Harlem’s Little Blackbird
“Tho’ I’m of a darker hue, I’ve a heart the same as you...For love I’m dyin’, my heart is cryin’. A wise old owl said keep on tryin’.”
“Harlem’s Little Blackbird” by Renee Watson is a story about singer, comedienne, and entertainer Florence Mills. Her work coincided with the Harlem Renaissance - the renewal and flourishing of Black literary and musical culture during the years after World War I in the Harlem section of New York City. Mills used her voice to call for equal rights and justice in her signature song, “I’m a Little Blackbird Looking for a Bluebird.”
In a discussion I had with educator Dawnavyn James, (she’s AMAZING check her out here: @queendomteaching ) she said that students’ first experience with Black history shouldn’t be that of slavery and struggle. A simple idea that is simply not happening as often as it should.
How many of us first learned about Black history through the lens of slavery and segregation only? For me, that was the case. I was fortunate to have many Black teachers in my life, starting with my first experiences in school. However, what I learned about Black culture and history at school was pretty lacking.
I remember my teacher, Ms. Conley, in 2nd grade telling us about how Africans were abducted and forced into slavery and brought to America on ships. This would never fly in a classroom today, but she had us all lie on the floor packed tightly like sardines, turned the lights out, and then said, “now imagine people on top of you, too.” She went on with details about what an awful experience it was. The idea was to imagine what it must have felt like. The memory created for me was that Black history was only about suffering. I’m not sure if she ever did cover Black culture, music, and art in any other way, but if she did, I had no memory of it.
In fact, I don’t recall having positive lessons in school about Black history and culture at all. I’m sure they happened, likely during Black History Month in February. Fortunately, my family ensured that I enjoyed many of the positive aspects of Black culture (half of my family is Black). I grew up on Old School Hip Hop, BBQs, loving brown skin, and looooong church services where most of the congregation was family. I was lucky for that. But how many children have no idea about all the beautiful things Black can be and has been?
The point is, that when talking about Black culture, in an effort to undo the damage of living in a white supremacist culture, we often only speak about Black people in the context of their struggle - but Black people are here now, doing great things. They were doing great things before they were forced into slavery too. Colonists did not steal slaves from Africa - they stole doctors, artists, scientists, fathers, mothers, and friends. We must teach that horrific part of history because it is foundational to the racist system we live in, however, we must balance that with Black joy and Black accomplishments if we are ever to change the narrative.
Florence Mills was a gift to the musical world and should be remembered forever for it. Unfortunately, there are no recordings of her singing - only stories of how magical and charming she was on stage and in person. Her life story had struggles, beauty, and resilience. With this book, we hope to help keep her story alive.
Teachers
Please don’t reserve teaching Black history and culture for the month of February. Black culture should be celebrated year-round - as should all marginalized cultures and identities. When reading stories to your children, How many feature Black and Brown main characters in a positive light? Are all your texts reflective of the struggle of Black and Brown folks in a white world or are there multifaceted representations?
Also, don’t assume what Black culture is - especially if you teach with Black students. One way to learn about your students is to ask ALL of them about what makes them special. What are they proud of? Who is in their family? What talents or knowledge would they like to share? The more they share, the more information you have to begin your own research in determining what to teach next.
Some Things to Think About…
Discussion questions:
How would it feel if you couldn’t do something because of the way you looked? What would you do if it was something you couldn’t change like your skin color or your height?
Why does it matter that we learn about people in history?
Activity:
Listen to “I’m a Little Blackbird Looking for A Bluebird.” How does the song make you feel? How would you dance to it?
illustrated by Christian Robinson
