"The Louisiana Lady" Was A Creole Chanteuse

Camille Lucie Nickerson was known as "The Louisiana Lady". She started touring in the United States & France in the 1930's singing Creole folksongs that were indigenous to Louisiana. She was a Creole woman of many achievements who lived from (1888-1982). Camille Nickerson kept the Creole tradition alive by collecting & composing these songs. She was a arranger,pianist,composer,& geniune legend.Here an excerpt about Camille Nickerson from LSU Libraries:

"Although very successful on the concert circuit, she gave up performing to become part of Howard University's music faculty. She remained there from 1926-1962, retiring with the title professor emerita. Her master's thesis, "Afro-Creole Music of Louisiana" highlighted much Creole folk music and the impressive accomplishments made by black American musicians in the field. She was elected President of the National Association of Negro Musicians in 1935."(END OF EXCERPT) Read the rest here:
http://www.lib.lsu.edu/soc/women/lawomen/nickerson.html

Afghan Children Young As 4 Are Working 8-12 Hours A Day!

Young children are suffering physical injuries & inhumane treatment in Afghanistan. The parents are in debt so kids as young as 4 are being forced to work the arrears off. I really cannot believe that these types of stories barely receive mention on the news. We should be hearing about this every single day. While our economy is sinking here in America, many people are feeling despondent & don't know how they can take care of their family. These parents in Afghanistan really are feeling that there children's futures are bleak. I mean,they are working instead of receiving the education that they need. Here's what one of the Afghan parents have to say:

"His father, Khawaja Mohammed, is distressed that he has to send his son to work at all.

"Our house was destroyed. We lost our land and our property. Accommodation here costs between 5,000 to 10,000 Afghanis ($105 - $210). One sack of flour is 3,000 Afghanis ($63).

"We have no other option but to ask the children to work. You saw my child yourself. He is not strong enough to work. You can see his condition. But we don't have any other option."

Tens of billions of dollars in aid have flowed into Afghanistan since the fall of the Taleban in 2001.

But many ordinary Afghans still struggle to make a living; and for now, many parents have little choice but to continue to send their children to work."(END OF EXCERPT)Read the rest here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7738994.stm

Howard University Was Founded Nov 20,1866!

The historically black college was established on this date in 1866! It was named after the man in the photograph, General Oliver O. Howard. He was a civil war hero who also founded the university. Initially, it was intended to be a seminary for African-American clergymen. Here's more from Wikipedia:

"General Howard is also remembered for playing a role in founding Howard University, which was incorporated by Congress in 1867. The school is nonsectarian and is open to both sexes without regard to race. As commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau, Howard was known for promoting the welfare and education of former slaves, freedmen, and war refugees. On November 20, 1866, ten members, including Howard, of various socially concerned groups of the time met in Washington, D.C., to discuss plans for a theological seminary to train colored ministers. Interest was sufficient, however, in creating an educational institute for areas other than the ministry. The result was the Howard Normal and Theological Institute for the Education of Preachers and Teachers. On January 8, 1867, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the institution to Howard University. Howard served as president from 1869 to 1874. He also founded Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, in 1895, for the education of the "mountain whites."