In honor of Black History Month, we asked Automatticians — the people who work on WordPress.com — to share a few sentences on the people who have influenced and inspired them, from historical figures to current public leaders to loved ones and friends. Throughout February, we’re honoring and celebrating these people here on Discover and our social channels.
Martin Puryear’s art maintains a precarious balance between conceptual, personal, and technical concerns. As a thinker and a craftsperson he’s provided me with the inspiration to keep my creative dreams alive and pursue a quieter rural existence.
—Rick Banister
The person I would like to mention is my school friend Bessie, who is a nurse now in the UK. I was an introvert and was painfully shy in school. Bessie slowly became my friend, guided me, and became a mentor of sorts. She not only taught me how to overcome my shyness but also helped me develop confidence. She taught me how to stand up for myself and to fight injustice, if I saw any. She helped me become a stronger woman today.
—Anitaa Murthy
I heard about criminal justice lawyer Bryan Stevenson four years ago from a friend and read his book Just Mercy soon after. His commitment to justice and fairness in the United States criminal justice system pushed me to rethink my feelings about the death penalty and think more about the owed due diligence throughout the process.
—Destiny Kanno
Briana was the first out LGBTQ+ women’s national team player I knew of. As a young player, watching her dominate as goalkeeper was so inspiring and gave me a glimpse of how LGBTQ+ folks could achieve big dreams.
—Anne McCarthy
Marsha is an amazing example of someone who not only did not let the world bring her down, but worked to make it better for others. She’s someone who I aspire to emulate and look towards for inspiration when I feel I can’t change anything about this world.
—Echo Gregor
I can’t say it better than Walker said it herself in The Color Purple: “If [God] ever listened to poor colored women the world would be a different place, I can tell you.” Walker’s gorgeous, devastating, genius novel is a masterpiece that reverberates throughout my life as I read and re-read it. Walker opened my eyes to my privilege, to challenges I will never face as I move through the world in white skin, and showed me having a zeal for life can overcome everything.
—Andrea Badgley
One to two sentences isn’t really enough. Donnell in many ways taught me how to read between the lines in professional environments and how to speak up and be heard. He also showed me the wisdom in practicing manners and patience on a daily basis.
—Rudy Faile
At a time when Black women were not writing speculative fiction, Octavia Butler wrote prophetic pieces that centered Black women and positioned us as important figures in the survival of the human race. She depicted us as strong, intelligent, and magical.
—Kay Daniele
Not a historical figure, but he’s a special person in my life. An inspiration, emotional rock, and role model for kindness, hard work, and perseverance. After our 15-year friendship, he’s been a shoulder to cry on, a partner in many fun adventures, and my best friend.
—Elizabeth Pizzuti
Stacey Abrams’ dedication to ensuring free and fair elections makes me want to fight harder as an American to preserve and uphold our democracy.
—Mel Choyce-Dwan
I’m sure we all need more than two sentences to share how these great people have influenced us, but I’ll leave a quote from Michelle’s book, Becoming: “The subtle cues that tell you to not risk anything, to find your people and just stay put.” As a Black woman, this resonates with me and all of my identities.
—Niesha Sweet
It’s your turn. Who has influenced and inspired you?
Inspired.
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Thank you for sharing this. I enjoyed reading the short articles and has given me a few ideas to look up more inspirational people.
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Stella Star. You taught me so many things. You have never given me money. But you have taught me Money. You taught me how to be responsible. You are such an awesome teacher, in absence I could still feel your presence. I don’t want to wait on a last day to tell you how much I appreciate you. You have linked me with the best of the best. I am who I am because of your kind and loving heart. I will forever Cherish our Tea-Pots hours. I just wanna thank you Stella Star. My Beautiful, Glorious, Remarkable, Amazing Mother. If you were not so strict,strict and mean I’m sure my life would have ended long time ago. I used to believe you hate me when I was young. But today I want to say thank MOTHER for not sparing the ROD and for being so Mean towards. For rejecting whenever I needed Mother’s love. For having no Mercy for me. Because today I don’t have much but I am a child of my community. Today I have many mothers and fathers,sisters and brothers in my community. Your wrath taught me that a child belongs to the community. My neighbors are my family. Now every next house in Ennerdale is my home. Every kid in the streets show me love. All the gangsters know me by my name. They’re extremely dangerous but I still receive genuine love from them because you taught me to be respectful but not naïve. Today the world calls me C#@MP because you named Eric. Letter to my beautiful Black Mother. My black Ferrari, my black diamond. My black on black # triple black that’s who you are. You are a Queen, My black Panther. My special Jaguar Paw. I love you Mother Stella Star Lesala. The best life skills Teacher the world has ever Produced. I’m greatful for writing this letter to you while you are still alive and not on a sick bed. But still strong and healthy to read this. I love you so much MOTHER. Thank you for teaching me how to Love and Hate because I’m both good and bad and I love the new me. Happy Black History Month. For 2020,everyday is a celebration for you until the 1st of January 2021. This is my prayer to you my Black Rose,my black forest, my black Mocojava, # my Shibabadooo Shibaba. # BWS4LIFE!
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This was great. New here, I enjoyed the information shared. If I were to add to. It would have to be Muhammad Ali. Something about his professionalism and poise while also being brash and in your face moves me still. The man had belief and unwavering core values, that he refused to be separated from. To the end that his Hollywood Star isn’t on the ground, it’s on the wall. Amazing isn’t a big enough word to describe this larger than life hero.
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Great post.
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Here is my humble offering:
Unusual as this may sound, as a white man, I am inspired by the great general Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Like pretty much every other son of Virginia, it was his destiny to be a traitor, either to his government or to his home and family. What would you choose?
Recently a criminal, described as an activist by the papers, climbed a statue of Jackson with a chisel and broke his nose off; the act of an ignorant, uneducated person.
An educated person would know about Thomas Jackson and his life. He was as fine a man as ever lived. Yes he lived in Virginia in the time of slavery. Yes he owned a large farm. Yes black people lived and worked there. Yes, in the eyes of the law they were his property. In the eyes of the law, but not in the eyes of Thomas Jackson. To him, these were good people living in a dangerous place in a dangerous time. The fact that the law viewed them as his property placed them under his protection, and protect them he did. He taught them to read and write, in defiance of Virginia law. He taught them scripture and the doctrine of the presbyterian church. More important than that, he worshipped God in their fellowship, knowing that God wasn’t paying attention to their skin, but their souls. That’s a pretty progressive attitude, even today.
The really great thing about this comment is that no one has to believe a word of it. There is a place, the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Virginia, that was founded by his “Slaves”. The present congregation, still made up largely of the descendents of those fine people, honor this great and noble man, their protector and friend, with a large stained glass window right behind the altar. A short conversation with any of the senior members of this church will bear out every word I have said.
So there you go, Stonewall Jackson did his duty and laid down his life to protect his home and he did it without hate. But why does he inspire me? Jackson understood people and had empathy. He didn’t know everything about everyone and he knew it. I know it too. It informs my thinking about all people in all situations. Sometimes it’s a struggle, I admit. Like when the Chapel Hill lynch mob decided that the image of an anonymous southern farm boy who happened to be on the wrong side of history was a symbol of hate. It was hard to look at those people one at a time because I was angry at them. I understand anger too. The most important thing is that we understand one another and look for the good in one another. I hope you see the good in me. I want a better world for everyone and I’m guessing you do too.
Thanks for posting this. It was a fine oportunity to make a decent contribution to a conversation we all should be having. I hope you feel it was worth reading.
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Barack Obama inspired me and was the most enjoyable journey I have ever been on politically, because he always remained a gentleman and married a real woman who helped him raise beautiful daughters.
Thank you Mr.President. jjn 2/13/2020
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I would say the biggest influence on me (outside of my parents) is a man named Dr. Norman V. Fuqua. He was a doctor of education, and deacon at my church when I was a child who nurtured & encouraged my natural thirst for learning.
He would give me quizzes to complete every Sunday with an added bonus of $20 if I got all of the answers correct. In the 1980’s, $20 was a lot of candy and arcade time, so I made sure I got that money. 🙂
He is the biggest reason that I got into STEM and became an engineer. He taught me that knowledge truly is power… BUT it was only as powerful as our ability to apply our knowledge and use it correctly. When I am able to go home, I swing by my old church just to see him. Although he is is his twilight years, I have nothing less than the highest level of reverence and respect for him.
Thank you Dr. Fuqua!
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Wow!
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I found her from her Scandal recaps on her blog http://www.awesomelyluvvie.com, but blogger and now New York Times best selling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones inspired me to stay true to my voice and myself. YouTuber and content creator Ari Fitz inspires me to not be afraid to take up space and live out loud. My granny was my first teacher on how to put your politics and ethics into action at home and at work, and how to be a strong Black woman with opinions and fabulousness and vulnerabilities.
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Thank for recognizing black history month. Michelle Obama inspires me so much. She is such a strong woman.
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It is always great to have a moment in time to reflect on our rich History One person who is as an obvious choice is even more important in today’s culture. Dr.. Martin Luther King- in his speech about “His Dream”. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
This view of the world around us is unique in the American culture. While you could agree many around the globe would think of such things, champions of freedom have driven this into the culture more here than anywhere. While not perfect (and honestly how could it ever be as humans are involved) it is a guiding force for our country. I had a Drill Instructor in the Marines, he put it very simply. “We all have a job to do. You understand? (Yes sir) It does not matter what the color of your skin is.This Marine over here, he is a green Marine he has a gift of being a sharp shooter. You understand? (Yes sir) This Marine here is a light green Marine who skills are good for ensuring everyone has needed supplies. This really dark green Marine, is gifted with leadership and is a squad team leader. We all have our skills and now you have been trained to work as one. Each with your own skillset that makes up an unstoppable force.” Thank you Staff Sargent Stackhouse wherever you may be. A true American hero and someone that opened my eyes to see opportunity for all people in this great land to work together.
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