For the past several years in recognition of Black History Month, the Herkimer County Hunger Coalition and Greater Herkimer Lions Club have each donated a book to Herkimer County elementary schools and local libraries. Among the selections have been the “Sweet and Sour Book,” Weary Blues and Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes, James Baldwin’s “Go Tell It on The Mountain,” Angie Thomas’ the “Hate U Give” and “Stamped” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. When asked recently why I began what’s become an annual tradition, my answer was simply a name. Dr. William Chazanof.

Dr. Bill was my American history professor at Fredonia State, a great teacher to whom I owe more than I could ever repay. He was a mentor whose teaching style I embraced, accounting for any success I had in the classroom at Herkimer County Community College. And every February I’m reminded of his unforgettable lectures on, even today, two oft forgotten topics-the Harlem Renaissance and Black American experiences in this nation’s wars.

Most of us should be aware of the European Renaissance and its standard-bearers, Leonardo DaVinci and Michelangelo. It was a “rebirth of learning” highlighted by advancements in art, literature, music, philosophy and science-emerging like a bolt of lightning from the centuries-long Dark Ages which descended on Europe following the fall of the Roman Empire. The Harlem Renaissance occurred in the wake of World War I and featured Black activists, writers, musicians, artists and performers who combined to develop innovative ways of identifying and celebrating Black traditions and Black voices. Harlem was the epicenter of a movement whose branches reached into urban areas nationwide.

It would be instructive for teachers and parents to learn further (thanks Google) about the following icons of the HR and to share the information with their students/children. Writers like James Welden Johnson, Claude McKay and Countee Cullen, poets like Sterling Brown and Virginia Huston, playwrights like Joseph Seamon Cotton and artists like Aaron Douglas and Lois Mailou Jones helped inspire Black pride among a population too long the victim of white stereotypes and caricatures (e.g. black-face minstrel show traditions), and diminished by the prevailing belief that “colored folk weren’t as smart as whites.” While many readers may not be familiar with many of the above, whose contributions helped usher in the Civil Rights Movement and paved the way for future literary giants like Richard Wright, Baldwin, Hughes and August Wilson, most should be familiar with the musicians and entertainers who emerged during the ’20s and ’30s. The Duke (Ellington), Satchmo (Louie Armstrong), Marian Anderson, Earl “Fatha” Hines, Jelly Roll Morton, Roland Hayes and Bo Jangles, among others, represented genres ranging from jazz to opera to blues to tap. Their contributions will forever be part of the American musical lexicon.

And I’d be terribly remiss if I didn’t ask you to Google up Paul Robeson, the quintessential “Renaissance Man.” Class valedictorian at Rutgers, 2-time college All-American tight end (6-3, 220) and NFL-er, lawyer, actor, gifted bass vocalist (“Old Man River” in Showboat) and civil rights activist. His should be a household name. That he’s less so than his white contemporary Al Jolson, a comic-singer lionized for his performance in black-face of “Mammy,” should give us great pause.

So should the fact that most Americans are unaware of the roles played by Blacks in our wars.

Given the racism, bigotry and systemic economic disadvantages they endured throughout, I found it interesting that they actually enlisted to fight for a country that relegated them to a subservient status. I can still recall, even at 79-plus, Dr. Chazanof’s lectures on this topic. Five thousand Blacks saw combat in the Revolutionary War and 40,000 died for the Union in the Civil War. Blacks weren’t allowed to fight for us in WWI but were “lent” to the French who recognized the valor of the 369th Infantry (Hell Fighters) by rewarding the ENTIRE Brigade with our equivalent of the Medal of Honor, the Croix de Guerre! A million Blacks (e.g., Tuskegee Airmen) served in WWII and 1500 were killed-in-action in Korea. Finally, say hello to Marine Pfc. James Anderson, Jr. and Army Pfc. Milton Olive III; two warriors who, in Vietnam, dove on grenades to save several white comrades-in-arms, earning posthumously Congressional Medals of Honor. The Black Americans’ rewards for their military service? Returning home to business as usual-systemic racism (including today’s efforts in many states to deprive them of voting rights) along with third-class citizenship. Readers, take time and check out your children’s American History texts regarding the role of Blacks in our wars.

This year our selections for donation are “Born on the Water” by Nikole Hannah-Jones (Pulitzer Prize winner) and Renee Watson and Black Heroes (51) by Arlisha Norwood. Black Heroes highlights 51 brief, engaging biographies (their pictures included) of inspiring figures from Africa, the U.S, and the world. “Born” is a picture book describing the vibrant culture of Blacks in West Africa before they were brutally uprooted, shipped west to America, sold into slavery and their subsequent struggles to survive. As the authors state, “We hope all young people who read this book are inspired to ask questions about where they are from and to learn their origin stories. We especially hope Black American children who may be longing to feel connected to their roots come away empowered by the knowledge that there is no shame in descending from American slavery, and with the understanding that they come from a resilient people who loved, resisted, and persevered.”

I know Dr. Chazanof would have joined me in encouraging teachers to get these books, use them in their classes, engage in conversations asking questions about the contents and perhaps, assign students to write a page or two about their own origins. In the final analysis, truth is power and telling the truth about our Black Americans’ heritage can help in eradicating barriers of racism which not only have endured far too long, but have made the last six words of our Pledge of Allegiance ring hollow.

Ray Lenarcic is a 1965 State University of New York at Fredonia graduate and is a resident of Herkimer.