On the End of Black History Month.

As we approach the end of Black History Month, we realize that black history plus black culture is a year round affair. Especially young people should be educated not only famous black heroes. They should be educated on unsung black heroes in their own local communities as well (whether they live in urban or rural locations). In 1619, kidnapped Africans came into Hampton, Virginia. Hampton is not too far where I came from. After over 400 years, our black American people have overcome so much to be some of the greatest doctors, lawyers, teachers, activists, athletes, judges, and other leaders in human history. In Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Newport News, we know about our local black heroes like Bruce Smith, Yvonne Miller, Evelyn Butts, Rev. Joseph Green, Dr. L.D. Britt, Barbara Ciara (who is one of the most greatest, groundbreaking journalists of our generation), Patricia White, E.L. Hamm, Mary Christian, and other human beings. We realize that we love our Blackness as Black is Beautiful. We also comprehend the fact that we have a long way to go in living in this time.

Likewise, our brave ancestors suffered much worse than us, and we are inspired by their strength to carry forward with the Dream. Internationally, we love our black people overseas in Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America, South America, and throughout the Earth. That is why Afro-Brazilians, Afro-French, Afro-British, and African people are my Brothers and my Sisters. Maya Angelou including Toni Morrison taught us about literature and eloquence. Malcolm X taught us about courage plus self -defense. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught us about love and nonviolence, Ella Baker taught us about community, grassroots development, and Stevie Wonder including Nina Simone taught us about further musical genius. Also, Harriet Tubman taught all of us that revolutionary change is necessary to end injustice. We are loving, great people. Most importantly, we realize that our value is priceless. We are the first people on Earth, and our dignity is sacrosanct.. As part of the 7 cities, we are different in many ways, but we are unified in the common goal of freedom and justice for all.


Today, we realize that the coronavirus is a global pandemic. It started in Wuhan, China in December of 2019. There is no solution except by a coordinated international response. Targeted, powerful infrastructure that deals with medical and other resources ought to be utilized to prevent the spread of the virus and ultimately to save lives. From Seoul to Italy, many workers wear protective suits to act as precautions in fighting the virus. We know of SARS from 2002 to 2004. We know MERS in 2012-2014. SARS killed 774 people. MERS killed 886 people. In a few months, the coronavirus has killed 2,770 people in a little over than 2 months. This is unprecedented since the old pandemic over 100 years ago. More outbreaks are in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Many places have placed cities on lockdown or closed down schools in order to stop the spread of the virus. 8 percent of the people with the virus has passed away and about 18 percent with it require intensive care in hospitals worldwide. Trump has tried to say that everything is gravy and he has it under control, but a whistleblower said that many medical officials lacked the resources to wear proper clothing in handling the illness.

World Health Organization advisor and University of Florida professor Ira Longini said that if aggressive measures aren't used to contain the virus, then one third of the world's people could have it. People are fighting to make a vaccine. The 1918 flu pandemic could be repeated if something is not done. As always, we are opposed to the racist anti-Asian attacks going on in many places of the globe during this time. Today, we know scientific research in a higher level. We know about DNA, the RNA code, the cells and receptors of various entities. We don't need trillions of dollars used to fund bank bailouts, unjust wars, and imperialist occupations. We don't need massive austerity measures that cut wages and eliminate pensions. We must use billions of dollars to mobilize the necessary international forces to fight against the coronavirus. That will require common sense, courage, and a benefit to the people worldwide.


My maternal relatives have one origin. They came from Southampton County, Virginia. One person that I heard stories about was my 2nd great aunt named Cora Bell Claud. She lived form 1929 to 1964. She was the daughter of Arthur Boss Claud or my 2nd great grandfather. Cora Claud married the Navy veteran Bernard George Darden (1926-1998). His parents were John Napoleon Darden and Victoria Hargrave Darden. Their descendants are part of the Darden family, and my family are related to many members of the Darden family like my 1st cousin Claudette Darden Hatchett. She was born in 1958 at Southampton County, Virginia. Claudette's parents are Cora Bell Claud and Bernard George Darden. She graduated from VSU or Virginia State University (at Richmond, Virginia). Arthur Boss Claud's father was Rev. James Thompson Claud. Her mother was Sarah Claud. Sarah Claud's mother was the famous Zilphy Claud (she was a brave woman who lived from 1820-1893). Zilphy Claud is my 5th great grandmother.



By Timothy