The primary goal of the WOW! (Writing our World) Newsletter is to demonstrate through stories, articles, or essays, how our world is linked inextricably to the larger world... and, how our problems and our successes mirror those of communities around the world.

One important example of this is the global problem of holding on to and documenting our pasts. Thankfully, with this new millennium, comes a new realization of the importance of our histories – a realization that our histories dictate our future. Historians around the world are now taking action to assure our legacies, by collecting and preserving our pasts.

Two such people are Julieanna Richardson, of Chicago, Illinois; and Patrick Vernon of London, England.

What does the former communications executive from Chicago, and the health administrator and historian, from London have in common?  Their insight into the value of black history – and, the urgency to get it all documented.

Thanks to the brilliant vision of Julieanna Richardson, of Chicago; the United States can finally boast a living, breathing archive of African American history, now unrivaled by any other. In just over four years, the History Makers has grown from a brilliant idea, to an impressive archive of 700 interviews with African Americans from diverse geographical and career backgrounds.

The History Makers website has visitors from 100 foreign countries with the UK, the Netherlands and Canada ranking in the top ten. Lithuanian visitors average 197.5 pages per visit.

And, then, there is Patrick Vernon, and Every Generation, of the U.K.  In 2003, Mr. Vernon compiled the first ever nation-wide composite of Great Black Britons, called: The 100 Great Black Britons, launched this year with great fanfare.

Vernon, a healthcare administrator by profession, says the list was composed, in response to the BBC Great Britons’ debate centered around Great Britain’s great leaders. Vernon, founder of the black heritage website Every Generation, saw that no blacks made it to the Top 100 in part to many people being unaware of black achievements and contributions made over the centuries.

According to Vernon, the 100 Great Black Britons nomination list reflects the history of the black community over the past 1000 years. “This list and the debate that it will no doubt generate is a form of celebration of unsung heroes who helped change and shape the political, social and cultural landscape of Britain,” Vernon says, the aim is to educate both blacks and whites about the diverse historical background of black people, and reflect the growing interest in black culture and history.

“The popularity and success of the campaign highlights the fact that black history in Britain is intertwined with British history,” Vernon points outs.

Mary Seacole, a black Jamaican woman in the 19th century received the most votes. Seacole was a nurse in the Crimean War, during the 19th Century, and was recognized for her courage in standing against discrimination and prejudices she encountered in that role. Against all odds, Mary Seacole had an unshakeable belief in the power of nursing to make a difference. Vernon says, “Mary Seacole embraces the qualities we can learn from, in today’s society. This is a deserved commemoration of Ms. Seacole’s services in the Crimean war, and in the UK’s nursing history.”

Mr. Vernon is currently producing a documentary exploring the United Kingdom’s black historical legacy from slavery and colonialism, and its impact on Black Britain. The film also  addresses the various aspects of preserving, recording and tracing family history  -- from using written records, oral history and the use of DNA. Vernon wants to address the challenges facing the African Diaspora community, globally, around the recognition and value of our heritage.

The black historical experiences in London, Gambia and Senegal will be explored by Mr. Vernon, in the film, which is expected to be released in spring, 2005. The Every Generation program received more than one million hits during its first months of operation.

To access these outstanding programs, and their archive of outstanding contributors to our communities, please visit: www.thehistorymakers.com or www.everygeneration.co.uk.

** Janis F. Kearney, and her husband, Bob J. Nash were two of many from across the U.S., inducted into the History Makers' 2004 archives.

Arrival to Costa Rica via air prop

View of the Costa Rican coastline

Costa Rican native

Costa Rican fisherman

Costa Rican native with an Asian Husky

Janis Kearney, Bob Nash, and friends at the El Avion Restaurant

Costa Rican fishing and leisure boats

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Arrival to Costa Rica via air prop

For those seeking a taste of heaven on earth, you can’t go wrong choosing Costa Rica. Quepos/Manual Antonio is an excellent choice for a vacation you’ll never forget. The weather, the scenery, the friendly service, and accommodations…they all get an A+ from this first-time visitor.

But, like the original Garden of Eden – this former banana exporting capital has its own complicated history. The indigenous Quepo Indian tribe were the earliest known natives of the area. However, after the invasion of Europeans in the early 19th Century, the once-successful banana import business lost its allure, and bananas lost out to the African palm oil as the major crop. Sadly, the European infiltration also decimated the Indian culture and art, as well as pure Quepo Indian existence.

 By late 20th Century, the tourist industry began to grow in what is now known as Quepos/Manual Antonio. The natural beauty of the jungle-like area lured a colony of white Europeans and Americans, mostly refugees of one sort or another, who built homes and begun businesses at Manuel Antonio. A Sansa airline DC-3 began regular service to and from the area.

Quepos/Manual Antonio is now populated by American and European hotels, restaurants, and recreational tour businesses – even small casinos; and, a handful of locally-owned businesses and restaurants. The demographics include an eclectic mix of expatriated adventurers from around the world, and locals who remain to secure tourism jobs.  It is a Latin escape with more American and Europeans in evidence than Latinos.  

Recommended Restaurant: The El Avion – not only wonderful food, but great history. The El Avion is a Fairchild C-123, allegedly shot down over southern Nicaragua during the Iran-Contra scandal.

** Stay tuned for more about Costa Rica's interesting racial/cultural history in next issue.