After all of these years, we have grown intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. The world is much different than when I was growing up in the 1980's and in the 1990's. We see record technological changes (with Facebook, Tik Tok, and the Metaverse), climate change, and new avenues of entertainment (like Hulu and Netflix). Yet, what remains the same deals with the awe-inspiring principles and ideals that we cherish like the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the freedom of religion, equality, justice for all, environmental justice, and racial justice. There is a long way to go when a black human being named Tyre Nicholas was brutally murdered by cowardly former ex-police officers. We have a long way to go when black women are readily discriminated against and oppressed, even restricted from using their own hair (we have to fight for the CROWN Act to be passed nationally in endorsing respect for black hair). During this generation, the skeptics have been more adamant not only bashing those who research the mysteries of life and real conspiracies. Many skeptics have used censorship on various Internet platforms for years. I reject bigotry and unjust hatred, but I also am opposed to draconian censorship whose goal is to suppress independent thought. Opposition to corrupt policies from the state or monopoly corporations is necessary for any democracy. One aspect of the time is how the war economy dominates a large part of the world economy. After the Allies legitimately defeated the Axis Powers during WWII, the military-industrial complex accelerated worldwide. We don't want World War III, but that seems to be a possibility with tensions in Ukraine, the Middle East, China, and other places of the world. The world of facts is real. What is true is that economic inequality is a real problem in the world, high level political groups (like the Pilgrim Society, the Trilateral Commission, the 1001 Club, the Pilgrim Society, the Bilderberg Group) exist for real, there are secret, high-level parties plus meetings where people go to (from the Bohemian Grove to other Eyes Wide Shut like parties worldwide), symbolism in the industry being promoted is real, and we have the right to stand up for our freedom against the agenda of oligarchy. I remember when skeptics say that no well-known celebrities drink blood in rituals and Megan Fox admitted that she and her boyfriend drink each other's blood on occasion for ritual purposes. We know of the Doja Cat's ritualistic birthday party with a cake with Masonic symbolism on it. Many people at the party wore masks. Recently, people have exposed the Balenciaga sick campaign. Therefore, this stuff is real. We know how the industry roles, we know many in Hollywood exploited actors and actresses for over 100 years now, and we have the right to do things positive in promoting goodness in the Universe. This time, acknowledging our heroes and making sure that our minds are focused on showing the truth is very important in our lives indeed.
There are many heroes involving our lives that we should honor. Mary Jane McLeod Bethune is one hero that we always cherish. She lived her life to promote education for black people and freedom for everyone. She was a dedicated philanthropist, humanitarian, and civil rights activist. She founded the National Council of Negro Women in 1935. Bethune formed the organization's flagship journal of Aframerican Women's Journal. She was the President of many organizations like the National Association for Colored Women and the National Youth Administration's Negro Division. She was born in Maysville, South Carolina and lived in Daytona Beach, Florida for years too. Bethune-Cookman University was created by her. Ebony Magazine called her the "acknowledged First Lady of Negro America." She was one architect of the modern-day black freedom struggle of the 20th century. Bethune wrote constantly in her life. Her works were found in the Pittsburgh Courier from 1937 to 1938 and the Chicago Defender. She lobbied President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to allow black women to join the military. By World War II, more African American women joined the military. She co-founded the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) on April 25, 1944, with William J. Trent and Frederick D. Patterson. The UNCF has helped black Americans to get scholarships, mentorships, and jo opportunities to attend historically black colleges and universities. Bethune was a genius whose works will never be forgotten in our minds.
Lois Mailou Jones was one of the greatest unsung artists of all time. She lived from 1905 to 1908. As an advocate for black freedom, she always promoted art that inspire black people. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She loved to draw and paint using watercolors. People that influenced her life involving art and life, in general, were sculptor Meta Warrick Fuller, composer Harry T. Burleigh, and novelist Dorothy West. Her parents brought a house on Martha's Vineyard. She studied art at many places like the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She earned her BA in art education from Howard University, graduating magna cum laude. She painted on many subjects from art to working in the African Diaspora to promote justice. She supported many Haitian artists. Also, Jones protested the Vietnam War on May 22, 1970, at Washington, D.C. The protest was caused by Robert Morris in New York. Jones protested racism and the Vietnam War. By 1973, Jones received the "Women artists of the Caribbean and Afro-American Artists" grant from Howard University. In the same year, she was awarded the honorary Doctor of Philosophy from Colorado State Christian College. Her paintings are found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Center of Afro-American Artists, the National Palace in Haiti, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, etc.
There is information that should place the history of my 2nd great-grandfather Arthur Boss Claud into context. His parents were my 3rd great grandparents whose names are Rev. James Thompson Claud (1857-1926) and Susanna Field Hurst-Turner Claud (1862-1949). Arthur Boss Claude lived from December 12, 1891, at Southampton County, Virginia to May 28, 1974, at Franklin, Virginia. Arthur Boss Claud lived a long life. He has two wives. His first wife was Martha Jane Claud (She lived from 1894 to 1922). Arthur Boss Claude and Martha Jane Claud had many children. Their names are my great-grandmother Ella Mae Claud (1913-1991), Susie Claude (1915-1999), Edgerton Claud (1916-1962), Jossy Claud (b. 1918), Elizabeth Claud Smith or "Topsey" (1919-2004), Lona Lee Claud (1922-2005), and Loyd A. Claud (1920-1923). Martha Jane Claud's parents were Frank T. Claud (1856-1948) and Elizabeth "Bettie" (Powell) Whitehead (1867-1939). Arthur Boss Claud's second wife was Lucy Johnson (1880-1949. Her parents were George Johnson and Patience Roberts according to Lucy Johnson's death certificate in Virginia). Also, Arthur Boss Claud had a child with Cora Bell Chambliss named Cora Bell Claud (1929-1964). My great-grandaunt Lona Lee Claud married Willie Roscoe Joyner Sr. on February 26, 1942, at Emporia, Virginia. They had many children whose names are: Lilian M. Joyner (b. 1946), Roy Joyner (b. 1947), Willie Roscoe Joyner Jr. (1948-2011), Elton Enoise Joyner Sr. (b. 1950), Alpha Lee Joyner (b. 1952), and Kimbel Joyner (b. 1956). My 1st cousin Willie Roscoe Joyner Jr. lived from April 26, 1948, to December 22, 2011. He married Eunice Louise Pegram (1952-2015) on October 5, 1968, at Richmond, Virginia. Willie Roscoe Jr. joined Shiloh Baptist Church as a child. He attended Southampton County Public School until he moved into Richmond, Virginia. He later worked at E.R. Carpenter Co. for more than 30 years, and he was nicknamed "Papa J." Willie Jr. loved to cook and have fun with family and friends. He helped people constantly. His children are Jermhal Joyner (Katiya is his wife), Corey Joyner Sr., Willie Joyner III, and Shatrice Johnson. He has 16 grandchildrne and four great-grandchildren. Willie Roscoe Jr. has the following other living siblings: sister Lillian Wynn, Elton Joyner (Iris is his wife), Alpha Joyner (Lorie is his wife), Kimble Joyner (Goldenia is his wife), and Roy Joyner. He has three aunts who are Lillie Parks, Rosa Newsome (Lythie is her husband), and Maude Joyner. His uncle is Henry Joyner (his wife is Novella). His brother-in-law is Larry Spencer. His friends are John Jones, Irece Shelton, and Annette Hunt. His funeral took place at the historic Shiloh Baptist Church in Boykins, Virginia. Willie Roscoe Joyner Sr.'s (1921-2018) devoted grandchildren are Shatrice, Jermahl (Katiya), Elton Jr., Lonnell (Donna), Nicole, Dwayne (Terrie), Corey (Tanisha), Lafonia, Janelle, Willie III, and Jessica; step-grandchild, Ronald D. Flythe; nineteen great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; a loving sister, Maude Joyner of Drewryville; one brother-in-law, Lythe Newsome of Hampton; sister-in-law, Irene Joyner of Kingstree, S.C.; a devoted goddaughter, Theresa Turner; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Richard Marcus Claude Jr. was born on February 13, 1957, at Wilmington, Delaware. He married LaDonna M. Matthews on December 29, 2007, at Travis, Texas. Richard Claude Jr.'s parents are Richard Marcus Claude Sr. (1925-1993) and Anna F. Claud. Richard Marcus Claude Sr. lived to be 67 years and loved to live in Wilmington, Delaware. He retired from the Chrysler Corporation in Newark in 1982 after 14 years. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He later joined the Air Force. Richard Claude Sr. was a member of Brandywine Trinity United Methodist Church at Wilmington too. his first wife as Katie M. Claude. His 2nd wife was Anna F. He loved his children who are Richard M. Claude Jr. (who now lives in Texas), Eric Claude, Marva Walker (of Baltimore. She was born in 1954), Audrey Leach (of Washington, D.C.. She was born in 1953), and Edith Moyer (of Washington, D.C. She was born in 1954). His stepdaughter is Harriet Shapiro of Atlantic City, New Jersey. He had many brothers like the late Lawrence Shaheed of New York and George W. Claude of Baltimore. His three sisters are Hattie Byrd of Newport News, Virginia, Effie V'Ester of New York, and Mary Anderson of Baltimore. Back in 1993, he had 10 grandchildren and a great grandchild.
By Timothy
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