WELCOME TO THE #RRBC 2019 OCTOBER-WEEN BLOCK PARTY!

53 Replies

HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE #RRBC 2019 OCTOBER-WEEN BLOCK PARTY! 

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HERE ARE THE WINNERS OF MY GIVEAWAYS…

(1) $5 Amazon Gift Card – Miranda L

(1) “Our Lady of Victory” EBook – Cassidy Salem

(1) A Citizen’s Group In Action EBook – Susanne Leist

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!!

Our Lady of Victory, the Saga of an African-American Catholic Community

I must have had an out-of-body experience to take on the task of researching, writing and publishing OLV’s story. I didn’t want to do it, but the voice inside my head would not go away. I could not dismiss it, as much as I tried. And so Our Lady of Victory was born. I knew the story, but had to do some research to get all of the facts straight. How this little church community came into existence is an amazing tale of starts and stops before the first brick was laid.

I created this website to bring the history to life and provide a home to talk and ask questions. Coming to RRBC gave me a platform to keep the conversation going. I even created a Facebook page.

Maybe I became a little obsessed about it, but before my efforts, you couldn’t find anything about this little community. I was on a mission to change all that.

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Another Option

5***** Star Read! 2/24/14
Let me start off by establishing one very important fact:  I AM NOT CATHOLIC.  And because of that fact, I felt there wouldn’t be much for me inside the covers of this book.  I bought the book because I wanted to support this author.  I read the book all the way through because of the INTRODUCTION, paragraph 2 which states:  “This book will present the facts – and some of those facts may not make for pleasant reading.  I make no apologies since I had nothing to do with making the policies that shaped Our Lady of Victory and our lives…I ask that you understand that I am only the messenger.”   So, let me explain to you why the INTRODUCTION, paragraph 2 got MY attention:  1)  I like facts, and I’m impressed by people who feel no qualms about sharing factual information, be it comfortable or not; and 2)  I love people who make no apologies for speaking their truths!

OUR LADY OF VICTORY is a story of a black, Catholic community that is no more.  I was in awe of the author for the time and patience it must have taken to secure all this data and these facts, and to lay it all out the way it is now…in this great book.  This author wants everyone to understand that her book is a NARRATIVE HISTORY.  Don’t mistake it for a novel, a short story, fantasy, or any other genre.  It is the HISTORY of this church and how its existence and its demise, shaped so many of the lives that passed thru its doors.

Should I be ashamed to admit that when the author said “…some of those facts may not make for pleasant reading,” I instantly knew there was a cover-up involved here?  And who doesn’t love a good cover-up/mystery, especially one that gets UN-COVERED?   Shirley H. Slaughter uncovered some things about the higher-ups and the powers-that-be in that church, that a lot of people would have never touched with a ten-foot pole and I’m sure, some are still “whispering” about today.

Let me get to what you came here for…this book was one of the most detailed books I’ve ever read.  At first glance, I thought, “All this information is going to give me brain freeze,” but once into it, I found myself anxious for more.  Again, I’m not Catholic and don’t know much about the religion (other than I love this new POPE you guys have!), so I really enjoyed being “schooled” by an author who puts information together as well as this one did.  I’m a stickler for (almost) perfect anything, but especially (almost) perfect writing.  Mrs. Slaughter delivered a home-run for me.  It was clean, it was detailed, but most of all, it was interesting.  The best part is, you don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy this book.  She gets 5***** stars from me for her compilation of the facts, and we all know how hard that is to do!

Lynn Hobbs
A Must Read!
5 Stars

January 26, 2018

Thank you, Shirley Harris-Slaughter for sharing an incredible part of history that I was unaware of until reading this book. Yes, I knew of racism, but not inside the church. And certainly not in the form of a concrete wall separating the races in a Detroit community. I am proud of all the efforts by so many who continued building a better future for their children with schools, and a church. It was mind-boggling to see their progress halted. Had I lived in that time, and in that community, I would have felt like a prisoner with someone else in control of my life. Much respect to all who worked so hard, and for so long. Loved hearing about the people, and loved the pictures. What an awesome church family to grow with through the years. It does make one wonder what other history remains localized that should be shared with the entire public. Well written, and a must read! I highly recommend this book to all!

UPDATE: OLV is now housed in a little chapel behind St. Scholastica’s. They kept the church community, but housed it in the back of another church? Did anybody think the problem would be solved? Archbishop Vigneron apologized for what was done to the Black Catholic Community.

Maybe it’s too late. The damage has taken a toll and the numbers are dwindling rapidly.

A Citizen’s Group In Action: Saving a Train Station

Since I wrote a book about history, it is only natural that I would gravitate towards saving a train station. I can’t believe I took this huge task on. But I did and never looked back, except to watch a video presentation of the workshop I created and produced to try and save Detroit’s landmark station. In fact I took this project on before even thinking about writing a book.

The Blurb

Around 1992, this study was pulled together for one specific purpose – to save the Michigan Central Depot, a train station in downtown Detroit. After it was boarded up in the 1980s, I agonized about what was happening to the building as it descended into neglect and decay; with no hope of it ever rising to its former glory. I needed to form a plan and a way to do it. Attending a university afforded me that opportunity. I always loved trains even though there was never a chance for me to experience the thrill of it all growing up. My mother was pregnant with me when she traveled, by train, from California, all the way to Detroit, to be with my dad’s family while he was stationed in Guam during World War II. So I always thought that I was touched in the womb. There was no other way to explain this love affair with trains.

Fortunately while group efforts failed so many times in the past, on June 11, 2018, the station was purchased by the Ford Motor Company.

Congratulations Detroit!

***

CONNECT HERE…

Author Page: http://wp.me/P43s9i-1m

Email: sharrislaughter@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharrislaughter3

OLV Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Our-Lady-of-Victory-796220353772511/?modal=suggested_action&notif_id=1570066314043196&notif_t=page_user_activity

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/sharrislaughter

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/historybuff

Thank you for stopping by. Please continue to follow along on the rest of this amazing #RRBC 2019 OCTOBER-WEEN BLOCK PARTY! Tour for the month of October.

53 thoughts on “WELCOME TO THE #RRBC 2019 OCTOBER-WEEN BLOCK PARTY!”

    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      What a surprise Dr. Thomas, that you stopped by. You must have found this on facebook. I’ll see you today.

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  3. lizziechantree

    Such an informative post Shirley. These books sound like incredible reads. I have read Crazy, hot! And living on the edge and Newspaper Chronicles and will have to add these to my TBR list. Have a wonderful party today.

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Well thank you Forrest for the blessings. Can’t get enough of those. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.

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  7. Miranda L.

    What a great block party stop you have, Shirley! I’d love to win the copy of “Our Lady of Victory.” It seems like such an amazing read!

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Well Miranda L., wouldn’t it be something if you win. Thank you for stopping by. We shall see.

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  8. beemweeks

    Hi, Shirley! Great post. I read “Our Lady of Victory” some years ago. I can still recall the amazing story between the covers. I gave it 5 stars because I found this telling of history so fascinating. I wish you the very best, my friend.

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Beem, its good to see you. And we can always reminisce on history because it never gets old. Thank you for always being so supportive.

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Thank you so much Bernard, for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the read. (I hope I got your name right) lol.

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  11. Yvette M. Calleiro

    I enjoyed reading OLV. I think it’s great that it received recognition from the community that you focused on. I admire your diligence in searching for the truth and your passion for advocacy! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Wendy Scott

    Shirley, I was impressed by OLV, and I applaud your determination and courage on bringing the facts to the light, so that future generations will know what actually transpired.

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Yes Wendy. That is exactly why I wrote the story, so we will never forget it. Glad to see you here.

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      So Ron, it sounds like you have yet to read it. Yes we did talk about it on your show. You were a gracious host and asked very insightful questions. I appreciated that.

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  17. Gwen M. Plano

    Hi Shirley,
    I loved your book and this posting. Sometimes people don’t look carefully at the ramifications of their decisions. All the best to you!

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  18. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

    Hi Gwen. I wish this was a case of not looking carefully at decisions. The sad truth is decisions were made and they were deliberate and decisive. The fact that the AOD finally issued an apology in 2018, does not clean up the mess that was made but only serves to show that the accusations were the truth all along.

    Thank you for stopping by.

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  21. Jan Sikes

    Shirley, when you said, “the voice in my head wouldn’t leave me alone,” it tells me that this part of history was begging to be told and it chose you to tell it! What an awesome challenge you took on and the word “victory” applies to your dedication to preserving this important part of history! You should be very proud of yourself!! Great blog post!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Jan, you are so right. I was chosen and had to pray every day for the wisdom to produce a good piece of work. It was a huge task so there had to be some inspiration to tackle it head on.

      I’m glad to see you here.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Hi Nonnie. It’s an honor to have you here. Yes I did connect those dots which wasn’t easy.

      Every day someone shows up here, so it has been a blast of a party.

      Thank you for adding to the fun.

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  23. Mary Adler

    Hi, Shirley. We are blessed when a story won’t leave us alone until we tell it. Your passion and dedication to OLV shines through the book. Unfortunately, there are far too many such stories.
    Hope you’ve had a great block party!!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Mary, what would the party be likr without you? And it is unfortunate that too many stories are not being told. Your thought is well taken. Thank you.

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  24. jinlobify

    Hi, Shirley, I am late stopping here but with a good reason. I’ve just been able to connect to the internet after days of traveling. I hope you had a good run. I’ve read all your books. Good luck with the tour.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Hi Joy. I’m so glad you finally got a hot spot and able to join us at anytime. I hope your traveling will be relaxing even though it’s hard to do. Thank you for stopping by. I will be glad to see you back in the USA.

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      I sure will Susanne. I wanted to share my experience trying to do something like this because its not easy. Thank you for stopping by.

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  26. Gwendolyn Worthy

    I’m just filled with pride, knowing that a grade school classmate of mine had the patience, time and determination to expose most of the hidden trues that others so blindly wanted to ignore. As I scroll through the different posts of catholic school with the fabulous pictures of the environment that sheltered and nurtured the minds of many, I’m saddened that Our Lady of Victory Church and Grade School on Eight Mile Rd. and Washburn no longer exist and I as well as others are aware of the reasons why. I deem it necessary that Shirley continues her work in exposing the truth wherever she finds it. And since the O.L.V saga was first on the list many others will fall in place begging for Shirley or someone like her to put pen to paper and bring to life the accounts of more hidden trues that were and are ignored.

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Well Gwen. I’m glad to see you here. This club is the only place where I am allowed to speak truth. I go to what’s left of the church each Sunday and reminded each time of what was once a viable church that was never taken seriously.

      Thanks for watching my back. You were there.

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