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 and high 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 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 two oft forgotten topics-the Harlem Renaissance and African-American experiences in this nation’s wars.

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. Writers like James Weldon 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. inferior intellects and black-face minstrel show traditions respectively).

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, Paul Robeson 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.

Unfortunately, many Americans are also unaware of the roles played by Blacks in our wars. Given the racism, bigotry and monumental economic disadvantages they endured throughout, I found it interesting that they actually enlisted to fight for a country which relegated them to a subservient existences. I can still recall 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 World War I 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 including Rome’s own Herb Thorp) served in World War II and 1,500 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. (c7,200 Blacks died in ‘Nam) The Black Americans’ rewards for their military service? Returning home to business as usual-systemic racism (including efforts in many states to deprive them of voting rights) along with relegation to a third-class citizenship.

This year’s selections for donation are “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson and “Mae among the Stars” written by Roda Ahmed and illustrated by Stasia Burrington. The former is a 2014 adolescent verse memoir which tells the story of the author’s early childhood life growing up as an African-American girl in the 1960’s. It depicts the events that led her to become a writer. The book has been considered one of the exemplary pieces of modern children’s literature by critics and has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Newberry Honor. Brown Girl Dreaming is considered to belong to the category of middle-grade lit and is written in free verse and haiku. Woodson has commented that her intent was to make poetry more “accessible” to all readers regardless of ability.

“Mae among the Stars” is a transcendent story inspired by Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel in space. The hardcover picture book (ages 4-8) is not the typical picture book biography. “It’s accessible and bursts with color which makes it perfect for the young readers who have big dreams and even bigger hearts! Timely and inspiring, this book is a tribute to a woman whose belief and tenacity turned her into a modern-day hero.” Mae’s story will inspire other young girls (and boys too) to reach for the stars , to aspire for the impossible, and to persist with childlike imagination, reminding them that if you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”

Dr. Chazanof would have joined me in encouraging teachers to use these books in their classes and to engage their students in discussions, including questions about the contents. In the final analysis, truth is power and telling the truth about our African-Americans’ heritage to children of all ages 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.