It's Our Responsibility To Tell The Stories

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) held their 90^th Annual Luncheon this past February in Washington, DC.  There was some fear that with the organization in transition with leadership that the event may be somewhat muted this year. Those not expecting to be blown out of their seats, were truly in for a shock… when they discovered they were.

I had never had the pleasure of meeting this years keynote speak, Dr. Kaye Whitehead. I had heard her speak briefly at the 89^th luncheon one year ago. This year, as I sat just a few feet from her along the front row, I barely noticed that I had a teardrop welling up in the corner of my eye. I realized in that moment, I was suppose to be in that room, listening to that woman, educate and implore each of us there that we had a solemn responsibility to continue the work of Dr. Woodson and raise the bar when it comes to educating the world, our children, about the contributions of African Americans in the United States and around the world.

To feel your heart beating through your chest… a Color Purple moment when Celie sees her sister standing on the horizon after years of separation, was something I felt when I sat listening, doing all I could to hold my camera steady. For all of us in the room that day, it was a coming together to celebrate our shared history, one with another; and recognizing that it is indeed our responsibility to keep, to hold and to share this history with the world. If we don’t, then who will?  Thank you ASALH, thank you Dr. Whitehead. Thank you Dr. Woodson.

Ryan J. Heathcock

Once Upon A Time

"Recording your story in your own words for the generations to come."

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