What is the story of your heritage and ancestors? Sometimes we believe falsely that we have pulled ourselves up “by our own bootstraps” and succeeded in this life. However, I am a firm believer that I have come as far as I have in this life because of my ancestors.

This is my heritage: My great-grandparents owned land in segregated Mississippi years ago. This was no mean feat. They worked the land and made my parents and their siblings do their chores early and walk the dirt roads to school. My family has always believed that education and the Black church, voting for Democrats and serving in the military were the methods of success in America.

I am very proud of my family. Both sides of my family did their best with what they had, to ensure that generations following them would go farther than they accomplished. That was the model for the Black community emerging from Jim Crow and Great Migration. They came from the limited South to the promise of the Northern states. The support of our ancestors has paved the way for their children to move ahead and go farther toward the goal of achieved citizenry.

Who are your ancestors? The support of our ancestors’ models for us love for our country, being good neighbors and making room for others coming to America. The original model of America still works today, if we will put in the work to make it happen for everyone. This is our home, our nation.

James Weathersby
Augusta