By Cheryl Smith
I used to love to sing the song “Who is he and what is he to you.”
Bill Withers sang:
I don’t know who he is
But I think that you do
Dadgummit
Who is he, and what is he to you
I couldn’t sing this verse, but loved the group Creative Source’s version:
You’re too much for one man
But not enough for two
Dad gum it, who is he
And what is he to you
Today I ask the question because of the overconsumption of being in other folks’ business and little if any attention to the things that should matter.
When you consider all that’s going on in the world, you really could ask yourself if you are focusing on the right things.
There’s going to be a dedication of a park this week, The Eloise Lundy Recreation Center.
Thanks for the invitation Councilwoman Carolyn King Arnold.
I hope to attend the unveiling and ribbon cutting and I typed in Eloise Lundy’s name because I wanted to know who was she and what was she to me?
Especially during these times, we need to know who these people are and what they mean to us. We need to share their stories and keep their legacy alive.
What better way to add to the legacy of the Black Press than to have us keep alive the names of those who gave so that we could have what we needed in our communities?
They are equally important as the entertainers, athletes, and others who capture headlines.
Let’s balance those headlines.
So who was Eloise Lundy and what was she to us? The park that was named in her honor was the first park in the City of Dallas dedicated solely for use by African Americans.
Born in Dallas, she was known for her work with parks citywide, according to the Dallas Park and Recreation Instagram page. She served as a district supervisor over 45 parks.
I’m sure there is much more to her story. We need to find and share those stories about Ms. Lundy and others. Her work for decades must serve as an example for others. Clearly she cared about her community and especially our children.
Recently in a conversation about Dallas and other cities, I mentioned how we made great use of our parks. Whether there were basketball games until the wee hours of the night, an impressive Negro Baseball League game, concerts featuring the Moments or other groups, or daily cookouts; our parks were the place to gather.
I know Harrison Blair and other Parks and Recreation Board members would love to have our area parks with equally equipped facilities, a safe environment, superior equipment, and a bustling crowd of all ages taking in the sun and activities.
As we continue to honor folks, we must ensure that those coming after them will know who they are and what they mean to us!
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