An African American woman moved home to take care of her dying mother giving up the opportunity to experience a world beyond segregation. Zoraida Hughes Williams finds that some things have changed about her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas while some have stayed the same, like Hell’s Half Acre, an area where saloons, prostitution and gambling runs wild. Like most of the residents, she wants to keep her head down and stay away from trouble, but it comes in the unlikely form of an Anglo Baptist preacher. He messes up everything and almost gets them killed.
Madam CJ Walker was not born with a lot of opportunities. She was the first child her parents had that was born free of slavery. When both parents died she was young and was raised by her sister. But the woman born Sarah Breedlove was able.
Sarah married young and had a child. She was determined her daughter would have all of the things she never had. She started out doing the things she knew to do, but later learned new things. She was able.
A woman who grew up without parents, without a formal education, and all of the other things we are waiting on became very successful. She was able.
This week we focus on business. In this section of the book we take a moment from when Zo is having a chat with her new friend Andrew. She is running her plans by him. Remember this is 1912.
“I gonna run by Mr. Sweet tomorrow an see if he will let me write for his paper.”
“His newspaper?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Girl, he won’t let no woman do that kind of work.”
“I have experience. I even have some bylines.”
Andrew sighed.
“You will be better going to clean someone’s house. I know this little family that can use someone.”
She looked at him like he had insulted her. He needed to know she as not some ordinary heifer. She was capable of much more.
“I don’t clean other people’s houses. I am an educated woman.”
Destiny’s Dilemma
An African American woman moved home to take care of her dying mother giving up the opportunity to experience a world beyond segregation. Zoraida Hughes Williams finds that some things have changed about her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas while some have stayed the same, like Hell’s Half Acre, an area where saloons, prostitution and gambling runs wild. Like most of the residents, she wants to keep her head down and stay away from trouble, but it comes in the unlikely form of an Anglo Baptist preacher. He messes up everything and almost gets them killed.
It is Black History Month. I love being African American. I love history. This month I will share different moments from the Book of the Quarter, Destiny’s Dilemma. This week in history we will celebrate music. In this scene Zo, our heroine entertains her mother with music she knows she will like.
“Mama I want you to hear this.”
After getting back from the long afternoon, she brought her mother into the parlor and made her comfortable. She enjoyed this time with her. They could talk in a way they had not before.
“Is this some of them blues?”
“Mama, listen.”
Zo started the phonograph. Hattie listened for a few minutes, then looked at her daughter.
“Is she…”
“Singing about Jesus. Yes ma’am. I told you some of these new fangle things could be used for the good.”
Zo giggled at herself. She loved the surprised look on her mother’s face. She enjoyed watching her mother settle in and listen.
“What Baptist church she go to?” her mother asked about the woman singing.
“Mama she one of them holy rollers.”
“You don’t say.”
“This little girl’s name is Arizona. She from around this way, up in Sherman.”
“She can sing. The lambs blood washed me clean. I like that.”
Her mother reclined on the sofa and listened to church music.
Destiny’s Dilemma
An African American woman moved home to take care of her dying mother giving up the opportunity to experience a world beyond segregation. Zoraida Hughes Williams finds that some things have changed about her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas while some have stayed the same, like Hell’s Half Acre, an area where saloons, prostitution and gambling runs wild. Like most of the residents, she wants to keep her head down and stay away from trouble, but it comes in the unlikely form of an Anglo Baptist preacher. He messes up everything and almost gets them killed.
People of African descent have made significant contributions to society. This month is an opportunity to look at those achievements and celebrate those people.
In addition to being capable of doing something, You are able to do it. This month as we celebrate Black History and see all that our ancestors accomplished, remind yourself that you are able.
You have power, skill, proficiency, and intelligence to accomplish the tasks before you. You have the means and the opportunity.
Tell yourself this every day and watch how your life changes.
An African American woman moved home to take care of her dying mother giving up the opportunity to experience a world beyond segregation. Zoraida Hughes Williams finds that some things have changed about her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas while some have stayed the same, like Hell’s Half Acre, an area where saloons, prostitution and gambling runs wild. Like most of the residents, she wants to keep her head down and stay away from trouble, but it comes in the unlikely form of an Anglo Baptist preacher. He messes up everything and almost gets them killed.
UPP Creative Media 