Straighten Up, America: Why New Generations of African-Americans Must Change America

By Marian Olivia Heath Griffin

Fighting for justice in America is a struggle for a lifetime. It is not just a struggle for a moment, a day, a month, a year. A moral voice must be heard for the quest for equality and must be relevant to an entire new generation of Americans - Black, White, Asians, Latinos and Native Americans.

There is no such thing as perfection for all situations because the challenges are too great. Many unforeseen things are coming, but with the Creator's help, we will prevail, we will not fail. Our Creator has given us air to breathe, love, and substance to live by and our very existence is a gift. Our talents are based on our faith and willingness to let God's power work in us.

We must made a concerted effort to value each other as we all have the Creator's finger print on us. We are a community, a nation, America!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664110069

Marian Olivia Heath Griffin

Marian Olivia Heath Griffin lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with her husband of fifty-eight years. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and College Administrator (retired) for thirty-six years, the last seven years as Director of International Student Affairs. After she retired from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she decided to utilize her degree in Mass Communication and Photography to tell her people’s stories and history. Griffin graduated from Delaware State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Psychology, a Master’s Degree program in Atlanta University School of Social Work, a Master’s Degree program at Gammon Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. She received her Master’s Degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Psychological Counseling and Social Work. She received a Master’s Degree in Educational Supervision and Mass Communication and Photography from Southern University. She did further study at Louisiana State University and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She studied Genealogy at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library in Baton Rouge. She has traveled over the fifty states of the U.S. and six of the seven continents. She has written eighteen books in two years, published them with XLIBRIS and compiled and published two photo books with MYCANVAS BY ALEXANDER. She is proud of her three children: Rev. Bertrand, II (Rev. Kotosha Seals Griffin), Karen G. Phenix, (Keith Phenix) and Dr. Michael (Tracie Haydel Griffin). She adores her eight grandchildren: Nia, Kiara, Christian-Paris, Michael, II. Amelia-Grai, Victoria, Olivia and Sophia – all Griffins and one god-child, Whitney White, one great grandchild – Keomi Phenix, one great- godchild, Amelia Pleasant and her brother, Warren, six great- nieces, Whitney Foucheaux, Amoree Sanders, and Danee Heath, Tikia and Lentia Brown, and great nephews: Bobbie, Jr., Enrique and Alberto Garcia, Tyler Heath, Lauren and Kee Kee Dennis, Arshawon Brown (recently deceased), Willie, Jermaine. Brown, Michael Martin and sons, and Devonte Walker.

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Copyright © 2021 by Marian Olivia Heath Griffin.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 10/06/2021

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Author’s Notes

Everything Matters

Blessed Are You, Universe

Know Yourself

The Foster Home Children

Fireside Training

Traveling

Introduction

Historical Perspective

New Beginnings

Chapter 1     Oral History and Tradition

About Slavery and Injustice

Oral Tradition

The African American Male

Chapter 2     Rich In Africa

Lucy’s Legacy

University of Pennsylvania Expedition

Riches of the Nile and Egypt

Water or Irrigation System

Commerce and Industry

This Is How It Started

My Sources

Our Grandmother Hattie Speaks

Our Ancestors Captured

Another Period In Time

Chapter 3     The Names Of Slave Ships

Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria -The Ships We Knew

Fredensborg Ship

Elonora Ship

Sagrado Sacramento Ship- A Spanish Ship

Ledeur Ship, French Ship

Frigate Charitas Ship

Zoom Ship, British Ship

Kerendan Ship

Capri Ship

Brotherhood Ship

Phillis Ship

Young Maiden Ship

The Desire Ship

The Rainbow Ship

The Hannibal Ship, An English Ship & East-Indian Merchant Ship

Mosley-Hill Ship, English Vessel

White Lion Ship and Treasurer Ship

The Unknown Birthdate of African Americans

Het Verduide, A Dutch Vessel

The Clotilda Ship

Chapter 4     Our Generations From Africa

Chapter 5     Early On, No Freedom

Early Generations

African American Origins

Chapter 6     The Wise Family Name

General Henry Alexander Wise

Henry Wise, Jr.

Dr. Henry Alexander Wise, Jr.

Phillip Wise

Steven Wise and Anna Lisa Coleman

Peter Wise and Elizabeth Drummond

John Steven Wise and Margaret Anna Maggie Custis

Hattie Drucilla Wise Heath And William Will Heath, Jr.

Grandmother Hattie’s Gifted Land

Grandmother Hattie Raised Money for Education

Chapter 7     Growing Spiritually   to be Made Whole

The Marian Anderson Story

Brown V. Board of Education

Chapter 8     The Milford Ten In Delaware

Supreme Court Declaration On Segregation

Chapter 9     William C. Jason High School

Parental Teachings

Katrina M. Adams’ Story

Parents Sacrifice for their Children

Chapter 10   Reconstructing and Transforming of African American Culture

When the Second World War Began

Chapter 11   A Brother’s Life Decision

Six Months Later

Why Was He So Mad?

George Launched Himself

Separation Anxiety

Hannah’s Promise

Time and Place

Chapter 12   Grandmother Hattie’s Influence on George

From Birth: Traveling to Different Cultures

A Mother’s Love

Traveling with Our Community

Our Family Involvement in Desegregation

Chapter 13   Grandmother Hattie’s Tongue

Chapter 14   Solomon’s Wisdom

Trust and Lean Not on Yourself

Waiting for Dreams to Come True

Hannah Dedicates Samuel

Entrust Those You Love to God

Not In Fear But Self-Discipline

An Understanding Heart

God Disciplines Us

Chapter 15   Nature’s Point

Human Nature

Chapter 16   On My Own

The Washing Machine

Mother Cried at George’s Message

Phyllis Left Home

George Told of His Where Abouts

George’s Return Home

The Next Child to Leave

Setting Examples

Following in George’s Footsteps

Chapter 17   Economic Freedom Needed by Blacks

Chapter 18   The Pursuit of the Good Life

Farming Brought From Africa to America

A Future In Farming

Kamal Bell’s Story

Farming Is Equated with Good Health and Wealth

Chapter 19   Learning Never Ends

Superstring Theory

Physics to Go

In the Beginning

Demands of Time

Chapter 20   A Lot More Work to Do

A Challenge that Black America Faces

A New Generation During Biblical Times

Problems of the Black Community

The Voting Question – A Great Issue in Our Country

Chapter 21   The Time is Now

The Age of Enlightenment and Race

Does Critical Race Theory Matter?

Are Voting Rights for Blacks Yet?

President Woodrow Wilson’s Stand on Segregation

Chapter 22   At the Crossroads

The Chaotic Years Pursuing Equality in America

Black Lives Matter Movement

We Were Given Freedom Without……

Still Chalenges, Chalenges

The Statue of Liberty

Conclusion

(Read this First)

Straighten Up, America!

Bibliography

Resources

DEDICATION

This book, STRAIGHTEN UP, AMERICA: WHY NEW GENERATIONS OF BLACKS MUST CHANGE AMERICA, is a sequel to my first book, CULTURAL GUMBO, OUR ROOTS, OUR STORIES.

There must be a new transformation of racial and cultural prospects as we as Black Americans have a rich legacy of proactive social involvement and a sense of spiritual destiny and heritage from Africa. I recommend that all Black Americans, as well as all other peoples, research their relationship to their Creator, their racial heritage and commit themselves to God’s standards for morality, integrity and excellence.

I am dedicating this book to the many African American exemplary, staunch, people who dared to make a difference. Let me say to these people, "Take pride in yourself. Value yourself. You have experienced pain, heartache and suffering. Yet, you have remained dedicated, committed and faithful.

I have known my ancestors in ways that many black children need to know their forebears. They should not be denied their birthrights and their human rights. From ancestors to descendants, you are winning the battles. You will be victorious.

Frederick Douglass, a Black abolitionist, wrote in his book, THE WORK OF THE FUTURE:

Oh! That the heart of this unbelieving nation be at once brought to a faith in the Eternal Laws of justice, justice for all men, justice now and always, justice without reservation or qualification except those suggested by love and mercy. (p. 13).

God sees your achievements and accomplishments from generation unto generation. Each era, each decade, each year, each century, we have a new generation whose accomplishments will brighten the world. I believe in our new generations and those beyond.

Many of us will only be rewarded in heaven for what we do, but that will be enough.

TO ALL CREATURES, GREAT AND SMALL.

OUR LORD, GOD LOVES THEM ALL.

AUTHOR’S NOTES

The word mentor to me means someone who sees your potential and believes in you even when you don’t believe in yourself. He/she is willing to lead you by serving others and helping you see the miracles of God’s creation. When I hear the word mentor, I think of my grandparents, both sets of them.

Our grandparents were jacks-of-all trades. They were also members of all races and cultures. They were hardworking, diligent, reliable persons who served God in faith and love. They served a critical role in my growth as a leader and I became their proteges.

As small children, my siblings and I knew all four of our grandparents but not our great-grandparents. We knew out great grandparents only through stories and oral history told to us by our beloved grandparents and parents. Our grandparents were our role models. They significantly influenced the way our family members viewed themselves. When we were with them, they had a captive audience.

Over the years, they were able to exert much influence on our thinking and our hearts. Both sets of grandparents successfully grafted their roots to the black culture, communities and traditions as a whole. As life for blacks began to change, our grandparents’ residences became the hub of black political, religious and social activities. They worked for equality and justice within the system of their communities. They positively impacted the community of Black families and informally influenced coalitions within the White community.

We must continue to control and contribute our resources, talents and expertise that are highly valued by the dominate society. We must develop and increase our own investment in our spiritual, intellectual and physical enhancement. Despite racism, discrimination and poverty, our Black families must network and come together within the church and other organizations to sponsor each other in investments, education and business.

Suffice it to say, we must strive to be at the cutting edge of all fields and endeavors of professional occupations, social backgrounds and political excellence. We can no longer limit the intellectual, financial and spiritual horizons of our generations to come. Productivity liberates and we must seek to be creative and achieve in all types of work.

Proverbs 12: 24 states, Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.

Proverbs 22:29 states, Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.

Colossians 3: 17 denotes, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The Sovereign One has chosen to use our prayers to accomplish his purpose. On Him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayer.

(2 Corinthians 1: 8-11, NIV).

Further, we must prepare our generations for real freedom. Imagine that despite wanting to be free, you would need to justify seizing your freedom over the investments whites have made on the structure of power that has forced blacks into servitude.

Frederick Douglass articulated it this way: We are distinct persons, and are each equally provided with faculties necessary to our individual existence.

He wrote this statement to Thomas Auld, his former slave master.

(Source: Richard S. Foner, ed. FREDERICK DOUGLASS, p. 111).

Those of us who are descendants of slaves, suffice it to say, who are most black people in America, have been denied knowing their Indigenous culture and communities and our relationships to the universe. To this day with climate change on the rise which is shifting our environment, there is also disputes in the disposition of land between new settlers and the Indigenous communities. We as descendants of freed slaves are still suffering from European violent colonialism and other races do not understand what it feels like to be robbed of their identity and homeland.

Yet, two grandparents, Hattie Wise Heath and William Will Heath, Jr. lived in Virginia and worked their farm land. They also built and owned a country grocery store which was the gathering place for the Tidewater North Hampton County area in Virginia. They felt self-sufficient and free while descending from slavery. This may have seemed small but it was significant.

Their acreage of land which was of fields and woods, was given to my Grandmother Hattie Wise by a white lady (name and relationship unknown to me). The generations of Wises and Heaths grew up there and thrived. Grandmother Hattie divided the land between two other younger sisters, Mary Etta Wise Heath and Annie Elizabeth Wise Jones and they lived together, side-by-side all their days, except when Great-Aunt Annie Jones moved her family to New York for a few years, only to return to Virginia.

The three sisters, Hattie, Mary Etta and Annie Wise were educational-minded and attended Hampton Agricultural Institute (Hampton University) in Hampton, Virginia when they were younger. They became mid-wives and served their communities near and wide.

Grandmother Hattie’s grocery store gave her cause to work to better educate her children and the children in her neighborhood. She had words of encouragement to all that she met, especially children. She would tell them. I’m praying for you; never give up.

Jesus told his disciples a parable in Luke 18: 1-5.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said, In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with a plea."

Grand me justice against my adversary. For some time, he refused. But finally, he said to himself, Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming.

Then the Lord added, Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you; He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

Grandmother Hattie raised funds with other blacks in the communities and communicated with the white leaders in the towns to add grades to the black schools in Exmore County and beyond. She established a county fair in Quimby, Virginia (Tasley Fair) for blacks in order to raise funds to upgrade the black community and its school system. We attended the fair each year in August. She didn’t receive awards for her deeds and work, but she was the favorite role model in her community.

My other grandparents were equally hardworking farmers and jacks-of-all -trade people, salt of the earth types. They lived in Sussex County, which is in lower Delaware, on land that was given to our great- grandfather, John Henry Fountain, who was blind and his wife, Amanda Collins Fountain and was handed down to my grandmother, Sadie Mae Fountain Harper and her sister, Lettie Fountain Banks.

Their white ancestors, the Fountains (De La Fountaines) arrived from Normandy, France in the early 1700’s to America and lived in Delmava (Delaware, Maryland and Virginia), states which were a part of the thirteen colonies. This De La Fountaine family owned much land, farm animals and ships. They changed their name to Fountain to fit the pattern of their new country - America.

The Fountain family name was always mentioned with pride by my mother, Lettie Harper Heath. Also, my grandmother, Sadie Fountain Harper once told me that her great -great -Grandfather, Nicholas De La Fountaine was born in the 16th century, around 1691 in Normandy, France. His son was also named Nicholas, II and was born in 1719 in France. This was documented in Ancestry.com and UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU RECORDS.

Both the white and black members of the Fountain family took part in the Underground Railroad activities. During the 1800 and 1900 centuries, they helped to free families and helped them board Captain William Fountain’s ships to freedom in New York and as far north as Nova Scotia, Canada.

Knowing of their involvement in this movement, my husband, Bertrand, my sister Nancy and her husband, Albert Kellam, drove up to New York and Canada to trace the steps of our ancestors in 2006.

"Treasure the memories within in your heart,

Let your life be comforted by trust,

And think of me if you must.

If you need me, call and I will come.

If you listen with your heart,

You’ll hear all my love around you soft and clear.

You have so many things to see and do.

You mustn’t tie yourself to me,

But be thankful we have had each other."

(Paraphrased, author unknown).

Come out of your shell.

Straighten up, America."

My Grandmother Hattie taught me how to take care of myself. One of her sayings was, "You are going to have to make your own way. You have to learn how to take care of yourself and your people. You are one of God’s Black children. Grandmother Hattie did not know anything about DNA, but she knew I was a part of her blood and she had learned how to take care of herself and her people by growing up and listening to her grandmother and great grandmother who had both come out of Africa – Mali, Western Africa.

I am a dreamer! I use to dream about some of the things that Grandmother Hattie taught me.

I dreamed about slavery and cowboys all the time when I was little. When I had grandchildren, I started dreaming about slavery again. By the time the book, TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE, was made into a movie, I had two grandchildren in middle school, Kiara and Christian Griffin, who had to read the book and watch the movie as a school assignment. I watched it with Christian and was horrified.

Helen Pilcher stated in her book, LIFE CHANGING, HOW HUMANS ARE ALTERING LIFE ON EARTH, From humble beginnings in the cradle of Africa, humans have risen to become a global superpower. (p. 11).

For the last three billion years or so, life on earth was shaped by natural forces. Evolution tended to happen slowly, with species crafted across millennia. Then a few hundred thousand years ago, along came a bolshie, a big-brained, bipedal primate we now call Homo Sapiens, and with that, the Earth’s natural history came to an abrupt end. (p. 349, para).

We are now living through the post- natural phase, where humans have become the leading force shaping evolution. (p.349).

My grandmother Hattie seemed to know how this evolutional force worked and wanted me to be a dynamic part of it. I know now that many of us wonder about where we belong on earth.

I talked to my children and their friends when they were young. I established a Cherubim Choir at my church, St. Mark United Methodist Church, and we had talk sessions before each rehearsal.

They were young then and now I see the fruit of my labor. I urged each of them to stay in school -high school and go on to college. I started scholarship funds for each of my children and my grandchildren, as well as gave small donations to the youth when they completed high school. For each youth that completed high school, I gave a monetary award and encouraged them to continue on to college. Over ninety-five percent of my Cherubim Choir members complected high school and attended college over forty -some years. My three children, Bertrand, II, Karen Michelle and Michael Gerard Griffin, all completed a college degree, masters degrees and Michael has two doctorates.

Many of the children in my Cherubim Choir over the forty -eight years that it was established completed high school, college and master’s degrees and became ministers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, musicians, real estate agents, engineers, social workers, college professors, poets and writers, military personnel and other professions.

I am talking to my grandchildren and their friends and cousins at this juncture. I also have continued with my Cherubim Choir after forty-eight years.

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, in her book, THE DISORDERED COSMOS, denotes that in the cosmos, our location in all of it matters. (p. 3).

EVERYTHING MATTERS

We know so little about everything and so much about nothing that it is very difficult to connect the dots. We are becoming aware that there is nothing too large or too