Tamicha Davis, owner of Davis Memorial Mortuary in Valley, Ala., gives the keynote speech at the Black History program Wednesday at West Point Senior Center.

 

 

By Jennifer Shrader

Jennifer.Shrader@lagrangenews.com

 

WEST POINT – A speaker at the West Point Senior Center on Wednesday reminded those in attendance at a black history program that African American history didn’t begin and end with slaves.

 

“There is more to our history than just our ancestral enslavement,” said Tamicha Davis, who owns Davis Memorial Mortuary in Valley, Ala.

 

Until black history month came along, she said, there were only “snippets of truth” available for schoolchildren. The mouse trap, umbrella, ironing board and wooden golf tee all were inventions of African Americans. An African American performed the first open heart surgery.

 

“It’s good to reflect on our accomplishments if only to motivate us to press on,” she said. “There is still much to be done to ensure we obtain our fair distribution of the American pie.”

 

In the beginning, black history was celebrated for just one week. Since Black History Month was declared in 1976, most presidents have praised its creation.
Davis’s talk at the senior center was bookended with songs by LaGrange resident Jay Lewis.

 

The city will host its annual Black History celebration Feb. 23 at West Point Gym. The public is invited.