We are still here: From the trash piles of others, Black History persists
And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 2 Corinthians 1:6 (KJV)
By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
Yesterday morning I noticed a junk truck approaching me as I was backing into the parking space at our office. I’ve seen several of these trucks many times before, but this time I started to think about that truck and the cargo it was carrying.
I noticed the payload first, then the driver and the look on his face. He appeared to be undistracted and his faced was etched in purpose; I recognized a no nonsense attitude from his posture.
I felt intimidated even though I was shielded by my vehicle.
This man, I would reason, had gotten up very early and began his rounds of making several inspections through the mounds of unwanted processions of others who believed that their discards were but garbage; but to him it would be converted into hard cold cash that would be used to support his family.
There was no shame in his game, just a determination to succeed at providing the wherewithal to make it through another day.
His precious cargo from others’ thrown away junk was his pot of gold at the end of his rainbow.
That unique portrait of this junk man reminded me of my Black History-think about it.
Black History! A collection of someone’s misfortunes, misunderstandings, mishaps, misrepresentations, misguidance and a whole lot of other mis-watchamacallits, yet, in the course of the journey of all that, we are still here.
From their junk we made our joy and cemented our place in his-story from our Black History made with scraps from their table, worn out books from their libraries, used and abused women from their lusts; beaten, whipped but not broken men who told us that we had to be better than them. We continued to take their junk and forged our way to greatness.
Oh what a glorious and resilient history we have made from their junk, our willingness to endure and God’s providence.
I must reiterate that God don’t make no junk, He takes the junk that man has created and transforms it to His divined prophecy.
Whoop der it is, junk transformed-Black History!
We commemorate the 43rd Anniversary of the founding of the Westside Gazette Newspaper during the month of February, umm Black History Month. Our mother and father did not plan it this way, I guess that’s just the way God planned it.
Through all of the trials and tribulations, heartaches and triumphs, misfortunes and accomplishments we are still here.
Just like that junkman who smiles with joy when he finds treasure in the rubbish piles. We know that God does not make any junk and our pilgrimage at times, through what seems like barren and desolate waste lands when support has been deficient and there is not enough advertising dollars coming in our solace, has always been anchored in God and His words: “I will never leave nor forsake you”.
Regrettably, we as Black people have some junk in our trunk (self hate) in our repertoire that we carry around like a badge of honor.
Until we rid ourselves of those R.A.T.S. (resentment, animosity, treachery and selfishness) we will never achieve our true Black History.
The families of the Westside Gazette; Dorothy, retired, (Yvonne in heaven) Tawanna, Dion, Yolonda, Devon, Carma Lynn, Sonia, Pam, Charles, Jason, Dorenda, Sylvester, Bobby and Levi, retired; wish to encourage everyone to build upon and embrace our rich cultural heritage and exemplify what Black History truly is —a collection of life’s impossibilities made into reality.
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 (KJV)
