Black History Month- in Ty’s own words

Paul and I started off our day in Ty’s Grade 3 class teaching about Black History, famous African Americans and Canadians and sharing our new favourite children’s story about segregation and slavery.  The kids were so interested in learning about inventions by black people; peanut butter, traffic lights, gas masks, blood banks and toy water guns!  They put themselves in the minds of the little black boy, who was told he couldn’t swim in the same pool as his best friend who was white.  We showed them signs that would teach them about segregation- kids with jeans couldn’t read the books in the class, boys were not permitted to use the computers and if you had running shoes on, they would have to wash their hands in the sink in the school’s basement. 
I’m so proud of the hard work that Paul put into the lesson and I’m so honoured that our family could bring a bit of Black History to Ty’s class.

We ended the morning’s lesson with this rap, written by Ty and performed by him in front of his classmates!  They cheered for their buddy and asked him to sign their copies for home.

Rap for Black History Month
by: Ty Hamilton (aka Typhlosion)

My name is Martin Luther and I’m here to say,
I’m ending slavery – it starts today.
I had a dream that we could all share,
Back in the day, you’re too young, you weren’t there.

When I was a kid back in the deep south,
I changed the world with the words from my mouth.

I couldn’t understand why kids like me,
with dark brown skin weren’t allowed to be,
Doing the same thing as all the whites.

The situation wasn’t right. I felt left out and it wasn’t cool.
I couldn’t even go to the same school.
Living in the darkness, I had to show them the light,
but not with a gun, I don’t like to fight.
If you don’t understand why all the fuss,
It started with Mrs. Parks- sitting in a bus.

So off to D.C. to say what I had to say,
About blacks and whites living the same way.

But after my speech someone shot me in the head. 
It was a happy life, but now I’m dead.