The progression of a people is underlined by the history of their struggle. We tend to view African American sports figures and entertainers in music and movies as the manifestation of our progress as a people. “Look how far we’ve come,” some would say.
For the past eight years the dominance of Lebron James has given the National Basketball Association a new face. Without any college experience he took to the pro game as if he was meant to be a professional baller. A beautiful thing, right? That may be so, but if Lebron is the progress then Bill Russell is the undisputed struggle.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Bill Russell was the man in the middle for the Boston Celtics. He was loved by many for his accomplishments on the court (11 championships in 13 years), but he spent many sleepless nights on the team bus because blacks weren’t accepted as patrons in some of the hotels that Celtic management chose to frequent.
Bill used his occupational platform to stand for peace, equality and most importantly, humanity. In some cases, he individually boycotted Celtics games by not showing up at game time, risking his career and fan base for the betterment of future race relations between whites and blacks. That’s what’s up!
This month, people everywhere acknowledged Black history. The genius of Benjamin Banneker should register when you’re looking forward to that extra hour of sleep in the fall. Feel me?
The craftsmanship of John Standard and Garret A. Morgan should come to mind whenever you restore your drink with and ice cube or when you drive through an intersection accident free. Na mean?
Welcome to “Black in the Box 2012.” Simmering within this box is the Realness of veteran essayist, “Mr. Blue,” the educational wordplay of up and coming biographer, J-Rock and the compassion and subtle pride of a first time contributor to Word to the Masses, Scrappy.
Black history is more about humanity than anything else. That humanity exists in your living rooms your workplaces and even here on death row. So please allow me to turn the handle that unleashes their soul-stirring expressions. What better way to end this leap year Black History Month.
Black and Proud,
MannofStat
Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann
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