I just want to share with the sisters here an important report my sister was assigned this past weekend. The assignment was for her to write a letter to her principal explaining the reasons why her school should have a Black History course. This is her report:
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Black History Course
By: Destiny Taylor

Dear Mrs. Gathers,

Do you know about your history? What about the history of black people? Besides the obvious black history leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and Harriet Tubman, I know very little about the history of my African American ancestors because it's been watered down. In addition to that, it's imperative for me to have someone to admire in my history. That's why I believe we should have a black history course at Sandtown Middle School.

Our people were brought over to America as slaves from Africa and that's all we really know. We have been stripped of our original language, religion, and culture. As slaves we were taught English, Christianity, and the European way of life, completely taking away our original history. We were later taught to hate ourselves, our skin color, our hair, in general who we are. Now, when we learn about history, we learn about George Washington, Ben Franklin, Adolf Hitler, Mao Zedong, and other historians of other cultures and groups, very little about my history. Well, I love who I am and I want to learn more about my history. I want to learn about Huey P. Newton, Gil Scott-Heron, Tommie Smith and John Carlos. There are many African Americans, known and unknown, who had a hand in helping shape this country. We need to know all we can.

It's also very essential for me to learn about the women of my past as well. All I see on TV are "video vixens" and women who don't represent me or what I want to be. There are some women in my life who I admire but what about all the rest of black girls my age that may not have a role model? I’ve heard, read, and/or seen women like Daisy Bates, Angela Davis, Coretta Scott King, Madam C.J. Walker, and Oprah Winfrey. We should learn about these and more African American women, who may become one of our female heroes.

In conclusion, it’s vital for us to learn about black history. It represents who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. When I ask some of my African American classmates about these historians, they know as much as I do...nothing. That’s why I feel it’s important for us to have a black history course at Sandtown Middle School.

My sister is 12 years old. My mom wasn't there for me education wise when I was younger. She was quite young herself. I did many things on my own. I walked to school with a friend when I was in preschool and even got myself ready for school on my own. I made a bowl of cereal for breakfast and took some bread to feed the ducks at the pond on the way to school. I can only recall a time or two when she actually helped me with homework my whole entire school career. I never wanted that for my sisters. My sister Destiny is very special to me. I teach her as much as I can when I can. This past week I locked her hair. She wanted me too. We received no support from family. "Dreads are nasty!", "It's just dead hair matted up!", "Take that out her head!"

The lack of support from my family to be natural, healthy, and to have the ability to love who you are and our ancestors is pitifully sad. Nevertheless, this report shows that my influence has reached someone. I'm thankful. This report is the truth from a 12 year old and I'm glad she listens to me and want more for herself than the superficial life my mother and other sisters want to live. I can't reach them all, I'm glad I reached one!