As we all know or all should know…February is black history month. I just wanted to mention a few individuals who definitely stuck with me through childhood and give some snippets about myself in the process.
Arthur Ashe
When I was about 11 I played tennis; and, one of my earliest memories is watching a documentary on Arthur Ashe. He was the first African American to win several major titles like Wimbledon, the Australian Open and US Open. He not only paved a way for African Americans in tennis but he was also an activist and took part in civil rights movements. I think Arthur Ashe really secured a spot in my memory because he played tennis at a time when there was so much adversity and still pushed through, and prevailed for many and that speaks volumes.
True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.
Arthur Ashe
Maya Angelou
Fun fact, but I loveeeeeeeee poetry. I actaully used to write a lot of poems . I’m pretty sure no one really knew that about me…until now. I grew up loving Maya Angelou. Her articulation and the way she assembled words and herself always left me in awe.
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.
Maya Angelou
Billie Holiday
I think my love of love and romanticism along with heart break started with Billie Holiday. In middle school I wrote a paper about her and got pretty into her music. I don’t know who I was loving in middle school lol. Her voice just makes me visualize being in an old jazz bar, maybe with my sweetie, maybe with a cigarette and some whiskey. Am I gazing across the room at my lover or are rain drops hitting the window as my hearts break. I don’t know! But I feel that in her music.
Everyones got to be different. You can’t copy anybody and end up with anything. If you copy, it means you’re working without any real feeling. And without feeling, whatever you do amounts to nothing.
