Zuri Adele on Accra Beach, Barbados
CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS, May 24, 2012 — Zuri, my sister-in-law Tracy and I are in Barbados for a little R&R after a whirlwind Spelman Commencement Weekend. It also happens to be my father’s birthday. He would be 115.
In a column he published shortly after his 43rd birthday in 1940, he uses the occasion to commemorate Empire Day, the birthday of Queen Victoria, with whom he shared a natal day:
“It is difficult if not at all impossible for ye paragrapher to forget Empire Day, though we may be many years removed from the British Empire, because it was on that day our late beloved mother told us we ‘came from somewhere in a box.’ Most readers of this column think we should have been left in the box.”
Tomorrow, I have an appointment with a specialist in Barbados genealogy who is going to try to help me get to the bottom of that box.
For today we’ll take a tour of the island, hit the beach and pour a libation in honor of Ebenezer’s birthday.
The New York Age, June 1, 1940
My Father's Posts 
By , December 15, 2009 at 3:39 pmWell, my hair is relaxed so I’m not nuratal in that sense but, I applaud her business mind and wish her endeavors the best successes. Be and Stay blessed, Candace/Goddess Zuri!
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How moving! “May the Empire survive to see better Empire Days than the 1940s”
Obviouly, it did not; but most of the countries themselves are seeing better days, I hope.
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Very inspiring story! Thank you for sharing and please tell Z and T that Lexy says hi!
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Congratulations!! What a great way to celebrate/unwind after Zuri’s graduation. Hope your visit with genealogist yields some interesting results.
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Hi Elaine, Hugs from Berkeley and Lonnie and Cordell. I love your blog. Cordell’s father’s birthday is 5/24 also. An incredible civil rights leader (blind pastor who was responsible for desegregation of the schools in Chattanooga, TN. You’ll have to ask Cordell about the stories one day. Speaking of one day. When are we going to see you??? Any Berkeley plans. Have a great time in Barbados!!!–Lonnie
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