Last week our family said "goodbye for now" and celebrated "100 years of life" of our beloved grandmother- Momma ML. She was a strong, sassy, stylish, first-class lady raised in Ft. Gaines, Georgia as a sharecropper's daughter. Needless to say, there are 100 years of stories filled with struggle, perseverance, hope, faith, and love...
During the 1920's, thousands of African-Americans fled the Jim Crow South (for the Jim Crow North and West) searching for jobs, education, and freedom in places like Harlem, Chicago's Bronzeville, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Oakland, etc.
In Chicago, this migration brought about the need to find a burial site for the burgeoning black community...
In 1927, "40 acres" of land was purchased in unincorporated Cook County (bordering Chicago and the village of Alsip) and dedicated it as Burr Oak Cemetery. But, the citizens of Alsip did not support the idea of a "black cemetery" so near to "their town". They blocked the first burial with the assistance of armed police officers and drove the mourning burial party out of the cemetery. The burial party eventually returned and under the protection of the State of Illinois' Deputy Sheriff interred their loved one.
 |
| Our Momma ML 1915-2015 |
Through the years, the cemetery has become the "final resting place" of nationally prominent (but, historically forgotten) athletes, musicians, religious and civic leaders...probably the most notable people interred at Burr Oak are Emmett Till (murdered at age 14 while visiting relatives in Money, Mississippi for talking to a white woman) and his mother, Mamie Till.
As I stood in this "famous" cemetery, I couldn't help but think about (and feel) the importance of stories and the tragedy of forgotten, marginalized, or untold stories and history...how little I know of these significant trailblazers, grassroots leaders, and even my Momma ML!
I encourage you to learn about your (esp. family) history/stories and hope you will reflect on and appreciate the sacrifices and strength of your ancestors.
No comments:
Post a Comment