Histories attempt to fill blanks in York County women’s, black history
Helen Reeves Thackston reads to children at Crispus Attucks Early Learning Center, which she headed from 1932-1964. A park in York is named in honor of Helen Thackston. Thackston Park. Thackston deserves a place in any history of York County.
In a column Sunday, I outlined three York Daily Record/Sunday News special sections that tell about the history of undercovered York County communities:
-“Making history,” the story of Crispus Attucks Community Center.
– “Black History,” profiles on achievers with links to York County.
– “Women’s History,” short stories on up-and-comers and veterans from the county’s past.
Ten thousand copies of each are being distributed to classrooms participating in Newspapers in Education. For details, see my column: York’s words of wisdom, and much material from the publications is available at www.ydr.com/history.
To give a flavor of some of the content of the publication, the following three poems come from “Making history”:
Are you in earnest? Seize this moment.
What you think you can do, begin it!
Boldness has courage, power, magic in it.
Begin, and the mind grows heated.
Begin, and the job will be completed.
– Sadie Orr Dunbar, CA Herald, 1971
I got my freedom
(excerpted)
I got my freedom when my brothers fought for this land.
I got my freedom when they made those gallant last stands.
I got my freedom when my brothers were fighting to be free,
They were fighting for themselves, also for you and me…
I got my freedom the hard way, I tell you no lie,
If I ever have to give up my freedom I will rather die.
Samuel Beard, CA Herald, 1971
Crispus Attucks Summer Day Camp Creed
I am a positive individual
ready to navigate my life
in positive channels
The world owes me nothing.
It is up to me
to achieve
to live my life
to plan my destiny
My plan is to succeed.
