Umpteenth...

Perhaps it shouldn't shock us that Texas was the last state to recognize the Emancipation Proclamation and in case this factoid escaped our history lessons, no time to learn like the present. The Southside Community Center was the place to be Saturday afternoon to learn more about our city's black historic residents. 

The center treated visitors to a complimentary lunch of pulled pork sandwiches, pasta salad and pickle, an opportunity to register to vote, local organizations like the New Horizon women shelter, Enduring Families Project, some visiting local and state candidates, hair products, etc...


Shaundel Spivey, a former UW- L student, now the school district's liaison welcomed visitors and spoke about Umpteenth Day and the day's celebration emphasizing the importance of  learning more about our own city's African American residents.  

We were introduced first to Asia, a high school participant on a recent civil right's bus trip which also visited black higher institutions of learning. Asia related how much she learned about the African American experience and how as a result of the trip with other black teens, she now wants to go to a black university in Atlanta. This very thing happened to a friend's granddaughter on the same trip. A very life changing trip indeed.

Afterwards we were introduced to the Enduring Families Project where 3 reenactors shared stories about a brother like George C. Poage, Olympian medalist and his accomplishments but whose nephew, the next generation, was the one able to achieve academic recognition. Fascinating stories of achievement of past generations from successful barber fathers in the river city, cutting white hair during the day and unbeknownst to those patrons, black hair at night with the same scissors.  

And the interesting story about La Crosse resident George Taylor who ran on the ticket for the White House. 

The Enduring Families Project will be taking these stories and others to the schools. More re-enactors and writers are needed to bring these stories to life. What a terrific endeavor!

It's a beginning of stories needing to be told and time for us all to be educated about the historic role of the black community, their contributions and the Black Code of restrictions within our cities and towns...