Black History Month - To America's Cultural Orphans

To America's Cultural Orphans
a people without a language
a people without a homeland
a people without a undisputed past
and an uncertain future

To these people, my people, the black American descended from African slaves, I say, "Celebrate!"

We are the most influential orphans in the world! With a borrowed language we wrote songs: created gospel, blues, jazz and rock & roll.

Silently, unacknowledged and unappreciated, upon the strength of our backs and the tears of our pain, the greatest country in modern history was built.

The strength of an athelete in competition
the energy of a dancer in performance
the eloquence of an orator behind the pulpit or in politics
THIS is our culture.
THIS is our heritage.
These things we retain.

The clothing we wear, the styles of our hair, the way that we talk, the way that we walk, constantly imitated but never really duplicated.

So, celebrate freedom.
Celebrate influence.
And please, don't let orphanhood keep your freedom or your influence from increasing.

Happy "Black History Month."