The Champions Who Walked Among Us – The Black Pearl
Not many people know about her.
Her resistance to segregation,
Her refusal to bow down to a system that degraded people of color made her a Pariah.
She raised twelve children from different nationalities.
No one mentions the hardships of this StrongBlackWoman in the history books.
A woman who refused to bow down to a Jim Crow system.
Very few Americans talk about her.
She sang and danced,
And she spied for the French Resistance.
She became the first woman of color to star in a major motion picture production.
She defied the system.
In her own way, she challenged the erroneous lies promulgated by a nation.
Her departure from her country caused many people to breathe easier;
Some even said good riddance to this dancing woman who dared to dance at the Folies Bergères clothed in bananas.
Her banana dance was considered scandalous to the puritanical thinking bred in her country.
She helped save a nation.
Not the nation of her birth, but the nation of the people who adopted her in their hearts.
That same woman became a French Citizen and was buried in the Cimetière de Monaco.
She was the first and only American woman to receive full military honors for her funeral.
Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1906, this Black Woman, an African-American, Freda Josephine McDonald, alias Josephine Baker is known as The Black Pearl.
Until November 11th, be safe.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
Walk On 
so inspiring Patricia thank you – a woman who was herself first and foremost …
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Yes, indeed she was. She wasn’t perfect, but she left behind a legacy. People see, Diana Ross, Beyonce, and Angelina Jolie. They never think that The Black Pearl pave the way for all three of these women and more. Thanks for coming by.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
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A beautiful tribute to a courageous woman. It is sad what discrimination causes in this world.
Here’s a little story you might enjoy, it happened when I was in high school and I never forgot this teacher.
On the first day of class all the students drifted into the room. We all took our seats and groups were chatting with their friends. The teacher did roll call and of course there were many different ethnic students. White, black, Asian, etc.. They tended to sit together in groups. The teacher took out a large can. In it was a purple salve. She told the class it was harmless and would wipe of without leaving a any stain. She walked around the classroom and told each one of us to take some on our finger and smear it across our forehead. We all thought she was nuts, but we did it anyway. When everyone had the purple salve mark on their forehead she went to her desk and did the same thing. Naturally there were remarks and laughter. She then announced; “Everyone look around, we are now all the same color we are from the same race and the name of our race in the Human Race. Now I would like you all each day to sit next to someone different so we can get to know our family members better. This will help us learn so much more than what we find in our text books”.
It was the best class I ever took. I have never forgotten Miss Fromer. xo
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Thank you, Patricia! It is teachers like that who are strong and courageous and who have a inner consciousness of what respect and love is all about who change the world. This teacher will always be with you because she made a major imprint on your life. I had a teacher also, Ms.Bowers, who taught me to dream. I was privileged to have her in the third grade and the fifth grade. I’ve never forgotten her. She built upon my foundation and gave me courage to be whatever I thought I could be.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat
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What an uplifting classroom story! Thank you so much for sharing. As a retired classroom teacher myself, I am warmed inside with stories such as yours.
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Thanks for sharing this truth about The Black Rose, Pat. It is heartbreaking that people must leave their own home countries in order to find peace and acceptance. As Nonnie Jules constantly reminds us, “We all bleed red!”
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WOW, Pat, what a touching and incredible story. It is too bad she went through those hardships. She truly is an inspirational woman. It is too bad America didn’t celebrate her. Thank you for the fabulous post!
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Reblogged this on mallie1025 and commented:
Wonderful blog. I never knew about this outstanding woman.
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Pat, I never read of this wonderful woman although I may have see her in films or shows and never remembered her name.How great to leave this world a better place than when one enters it. That is my yet unfulfilled dream. I love the rose. I got a dozen like that from my one daughter on my birthday. I reblogged this on mallie1025.wordpress,com
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Thanks so much for sharing Freda’s story. It’s the first of heard mention of The Black Pearl and her great legacy.
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Great tribute, Patricia. Growing up in Detroit I was very familiar with Josephine Baker’s music. We rebellious ones use to listen to different radio stations.
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A great loss, she died too young. Thanks for sharing.
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