I just got done watching Jamie Foxx on Oprah's show Next Chapter. He was promoting his new film Django. I haven't seen it, but I heard it was very intense. I'm going to have to work myself up to see it. But what they talked about inspired me to write this post! Jamie Foxx plays a slave a few years before the American Civil War. To prepare for the film he researched slavery. Then he began to talk about the importance of knowing your history and where you come from.
American Slavery
Both Oprah and Jamie Foxx spoke about the real heroes of Slavery - the slaves themselves. The fact they survived that. And if they could survive that what could they survive? Oprah said to know she comes from that inspires her. Every group has a story like that of survival and endurance. Oprah spoke about the Holocaust. Steven Spielberg started an organization to interview every living survivor. He wants to know their story of survival. Again it can be inspiring.
Children in a concentration camp
Even if you are not part of that group like African American or Jew, what I love about history is you can learn from it. We are all part of the human family. When you hear stories like slavery and the Holocaust - it makes me think I can do anything. You can really see the strength of the human spirit. If they can endure that and survive - I can endure anything!
So I encourage you to get to know your history! My mom's side of the family is Cherokee. When I read about the Trail of Tears - it makes me so proud I came from that! What do you come from?
Trail of Tears
