Morrie Turner creator of Wee Pals

Morrie Turner

                         December 23, 1923 - January 25, 2014

(Creator of the first African American syndicated strip with an integrated cast of characters)

Morrie Turner is best known for his creation of the "Wee Pals"comic strip in 1965. The 60's were a difficult time for bringing Black characters to comics.  When he began to question why there were no minorities in cartoons and comic strips, his mentor, Charles M. Schulz of Peanuts fame, suggested he create one.  Morrie's hope was to create characters and a world without prejudice, a world in which people's differences--race, religion, gender, and physical and mental ability--were cherished not  scorned.  In 1965, only five major newspapers published the strip.  In 1968 after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Wee Pals achieved nationwide acceptance.  Within three months of King's death, the strip was appearing in over 100 newspapers nationwide.  Morrie Turner went on to create several books featuring the Wee Pals characters.  

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Henry Box Brown

Today I was excited to share the story of Henry Box Brown with a small group at the Ferguson library.  No matter the size of the group I knew by the end of Story time a few more folks would know the amazing story of Henry Brown.  

An Author's note in "Henry's Freedom Box" by Ellen Levine with illustrations by Kadir Nelson reads-

"When Henry Brown climbed into his Freedom Box , he hoped he's be carried to a safe world.  He brought along a small tool to make air holes, a little water, and a few biscuits.  His only worry was about being caught.  Henry arrived safely in Philadelphia, having traveled 350 miles from Richmond, Virginia, in twenty-seven hours.  His story made newspaper headlines in America and Europe, and Henry "Box" Brown became one of the most famous runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad-the man who mailed himself to freedom. "

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Sit-In

David Leinail Richmond, Joseph Alfred McNeil, Franklin Eugene McCain, and Ezell A. Blair Jr. were students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a historically Black college.  Frustrated by segregation and eager to bring about a change, they sparked a series of sit-ins that lasted for a period of years, and spread from the South to the northern and western states throughout America.  By August 1961, more than 70,000 people took part in sit-ins.  They were black and white, men and women, young and old, all passionate about the cause for equal rights.

During the sit-ins, the student demonstrators left Woolworth's each evening and returned the following day.  The first set of four friends-David, Joseph, Franklin, and Ezell, who became known as the "Greensboro Four"- sat down on February 1, 1960.  On February 2, 1960, more students joined the protest.  This was the beginning of a groundswell of friends, coming together, making a difference, changing the world.
excerpt from  Sit-In  by Andrea Pinkney and Brian Pinkney

*"There had been sit-ins previously in other communities in the South, most notably in 1957 in Durham at the Royal Ice Cream shop.  The Rev. Douglas Moore from Asbury Temple Methodist Church and six others sat at "white only" booths at the Royal.  When they refused to leave, they were arrested, charged and found guilty of trespassing.  In 1958, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear their case.  "  excerpt from "Icons of the Civil Rights Movement."

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The Case for Loving

The Loving Story 

Loving v.Virginia was an important Supreme Court case, but it was also the story of a real couple.  Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving grew up in Caroline County, Virginia.  They fell in love and decided to get married.  Unfortunately, getting married was not as simple in 1958 as it was today.  Mildred was black and Richard was white.  There were laws that forbade people of different races to marry each other.  This was true in many states, including Mildred and Richard's home state of Virginia.  However, interracial marriage was legal in Washington, DC at that time.  Therefore, they decided to drive to DC, get married, and return to Virginia to begin their life together.  
This proved to be a short term solution.  The law in Virginia not only forbade interracial marriage ceremonies, but it also forbade interracial couples from getting married elsewhere and returning to Virginia.  One night, while they were asleep, the newly-married Lovings were awakened by the police in their bedroom  The Lovings were taken to jail for the crime of being married.

The Trial  

When they went to trial, the judge found them guilty and sentenced them to a jail term of one to three years.  However, the judge told the Lovings that he would suspend the sentence if they agreed to leave Virginia for a period of twenty five years.  Given the choice between imprisonment and banishment, they chose banishment.  The Lovings moved to Washington DC. 
Life was both difficult and unpleasant for the Lovings in Washington.  They were having difficulty supporting their children.  In desperation, Mildred sent a letter to Robert F. Kennedy, Attorney General of the United States.  Mildred's letter was forwarded from the Attorney General's office to the offices of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)  in New York.

The Victory
The Loving's case not only won them their freedom to love, but it also granted the same freedom to every interracial couple in every state in America.  

excerpts from the Loving Day website. Read the whole story.  

The Case for Loving is now a beautiful children's book.  

                                         Thank you to the Lovings.  

The Children's Campaign
Birmingham, Alabama:  May, 1963

"The Children's Campaign was the voluntary involvement of children in civil rights demonstrations in Birmingham.  Thousands of young people marched, were arrested, attacked by police dogs, and tortured with water hoses.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested in Birmingham on April 12, 1963.  It was from his prison cell that he wrote the now famous "Letter from a Birmingham Jail".
Shortly after, at an evening rally, Dr. King asked who would be willing to demonstrate with him the next day and risk going to jail if necessary.  In response, and to the surprise of the adults sitting in the room, a group of children and teens stood up.
The adults urged against the children's involvement in  the protest marches.  But another of King's associates, James Bevel, argued in favor:  "Are they too young to go to segregated schools?  Are they too young to be kept out of amusement parks?  Are they too young to be refused a hamburger in a restaurant?"  "No," came the response.  "Then they are not too young to want their freedom!"  That night it was decided that any child old enough to join a church was old enough to march.
On May 2, there were over 1,000 children, teens and college students who showed up for the protest march .
As a result of the "Children's Campaign" the city leadership and the civil rights demonstrators made an agreement to desegregate the city.
excerpt from "Icons of the Civil Rights Movement" by Pamela Chatterton-Purdy and Rev. Dr. David A. Purdy.
Read more about the Civil Rights movement:

"Icons of the Civil Rights Movement"

Black History Month 2015 is here!  

     Black History Month 2015 is here.  I hear folks say that we shouldn't confine Black History month to the month of February and I agree, but then they do nothing to celebrate the many contributions of African Americans in February or any other month.  Here's an idea, let's make February the start of the Black History year and begin with the many celebrations already in place or use February to create a celebration of diversity that lasts throughout the year.  I will repeat this as I do each year,
Black history  is the history of ALL of us.  It is simply the part of the story that is infrequently told that helps to create a richer, more complete story of America.  February 1st is the birthday of Langston Hughes.  According to Wikipedia, he was born James Mercer Langston Hughes.  He was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist.  He was born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri and died May 22, 1967 in New York city, NY.
     One of the children's books in the Hands On Black History museum's collection is "The First Book of Negroes."  One of its writers was Hughes, whom the company hired at a time when his sources of income were limited.  The book was published in 1952 and is a collection of Black history from slavery to 'modern day' challenges of Black Americans written for children.
     As we commit to making February a starting point in our celebration of diversity, learn about a different African American each day of the month and share your knowledge with children, friends and family.  Check back here and I'll help you in your journey with a few suggestions.

1. 
   

Freedom By any Other Name

"The African American experience has been framed throughout history through the thoughtfully written and spoken words of sung and unsung heroes and she-roes. These words have and continue to encourage, inspire, and challenge us to continue our journey on the road to freedom and equality."

These were the words that framed and gave shape to this year's Black History Month display Freedom By Any Other Name. The exhibit hung on the walls of the Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral Nave in downtown St. Louis. Posters from the Many Waters PBS series captured the eloquent words of famous African Americans. These posters were coupled with mostly black and white photographs and artifacts on large picture frames for a colorful engaging display. Also on view were poster reproductions that further embellished the display. On display from February 1st through the first full week of March visitors had the opportunity to read short biographies on the African American men and women quoted and view the thoughtfully displayed photographs. I continue to collect and use photographs from friends, family and community members to share our history. I have stated this before and believe strongly that our family albums and scrapbooks more accurately tell our history than the few iconic images that are found in many history books. Take out your precious photographs, share them with friends, family and community, help to tell the story of all of us.