an interview this morning before speaking at Christ Church Cathedral's Black History month celebration.  Click on the link below to view the interview.  Mr. Patton and Mr. Walker are both members of the Civil Rights Veterans Association in Nashville. 

Mr. Matthew Walker pt. 2

     We began our day early.  I picked Mr. Walker up from his hotel and we chatted about the day ahead.  We arrived at Long school  and as we entered he was already impressed with the display outside of the museum. 
Outside the library was a display with Freedom buses made by my Kindergartners, books, the traveling Freedom Rider suitcase and a Freedom rider art bus.  Then we entered the museum, Mr. Walker's eyes lit up as he studied the posters, artifacts and various displays.  He enjoyed meeting and speaking with Long students who were attentive and asked well thought out questions after he spoke. Art Holiday from KSDK channel 5  was there to interview the Freedom Rider as well as reporters and photographers from the Suburban Journal.  Presentations were made to all fourth and fifth  grade classes and my Kindergartners had the opportunity to share what they had learned with our visitor.  I received lots of positive feedback from students, teachers and some parents.  As a special treat I had the opportunity to have lunch with Mr. Walker as he talked about how special his visit had been.  He appreciated being able to share his story, he commented on how well mannered the classes were and how friendly everyone had been.  Mr. Walker closed each presentation with a challenge to students, to stay in school and work hard, to work towards their dreams and to stand up for what they believe in.  We all had been touched by living history and it was an amazing day that would will not soon be forgotten. 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Freedom rider

I had done my homework. I had studied books upon books about the Freedom rides and the riders. I had gone to, what felt like the end of the Internet. We prepared posters, artifacts were gathered, contacts made, travel plans confirmed. The stage was set. Tuesday night the Freedom Riders documentary was shown on PBS, and there I sat again, glued to the television. Looking at this world of the 60's when I was so very young, thinking how cruel and evil the people were attacking those courageous enough to fight for Freedom for us all. Not raising them up as true National heroes, but instead maiming them in a number of vicious attacks and forever framing their faces of hatred and evil by their cruel acts in the pages of our history. Then he arrived, Mr. Matthew Walker, Freedom Rider from Nashville.He arrived the day before to prepare for his keynote speech at the museum. We had spoken on the phone several times, but I had anxiously awaited meeting him face to face. I had seen his youthful pictures at age 19 and later pictures as well. Mr. Walker came to a small dinner reception at my home. I sat looking at him and listening to his stories and it was as if he stepped out of the pages of a history book. I could hardly believe that he was sitting across from me, honoring my home with his presence. Proud, focused, devout, sharp, living and wearing his courage Mr. Walker spoke his passion. An everyday hero who stepped into history to do his part, to correct a wrong that would impact us all forever. This was an experience of a lifetime.The next day would be a memorable experience for the children and staff at school.  I could hardly sleep. 

Hands on Black History museum in the news

Mr. Matthew Walker, Freedom Rider was interviewed at the history museum today.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Shirley Washington visits the museum




A fourth grader at Long wrote a letter to news channel 2 anchor Shirley Washington and she accepted the invitation to be a guest speaker during Black History month.  Today Ms. Washington along with her photographer/cameraman visited with  5 classes in the museum. Ms. Washington talked about her career and challenged students to always work towards their dreams.  Students asked well prepared questions  and afterwards Long school students were complimented on their great manners and behavior during the assembly.  Our brush with fame was on the air at 5:15 in time for the evening news.  Thank you Ms. Washington, you've gained some new fans!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Great words to live by

I recently came across this from one of my favorite Black Sheroes

Be not earthbound
You have but to take off 
From the shoulders of the 
elders where you now
stand

Make connection with your 
spirit
Capture your wildest
dreams
And the longings of your 
people
Use all that you have 
learned

Reach out to the people
you meet
Make connections with the 
words they speak and the 
strong values you hold 
dear
Goodness, truth, faith,
kinship, justice

Dare to make a better
world
that brings together all our 
strengths, the knowledge 
you acquire and the 
creations that blossom 
from your efforts 
Remember that we are all 
connected to one another
and to this awesome 
universe
Live well-Grow well

You are the energy that 
will drive the emerging 
Global community 
Your love, your caring 
your values; your 
connections to the eternal 
Will serve you well as you shape the future
                 
                   Kathryn Nelson 

                                                                           Thank you Mama

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Social Justice Group explores museum

This morning a group of dedicated teachers came to a museum talk at the Hands on Black History museum.  Teachers were given an intimate tour of the museum from its early beginnings to present day.  Afterwards a lively discussion explored ways teachers could create their own museums share information about the museum with their personal learning communities and hows the museum might become a traveling display in the future.  Teachers were then invited to walk around the museum displays and take notes, pictures and discuss  how to explore sensitive topics with a variety of age groups.  The thoughtful conversations and sharing of ideas among educators made for a stimulating and inspiring  morning.  Want to visit the museum?  Give us a call, the museum runs through February 24th.