I am always grateful for the opportunity to share my story. Recently I had the pleasure of speaking to youth and adults who were involved in the Denton Chapter of the Links.
The topic was social justice, and I shared my experiences starting as a teenager in Shreveport, Louisiana marching with Dick Gregory in the evenings to address drugs and violence in our community in the 80s.
I shared about being involved on campus at the University of Texas at Arlington as the President of the NAACP advocating for more Black and Brown faculty and students.
Due to our efforts, we were awarded two years in a row, Outstanding College Chapter in the nation. I elaborated on my work in my mid to late twenties working at the South Dallas Cultural Center, the African American Museum and Mrs. Juanita Craft’s House and how those experiences shaped me.
I would have never thought that years later, I would be working at the State Fair of Texas, the same place that Mrs. Craft integrated!
In my role at the Fair, I have been dedicated to changing the narrative in philanthropy to ensure that small, grassroots organizations led by people of color are supported.
More than 70% of the organizations we have funded are led by people of color. This is significant when the average for funding organizations led by people of color is dismal.
I recognize that my efforts are important and yet, it is because I stand on the shoulders of individuals like my parents, like Juanita Craft, Ida B. Wells, and so many others. I will never forget what they have done, and Black History Month is just a reminder to all of us of the efforts of those who came before us and that the work must continue.
It is unfortunate when we choose to forget because it is painful. Deciding not to include books in a library should not stop us from instructing our children and advocating for changes in our communities. Parents are their children’s first teachers.
Just as we are demanding that schools recognize our history, our homes should also be places of learning to ensure that our children have the knowledge they need to succeed. We must be committed to remembering.
The Bible mentions the word remember more than two hundred times. There is something powerful about remembering. Forgetting is not only dangerous but debilitating. Repeatedly, God reminds the Israelites to remember their struggle: Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (Deuteronomy 6:12)
And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. (Deuteronomy 8:2)
Why is remembering important? It allows us to make informed decisions. Marcus Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (and so much more) stated, “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” Without roots, you are not able to sustain life. You cannot grow. You are disconnected.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we cannot afford the delusional and irresponsible acts of others stop us from being committed to learning and celebrating the rich past of our ancestors, the work of our current day heroes and sheroes and our legacy of movers and shakers that are making a diference for a better future.
People of faith must also not forget who we are in God. As we struggle with injustice on so many levels, we must remember who God is and what God says about us. We live in a remarkably interesting time and despite what people may say or do, we cannot forget who we serve and what God has done for us.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. (Psalm 77:11)
“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” (Isaiah 46:9)
We cannot forget God’s good- ness and faithfulness.
We must choose to remember in a world that would like to erase and forget.
Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the host of the Tapestry Podcast and the author of three books for women. She is also the Vice President of Community Affairs for the State Fair of Texas. To learn more, visit drfroswa.com.
