My father introduced me to Christianity Today magazine as a child, and I became an avid reader because of the breadth of topics covered in its pages! That’s why I’m excited about my article being among its pages in the January/February issue of the publication. Check out it below:
A Member of the ‘Little Rock Nine’ Counts Her Blessings, One by One
“First appeared in the January/February issue of Christianity Today”
Melba Beals describes how faith helped her flourish amid many trials.
Melba Pattillo Beals received a Congressional Gold Medal for her part in the Little Rock Nine, the group of African American students who brought about the 1957 integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas—an experience recounted in her first memoir, Warriors Don’t Cry. She would go on to work in newspaper and television journalism, earn a doctorate in international multicultural education, and teach journalism at the college level. In her latest book, I Will Not Fear: My Story of a Lifetime of Building Faith under Fire, Beals credits God for guiding her through trying experiences in Arkansas and afterward. Atlanta-based journalist and blogger Jacqueline J. Holness spoke with Beals about the sustaining power of faith.
From the outset of I Will Not Fear, it’s clear that your grandmother, India Annette Payton, provided a strong spiritual foundation. How did her example encourage you as you endured angry white mobs and disapproval from black students at your old high school?
My grandmother always said, “Look, God is right there with you all the time.” To guide you in your thought, to guide you in your feeling, to guide you away from fearing. You have to be aware that you are filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and that will guide what you do. She would say, “God is as close as your skin. He is right there, every moment. So when you feel that something is going wrong, know that God is with you and it will be okay. You will learn a lesson. You will survive.”
As I’ve heard for years now, there is no testimony without a test! On Mother’s Day 2016, I shared C. Celeste Marshall’s victory over infertility in “Becoming a Mother Over 40 & Beyond…Janet Jackson isn’t the Only One…A Mothers Day Testimony…” Her testimony was beautifully captured in her book “Memoirs of a Barren Women.” Although my blog was the first media outlet (yes, I consider my humble blog to be a media outlet 🙂 ) to feature her miraculous story, I knew I would not be the last because her miraculous story is akin to one you would read in the Bible! My college friend was told she couldn’t have children but God told her otherwise! Ten years later, God’s promise was fulfilled with the birth of her son Terry Simeon Marshall in August 2013. Celeste told her husband she was pregnant in Christmas 2012. It is only fitting that Celeste would share her story with The 700 Club during the Christmas season! Her story is a perfect one to share on Christmas Eve just before we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus! SEE her story below!
It's Not the First Time That ABC News Offended Black Women Either...
Hello World,
ABC News’ (courtesy of “Good Morning America” )recent article originally entitled “For Many Black Women, Meghan Markle’s Engagement Offers ‘Hope’” posted last week had black women all up in their feelings last week! In fact, the article has even caused the author Joi-Marie McKenzie to get hate mail, according to thegrio.com!
A few of the reactions to the controversial headline:
An Instagram Post from Actress and Comedian Amanda SealesamandasealesI just sprained my eyeballs from rollin em so hard. Hope for what?!?!? That WE ALL can have a shot at being a princess…in a family that is overtly racist and is a long line of colonizers!? Happy she found love but G-ALL THE WAY-TFOHWTBS that her story somehow inspires us professional black women to believing we too can find our Prince. Black women, you are beautiful, bold, and desired the world over…always have been. Know your worth. Descend not even an inch beneath it, continue to exemplify excellence on the daily, and your worthy companion will ascend to meet you. As for homeboy, The only Prince I recognize wears purple chaps and knows how to “drive” a little red Corvette. BLACK WOMEN ARE THE DAMN HOPE! TUH. (Also, she refers to herself as “biracial” sooooo, yea.)
The story headline has been updated. The original headline misrepresented the intention of the story, which was to report on the excitement among some black women about Meghan Markle’s joining the British royal family.
But this isn’t the first time that black women have been all up in a tizzy and ready to rush ABC News! In fact, the last time I remember this type of backlash was December of 2009. Remember this article from ABC News: “Single, Black, Female — and Plenty of Company?” From the article, you already know what’s up and the worse part about the article was that black women in Atlanta, specifically, were the focus. At the time, I was a single, black female in Atlanta and so weary from looking for love that I really couldn’t collect my thoughts on what I thought was an attack until January. Here is what I wrote on this blog:
I had composed what I thought was an eloquent, sociological diatribe of a post about the ABC “Nightline” piece that aired last month about black women, particularly those living in Atlanta, and their inability to find mates due to the shortage of black men…But since this is the Internet and in the interest of self-preservation, I thought better of it…
And now I don’t feel like sugar coating what I originally said…
So I simply want to know what y’all think…take a look at the video if you haven’t seen it already, and let me know…
‘Preciate your thoughts…i.am.out…
And here is the original video of the segment on which the article was based:
While I was initially horrified that I and black women were written about like we truly are the “de mule uh de world” (a reference to how black women are viewed in one of my favorite books “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston), the report, article and subsequent debate Why Can’t a Successful Black Woman Find a Man? held in Atlanta in April 2010 by ABC News in response to this article forced me to get real clear about what I wanted and needed in a husband and the fact that I wanted and needed a husband. And to be apologetic about it as well. It’s funny that two months after that report, I went on my very first date with my husband.
So when I saw all of this fervor online last week, it reminded me of how I once felt: victimized, a bit ashamed (if I am being completely honest) and unable to hide one of my deepest desires anymore. But those feelings led to one of the best decisions of my life. So the headline last week wasn’t the best, I’ll admit, but if you (and this is for single black women reading this post) find yourself ready to fight after reading the ABC News article, consider focusing inward instead of outward.
And if somewhere down deep the fact that Meghan Markle has found her Prince Charming (or he found her) has given you hope that your Prince Charming is somewhere out there, do what needs to be done (and only you can determine that) so that you are ready to meet him despite negative statistics. For me, it took kissing frogs, dating mentors, professional assistance, online dating, a slew of dating books, prayers and more, but my husband, perfect-for- me-with- all-of-his imperfections (I aine perfect either) Prince Charming, finally came along…
So no, to recap, ABC News (courtesy of Good Morning America) headline “For Many Black Women, Meghan Markle’s Engagement Offers ‘Hope’” wasn’t offensive…
