Student Writing Contest

Marita Golden: The True Definition of Strength
by Teresa Danso-Danquah
Henrico High School
Richmond, Virginia

All my life, I have been taught by the African American community displayed in the media that the closer one's skin is to white, the stronger and more beautiful one is. The most prominent women in society seem to be light-skinned and flaunt flawless weave and colored contacts. As an African American daughter with dark chocolate skin inherited from Ghanaian-born parents, I feel far from strong by this superficial definition. Where could I look to find a realistic picture of strength in African Americans?

Marita Golden embodies the principle that strength is the ability to take the blemishes of hardships endured that taint the face of life and portray a character of perseverance and self-actualization. This profound writer has demonstrated this in her myriad works of fiction and nonfiction. In her young adulthood, both her parents died. Although this was a major setback, with much perseverance she found inspiration from the nature of her loving parents to weave the personalities included in her fiction. Similarly, when her marriage to a Nigerian man ended in a divorce, she was able to learn in introspect about the qualities and beliefs that defined her and incorporate them into a memoir titled Migrations of the Heart. Additionally, the work of Golden that reverberated in me was her memoir, Don't Play in the Sun: One Woman's Journey through the Color Complex. The book describes Golden's experience growing up near the end of the civil rights era, where color and race were determinant factors of one's status in society. She mentions how her mother repeatedly told her, "Don't play in the sun," because she didn't want Marita to get any darker or else she would have to marry someone who was fair-skinned.

Although this occurred to Golden many years ago, it is still evident in society today; I can attest to that. I felt that Golden was speaking directly to me, begging me to see beyond the color of skin that binds me like shackles and embrace my true character that is independent of what race, skin, or beliefs inflicted upon me. Thus, it is a shining inspiration for those, like me, struggling to overcome prejudice to look to Marita Golden and see a courageous role model filled with years of wisdom and experience paving a magnificent road to follow.

Zora Neale Hurston
by Wesley Chavis
Frank W. Cox High School
Virginia Beach, Virginia

While rapt in Hurston's prose, soul and mind bind you to the potency of her words. There is a connection so genuine that your soul touches hers. Her heartbeat matches yours, stride for quickening stride, and discerningly, you know that a moment so honest does not come around often. Words wisp across naked eyes; like birth, sight is fresh. You are born again, never to look at writing the same. That is the power of Zora Neale Hurston, an indisputable leader.

A river may shimmer in the victory of a new day's sun. It may bask in the tranquility of its still composure, but those times when a river is dense with grime, Hurston can craftily distill the waters. That is her way: to expose truth in its purest form. She endured the criticisms of other writers and critics of the Harlem Renaissance. They said that she took the civil rights movement back several strides through a negative portrayal of African American life and thought. This portrayal was not negative at all, but it was uncluttered and real - a beacon of truth to guide her literary descendants. She expressed a complexity to African American life like no other Harlem Renaissance writer, making her the target of condemnation from those who wished to hide in the shadows. For Hurston exposed the light, making cover impossible. She continued to portray the complexity and sincerity of African American life through her prose, never concealing her beacon. When Hurston was beat down with criticism, she prevailed. She prevailed, she conquered, she led.

Hurston's poetic genius was shuffled to the background during the Harlem Renaissance, but she soon exploded through a film of negative critique into the spotlight. Her mama always told her to "jump at de sun," and through constant perseverance to reach and exceed her threshold of greatness, she sets that same example for others to follow. Knowing she might not land on the sun, but at least she would get off the ground — she jumped. Yes, she jumped and soared. Now I can jump (just not nearly as high as Zora Neale Hurston).

Protector of the Females, the Oppressed
And the Underrepresented:  Pauli Murray
by Kanchana Sthanumurthy
Potomac Falls High School
Loudoun County, Virginia

I suppose I take all kinds of things for granted. The right to vote, to go to whatever college pleases me, the right to be judged on an equal platform, in terms of both gender and race. Anna (Pauli) Murray is part of the reason I enjoy these rights today. Murray tirelessly worked toward racial and gender equality in America, and the strides she made in law and social organizations amazes me.

An aunt in Baltimore raised Murray and her five siblings; both of her parents died when she was just a girl. Murray proved to be dedicated and focused in her goal to obtain a good education, however, and graduated from Hunter College in 1933. For a few years after, Murray worked for the Works Projects Administration and as a teacher in the New York City remedial reading project.

Murray also worked for the Workers' Defense League, and in 1941, she raised money for the defense of a black sharecropper who killed his white employer over the seizure of his crop. Murray gave an impassioned speech for this man; as a result, her benefactors opened their pockets to her. The dean of Howard Law School, impressed by her character, invited her to enroll. Murray entered the school that fall.

She went with the intention of becoming a civil rights lawyer, but facing much sexual discrimination, Murray graduated a feminist as well. Throughout this time, Murray continued to write essays on civil rights and equal opportunity.

In 1961, Murray was appointed to the President's Commission on the Status of Women Committee on Civil and Political Rights. Murray chiseled down the law piece by piece to ensure that women were fairly treated. In 1966, Murray co-founded NOW, the National Organization for Women.

She was the first black to earn a doctorate from Yale Law School, and became the first black woman in the U.S. to be ordained as an Episcopal priest.

I only hope that I can achieve half the things in my lifetime as Pauli Murray achieved in hers. She may not be praised in history textbooks, but she is part of the backbone that supports equality - in every sense of the word. She was courageous and unafraid to fight for her rights. As I forge my own path through life, I will endeavor to make the most of all the opportunities Murray has granted me.

Each American generation has experienced unique events and triggering moments that inspire individuals to excel to heights beyond comprehension, to achieve what no person has ever dreamed of attaining. These innovative individuals serve as leaders who pave the way to set ambitions for those who follow in their footsteps. George Washington Carver was one of these groundbreaking individuals who overcame monumental hurdles for his generation to achieve what no other person had.

Carver was born in 1864, toward the end of the American Civil War, when the recent abolition of slavery by no means eradicated the personal and institutional racism Carver experienced throughout his life. Soon after he was born, his mother was abducted, leaving him to be raised by his former owners. They encouraged him to pursue a formal education, even at times when this was deemed socially unacceptable for African Americans. Not only did he overcome this adversity, but he kept propelling himself until he became the first African American to attend Simpson College in Iowa. Later, he transferred to Iowa State University, where he acquired a bachelor's degree and then a master's degree in bacterial botany and agriculture.

Carver never lost momentum; from that point on, he achieved remarkable feats in the field of agriculture, benefiting those southern whites who had once — and at times still — oppressed him due to the color of his skin. However, racism never halted the pure beauty of his creative mind; Carver began to construct ideas and methods that had not once been contemplated by others. These ideas included crop rotation, which helped combat destruction of the valuable nutrient rich soil, and more than 300 uses for peanuts, soybeans, and sweet potatoes. Carver aided and led the agriculturally and economically depressed South to a gradual recovery.

But Carver's most inspiring achievement was his generosity. Patenting his ideas or accepting monetary compensation was counter to his magnanimous philosophy of life. Carver would proclaim, "if God gave them to me, how can I sell them to someone else?" Carver was not selfish when it came to his passion, and he wanted to make sure that others had the potential to follow in his footsteps.

George Washington Carver overcame the gargantuan hurdle for his generation — adversity to his race — which inspired others to even greater heights.

Benjamin Carson, M.D.
by Shanell Byrd
Washington High School
Washington, North Carolina

One example of an unsung hero is Dr. Benjamin Carson, director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Despite many struggles he encountered, Carson attended Yale University. After saving the lives of many children, Carson finally received the recognition he deserves. I admire him mostly because of the effect he has had on my life, as well as the lives of children that were saved throughout his career. Our similar childhoods and hardships have made him a major role model in my life.

Although he grew up to be successful, what touched me the most about his story were his troubled childhood experiences that he overcame. During my sophomore year in high school, I moved from my aunt's home in North Carolina to my cousin's house in New Jersey. I had a rough time during that year until I stumbled across Carson's biography, Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. The story had me so mesmerized that I read the entire book in one sitting.  I was inspired by it because I could relate to much of what he went through in his life.

When Carson was eight, his father abandoned his family, leaving Carson devastated by his absence. He was too young to comprehend anything other than his love for his father and his wish for him to come back. Because I was abandoned by both parents at the age of two, I understood his resentfulness and confusion. Carson's story gave me strength and understanding to know that even though I was abandoned, I could still succeed by appreciating the love that I had from my aunt and my older sister.

After seeing her children's grades declining, Carson's mother limited television to three shows per week in order to make sure their grades demonstrated that they were working to the best of their ability. My aunt would not allow either my sister or me to watch any television on weekdays to make sure that we spent that time focusing on schoolwork. His mother made him and his brother read two books a week and write reports on what they read. Even though his mother dropped out of school in the third grade, she stressed education and raised her children to believe that they could do anything.

Carson endured such hardships as poverty, abandonment, low self-esteem, anger problems, and failing grades to become the first person to perform a successful separation of Siamese twins who were joined at the back of the head. Although Ben Carson may never know the impact he has had on my life, he does know that he has influenced many other youth through his book, movie, and his story.

"Father of Afro-American Cinema:" Oscar Micheaux
by Nolan Alexander
Boardman High School
Youngstown, Ohio

Spike Lee. Tyler Perry. John Singleton. These are the black film directors who currently hold Hollywood in the palm of their hands. They have made some of the most prolific and entertaining films to date, ranging from heart-wrenching dramas to gut-busting comedies. Additionally, each filmmaker has managed to break color barriers, making films that appeal to both white and black moviegoers alike, and revolutionized the world of film. However, despite their success and innovation, they are certainly not the first brothers to set Hollywood entertainment on its ear.

This distinction was achieved by the "Father of Afro-American Cinema," Oscar Micheaux. Considered 50 years ahead of his time, Micheaux made groundbreaking films that captured the lives of African Americans, diminishing the typical stereotypes other filmmakers used to depict black people. Such films, like his classic Body and Soul, were complex and original, straying away from the "coon and mammy" movies Hollywood often distributed to the masses. Micheaux's films did more than just entertain their viewers; they glorified the nostalgia of the black race, and educated those too ignorant to understand them.

His natural talent in film came from his writing. Publishing seven novels, including a bestseller, Micheaux found ease in writing talented tales of suspense, romance, comedy, and tragedy. He even found inspiration in his own life, loosely basing his first film, The Homesteader, from his personal experiences homesteading in South Dakota.

In the years from 1919 to 1948, Micheaux made more than 40 films, working with the nation's first all-black casts, including Harlem Renaissance actor Paul Robeson. Despite some of his films being misunderstood by critics, both black and white, Micheaux was a pioneer to his craft, trailblazing the way for black filmmakers such as Lee, Perry and Singleton to follow.

Micheaux's impact on cinema inspires me in my pursuit to become a film director. His endless creativity and authenticity is something that is demonstrated in all of his movies. I intend on following this path, just as many other black filmmakers have, and continue a tradition of capturing the lives of our people through a story and a camera. Micheaux was, is, and forever shall be a beacon to black film, leaving a staccato in the broad history of cinema.

The road to success is not always clearly paved with bold yellow and white lines for guidance, nor is there always a map for direction. For many, this path is characterized by steep hills, unexpected changes in direction, and numerous obstacles to overcome. Verification of this rough road to success lies in the heart of Oprah Winfrey. Many people view this entertainment icon as just an average, modern-day billionaire, complete with a universally known self-titled talk show, a production company, and an abundance of wealth. However, it was this legendary African-American woman's perseverance and determination to achieve that served as her road map down the uneven path to success.

Many of the hardships that Oprah Winfrey endured during her childhood are unfathomable by those who admire her prominence today. At the age of six, Oprah suffered physical and emotional pains while living with her mother and her mother's abusive boyfriends. After escaping from this continuous abuse, Oprah was sent to stay with her father, who constantly forced her to read and write book reports, and he accepted nothing less than perfection. Her perseverance and self-motivation allowed her to conquer these obstacles of her youth, and she eventually began her broadcasting dynasty.

The road to success is not identical for every individual; some face numerous hindrances and stop signs along the way, while others set the cruise control and the road is paved before them. In her self-titled magazine, Oprah stated, "Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility." These inspirational words struck deep within my being, causing my mind to soar at the prospect of attaining those numerous dreams that I had deemed "impossible" or "unattainable." This quote by one of the world's most influential women taught me to overcome the odds and take chances in life.

The road to Oprah's success included many obstacles such as abuse and homelessness, but her perseverance and determination guided her in achieving even those accomplishments that, at one point in her life, seemed impossible. This example of incredible strength and motivation exhibited by this beloved talk show host and entertainment icon provides a positive illustration of the high expectations that can be achieved with hard work and dedication.

Through the Eyes of a Pilot: Tuskegee Airmen
by Demar P. Tabb
Success Tech Academy
Cleveland, Ohio

I was one of the Tuskegee Airmen. We flew through the clouds like hawks looking for our next prey. We were the first African American military pilots. We were proud black men ready to fight for our country, even though we were disenfranchised by that country. The War Department set up a test for me and my men that was thought to be impossible to pass, but the plan backfired when they received applications from us.  We had participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program, part of the historically black Tuskegee Institute. Despite becoming some of the best pilots ever to fly in the U.S. Army Air Corps, we still had to face racism, and other units continued to harass us. However, when military segregation ended in 1948, we, as veterans, were wanted in the new United States Air Force.

For a long time it seemed as if our contributions had gone unnoticed. Then on March 29, 2007, almost 350 of us, airmen and widows, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for our years of sacrifice. More than 180 of us were invited to Barack Obama's inauguration on January 20, 2009. We have shown our race that anybody can do anything as long as they put their mind to it. We have also shown that we, as the descendents of proud African kings and queens, have equal rights to do what everybody else can do. Nobody really thinks of the struggles we had to endure to get where we are. Looking at our achievements makes others understand that you don't have to be a rapper or a basketball player to succeed in life. I, as a Tuskegee Airman, make others proud to be black; I have been through more than today's generation has. I have suffered many racial slurs, but in the end, I risked my life to prove that I was capable of greatness.

We, the Tuskegee Airmen, should be recognized not only because we were such great pilots, but because we were great pilots in a time when African Americans were judged as unfit to fly. A lot of people would not serve a country that wouldn't give them equal rights. There is another quality we have demonstrated — forgiveness. We forgave, we fought, and we taught by example. That, after all, is what life is all about: mercy, justice, and education for all.