Studens are heading back to school again, in a year roiling with the controversy over teaching Black history. Some parents and lawmakers apparently fear that teaching children about the accomplishments of Black people in the past will somehow damage white learners.
I defy anyone to feel damaged by learning the story of Clara Belle Drisdale Williams, a tentieth century educator par excellence. The granddaughter of slaves, daughter of sharecroppers, and first member of her family to attend college, taught hundreds of students and raised three sons who became prominent Chicago doctors.
My recent (2022) book, Unlawful Orders: A Portrait of Dr. James B Williams, Tuskegee Airman, Surgeon and Activist, earned me a call last month when New Mexico State University, Clara Belle Williams’ alma mater, planned to film a documentary of her life. Dr. James Williams’ mother occupied a big place in that book. I am grateful to have been able to conribute what I learned about this awesome woman to the documentary.
For a powerful view of Black Hisory about an educator who could serve as an uplifting role model to anyone of any race or gender, I invite you to watch the documentary, Clara Belle Williams: New Mexico Pioneer in Education. You can see it on PBS – https://www.pbs.org/video/clara-belle-williams-new-mexico-pioneer-in-education-hgk3qr/ or on Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8Pfv9NGFy8