African American stories have been passed down for generations through the use of spoken word. I have included two original pieces from my collection of writings, a brief explanation, and some challenge questions for all ages from 0 to 142 years of age. Please view, use, and share it with others.
African American Stories (Poem written by Esther Kamoche Robinson)
African American Stories.
Stories of courage.
Stories of survival.
Stories of strength.
Stories that serve as guiding lights for our Africian American communities around the world.
Stories that move a generation forward
while connecting us to the past,
propelling us towards excellence.
Stories that ground us.
Stories that anchor us.
Stories that illuminate us.
Stories that lead us,
back to where our national story began.
Over 10 million Africans
brought to the Americas.
Many lives were lost enroute.
Families lost.
Stories lost.
Heritage lost.
Hope lost.
Brought in chains and sold.
Sent us to the other side of the world with no possibility of finding our way home.
Snatched us away.
Stole us from our homeland.
Slavery fractured us.
It handicapped us.
It tried to break us.
Yet we are still here marching to the beat of Our Creator's drum.
African People of the Americas (Poem written by Esther Kamoche Robinson)
Stories may be lost.
But NOT forgotten.
Through torture
Through crushing pain
Through oppression
Through abuse
Through continual discrimination and intimidation practices
Through constant school testing
Through lack of educational opportunities
Through lack of job opportunities
Through unjust prison sentences
Through civil unrest
Through criminal mayhem in our communities.
Through lack of affordable childcare
Through lack of quality school buildings
Through lack of educational resources and overcrowding in our schools
Through appropriation of African American resources across our land
Through lack of quality medical care
Through high pharmaceutical prices
Through crushing weight of student loans
Through the lack of entrapenuer opportunities
Through lack of quality minority homeowners educational programs
Through urgent urban crime and drug wars in our communities.
Through constant civil, religious, and social intimidation and disrespect
Through all of these challenges we like Maya Angelou will RISE.
Thank you for taking the time to read two of my original poems.
African Americans have endured a lot and still continue to endure so much hardship and sorrow. Despite it all WE will continue to showcase our resiliency and our important contributions to our world. Everyday we make important contributions in the fields of Religion, Music, The Arts, Journalism, Literature, Academia, Business, Government, Entertainment, Historical Communities, STEM, Cyber World, Sports & Fitness and beyond.
Africian American History month proudly celebrates our unique heritage and acknowledges the struggle and triumphs of enslaved Africans and the continual struggle for their descendents. Africian American History month showcases their amazing gifts and allows them to connect with their Africian heritage and heroes of the past. At the same time understanding that the good fight of faith is not over. Africian American History month gives us the space and the time to deepen our roots and help propel us into cultural greatness. It allows us to bond as a family, culture, and as a nation so that we can expand our wings and soar. We link arms with others who walk upright with us who take the time to sit, listen, and learn with us, people who act as northern lights. People who offer us hope for a better tomorrow. We thank you for your commitment to educational literacy and advancement in our communities.
This year I wanted to find creative ways to share my work within the communities I support so I decided to take the leap and become a Blogger. By becoming a blogger I am able to share my work in real time. I hope that you will continue to help showcase the contributions of all African American individuals throughout the calendar year.
From the desk of Esther Robinson
Educational Challenge Questions for all ages from 0 to 142 years of age.
Please select the questions that best support your program and your audience understanding of important key ideas. Not all questions or activities may be suitable for your grade level or audience so please preview prior to your lesson. Please have your participants use the internet or other resources to answer these questions. Happy Learning!
Why do we celebrate African American History Month?
When did Negro History Week begin in the United States of America? How did it evolve over time? How do you think this has impacted our World?
What have you learned by reading African American poems, stories, or viewing digital resources?
Who is Carter G. Woodson? What important contributions did he make to our community?
How does learning about African American heroes like Fredrick Douglas or Maya Angelou help you better understand our world?
Read Maya Angelou poem I rise and then choose a creative way to respond to it. Draw or paint a picture, create a new piece of writing, or create a dance routine to express the key ideas and mood of the piece. (Teachers you can substitute if necessary.) https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46446/still-i-rise
Use the following link to learn more about early African American History.
P.S. If you like the material I am creating please share it on your Social Media platforms. Thank you!
Happy Learning & Sharing
Esther Kamoche Robinson
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