Editor's note: The following winning essays entered into the Auburn Human Rights Commission's Favorite African-American Essay Contest for Black History Month from Genesee Elementary School are republished just as they were received, without corrections.
Beyonce Knowles
My favorite African American of achievement is Beyonce Knowles. She is my favorite African American of achievement because she sold millions of copies of her music and won five Grammy awards.
Beyonce was born on September 4, 1981 in Houston, Texas. When she was little she was chubby and kids teased her because her ears were bigger than her head. She was first exposed to singing and dance competitions at a young age. Her father, Matthew later became her manager. LeToya Luket, Kelly Rousand, and Lataia became her singing partners. Three hit songs were on the R. and B. chart. She was the first African American of 2001 to be named A.S.C.A.P. Pop Song Writer of the Year. The “Writing on the Wall” (album) in 1999 bought the group fame. Her first solo album “Dangerously in Love” (2003) sold millions of copies. She has been on movies such as Michael Myers, Austin Powers, and Goldmember. Because of these movies, everybody fell in love with her, and her singing. She also had the most recognitions for female recording artists.
Before the group split up they performed the song “Survivor” (2001). Even though she didn't win an award, in 1997 her group was a huge success in Europe and led to a sold out tour of European countries. She also was the star of the group. In 1996 Destiny Child's also became a television show.
Beyonce Knowles is a great singer and dancer. That's how she became so successful. This is why Beyonce is my favorite African American of achievement.
By Destinee Green
Frederick Douglas
My favorite African American of Achievement is Frederick Douglas. He is my favorite because he was an abolitionist who fought against slavery.
Frederick Douglas was born on February 14, 1818. He found life unbearable as a slave, and sometimes he had to fight to get his food. At the age of 8 he was sent as a servant to the Auld family in Baltimore. Unlike other slaves, he was taught to read and write from Mrs. Auld. That is why he gave such wonderful speeches.
in 1838, when he was 20 years old, Frederick Douglas escaped from slavery. After slavery he changed his name from Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey to Frederick Douglas. He was also a U.S. Marshal and got Abraham Lincoln to let black people serve in the Civil War. After he escaped, Douglas wanted to promote freedom to all slaves, so he published a news paper in Rochester, New York called the “North Star.” The escaped slaves read this paper and followed that North star. Douglas was an advisor for 5 presidents, because he had a powerful voice. He was also asked to speak all over the north. Frederick had a seaman's protection certificate instead of freedom papers. They are like papers so you can travel and let people know you are a free slave. Douglas is known for his ability to speak and inspire a crowd. He died on February 20, 1895.
Frederick Douglas was famous for a lot of things, especially for fighting against slavery. I am glad we don't have slavery today. I like how he didn't allow slavery. If we did have slavery today, where would we be?
By Sydney Phoenix
Jackie Robinson
My favorite African American of Achievement is Jackie Robinson. He was the first African American Major League baseball player in 1947.
Jackie Robinson was born January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. He was the youngest of five children of sharecroppers. His father left his family, and Jackie was raised by his mother. He grew up in poverty and joined his neighborhood gang. But fortunately, he had a helpful friend that told him to get out of the gang and he did. Later he graduated from Dakota Junior High School.
After he graduated from college, Branch Rickey, manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, selected Robinson from a list of promising African American baseball players. He chose him not only for his talent as a short stop, but also for a batting average of .387. He also had good character. During his time in history people showed unkindness and prejudice against African Americans. Robinson did not let it get to him and was strong and did not fight back. Jackie Robinson played on six World Series teams and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
Robinson earned six consecutive All Star game nominations, and he won several awards during his career. He became the first black Vice-President of the major American Freedom Bank. He won the Sporting News Rookie of the Year award. He also got an award from the Hall of Fame.
That is why Jackie Robinson is important to the African American History. He's a good role model. You should always follow your dreams just like he did even when times get tough.
By Dajahnyek Brown
Rosa Parks
My favorite African American of Achievement is Rosa Parks. She is my favorite because she didn't let white people boss her around. Back in the 1960's African Americans were still treated unfairly and Rosa fought against this.
Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913 in Alabama. In 92 years of her life, Rosa did many things. When she was 2 she moved in with her grandmother. Later, she enrolled in a school for girls at age 11. Throughout her years she received many medals. She received medals like the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999, the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2000, and many more. She believed in rights for African Americans and doing what's right. One day in 1955, Rosa was asked to move so a white man could sit down, but she didn't. After a while the police were on the bus to arrest Rosa.
Parks had many achievements. She was a representative for 23 years and she walked during the Montgomery bus boycott which she helped form. Rosa wrote a book about herself in 1992 and she was part of the Civil Rights Movement.
Within her lifetime, Rosa had many jobs and moved from Montgomery, Alabama to Detroit, Michigan.
As you can see, Rosa Parks was very brave, important, and influential woman. That's why Rosa Parks is my favorite African American of Achievement.
By Emily Gray
My favorite African American of achievement is Beyonce Knowles. She is my favorite African American of achievement because she sold millions of copies of her music and won five Grammy awards.
Beyonce was born on September 4, 1981 in Houston, Texas. When she was little she was chubby and kids teased her because her ears were bigger than her head. She was first exposed to singing and dance competitions at a young age. Her father, Matthew later became her manager. LeToya Luket, Kelly Rousand, and Lataia became her singing partners. Three hit songs were on the R. and B. chart. She was the first African American of 2001 to be named A.S.C.A.P. Pop Song Writer of the Year. The “Writing on the Wall” (album) in 1999 bought the group fame. Her first solo album “Dangerously in Love” (2003) sold millions of copies. She has been on movies such as Michael Myers, Austin Powers, and Goldmember. Because of these movies, everybody fell in love with her, and her singing. She also had the most recognitions for female recording artists.
Before the group split up they performed the song “Survivor” (2001). Even though she didn't win an award, in 1997 her group was a huge success in Europe and led to a sold out tour of European countries. She also was the star of the group. In 1996 Destiny Child's also became a television show.
Beyonce Knowles is a great singer and dancer. That's how she became so successful. This is why Beyonce is my favorite African American of achievement.
By Destinee Green
Frederick Douglas
My favorite African American of Achievement is Frederick Douglas. He is my favorite because he was an abolitionist who fought against slavery.
Frederick Douglas was born on February 14, 1818. He found life unbearable as a slave, and sometimes he had to fight to get his food. At the age of 8 he was sent as a servant to the Auld family in Baltimore. Unlike other slaves, he was taught to read and write from Mrs. Auld. That is why he gave such wonderful speeches.
in 1838, when he was 20 years old, Frederick Douglas escaped from slavery. After slavery he changed his name from Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey to Frederick Douglas. He was also a U.S. Marshal and got Abraham Lincoln to let black people serve in the Civil War. After he escaped, Douglas wanted to promote freedom to all slaves, so he published a news paper in Rochester, New York called the “North Star.” The escaped slaves read this paper and followed that North star. Douglas was an advisor for 5 presidents, because he had a powerful voice. He was also asked to speak all over the north. Frederick had a seaman's protection certificate instead of freedom papers. They are like papers so you can travel and let people know you are a free slave. Douglas is known for his ability to speak and inspire a crowd. He died on February 20, 1895.
Frederick Douglas was famous for a lot of things, especially for fighting against slavery. I am glad we don't have slavery today. I like how he didn't allow slavery. If we did have slavery today, where would we be?
By Sydney Phoenix
Jackie Robinson
My favorite African American of Achievement is Jackie Robinson. He was the first African American Major League baseball player in 1947.
Jackie Robinson was born January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. He was the youngest of five children of sharecroppers. His father left his family, and Jackie was raised by his mother. He grew up in poverty and joined his neighborhood gang. But fortunately, he had a helpful friend that told him to get out of the gang and he did. Later he graduated from Dakota Junior High School.
After he graduated from college, Branch Rickey, manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, selected Robinson from a list of promising African American baseball players. He chose him not only for his talent as a short stop, but also for a batting average of .387. He also had good character. During his time in history people showed unkindness and prejudice against African Americans. Robinson did not let it get to him and was strong and did not fight back. Jackie Robinson played on six World Series teams and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
Robinson earned six consecutive All Star game nominations, and he won several awards during his career. He became the first black Vice-President of the major American Freedom Bank. He won the Sporting News Rookie of the Year award. He also got an award from the Hall of Fame.
That is why Jackie Robinson is important to the African American History. He's a good role model. You should always follow your dreams just like he did even when times get tough.
By Dajahnyek Brown
Rosa Parks
My favorite African American of Achievement is Rosa Parks. She is my favorite because she didn't let white people boss her around. Back in the 1960's African Americans were still treated unfairly and Rosa fought against this.
Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913 in Alabama. In 92 years of her life, Rosa did many things. When she was 2 she moved in with her grandmother. Later, she enrolled in a school for girls at age 11. Throughout her years she received many medals. She received medals like the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999, the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2000, and many more. She believed in rights for African Americans and doing what's right. One day in 1955, Rosa was asked to move so a white man could sit down, but she didn't. After a while the police were on the bus to arrest Rosa.
Parks had many achievements. She was a representative for 23 years and she walked during the Montgomery bus boycott which she helped form. Rosa wrote a book about herself in 1992 and she was part of the Civil Rights Movement.
Within her lifetime, Rosa had many jobs and moved from Montgomery, Alabama to Detroit, Michigan.
As you can see, Rosa Parks was very brave, important, and influential woman. That's why Rosa Parks is my favorite African American of Achievement.
By Emily Gray
Citizen
Hot Jobs
Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.