Friday Faves 41 - Black History

 I do want to apologize to everyone again for not being on the ball this past month. I know the last time I wrote to you guys I told you that I would be doing something for St. Patrick's Day---and I will! But that will be for next week. However, I wanted to make sure that I fulfilled my promise from the beginning of this month, which was to show you guys some great Etsy shop finds concerning Black History. So, that's what we're going to be involved with this week. I know it's a bit late in the month, but Black History shouldn't just be about one month, it, like any of our historical studies, should be ongoing, something to ponder and research over the course of a lifetime, because today's headlines will be tomorrow's history.

Now, to set us on just the right foot on our road toward Black History, I'd like to share one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite Black artists:

Howlin' Wolf performing Spoonful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQLdztuMd1g

Now, let's go shopping!

Black History Shop Number 1
Shop name: Ruby Naturals
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RubyNaturals?ref=seller_info

Here we have a lovely, vibrant t-shirt with the proclamation: "I Am Black History!" What a great gift this would make for a high school or college graduate or to wear yourself when you want to show some pride in who you are. An absolutely beautiful design!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92583698/i-am-black-history-t-shirt

Black History Shop Number 2
Shop name: An Astrid Endeavor
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnAstridEndeavor?ref=seller_info

I just fell in love with all of Astrid's items, but this one is so perfect for hanging up from your car mirror, a shelf, somewhere in your office---anywhere you'd like to see a beautiful reminder of the great continent of Africa, and to show a little love for Ethiopa. So much history there, great civilizations and so much beauty! From Mount Kilimanjaro to Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls; from the Pyramids of Egypt to the many modern sky-scrapers dotting the continent, Africa is spectacular!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85140658/ornament-handmade-embroidered

Black History Shop Number 3
Shop name: Amerigo Icono
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmerigoIcono?ref=seller_info

Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman was one of America's first pioneer aviators and the first female pilot of African American descent. Pretty amazing when you think about the times and how both blacks and women were treated back then. I can only imagine what she must have faced and overcome. What a great woman!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80629947/amerigo-icono-flight-beige-bessie

Black History Shop Number 4
Shop name: Pen and Inklings
http://www.etsy.com/shop/penandinklings?ref=seller_info

And, speaking of firsts, here we have an absolutely gorgeous portrait of our President, Barack Obama, who, as everyone knows, is the first black president of America. It is a great accomplishment and should be seen, I hope, as an inspiration to all to reach out and grab your own star.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/43406066/president-barack-obama-portrait-original

Black History Shop Number 5
Shop name: Sue Shanahan Studio
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SueShanahanStudio?ref=seller_info

I saved one of my all-time favorite ladies for last. I've been a big fan of Ms. Tubman since I first learned of her in elementary school. What enormous courage in such a small frame. She truly had a lioness's heart to face what she faced to help others attain freedom. She was a great dreamer, too, was Ms. Tubman, for she would sometimes fall into a sleep along the trail and dream exactly which way they should "keep going" to avoid recapture.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88269226/keep-going-8x10-print-harriet-tubman

Now that I'm kind of back on track I'm looking forward to sharing all my fun St. Paddy's Day Etsy finds next week. But I am sad that I only have room for five faves, because there are so many, many great men and women who represent the very best of Black History that it's a shame not to mention them all. Women, such as, Maya Angelou and men, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., so I'll at least share one of my favorite quotes of Dr. King's before signing off for this week.

"Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

O, and just in case you were still wondering just why I chose Sonny and Cher's song for my Groundhog's Day Friday Faves theme, it's because that is the song that Bill Murray's character wakes up to every morning in the film, Groundhog's Day. Definitely one of my all-time favorite films.

Until next week's St. Paddy's Day fare, have a great rest of your weekend everyone, and take care out there!