Navigate to Success - Understand the Past, Prepare for the Future, Move Forward: Black History

By Ginetta V. Hamilton

Learning and understanding about historical events, places, and often just ordinary people who played a critical role in challenging unjust laws will inspire and empower the readers. The personal stories, timeline of events, as well as the words of wisdom and challenges contained in this book will sound the alert that the struggle for racial equity is not a cause of the past; but that everyone must gain focus, demonstrate perseverance and resilience as we navigate to success and continue to move.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546211341

Ginetta V. Hamilton

Ginetta V. Hamilton has dedicated herself to enriching the lives of individuals of all ages. She is a passionate promoter of history who takes great pride in being an African American as well as educating others about the heritage struggles and victories of African Americans in the United States of America.

Book preview

2018 Ginetta V. Hamilton. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/11/2018

ISBN: 978-1-5462-1133-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-1134-1 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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A Tribute to Grandmother

Remembering the Emanuel nine victims and survivors

This book is dedicated to the memories of Dad and Grandmother

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Mackie Vice and Victoria Hamilton

and other individuals who paved the way,

To Christine, my mom,

my family, friends, and

everyone who made this publication possible,

to God be the Glory.

Contents

Purpose: Teach the Children

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1   The African American History Monument

ACT 457—Legislation that Established the African American History Monument

African American History MonumentThe Groundbreaking Ceremony

The Dedication Ceremony for the South Carolina African American History Monument

Revelation at the African American History Monument

Chapter 2   The Struggle for Freedom—Slavery

Chapter 3   Knew About The Struggle

Chapter 4   One Hundred Years in the Struggle—The NAACP

Chapter 5   Personal Stories and More

Lord, I dun bin thru somum yah, but …Mrs. Amy Victoria Wright Hamilton

Song for Reflection: Tell My Jesus Thank You …

Uncle Joe’s Story

Headed North

My Brother Ed’s Story

Thank You, President Obama

Song for Reflections: America Will Never Be the Same by Drink Small, Columbia, South Carolina

Chapter 6   The Challenge for All

Bibliography

Foreword

As I resubmit this book for final editing, I have taken the opportunity to briefly reflect (and I invite you to do likewise) on President Obama’s tenure as the forty-fourth president of the United States of America.

It was a dire time in America when Barack Hussein Obama, the first African American elected as president, took the Oath of Office on January 20, 2009. (Eyes were watching and ears were listening.)

The economy was on the brink of disaster. The country was experiencing a housing mortgage crisis, the loss of more than seven hundred thousand jobs per month, an automobile industry on the verge of collapse, crumbling roads and bridges, a failing education system, a failed healthcare system, and a war in a region of the world about whose history or culture many Americans had little knowledge or understanding, and the list goes on. Eyes were watching and ears were listening.

President Obama entered the office optimistic and ready to work. Bipartisanship. Compromise. Get things done. He envisioned working with the US Congress in order to get things done for the betterment of all Americans. However, President Obama inherited the struggle. It was similar to the struggle all too well known and encountered time and time again by my grandmother Victoria as well as countless other African Americans in America. During President Obama’s administration, the struggle was manifested as obstruction—unprecedented lack of support from some members of congress, and even name calling and disrespect.

Obstruct, obstruct, obstruct.

The primary mission of many was to obstruct in every way possible, to ensure that President Obama served only one term as president of the United States, and that the term was unsuccessful. Contrary to the plan, President Obama was elected not only once, but twice.

The eyes in our country as well as throughout the world were watching! But, yes, President Obama did. Though it was a constant battle upstream, he proved that a Black man could be elected as President of the United States, and make a positive impact in the lives of people throughout the world.

Despite the vow by some to obstruct, President Obama forged forward with the audacity of hope and signed into law numerous bills and executive orders that were designed to help meet the needs of Americans. Because of his vision and support from his party, for the first time in history, Americans now have affordable health care. Of course, Obamacare is not perfect. Therefore, it is the duty of congress to unite and improve the bill.

Thank you President Obama for a job well done! Now, let’s move forward.

You are invited to utilize the chart below to record and compare President Obama’s executive orders with the decisions of the new president, Donald Trump, in the following areas.

Today, under the Trump administration, more than ever the struggle for racial equality continues. Eyes continue to watch in amazement, and ears continue to listen in disbelief in our country as well as throughout the world.

On Your Own: Compare the Two Administrations

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Numerous historic events, celebrations, and recognitions occurred during President Obama’s eight years in office. In my quest to further understand the struggle for racial equality, I have included the following information. I encourage you to research each.

Snapshot: The Struggle

Looking Back