February is the month that the United States celebrates the achievements of African Americans, aka Black History Month. Growing up, I never liked that title. Black History Month, seemed to imply that America had two completely separate histories, White history (which was taught in school) and Black history. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to appreciate the fact that during the month of February, there is emphasis on the accomplishments of Blacks in this country. I’d like to take a moment to highlight one of the Black Authors who influenced me.
Maya Angelou was an American poet, singer and activist. Her list of poems, essays, autobiographies and plays scans more than fifty years. I remember as a child watching, I know Why the Caged Bird Sings on television. It was a gripping, autobiographical tale of her early life, racism, rape and the events that left her virtually mute for nearly five years. However, the most critical point in her early story (at least for me) was how she found her voice through literature and was able to use her voice to make a difference. I was fortunate to be able to hear Mrs. Angelou perform live and as wonderful as her written words were, they were even better when read alive. That night, she read. She sang. She told stories of her days during the civil rights moments and she laughed. She created an experience which I remember more than thirty-years later. I think it was that experience which I’ve tried to recreate in my RJ Franklin Mystery Series. She sang the spirituals she sang in church and the songs the civil rights activist sang enroute to their next march. So, the RJ Franklin Mystery Series has Negro Spirituals. The titles are taken from those songs and the lyrics tell of the culture and the spirit of the people. People who managed to sing through slavery through segregation and discrimination and through hardship. Regardless of what obstacles they faced, or how others tried to hold them down, they got up and continued to get up. That night, Mrs. Angelou made me feel proud and warm. Her words filled my soul and wrapped around me like a blanket. Perhaps that’s why Mama B is always cooking and trying to fill the souls (and the belly’s) of those around her. Like Maya Angelou, Mama B and Paris Williams are both Phenomenal Women in their own way.