Dear Editor,
The Queens Book Fair and Literary Festival Inc. celebrated Black History Month with an impressive function. It was held at the Queens Library, Richmond Hill Branch, in Hillside Avenue, New York. The programme took the form of a panel discussion followed by music, poetry and speeches. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Rosalind “Rose” October, artist and activist. The members of the panel were Ashook Ramsaran, Dr. Jackie Jones and Rusat Ramgopal.
Since its founding five years ago, the Queens Book Fair has attracted some of the best talents in the community to share their knowledge on a wide range of subjects. Last week’s meeting was no exception. Dr. October traced the origins of Black History Month from its start with Dr. Carter Woodson, to the current celebrations. She pointed out that two other countries celebrate Black History Month and they are the United Kingdom and Canada. She said that the reach of social media has penetrated Guyana, Trinidad and elsewhere. Dr. October highlighted the role of Shirley Chisholm whose parents were from the Caribbean. Her father was Guyanese and her mother Barbadian. She won a Congressional seat in 1968 and ran for the presidency in 1972. Dr. October asked the audience to learn from our heroes and sheroes so that their lives can be an example to all.
The resident musician, Tafazool Baksh from New Jersey, played an appropriate classical piece and this was followed by presentations from the students. Ethan Manav Misir read a poem on the Tuskegee Soldiers while Maya Hardowar highlighted the power of the rose and Jelicia lauded Black inventions. Every day, we use some products that were invented by Blacks that we take for granted, she said. Malia Hardowar’s poem was about the need for tolerance and respect.
Ashook Ramsaran is an engineer by profession. He is president of the Indian Diaspora Council. He spoke on the topic “Black History and You.” Ramsaran commended the Queens Book Fair for its lecture series. He said that we need to understand history to know what is happening around us. Black History Month is the body, the heart and soul of America, he said. He referred to the 1619 project that encapsulates the history of slavery. American history has been touched by slavery. Ramsaran outlined some important dates in American history. Two of these dates were 1619 when the first slaves landed in America to 1965 when President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. He said that ‘we are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us.’
Blacks in America have made significant improvements in all walks of life, from entertainment to politics, Ramsaran said. But there is more to be done for black and brown peoples in the field of social justice. Ambika Chandra spoke about the contribution of Harriet Tubman while Melissa Deoki read a poem from Langston Hughes “I too am America.” Samantha Tappin spoke about the significance of the African Burial Grounds in Lower Manhattan. The discovery of the bones led the Federal Government to declare the sight as a landmark in 1993.
Amelia Persaud read from memory the unofficial anthem of Black History “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou. Alexander Dial asked us to remember Rosa Parks and her contribution to the struggle. He elaborated on Black inventions from potato chips, the traffic lights, the many uses of peanuts, and invention of the blood bank by Dr. Charles Drew. Ariana Narine reminded the audience that Black history is American history. She disagreed that we should not have a month for Black history. Shana Lilwah wanted us to hold fast to dreams, a poem she read from Langston Hughes.
Dr. Jackie Jones is an educator and motivational speaker. She is also Deputy Superintendent of District 79 in the New York City, Department of Education. She congratulated the children for their performance. She said she was inspired by them. She made a case for the study of history. Looking back gives us the opportunity to understand past events and to appreciate and recognize how we can all do better, she said. Dr. Jones reinforced the fact that we take many Blacks for granted. The iron board, alarm system, detection of cataract, and others, were invented by Blacks. “Those who understand the importance of Black history can become better leaders because they are more aware of the motivation and the challenges of Black people,” she said to applause. She said that we are all living history and we have the power to create history. Dr Jones said “if we do something impactful and show more kindness, spread more love, smile more, give more, teach more, encourage more, and inspire more, we are creating history.”
Karissa Jagbeer read a poem “The Middle Passage” by Dhanpaul Narine that traced the journey of slaves from Africa to America and said that “they cannot bend us because we too are America.” Silkee Smith asked for us to think of freedom whether we are in Ohio or North Carolina. Dr. Melina Basant read “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou. It was magnificently done. Dr. Basant is a phenomenal woman having just earned her MD degree. Hiram Rampersaud, a nurse and radio host, said he was impressed by all the speakers, especially Dr. Jones. Hiram told the audience to have confidence and not to allow negativity to enter their minds. He invited Dr. Jones to his radio show.
The final speaker was Rusat Ramgopal, who has law degrees from King’s College London, and Georgetown University. He spoke on “Black History: Lessons for the Future.” He congratulated the children for attending. Rusat gave a brief background of the racial situation in Guyana and said that Blacks in New York were among the most inspirational and helpful persons he has found. He has admired the achievements of Blacks but in going forward there is much more to do. There is the need for more brown and black representation in the halls of power. He suggested that we learn from the examples of Dr. Martin Luther King, Rev. Jessie Jackson. John Lewis, Andrew Young, and others. We need to tell our own stories which is what the Queens Book Fair is all about.
Rohana Chetram highlighted the role of Rosa Parks who refused to give up her seat and set off mass protests in the South. The final speaker was Nayana Chetram. She is a politician in the making. She gave a history of the Black struggle and highlighted the significant contribution of Blacks to the community. She singled out one of the most iconic figures in history, Dr. Martin Luther King and requested that we learn from him. “Let us honor the legacy of Black Americans by promoting equality and freedom for all. The history of Black Americans is the history of America,” she said. Nayana’s speech was described as powerful and led the moderator, Dr. October, to conclude that “our future is in good hands.”
In summary, the Black History celebration was to the point. As is common at the Queens Book Fair, the majority of the presenters were youths. The moderator, Dr. October, did an excellent job. Ashook Ramsaran was exceptional in organizing the event. Thanks are extended to the parents for bringing out the children on a wintry day, and to Rebecca Alibatya and the staff of the Queens Library, Richmond Hill Branch, for the use of the library.
The next offering of the Queens Book Fair will be on Saturday April 8, 2023 when we meet to honour the women of our community.
Yours faithfully,
Dhanpaul Narine
