Woebeit, "We as a people" have a propensity to glorify, or in some cases deify Black History, hence it’s a small wonder why so few students of history, in general, and "OUR" history, specifically, are often clueless about their own history making family members. Thus, I must quote Sam Johnson one more time. Not my late father Sam, but my favorite English writer who asserted, "All history, so far as it is not supported by contemporary evidence is romance," which is an excerpt from his book, Boswell’s Tour of the Hebrides, that was published in 1773. I’ve also explained where he was coming from, inasmuch as I’ve concluded that my contemporary’s grew up in a parallel universe when I hear them talk about the good old days.

Then again, the foggy reality of the distant past-- lurking in The Twilight Zone of my subconscious-- may border on The Outer Limits of my contemporary’s ability to grasp the concept of keeping it real. Translation: Since we allow White folks to whitewash Black History, what my brain-dead brothers and sisters consider fond memories, are actually mainstream media’s programmed graphics, to enhance Willie Lynch’s "niggerization" indoctrination. For real, the majority of the Black History that most made in America African’s intelligentsia regurgitate has very little relevance for today’s descendants of slaves. On the other hand, there are some for real, sho’ nuff custodians of Black History who have dedicated their lives to recording the good, the bad and the ugly deeds of our ancestors.

Such a person is my pal and fellow living historian, Veronica Kelly Young, who is responsible for this edition’s tribute to the civil rights legend Erma Delaney LeRoy... whose July 8, 2006 death was unnoted. What really upset Young, however, was that she made a concerted effort to inform the general public about Mrs. LeRoy’s passing to no avail. Ergo, a very few people turned out to the July 19, 2006 celebration of her long and productive life. To exacerbate Veronica’s ire, the organizations that Mrs. LeRoy served so long and well were missing in action. "They knew about it, because I called them," Young explained. Young also called the Houston Chronicle, thinking that surely they would do an article on the great lady, although they didn’t know her history per se. Hey, they have no idea who Moses LeRoy was, not to mention his widow.

"I haven’t been so mad at my people (i.e., "Colored folks," Negroes, African Americans, Black people, "handkerchief headed Uncle Toms and Aunt Jeminas"), since "Pop" was almost buried in a paupers grave," Veronica confessed. Veronica was alluding to the civil rights legend George Nelson who helped integrate HISD’s secondary schools. "Pops" was forgotten when he got old until Veronica and her husband became his caretakers, but that’s Black History for another day. Meanwhile, leaving no stone unturned Veronica sent prepared text to all newspapers and Black oriented radio stations (see Fiesta’s Black History 24-365), but, alas, her efforts were for naunt. Thus, as always African American News & Issues has another sho' nuff EXCLUSIVE (so far), unless somebody gets wise.