To Give Our Sisters Respect

From The Grand Rapids Times
February 15, 2008

By Shahied Word

When I see sisters walking down the street, I try to give them a lot of respect. I might open the door for them or pull out a chair or let them have my seat on the bus if they have to stand. I feel it's the least I can do since I owe them so much. For if it weren't for women like Rosa Parks, the fight for equal rights on buses might not have happened. She was an optimistic black woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus during the separate but equal era. If it were not for Madame C. J. Walker, many African American women wouldn't have the proper nurturing to make them so beautiful. She perfected the process of hair by creating the straightening comb. She was also the first black woman millionaire having a business selling hair care products for African American women. If it were not for Debbie Allen, a lot of African American women might not have leading roles in television. She is an intelligent black woman who starred in the show "Fame." She is a dancer, writer, actor, and film director. She created the Movie Amistad and co-produced the Black college life series called a "Different World." So, I'm not being a gentleman just because it's my job as a black man in society. I'm doing it because, I would never do anything to disrespect the foundation of our community. In simpler terms, I'm saying respect should always be given to the mothers of civiliztion, because without them we wouldn't have a civilization.