Parade of Unity
When a relative told Marjorie Sholes-Higgins of her grandfather’s vast family, she decided it was time to explore her past and dig deep into her African American roots.
Sixteen years and 1,379 relatives later, Sholes-Higgins is amazed at the complexity of what she found. It is both an epic tale that unfolds on three continents and a story of struggle and survival.
“All that from one man,” she said.
On Saturday, Sholes-Higgins came to Orange County’s 21st annual Black History Parade & Cultural Faire to share that story--and to encourage others to find their own.
She and her husband urged people to become members of the California African American Genealogical Society, which teaches how to document ancestry.
“A lot of people don’t know about us,” Ronald Higgins said. “We may get five members today out of 1,000 people we talk to. That would be great.”
The theme of this year’s event was “Unity Through Diversity,” and it could be found along the parade route and in the festival’s grounds in Santa Ana’s Civic Center, which was jammed with thousands of people.
There were high school marching bands, break dancing clowns and children in elaborate costumes twirling to traditional Mexican folk music.
There were people waving from the backs of open convertibles, among them grand marshal Kathryn McCullough of Lake Forest, Orange County’s first black mayor, and elderly Tuskegee Airmen, World War II pilots from a segregated squadron, who never lost a bomber they escorted.
There were vintage cars, lowriders, firetrucks and military units. An outreach group carried a banner that read, “God Loves the Gang Member.”
“Orange County has this great diversity,” said Huguette Wilson of Newport Beach, who staked out a spot early on Civic Center Drive. “I go to all the ethnic festivals--the Greek, the Thai, the Vietnamese. We’re so fortunate to have this all around us.”
Lisha Williams arrived at dawn to cook the barbecue that her congregation from Greater Light Baptist Church in Santa Ana sold to raise funds.
Her specialty: suicide hot wings, using a recipe she brought from Memphis, Tenn.
“I enjoy cooking it,” Williams said. “And I enjoy watching people eat it.”
They passed out leaflets along side booths selling African-inspired art and clothing, incense and insurance, Tahitian Noni fruit juice and e-commerce opportunities.
“You see a little bit of everything here,” said Mary Flowers, whose Internet company offered Web site support and e-mail.
“That,” she added, “is black history.”