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Reprinted with permission of the Meriden Record-Journal, July 12, 2004 Black history advocate wants young to learn
By Martha-Anne Hawley, Record-Journal staff WALLINGFORD — Nelson Ford is from Ohio. He now lives in Wallingford with his wife of 47 years, Ruth. He is an artist, loves history and is a member of the Coalition for Unity. At 70 years old, he says he has been black since he was 50. "When I was in school, back in Ohio, the racism was pretty strong," Ford said. "All I learned was that I was inferior." When he moved to Connecticut, Ford started researching black history. It was then, when he discovered his history, that he realized who he was — and what it meant to be black, he said. Ford has done presentations on black history for students across the state and at diversity workshops. "Some liked it and some went to sleep," he said of the students. "Everybody hates history, but there has to be some sort of way to get people to understand that history is important." He said that there is a belief among some people in the black community that "if you want to be black, you have to be stupid. And, if you're doing pretty good in school, that you're trying to be white." Combining his artist background and extensive research of black history, Ford began creating a scroll. With the scroll currently stretching 100 feet, Ford said he has another 400 feet to go but has been discouraged from finishing it because of the lack of interest he's found among the young black community. "I would like to finish it and do more," he said, "but it's tough to get started." Ford said he is hoping to find a home for what he has of his scroll so far, possibly a museum or a home where people could view it. Recently displayed at the Meriden Black Expo at Hubbard Park, Ford's scroll is called "The Awakening: a Black History" and begins, "There is only one race of people on Earth: The Human Race." The scroll documents contributions made to the world by the black, African culture. He has been working on it since 1990. Robby Robinson, a fellow member of the Coalition for Unity, said, "You need something to draw the young people's attention." Robinson said that, for young people today, times are different. "It's still a major problem, but its not a huge issue for individuals right now," he said of racism. "It's a sign of the times. People are more concerned with surviving and having a good job." Ruth Ford said that one of the most important things young black people need to do is to get to know their history. "Know where you came from and you'll know where you're going," she said. "It's up to you to go find it. There' s no reason not to know." Ford said he is beginning work on a three-volume book documenting black history and the many accomplishments of black people. It will be written in such a way that young people could understand it, he said. "I have so much information on religion," he said. "It starts with the Big Bang and then, eventually, would go through diseases and viruses and up through man, fish and monkey and into humankind." Ford, who said most history books start in the middle of history and move forward, said that if young black people were to learn more about their history, they may have more incentive to do well in school. "They should be proud, but they don't know anything about it," he said. Medicine, astronomy, science, architecture and art are just some of the many things that took root in Africa and with black people, he said. "What it could do to black students who are failing, to know the black community has created all this," he said. Ford believes that the reason black students don't know their history is because of racism, which he believes will never go away. "Teachers' hands are tied and can't give this kind of information," he said. "The only change I can see is where these races will disappear because we are still evolving. All of the groups are intermingling." But Ford said he can't see that happening for another 100,000 years. "People still have to remember that we're all one race," he said. (203) 317-2234 |
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