In the Spirit of Contribution

(Detail 9)

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The Woman in the Red dress is being visited by the Unity of Spirit, symbolized by a Dove over her head. Ceremonial Table in the background; a Feast in celebration of everyone coming to a common Table, the Unity of Spirit.

Three figures with Heads lifted in Unison represent Liberation. They are dressed in Black, Green and Red.

The Turbulent 60’s. The awakening of African-American in leading causes of Civil Rights and Equality for all. Tommy Smith and John Carols’ Protest Stand in the 1968 Olympics. The Supremes as a Revolutionary group, broke down barriers in popular music. For the first time youths of America (Blacks and Whites) shared a Unity of Spirit, in the assimilation of music and dance.

Three figures draped in the colors of Mexico symbolizes revolution and defiance. The skull, the trials and tribulations of Mexican descendents in Urban America.

The Mariachi band, Mexico’s musical contribution. The Peasant mother is being serenaded for her persistence in the continuity of life over struggle.

The Procession of Hispanic heritages moving towards the Center Ceremonial Table to a Spiritual Union.

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878-1949), Legendary tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was born on May 25, 1878, in Richmond, Virginia. An innovator, Robinson is credited with transforming tap from a flat-footed dance to a style that pushed the performer on to the toes. Many Robinson steps, including the famous "stair dance," are part of the tap repertoire today.

Paul Robeson (1898-1976), a great athlete, actor, singer, and scholar - was a pioneer in promoting political and material support to the liberation movement of South Africa. A courageous fighter against racism and colonialism, he suffered persecution during the "cold war" but stood firm.

Elijah Muhammad (1897-1975), was born on October 10th in 1897 as Elijah Poole near Sandersville, Georgia. His father was a Baptist preacher, who had been a slave. In 1930 he changed his name to Elijah Muhammad. When he created the nation of Islam he called himself the “Messenger of Allah” and preached that the only salvation for black people in the United States lay in withdrawal into an autonomous state. He greatly influenced Malcolm X, although Malcolm later left the Black Muslims.

Marian Anderson (1897-1993), was born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Beginning at the age of six, she sang in the Union Baptist Church Choir. She was the first African American musician to gain widespread popularity with mixed audiences in this country. Before Anderson embarked on her singing career, black musicians were not welcome on the American concert stage.  During her professional singing career she was considered the world's greatest contralto.

Frida Kahlo (1910-1954), Painter. Her contribution has only been canonized of late. As a result of an auto accident at about 25 years of age, her reproductive organs were torn from her body. She lived a painful existence; never completely healing (because of medical ignorance of that time), yet she continued to paint. Frida let out all of her emotions on a canvas. She painted her anger and hurt over her stormy marriage, the painful miscarriages, and the physical suffering she underwent because of the accident.

Benito Juarez (1806-1872), One of Mexico’s important Presidents of Indian heritage, who wrote its Constitution. Mexican liberal statesman and national hero. Revered by Mexicans as one of their greatest political figures, Juárez, with great moral courage and honesty, upheld the civil law and opposed the privileges of the clergy and the army.

Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919), (red face), Hero of the Mexican Revolution. Rose from a family of farmers and ranchers to organize his people to fight tyranny.The son of "prosperous Indian peasants", Emiliano was born in Anencuilco and in his youth worked as a cowboy, horse trainer, mule driver, and sharecropper. Although Emiliano Zapata is often portrayed as a bandit by Western capitalists, he is considered a national hero in Mexico. His Plan of Ayala was incorporated in the Constitution of 1917 and some subsequent presidents, especially Working-Class-born Alvaro Obregon, carried out some land redistribution.

Procession of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Black Madonna) with kids escorting the Virgin to the Feast in celebration of the Unity of Spirits.