2/16/09

Word of the Week: Audacious

Audacious -
(1) extremely bold or daring; recklessly brave; fearless:
(2) extremely original; without restriction to prior ideas; highly inventive:
(3) recklessly bold in defiance of convention, propriety, law, or the like; insolent; brazen

In continuing in the Black History Month theme, for this weeks word of the week, I'll use a popular figure in black history, Frederick Douglass. I guess, there is really no need to go into what he has done with his life.

Frederick Douglass was audacious in speaking out against slavery, despite, at the time, being a slave himself.


Last week I had the privilege of speaking to my 9 year old niece, she was all excited to tell me about what she learned about Madam CJ Walker (ironically I had did a post on the same day she called). Strange thing was that her version of events withheld the very important portion of information, that Madam CJ Walker was a slave before she became a self-made millionaire. Why is that so important?, you may ask. Well, its not to keep the stigma of slavery on the hearts of Black/African American youth but I think its inspiring, to even non-black/African American children, to learn that a person born in slavery(or in slavery times) can become a millionaire in America.



I mean, is that not what black history month is about?
"What was possible for me is possible for you. Do not think because you
are colored you cannot accomplish anything. Strive earnestly to add to your
knowledge. So long as you remain in ignorance, so long will you fail to command
the respect of your fellow men."


~ Frederick Douglass





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