When we think of flying, the first thing that might come to mind is hopping on an airplane. But can a person fly without one or other cutting-edge technology? Most people would say no.
Black history however shows us a long history of a different type of flying. During the enslavement period, Black people were held captive against their will and learned to fly. They used their imagination to take them to distant lands where they were free. “Flying” allowed Black people to have joy in the moment and hope for a better day. It was the act of flying that gave Black people the resilience to make a better day. This tradition of flying did not end once Black people gained their freedom.
The act of using one’s imagination to fly away to distant lands, while our physical bodies remained on the ground, became an important part of our legacy. Flying provided Black people the opportunity to maintain hope for a better, more beautiful day. It gave Black people the opportunity to find joy in temporary moments that kept them going. Throughout Black History, many of our people have “flown.”
With National Black Children’s Book Week passing recently, I would like to share one of my favorite picture book biographies that illuminates how real people can fly: Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe.
Ann Cole Lowe was an entrepreneur and Black couture fashion designer. At an early age, she learned how to make dresses from her mother and grandmother. However, after they passed by the time she was sixteen, there was no one to take care of her. She had to learn to fly. She moved to different parts of the South, making dresses, until she eventually reached New York. In New York, Ann would undergo formal training in a design school. Even while she was in school, she was treated unfairly because of the color of her skin. But, she did not let that deter her. She worked hard and sold many dresses to a wide range of people.
Eventually, she was able to open her own business. As her business began to thrive, she would have the chance of a lifetime. She was contracted to make the wedding dress of the future first lady of the United States of America and her bridal party. In joy, she worked on the dress. A few weeks before the wedding, tragedy struck. Pipes in her store burst, destroying most of the dresses for the future first lady and her wedding party. In that moment, it would have been easy to accept defeat. But Ann did not give up. She did not lose hope. Rather, Ann sought to overcome this barrier by making a way. And she decided to do what she always did: she flew!
Do you know that when she arrived at the wedding venue, she was told that she could not deliver them to the front door? Rather, she had to deliver them to the back. Ann refused to do this and said that if she had to deliver them to the back door, then she would take the dresses back to her business. Ann delivered those dresses to the front door for the woman who would wear her dress: Jackie Kennedy.
Jackie Kennedy’s dress was seen around the country, but there was no mention of the designer’s name. No one knew that Ann Cole Lowe had made this spectacular dress. Again, Ann had to fly. She had to stay resilient to overcome this disappointment. She had to keep her joy because that is what powered her to create beautiful dresses. She had to maintain her hope because that’s what made her realize that a better day is coming. Ann had to fly just like her ancestors did in the past. In 1961, Ann’s contribution to the fashion industry was acknowledged. She made history because she knew how to fly.
Understanding Ms. Lowe’s story can help children pursue their dreams. Her life shows that many situations can deter you from pursuing your dream. But you cannot give up; your progress may be delayed, but delay is not denial. Just like Ms. Lowe, Black children must fly.
Flying is being able to be resilient in good times and bad. Flying is having joy in one’s heart in the midst of tragedy. Flying carries the hope that we and our world are unfinished. When you think of Black History, ask yourself, “How am I going to fly?
Dr. Nosakhere Griffin-EL is the co-founder of The Young Dreamers’ Bookstore. He also is a Public Voices Fellow of The OpEd Project in partnership with the National Black Child Development Institute.
