Black Horizons; 2519; Poetry

I'm going to do a little bit more of this video, and I'm going to do a little bit more of this video. I'm going to do a little bit more of this video, and I'm going to do a little bit more of this video. I'm going to do a little bit more of this video. Hello, this is Black Horizons, and I'm Chris Moore. Today, you'll get to meet the author of Rosie, the courageous crybaby. She is a delightful octogenarian who will move you with her own story, as well as that of Rosie, who was a mother. Portray takes center stage later on our show and Vera Hubbard graces us with verses that speak

about life and how we live it. But before we do any of that, let's do some of this. Yes, here are two young people. I'm sorry, two young people, they belive the stereotype that all our young people are out in the streets creating murder and mayhem. Here are Aisha, Morgan Lee, and Maya Franklin. They are recent winners in the Miss preteen beauty pageant. Welcome to our program. We're glad to have you here. Okay, another young lady will schedule to be here with you. The second runner up, but she's ill, so you two have to carry the show alone. Okay, let's start with the winner here. You won. Is that right Aisha? How did you win? Was it the question? Well, first of all, when the pageant started, what you did was you came up on the stage and we did a production number. After the production number was over, we came, we stood in the center and we had to tell a little bit about ourselves. What production number did you do? We had Michael Jackson's Hill of the World and we sang and did a little bit of Hayden Moose.

Oh, that was everybody. Okay, did you do an individual talent? Yes, we all did an individual talent. What did you do? I did a poem called What Shall I Tell My Children Who Are Black. It's a poem that is by Margaret Boros. Oh, that sounds good. And Maya, what about you? I did a dramatic piece called Remember My Advocate and it was written by my stepfather Christopher Dixon. Oh, that's great. Now, when you won, what did you think, Aisha? Well, I thought it first. Oh, my goodness. I won. I cannot believe it. And before they crown me, I was like, oh, thank you, Jesus, because I won. Because this is my second pageant. So I was real happy. Okay. What do you think this does for a pre -teen African -American young ladies? What did it do for you, Maya? Well, for me, it showed me that I really, I mean, it brought out the, you know, color in me. It showed that just to be an African -American was not horrible. That mean that you had to go out and shoot people. That mean that you had to curse everywhere. You know, I didn't want to influence you by what I said in the open, but do young

people have that image of themselves nowadays? Too many of your friends, you think? It means like, when you think, well, when you mention African -American young black female or male, they think of gang members, shootings, and killing. You agree, Aisha? Yes, I do agree, because a lot of people, when you, like, my friend was telling me she went to help somewhere to learn about what is going on in the community. And when she got down there, she saw all these young brothers who had hoods on and the color red and the color blue. And she said, oh my goodness, these are gangs. They're belonged to the crypts for the bloods, and they didn't. They were just ordinary people. They were in these clothing. So it's an image you have to fight. You are proud to participate in the mispreteen beauty pageant so that you could fight that kind of image. What was the most fun thing about it for you, Aisha? Well, the most fun thing about it in the pageant was that we got a chance to see what it was really like in a big pageant, like Miss America pageant, in a Miss Universe

pageant. And we got to have a real question where you don't know what your question is. What was your question? My question was, what would I do to stop the drive -by shootings in my area? And what did you say? I said, well, what I would do to stop the drive -by shootings in my area is I would have police roaming the area. And I thought after I said that question, that was too short. I wasn't going to make it. Because when I got backstage, I was crying and everything, but I made it. What about you, Maya? What was your question? My question was, who was my role model, and why? And I said that my mother was my role model, Miss Jane Dixon, because when she said she's going to do something, she doesn't just say she's going to do it, she goes on, doesn't. Well, I think those were both good answers. Were you excited doing the pageant? Was the tension there? Yeah. And when they crowned Aisha, were you disappointed or what? Well, to tell the truth, I was a little bit, but I was still happy for Aisha because I can't just hold that against

her because she won. And I admit that if I had won, that I would be happy, and I think that she's happy, and I'm happy for her. I understand one of the things that they teach in the pageant is that you are all winners. Is that correct? Yes. Okay. How do you feel? Did you really believe that? Well, at first you really couldn't tell if you were all winners because you hadn't gone out and did the real thing, you didn't get in front of the judges. So at first I thought, well, I don't know. But when I got on the stage, I felt pride and confident. So then I thought, yes, I am the winner. I think that's great. I think this is the kind of program that young people need to instill that kind of pride and confidence. Maya, where do you want to go from here? What are your goals? What's the future like for you? Well, I want to become an actress and have an Emmy Award. And if my actress career, if my acting career doesn't... If I don't fulfill my acting career, I want to become a teacher because I feel that there aren't enough good African -American teachers

out here in the world. And I want to help the youth succeed in life. Oh, that's beautiful. That's beautiful. And I issue it. Well, I also want to become a teacher. I have my own classroom room, so I want to become a teacher. And if I don't have your own classroom already? Yes, it's upstairs on the third floor and the other half of the playroom. Oh, okay. Well, it's important to act these things out. I want to be a teacher or an ice skater because I've watched the ice skating on television. And I think I can do it. It looks fun. And you have role models in ice skating, too, that African -American, I mean. So that's a good thing, I guess, if you wanted to do it. Now, you're going to participate in the pageants as you go. You're not eligible for the next Miss Preteen because you'll be 13 next summer, right? Yes. Okay, so do you plan to continue to participate? I want to. Okay, I issue. Well, I cannot participate because I'm the queen. Oh, you're the queen. You won, so it's all

over you. I can't participate, but I hope to go on to Miss Black Teenage Pageant that is produced by Gene Bryant. Yeah. Hope to go on to that pageant. All right. Well, congratulations to you both. I think you're good representatives of our youth. And I'm really proud of you and I'm glad you participated and found something really decent to do and show something about our youth here in Pittsburgh, okay? Thank you. Congratulations. If you or someone you know wants to enter the Miss Preteen Beauty Pageant, remember it happens again in August of 1994. So just call them at the number that you see on your screen right there if you're interested in becoming a participant or know someone that is. Coming soon to WQD -13, a program you will want to see on the old Negro baseball leagues, Kings on the Hill. Before Jackie Robinson broke baseball's

color line, Black America created its own major leagues. In the 1930s and 40s, these Negro leagues were based in Pittsburgh, home to the Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Homestead Grades. Join us in remembering these men and what they meant during Black baseball's 8 -A. Kings on the Hill. Baseballs for God and men. Kings on the Hill air Saturday, October 30th at 8 p .m. You've heard the phrase portrait motion. Well, here is poetry for our times. Let me present Vera Hubbard to you. Hi, Miss Hubbard, how you doing? Very well, Chris. I'm glad you're here with us on Black Horizons. I had the opportunity to come to CMU and watch you perform in front of a packed house. And you had several forms that were just very, very moving. I think to everybody that was there and I saw people of all ages, or genders, or races. And I don't think that there was a person that was not moved. What is your amuse? I was trying to deal. I'm trying to deal with Black history. I'm trying to

think about what the people are going to do with all the violence. And I use my medium just to kind of express my feelings about the things. Can you give us an example of your medium and your feelings? Yes. This first poem is entitled My Young Brothers. I was riding by one day and I stopped at a red light and I saw a group of young men standing there. And I went home and wrote this poem. Hangin' out on the corners, livin' in a rut. Black cap of tight curls in a bad box cut. Jumpin' clean in designer jeans when makin' the scene, they strung. Greet each other with a hand clasp and a, hey man, what's up? Judge each other by the short they drive and give praise to the bad ride. Make it to the crib when the sun goes down, get laid back and dig the sounds. Checked out that dude blowing the

horn, that cat's a monster, sure as you're born. Trying to cop some bread, to get some weed and feelin' the highs all they need cause goin' to school and cool. Arrays has done all she can to turn a youth into a man and I can see except for luck they could be me. Except for the grace of God they go out, right? That's pretty good and all of that from stopping at a light and just seeing some brothers standing on the corner. Now you did not start riding poetry when you were a child or anything like that. There's something that's pretty recent for you, right? Yes, only about five years ago. At the suicide of my son it kind of has helped me to deal with the tragedy in my life. You just were not able to express things through other ways and you just took pin and hand and started riding. Exactly, exactly. Okay, you've got some other things there and I love them so much I'd like you to read

them for you. Next to deal with your gangs here in Pittsburgh people are really trying to find ways to do something about the gangs. This is all I could do. It's entitled The Young Brother Testifies and I usually do these works in the voice that I think the person would use. My mama say she named me Sam after my daddy. The man I never had the chance to see but mama say look just like me. They call this the ghetto where we stays where mama she tried to make a way and doing the best she can to show me how to be a man. But I can't count on getting grown because these streets is a battle zone where the gangs makes the rules and they back them up with their gaps in school. I don't want to be a no gang and lots of homeboys feel the same but we got to do the things they do even kill for a jacket or a shoe.

Because I've seen a dude blow the way could have been about them drugs like they say but some of it got to do with the brothers not in the same gang too. In that other hood you to mark and out of the dark a shot can come and you will know where from. I want to grow up to be a man so I can help my mom all I can but most times I can't see how that's ever going to be. I think about the time mama saved up to buy me them Nike shoes and a brother took them with a gap and I was one scared cat. The big boys been taken my daddy's place wish he'd come back and chew his face because most times I'm all alone and have to make it on my own. Mama's working keeps a late I ain't but the brothers wait so I slam the door with a bang and goes to hang on the corner with the gang. That really speaks on a whole

lot of levels about what's going on in our community today. Again was there anything in particular that inspired you for that one? No just thinking about the young kids sometimes you see the younger boys say around 12 years old and I wonder if they're going to really grow up to be in the gangs. You got one more? One more would you do it? Yes this is entitled what's we coming to and I'm speaking in the voice of the Negro grandmother where grandma didn't take no stuff when she spoke you moved. It's entitled what's we coming to. I show him glad my son come along when he did. In this day and time to have a kid would drive me wild. I'd most likely kill the child. The way they walk around with their pants hanging down showing day

behind. I'd beat the butts if they was mine and it better be my boy and no other when I hear them call me mother. Coming out the mouth with that other mother son I don't need no gun but he better pray that he see his next birthday. Be like what they call that prick. I brought my young and on this earth and I'll show them up sending back and ain't no use them hauling child abuse. I know the times and changed and they know going back to where there wasn't no hundred dollars used and then box cut hairdos and them high cost and clothes on their back. The way they talk without respect would tempt me to break their neck or knock they to suck it. By them gangs they's misled. That's why the folks that then got to where I'm at is making this big to do. Asking God above

what is this world coming to where the crypt takes out his oozey and without a thought in his head, whites the blood from the face of the earth just cause he got on blue and the brother he wearing red. Well y 'all can have on red a blue but your both is black so you brothers too. I know you think I was too old to vote. Well young man let me pull your coat and hip you to something you better learn. I know it ain't none of my concern and that we ain't no kin and it's your business I'm dipping in. But ain't you scared some cat with a dad driving by send you up to meet your make in the sky. Wouldn't that none to do with you be just cause you got on red and he be wearing blue. That is mean use from that other hood so use fair game. He from another part of town in that's the hood. He claims your schooling take a back seat while you out there running in the

streets. You see them dudes with them big fine cars cruising around looking like they get old stars and that's the life you seek. So you goes out there and podium geeks sells dope form out there in the streets. Well reckoning nothing more I can say except they blow your butt away then your mama see her baby boy land there in the streets like some discarded toy. Mr. Charlie been trying to get you y 'all since I don't know when now y 'all out there like fools doing each other in. Catch y 'all find some way sides killing and come together and be willing to raise up that red or blue and see the brothers black the same as you. That's beautiful. I said Portia for our time and I really think it is you have a book coming out or anything are you planning that? I'm we're thinking of it we're really thinking of getting some work public well

like our next guest when you publish will you come back and do more? I'd love to. Alright thank you. We appreciate you being here with us on black alright. Thank you very much. The Great Depression is a new series from Blackside Incorporated the same people who gave us eyes on the prize. I know Dante James one of the producers of this new series and he tells me that while this is not a series of programs about blacks doing the depression it is history told from a totally American perspective. Let's take a look at this clip and see if it bears him out. Between the two world wars the American dream was challenged as never before democracy itself seemed to be in stake. Our parents and grandparents are aunts and uncles based the darkest chapter of the 20th century from Washington to California from Detroit to the dust bowl. The makers of eyes on the pride present the great depression. Great Depression air is Monday October 25th at 9 p .m. Rosie the courageous crabberry is

the title of a new book about a woman who did a heap of living. It is the story of a woman whose life did not follow the stereotypical pattern of black people who lived during the trying times for blacks between 1865 and 1943. Fanny Smith atkins Jefferson is the author of that book and Rosie was her mother. Miss Jefferson's own life is quite remarkable but more about that in a moment. Welcome to our program. I'm so glad to have you here. I am very glad to be here. You know so many people fell in love when we interviewed you over at WCXJ with you. They are looking forward to your return and the actual publishing of the book which you have designed to cover with the red, black and green. What tell us about your mom? My mother was a courageous little girl whose mother died when she was six. Her father was 83 when she was born. So when her mother died he was 89 and he didn't know anything to do to give the children away. There were two little boys and a little girl and he gave them away. My mother never

saw her brothers again but my mother cried a lot and when he gave it to strangers took a boy from her. All the people she knew and her mother died couldn't find her brothers. She cried for three weeks and they sent her a father to come and take her back. Then he took her back and gave her her to her mother's people to raise. That's a way to start life out. It was a terrible way to start life with a confused child, all this confusion. Not only that but she suffered from a physical disability. She was crippled. And the reason I say she was courageous when she got a job when she was 10 years old. For 25 cents a week, the greatest. And a Roman board. And she saved that 25 cents. She heard a doctor say at the boarding house where she wore stitches. That's all she had to do. And he would say, if I had that little girl before she was 12, I could fix that foot. And she saved her money until she was 11.

She merely had trained fair to go from Hillier, Ohio to Columbus, Ohio. She thought she was going to a hospital which was a clinic. And she got on a train, slipped away and went to the clinic. And when she got there, the doctor said, well, everybody got waited on in the clinic but her. And she was left alone in the Roman man come over and ask her, what do you want little girls? She said, I want her foot fixed. And he said, well, where's your mother? She said, my mother's dead. She said, well, where's your dead? She said, I don't know where he is. He said, well, who brought you and where did you come from? She said, but that time she was streaking mad. She said, I come from Hillier, Ohio, on a train by myself. He said, you're a plucky little devil. Come on. Any help for your honor? Oh, that's beautiful. Now, she grew up to have children. She has 12 of us. She's called in both world wars. She is 12 children. 12 children. And you were one of them. I'm the only living child of the 12. I know it's in polite to ask a lady her age, but I think you're proud of it. I am. I'm 89 years old and I'm proud that the Lord let me live. Hey, man. Why don't you tell everything that's in the book? I don't tell it. But I want to

just focus on your life for a while because you've been given proclamations. You've worked with the NAACP. You've been setting people and the record straight for years and years. You get in your own car and drive all the way up here from Florida by yourself. I want to be like you when I grow up. Well, y 'all, you have to do a serve garden believing. Amen. And you will live. Okay. Well, I got my courage and my stamina and my perseverance and my moral fortitude for my mother. And when I grow older, I got to thinking, is my mother's life going to pass off the face of the earth and nobody know about it? So I feel compelled to write about her. And this is your first book. This is my first book. It's a family -oriented book and the family has disintegrated so that a lot of people will look and say, this couldn't have happened in the family, but it did. Mama kept us together. She worked very hard. She worked for $1 .25 a day. She had children every 14

months and she stayed home exactly three weeks. And when I worked, she worked in a day and my father worked at night. Right. When women were women and the men were glad of it. Yes. And we had all we wanted. She was sure we were going to have nothing because she didn't have enough food when she was there. You know, that's the same thing that my father talked about coming from a family of 10 children. He says his mother asked my grandfather, I can even dress them real good or feed them. And he said, feed them because I didn't have enough tea when I was young. Right. You think that was a common experience in Africa. Oh, yes. Oh, yes. What did they have? After the war who paid any attention to them? Nobody. They had to bend for themselves. Although there were some very strong black people. There were historians. There were teachers. There were inventors. They did buy. They wanted to have a better life than they had had. Some fell by the wayside, but not all of them. So you're originally from this area out in Washington County. I was born and raised

in West Newfoundland. West Newfoundland. And later moved to Washington County. Okay. And you spent some time right here in homewood and you since moved to Florida and now you're back up here for a book signing. It's going to happen. All pretty soon, right? The 30th. I'll tell you who it is. At the Carnegie Library in Homewood. And the mailing address is... If you want the book, you can write to... PO Box. 5569. Pittsburgh P .A. 15206. A parting word that you would give to our audience about faith, perseverance, continuing and doing the best job you can. It all depends on you. What you want to be. Have pride in yourself. That don't be proud. Have pride in yourself. Have good moral values. Have perseverance. And keep on pushing on. My mother always did. In the light of any situation. Be of good courage for the sun

is always shining. Just be on the clouds. Amen. Well, thank you, Ms. Jefferson, for being here with us. We really appreciate it. And we hope folks will turn out for that book signing. In fact, the book signing for Rosie, the courageous crybaby, will take place October 30th at the Carnegie Library located at 7104 Hamilton in Homewood. You can meet Mrs. Fanny Smith atkins Jefferson there and pick up a copy of her book. I've got mine and it's autographed, yes indeed. Before we go, let me say that in the last three weeks, Pittsburgh. And indeed, the world has lost two people who always sought to make a difference. Mrs. Earlene Doss was my road buddy. Like many of you, I gave her rides to and from the many events that she attended. She is a lady who always gave you that all -knowing smile along with pearls of wisdom. Mrs. Doss had a great -going home service fit for the queen mother that she was. Last week, a great warrior for Africans throughout the diaspora also passed on. His name was Charles Kendall. They will both be missed. I hope that I can incorporate Mrs. Doss.

Mrs. Doss is kind wisdom and Charlie Kendall's tenaciousness in all that I do. They are both much loved and much missed. They were both regular callers to my daily radio show on WCXJ. Their voices are silent now, but their spirits are still with us. Good night, Mrs. Doss. Good night. Mrs. Doss. Good night. Mrs. Doss. Good night. Mrs. Doss. Good night. Mrs. Doss. Good night. Mrs. Doss. Good night. Mrs. Doss. Good night. Mrs. Doss. Good night. Mrs. Doss. Good night. Mrs. Doss. Mrs.

Doss. Mrs. Doss. Mrs. Doss.