INSIDE AFRICA The African-American? "WE'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY" by MonaLisa Sarin Special & Exclusive to USAfrica Media Networks SUMMARY OF ESSAY: For all of the millions of brothers and sisters who stood side by side through so many faces of adversity, we thank you! I know that if it were not for your undying strength we would not be able to live, vote, eat and say the things we do. God only knows if I would have had the strength to endure half of the trails and tribulations you have gone through. Much respect to my ancestors whose spirits cry in the wilderness "no more shedding of blood." I hear you, I feel you, I taste you. Thank you once again so very much for fighting for me and for all of you. In light of black history month I dedicate this article to a group of people who were not expected to survive. A group of people whom by now should be extinct: The African American. It becomes very personal when I reflect back on all that black people have been through just to live in these here United States of America. Think back, we were once considered three fifths of a person. It wasnít that long ago when we got our right to vote through the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Let us not forget Affirmative Action, which primarily benefits white women and is now trying to be rescinded. Much praise to Benjamin O. Davis who in 1898 became the first African American General in the United States Army. I know he had it tough. Itís bizarre, you could be sent to the front line to die for your county, but you couldnít live in the same barracks? To the Tuskegee Airmen who once had to give up their seats to German prisoners of war. These men became the most successful airmen, not losing a single fighter. Against the odds they succeeded their European counter parts not only in grades but in flight performance as well. To the honorable Rosa Parks who refused to give up her seat to whites; we thank you for taking a stand. Wilma Rudolph who won the Olympics for track and field would not allow the city of Tennessee to honor her due to segregation. Josephine Baker who would not stay at hotels where her entourage was not allowed. Ms. Baker would not perform unless black people could attend. For the group of black entertainers who refused to play Sun City in South Africa because of Apartheid. Lyonteen Price who has the voice of a song bird. After all we were expected to sing the blues, but opera? For every unknown black person who was lynched, burned, shot, spit on, called degrading names, who was told to go back to Africa and said "I shall not be moved," we thank you! For all of the millions of brothers and sisters who stood side by side through so many faces of adversity, we thank you!! I know that if it were not for your undying strength we would not be able to live, vote, eat and say the things we do. God only knows if I would have had the strength to endure half of the trails and tribulations you have gone through. Much respect to my ancestors whose spirits cry in the wilderness "no more shedding of blood." I hear you, I feel you, I taste you. Thank you once again so very much for fighting for me and for all of you. Much respect to everyone. *Ms. Sarin, a member of the U.S Army Reserves, writes a column exclusively for USAfrica The Newspaper from Atlanta March 1998 Back to: Inside Africa Index or, USAfricaonline Homepage