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FEBRUARY 2005

Africa Revisited: A Teacher’s Journey

By Phyllis C. Murray

“History is not everything” John Henrik Clarke once wrote, “but it is the starting point. History is a clock that people use to tell their time of day. It is a compass they use to find themselves on the map of human geography. It tells them where they are, but more importantly, what they must be.”

On August 2004 Frances Brown was on a mission to Africa. Eight years had passed since her last visit abroad. Now she was answering a call. A few months earlier, Frances was convalescing from surgery. When she received the “call” from the American Federation of Teachers in June 2004 to serve on a special mission to Nigeria, she knew at that moment, she was destined to make an important journey back to Africa. She would “pick up her bed and walk.”

Brown’s previous visits were as student and tourist. However, this time, she would return as an educator. She would return to Africa as a member an American Federation of Teachers’ international delegation on a fact finding mission. The summer journey of 2004 would be a different kind of mission for Frances. This mission would be...up close and very personal. This mission would be a time for reflection, introspection as well as a reconnection with fellow Africans. It would also be a time to assess the progress of the AFT teacher-to-teacher program to eradicate AIDS in Africa.

Frances Brown and 50 fellow educators from all over the Diaspora arrived in Nigeria to attend a conference on democracy with members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers. This much needed educational exchange would provide a greater insight into the role of democracy as it related to the Nigerians. Such an intense fact finding effort would serve as a means to create a social studies curriculum on Nigeria for implementation in schools throughout the United States in the future. In addition to the aforementioned, the mode of education used in the prevention of AIDS in Nigeria would also be explored. Presently, the devastation the virus causes among the African populace is incalculable.

Once the draft of the social studies curriculum was crafted, there would be opportunities to present the draft to Nigerian teachers for feedback. Cross-cultural connections would be made. In addition to fact finding, numerous educational resources would provide the vehicles for disseminating all critical information about AIDS. Surely, education means survival in any society. As Frances Brown states, “The underlying strength of the Nigerians is in education. Many students are economically disadvantaged. However, their strength lies in their wealth of knowledge. Union to union we are making a difference by providing the economic resources to inform the public about AIDS in Africa. Education is key.”

Frances Brown speaks this time as a member of the BLACKNYSAFT Caucus. As co-chair of the AIDS Campaign, the caucus was able to raise over $15,000 in a Herculean effort to eradicate AIDS in Africa. Through the sale of AIDS pins, this campaign against the spread of AIDS continues to grow as contributions come in, daily. And though this AFT initiative, lives are being spared, daily.

Frances Brown is proud to be a member of the United Federation of Teachers. The BLACKNYSAFT, founded by the UFT Special Rep., LeRoy Barr Jr., is an AFT/UFT connection. One day, history will show how the BLACKNYSAFT, in its time, became a beacon of hope to needy brothers and sisters at home and abroad. And Frances Brown’s work will continue to personify the tireless commitment of AFT members who make a difference in the lives of many--year after year.

Yes, “History is a clock that people use to tell their time of day. It is a compass they use to find themselves on the map of human geography. It tells them where they are, but more importantly, what they must be.” Frances Brown we salute you. Press on Sister!

Prior to Ms. Brown’s retirement, she served as a Teacher of Social Studies and UFT Chapter Leader at P.S.123 and MS 113 in the Bronx, NY
Phyllis Murray is a literary teacher and a UFT chapter leader at PS 75, Bronx.

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