Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 12, 1991 TAG: 9102090288
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: NF1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Many area schools have special displays or decorations in honor of famous black Americans - both past and present. Some classes have special projects about black Americans to help them learn more about black history.
"Every morning on the intercom, someone will read a poem about a black hero," said Christyanna Dabney of Fairview Elementary School. "Then the teachers send a person from every classroom and, if they get it right, they get a point. The classroom with the most points gets an ice cream party."
Fishburn Park Elementary School also is doing several projects in recognition of Black History Month. Guest speakers are going to tell the kids about famous black Americans in history and each class is making folders on famous black Americans.
Inventions by blacks include the pendulum clock, lye soap, the curtain rod, the egg beater, the fishing reel, potato chips - even the filament for a light bulb that Thomas Edison has taken so much credit for, said Marylen Harmon, a sixth-grade teacher at Glen Cove Elementary School in Roanoke County.
Last year Harmon set up a display of inventions by blacks because she wants pupils to know that black history is about more than the fight to overcome slavery. We were not all slaves and we did far more than the plantation scene, she said.
This year she published a calendar of the history of black Americans that has a bit of history and a picture and biography of important figures every day of the month.
"My aim is to share with others that black history is a year-round experience," Harmon said. "African Americans have made contributions throughout the year to America's history."
Once people realize the accomplishments of blacks, she said, they often are more willing to learn about their history.
NewsFun visited a group of fourth-grade pupils at G.W. Carver Elementary School in Salem to talk with them about their favorite black heroes.
"We study about Black History Month in Weekly Reader," said Heather Lawhorn. "We also have information sheets about it."
Sherry Price said they also discuss the month in their science class. "We got to draw pictures of black Americans and we did reports on them," she said.
The pupils at Carver have a special interest in black history because the school they attend was named for a famous black inventor - George Washington Carver (1869-1943), who made 300 products from the peanut and 118 from the sweet potato.
The school was built as a high school for black students, said Shirley Light, a fourth-grade teacher.
When asked about their favorite black hero, most of the kids responded with popular personalities including rap singer M.C. Hammer and sports figures such as Michael Jordan and Bo Jackson.
"I like Michael Jordan, who plays for the Chicago Bulls," said Sherrete Watson. "He's a good basketball player."
Jamie Helm agreed. "I like his 360 reverse windmill dunk," she said. "I also like his shoes."
Reggie Brown said basketball player Isaiah Thomas is his hero. "He's a good three-point shooter," he said.
Shikeith Mason said M.C. Hammer is his favorite. "I like his singing and dancing," Shikeith said. "He also helps kids stay off drugs."
Karen Mengelkamp said Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder is her choice. "As governor, he's done a few things I really like," she said.
Many of the kids at Carver and many who wrote to Mini Forum said Martin Luther King Jr., the civil-rights leader who won the Nobel Peace Prize, was their favorite.
King made many famous speeches to promote peace between black and white people and said all people should be treated equally, not judged by the color of their skin.
Although he spoke for peace, he was struck down by an assassin's bullet on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn. He would have been 62 this year.
King is Troy Johnson's choice as a favorite black history figure.
"He made blacks and whites come together," Troy said.
Jaymi Curtis also chose King as her hero. "He was for peace and didn't want blacks and whites to fight against each other," she said.
In 1963, King gave his most famous speech at a Washington, D.C., march.
King said he had a dream that one day everyone would be treated equally, according to Louise Quayle, author of "Martin Luther King Jr.: Dreams for a Nation."
"I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, sons of former slaves and sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood," King said. ". . . I have a dream my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!"
by CNB