Dr. Margaret Burroughs shares her artwork with M.U.I. and addresses the students of Muhammad University of Islam in Chicago. Photo: D. Hassan Muhammad
On Friday, May 02, 2008, Dr. Margaret Burroughs served as a guest speaker at Muhammad University of Islam. In a school-wide assembly, Dr. Burroughs explained the history of the DuSable Museum of African American History, established in 1961 as one of the first Black Museums in America. She went on to share some Black colloquialisms that have been passed down through time: “If you are Black, get back,” “If you are White, you are alright,” and “If you are yellow, you are mellow.” Other colloquialisms that she shared, which pertained to student success, were: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” and “It is not what you know, it is who you know.” Beyond these initial colloquialisms, she went on to read several of the poems that she wrote, which reflected the importance of the students knowing their Black history, as well as Black inventors.
In fact, in reading one of her poems, Dr. Burroughs mentioned several historical Blacks that have left their legacy behind: Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, Mary McCloud Bethune, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sojourner Truth, John Brown, Bessie Coleman, Paul Robeson, Langston Hughes, Margaret Walker, W.E.B. DuBois, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, Jean Baptiste DuSable, to finally, Charles Gordon Burroughs—her husband and the co-founder of the DuSable Museum. Furthermore, according to Dr. Burroughs, there are now over 200 Black Museums throughout the United States.
Based upon all of the pertinent and timely information that Dr. Burroughs shared, the students were inspired to ask her several questions. For example, the students asked, “What inspired you to write poetry?” “What inspired you to paint?” She enthusiastically responded by saying, “YOU! Children like you inspire me!” Then, another student asked, “What inspired you to establish the DuSable Museum?” Dr. Burroughs passionately stated, “I saw the need for a Black History Museum that could narrate what our Black people have accomplished.”
In her closing remarks, along with sharing some of her magnificent artwork, she asked the children—”What will your legacy be?” Not only did she provide them with the definition of legacy, but she also explained that this is the moment to think about what [work] you want to be remembered by. Dr Burroughs also told the M.U.I. Students, Teachers and Staff that, “”We must get busy helping others, because ultimately, you will be helping those that come after you. Your legacy should be a positive contribution to humanity.”
As a moment of finality, Dr. Burroughs donated some of her paintings and books to M.U.I.; and she also asked the students to write an essay on what their legacy would be. She promised them that all of their responses would be archived at the DuSable Museum. The students are now excited and looking forward to such a prestigious opportunity. Dr. Burroughs is truly a living legend amongst us.
Atonement Crypto-quiz
A crypto-quiz is a list of related words in code. Each quiz has its own code. Each symbol (letter in code) represents a different letter of the alphabet. When you have identified a word, use the known letters to help decode the other words within the quiz.
DMCTV MRV CLMTP
LZDZTV
YMTBZGG
HYNTMCSZWPZ CLMTP
BMLPCJZ
DZLBZYV RTCMT
LZYMTYCSZ
LZGVMLZ
HVMTZ
Answers:
Point out wrong
Repent
Confess
Acknowledge wrong
Forgive
Perfect union
Reconcile
Restore
Atone
(Reprinted from Mental Stimuli & Mind Teasers by Dionne Muhammad, J.D.)
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