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Black History Month is about loving everyone says PinballBy Dominik KurekThere's no reason to treat anotherOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFhuman being in a bad way. That's the real message for you. Regardless iane and Michael 'Pinball' Clemons delivered a personal Black history les-of what colour you are, regardlessDson to students at Rotherglen School of the type of school you go to,Wednesday.regardless of what religion or raceThe Oakville couple, whose children attend you are, the real message of Black the private school, told the students there is a History Month is to love people greater lesson to be learned during Black History Month than just the struggles and accomplishments of Black people in North Michael "Pinball ClemonsAmerica. We dont treat people bad ever, Mike told Denkins-Bullard.the gathering packed in the Rotherglen School Diane said Elizabeth was given away at gymnasium. Theres no reason to treat anoth-birth in 1903 and never met her siblings or er human being in a bad way. Thats the real parents. She didnt get to go to school and was message for you. Regardless of what colour married at age 21. When her seventh child was you are, regardless of the type of school you go born, her husband left her and the children.to, regardless of what religion or race you are, The woman went farm to farm in Alabama, the real message of Black History Month is to where she would work with her children for a love people. chance to have a place to spend the night. They He told the students about some of the slept in barns and when her son was old accomplishments by black people. He told the enough to work, he sent money back and children some simple inventions that were eventually Elizabeth was able to provide her made by black people such as folding chairs to children with a home.be used in churches and schools, ice cream She became a treasurer at her church, scoops and pencil sharpeners. raised her children and did anything other There were other things such as when people could do. In fact, she did things so well Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, it was that it was not until she was 89 that her family a Black person who discovered the filament discovered she could not read and write. The that allowed it to burn for hours. woman lived until she was 105 and died two A Black person also made the first clock in years ago.America.Elizabeth Denkins-Bullard is a hero, However, he also spoke about the hard Diane said. Shes a hero to many people. times for Black people. He said when Rosa The woman had 44 grandchildren, 112 Parks refused to get off her bus seat in Alabama great grandchildren, 79 great great grandchil-and the Canadian woman Viola Desmond dren, and still counting.refused to get off her movie theatre seat and Elizabeth Denkins-Bullard did things peo-was jailed for it, they were saying they are no ple thought she could never ever do, Diane different from white people.said. Elizabeth Denkins-Bullard is the grand-He said true greatness is measured by how mother of Diane Clemons.one treats other people.Diane added her own mother picked cotton The former Toronto Argonaut told the stu-until her hands bled and her father would help dents he holds the record for running for more when he could.yards than any other player did in the CFL or What does Black history mean to me? she the NFL and was the first Black coach to win a asked. Black history tells me where I come Grey Cup.from. Black history tells me where my family I want you to know that doesnt make me has come from. I wouldnt be standing before ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER any different from you, he said. If you want you here today if it wasnt for Elizabeth to show me a truly great person, dont tell me Denkins-Bullard. Who is Elizabeth Denkins-GUEST SPEAKER: Diane Clemons speaks to Rotherglen students about Black History onabout records, awards, money or power. If you Bullard, shes an American hero. Shes my Wednesday morning.want to show me a great person, show me hero, shes my kids hero.what that person does for someone else.wrong because of the colour of their skin. about a more personal piece of Black history, During the presentation Diane also sang a He said people still treat each other unkind-When we are not nice people were doing the of another hero, who is not as well recognized song titled A Motherless Child, while her eldest ly today, such as by pushing each other or same thing when they discriminated against as Martin Luther King or Harriet Tubman.daughter, a Rotherglen graduate, and her saying mean things.Black people, he said.She spoke of a woman named Elizabeth friend danced. The couple have two more Thats no different than treating someone The CFL legends wife spoke to the children Denkins, who later married and was named children in the school.Helping More CanadiansHave A Place To Come Home Tocomne.owaboutaxmer.wwwWhat canWEYOUfi nd for?www.remaxaboutow905-338-9000905-842-7000ne. Aboutowne Realtycom Corp., BrokerageChoose wisely.Choosewww.remaxaboutowne.comIndependently owned and operated2011-02-253 Friday, February 25, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com