Black History Month — 2019: Ella Baker (1903–1986)
“Strong People Don’t Need Strong Leaders”
Many people worked during the Civil Rights Movement to make sit-ins, protests, and speeches possible. Most remain nameless. Ella Baker was also one of the most integral figures for Civil Rights. Baker once said, “This may only be a dream of mine, but I think it can be made real.” She established the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), mentoring college students through the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SLCC). For Baker, working behind the scenes to help people was key. She was known to clash with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She once said, “the movement made Martin, and not Martin the movement!”
Baker supported the Puerto Rican independence movement, spoke out against apartheid in South Africa, allied w/ a number of women’s groups, including the Third World Women’s Alliance and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. She even worked to free Angela Davis from prison. Ella Baker died on her birthday, December 13, 1986, at the age of 83.
“Her influence was reflected in the nickname she acquired: “Fundi,” a Swahili word meaning a person who teaches a craft to the next generation.” (www.britannica.com)
“Following in her footsteps, we organize with Black, Brown, and low-income people to shift resources away from prisons and punishment, and towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong.” (ellabakercenter.org)
Black History Month is a time when we all get to dig a little deeper. Learning is fun, and February is exceptionally awesome. There’s always little tidbits or iconic figures that I never heard of. As many of you know I like to focus on a certain topic for Black History Month. It helps me learn, and hopefully you as well. Last year’s topic was civil disobedience. For 2019, the topic that I’m going to focus on is: The Role of Black Women Played to Shape Our History. Thanks for reading and following. — Mark
