June 3, 1906 - Josephine Baker's 115th Birthday

Josephine Baker, celebrates her 115th birthday today. Her name, nor her contributions to global racial uplift should never be forgotten. Ms. Baker was born in St. Louis, Missouri and during the nadir period of Black American, Josephine was just another black baby whose life was etched out for future despair, until it wasn't. Josephine Baker had musical talent, and incomparable beauty. The thing is that Josephine Baker was not the head scratching yes sir black woman White America could stand nor accept. So, Ms. Baker moved from her homeland to her newly adopted home of France and built a remarkable entertainment career. In addition to her skills as an entertainer. Josephine Baker was also a warrior who fought against the enemies of a just and humane society. She was war hero in World War ll who fought with the French Resistance against the oppressive Nazi war machine. Josephine Baker was simply a great human being who saw to it that the most needy of us received care and understanding. Ms. Baker adopted orphans and gave those orphans the life they deserved. America's shame, America's loss was the global community's gain. On August 28, 1963, dressed in the uniform of the adopted nation, Josephine Baker became the only voice of black womanhood to give a significant speech at the Jobs and Freedom Rally which became known for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have Dream heroic, historic speech. Well, Josephine Baker spoke to the world's young people that day. Here is my reading of that speech.