NIAGARA, Wis. — In addition to Valentine’s Day, which I talked about last week, February is also designated Black History Month. At a recent meeting of a study group to which I belong, we were presented a lesson on “The Three Mothers.” We learned about the mothers of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and author James Baldwin. It was an excellent eye-opener of a lesson. One of the most surprising things we learned was that the mother of Martin Luther King was also assassinated while playing the organ in church. None of us had ever learned that incredible piece of history. Why?

Then there was the Super Bowl discussion I had with my husband as a result of the half-time programming. No, it was not about the rap music that was featured this year, but rather the other song that was sung. He believed that there should not be a song designated the “black national anthem.” He has no problem with the song itself, but felt that designating it as such encouraged more division at a time when our country could little afford more of that condition. I disagreed, believing that after everything black people have endured for centuries in this country, they could adopt a song that spoke to them and call it what they wanted. So, we agreed to disagree.

But it did get me to thinking about how little white America knows about black history, black culture, and the black experience in our country. So, I turned to the internet and Googled black history month. Voila — an entire world opened up to me — way too much information for my weekly column. So, I chose to highlight three commonly held misconceptions, or lingering questions asked, by white America. The article providing this point-of-view was written by Yohuru Williams and titled “The Most Disturbing Myths About Slavery, Debunked.”

First is the question, “Couldn’t they have just resisted?” In fact, history is full of ways in which slaves resisted both their initial capture and their eventual ownership by whites. Many resisted while still in Africa, and many more resisted while enroute to America. African captives jumped overboard into the sea to avoid a life of bondage. Various organized slave revolts occurred in an attempt to free themselves from white ownership. The most well-known revolt was the one led by Nat Turner, and a lesser-known attempt was organized by Denmark Vesey. Vesey’s revolt failed due to an informant’s alert to authorities and ended in scores being convicted and more than 30 organizers being executed.

We are, of course, familiar with the history of the underground railroad in which slaves were moved north by a network of cooperative abolitionists. Their journeys were fraught with danger, and if they were caught and returned to their owners, they were used as horrific examples of what would happen if anyone else dared such an escape. An historian named Howard Zinn detailed many examples of more subtle forms of resistance which “asserted, if only to themselves and their brothers and sisters, their dignity as human beings.” Williams writes, “Such dignity, resilience and courage in the face of their servitude should never be misinterpreted as an exercise of free will.”

The second misconception was that some slaves were happy to be taken care of. Our American culture has encouraged this thought through images of black inferiority and even nostalgia for the social control that slavery provided. Confederate vice-president Alexander Stephens stressed that slavery would be the cornerstone of the new government after the south won the Civil War. He further described this new government as being based “upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man and that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition.”

Following the Civil War and well into the 20th century, plantations were pictured in movies and artwork as pastoral places where slaves were cared for by benevolent owners. Pop-culture images emerged later that were equally demeaning. Remember Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben? Popular “darkie” images also appeared on salt and pepper shakers and lawn ornaments. Other images in popular movies continually portrayed slaves as faithfully devoted to their masters and helplessly dependent upon them. During the Reconstruction and Jim Crow eras, blacks were portrayed as savage brutes and dangerous predators.

A third misconception is that once slavery ended, slaves had the opportunity to pull themselves up. While the 13th amendment did abolish slavery, it continued to allow forced labor as punishment for a crime. Consequently, black incarceration rates grew 10 times faster than that of the general population, and the practice of convict labor became popular. While convict leasing was eventually banned, it paved the way for laws and public policy that encouraged the jailing of African-Americans at astronomical rates. We know just from watching the evening news that black men are finally being released from prison after decades of punishment for crimes they never committed.

Black America has spent their lives living under discriminatory laws devised by white men. In 2016, a study by a United Nations-affiliated group reporting to the U.N.’s high commissioner on human rights stated, “Despite substantial changes since the end of the enforcement of Jim Crow and the fight for civil rights, ideology ensuring the domination of one group over another continues to negatively impact the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of African Americans today.”

Simply put, as long as white America continues to practice racism and make laws — or ignore them, as the case may be — that discriminate against the black population, it is simply darned impossible for them to “just pull themselves up.”

The article that informed this week’s column ended strongly with these words: “Slavery was not a choice, but opting to ignore its legacy is. It is a choice that will continue to inflame passions as long as we attempt reconciliation without confronting and redressing the awful truth.”

Black History Month is but one tiny step toward opening our minds to both understanding and accepting the awful truth about how our country was built. It is long past time to build bridges of acceptance by opening our minds and our hearts to the history that we helped to create. By ignoring the truth of that history, we allow it to be repeated, and we miss the opportunity for rebuilding a stronger America.

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NURSING HOMES / SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

Freeman’s has resumed small group activities. Visitation is currently being allowed twice weekly with screening and COVID-19 testing required before entering the building. All precautions are still being taken to protect residents. Everyone has adjusted to this new normal; however, they are all looking forward to a great get-together when it is safe to do so.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; senior basketball, 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; bingorama, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; hot cocoa and cookies, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Book club, 10 a.m.; Catholic Mass video, 10 a.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; pass the prize, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/travel club, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; monthly birthday party, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m..; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Wii fun, 2 p.m.; web browsing, 2:30 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: ICMCF/room visits, 9 a.m.; “You Be the Judge,” 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.

ProMedica (formerly Manor Care)

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Limited visitation has resumed for family and friends. Appointments must be made in advance by calling the center.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Church services are five days each week. Visitation is allowed as long as all infection control guidelines are followed, including wearing a mask, washing hands and social distancing. Daily scheduled activities continue to be for residents only.

Sunday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; coffee and short stories, 10:15 a.m.; whammo, 2 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion, 8:30 a.m.; Protestant service, 9 a.m.; help your neighbor, 10:15 a.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion, 8:30 a.m.; hot cocoa and book club, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion, 8:30 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10:15 a.m.; movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion, 8:30 a.m.; Uno, 10:15 a.m.; nickel jokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: Bowling, 10:15 a.m.; happy hour and music, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Spelling bee, 10:30 a.m.; movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Florence Health Services

(formerly Golden Living Center)

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Visitation is allowed seven days a week in designated areas only. Each visit is limited to 30 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. All visitors will be subject to health screening before entering the facility. There are no group activities at the present time.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; birthday party, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; craft class, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; Lutheran Bible study, 1 p.m.; left-center-right 2 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Bunco, 10:30 a.m.

Monday: Resident council, 10 a.m.; crafts, 2 p.m.; karaoke, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Olympics, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Clothes shopping, 10:30 a.m.; wine and cheese, 2 p.m.; Sorry, 3:30 p.m.; board games, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Exercise, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 2:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Friday: Bunco, 10:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass (multipurpose room), 2 p.m.; games, 3:30 p.m.; mind joggers, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Ladder ball, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3:30 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Now open for dine-in eating – serving at 11:30 a.m. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Pepper steak, rice, Brussel sprouts and lettuce salad.

Wednesday: Ham, baked potato, California blend vegetables and corn relish.

Thursday: Beef stew, lettuce salad and dinner rolls.

Note: All meals include milk, bread and butter, fruit and dessert.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Now open for dine-in eating — serving at noon. Night meals are on hold indefinitely. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pasty pie and stewed tomatoes.

Tuesday: Chili and cornbread.

Wednesday: Burger, potato wedges and baked beans.

Thursday: Finnish pancake, bacon and fried potatoes.

Friday: Hot beef sandwich or fish, mashed potatoes and chef’s choice vegetables.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Sterling Peryam

Assistant Cook: Rocky Scarlassara

906-875-6709

The center is now open and is once again serving meals for dining in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include salad bar, homemade desserts, coffee, tea, or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. – call ahead and leave a message with phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week –

Tuesday: Chop suey, chow mein noodles, steamed rice, vegetables, salad bar, homemade dessert

Wednesday: Ham boiled dinner with cabbage, potatoes and carrots, vegetables, salad bar, homemade dessert

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256 ext. 230 or 235.

Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Scalloped potatoes, five-way vegetables and dinner roll.

Tuesday: Broccoli cheese soup, ham sandwich, mayonnaise and mustard.

Wednesday: Cheese ravioli, green beans and dinner roll.

Thursday: Taco casserole, beans, salsa and sour cream.

Friday: Chicken salad with bun, chips and string cheese.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Now open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken Alfredo, noodles and carrots.

Tuesday: Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy and winter blend vegetables.

Wednesday: Lasagna, garlic bread and green beans.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Restrictions have lifted at some centers — see below. Menu for the week —

Monday: All centers closed for Presidents’ Day.

Tuesday: Waikiki meatballs, rice, Oriental vegetables and fruit.

Wednesday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, baked sweet potato, broccoli Normandy and pineapple spice cake with whipped topping.

Thursday: Chicken corn chowder, egg salad on croissant with lettuce and tomato and fruit.

Friday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, mixed vegetables, fruit and apple juice.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

RSVP for meal at 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on Wednesday only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu. Now open, served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday.

Tipler Town Hall

RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on second Thursday only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

RSVP for meals at 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu. Now open, served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Now open — information coming soon.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Now open for dine-in eating — serving at 11 a.m. — salad bar available. No night meals. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week –

Monday: Breakfast bake, sausage and hashbrowns.

Tuesday: Beef stroganoff, noodles and carrots.

Wednesday: Vegetable soup, egg salad sandwiches and crackers.

Thursday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy and corn.

All meals served with milk or juice and a serving of fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Now open for dine-in eating — dinner is served at 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $4.50 for those older than 60 and $7 for those age 60 or younger. Bingo played on Wednesdays. Transportation is available.

Monday: Stuffed green pepper soup, hot beef sandwich, coleslaw and blushing pears.

Tuesday: Chicken pot pie, cottage cheese, pasta salad and brownie.

Wednesday: Ham scalloped potatoes, vegetables, dinner roll and cake.

Thursday: Beef tips over mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts and peach cobbler.

Norway Center

Head Cook: Brian Gutkowski. 

906-563-8716

Now open for dine-in eating served restaurant style beginning at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals will remain available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if dining in or picking up. Menu for the week —

Monday: Lasagna, garlic bread and Italian blend vegetables.

Tuesday: Pulled pork, potato wedges and creamed corn.

Wednesday: Liver or burger with onions, mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans .

Thursday: Ravioli, breadstick and winter blend vegetables.

All meals include milk, juice, fruit, bread and dessert.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Now open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Philly steak sandwich, baked beans, chips and fruit.

Wednesday: Italian chicken with tomato cream sauce, pasta, salad and fruit.

Thursday: Pasty pie, beets and fruit

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.