Eye On History: Celebrating 45 Years
This Columnist will observe the 45th Anniversary of the column Eye On History in February. The Eye On History column began in 1979 in the Challenger and it continues today in the Criterion newspaper, the oldest Black newspaper in Western New York, published by the Merriweather family. Special thanks to Alnisa Banks, editor of the Challenger for giving me the opportunity to write the column in the early years.
The Eye On History column has also appeared in the Chicago Defender, the Rochester Communicade, Today’s African American Chronicle, the Palm Beach Gazette in Florida, the Geneva Times, and in Class Magazine and the Buffalo News. The column has evolved into a number of different ways. I created a radio show called Eye On History. The show aired on station WUFO 1080 for 14 years. The focus of the show was on African American history. The show aired on the first and third Saturday of each month from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m.
This columnist has produced several books under the heading of Eye On History. My book entitled “Eye On History, Articles on African and African American History, Lost History, Forgotten History” was published in November, 2021. It is now available to borrow at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. I published my 13th book in December, 2023. The title of it is: My 45 Year Journey Teaching African and African American History in the Home, School, and Community. I had a very successful book signing on December 16, 2023. The book is available on Xlibris.com. I am planning another book signing in the spring.
The Eye On History billboards are also a result of this column. These billboards were featured across Western New York in tribute to such people as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Mary McCleod Bethune, Frederick Douglass, Crispus Attucks, Shirley Chisholm, the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, the African Queen Nzingha, Isaac “Ike” Murphy, the Kentucky Derby Champion, and music icons Duke Ellington and Chuck Berry. The Eye On History billboards are another way to highlight African American history. I consider them to be a teaching tool for the entire Western New York area
The Eye On History T-shirts were introduced in the early 1980’s. They featured famous African Americans such as Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman, Mary Eliza Mahoney, the Black explorer Estevanico, Nelson and Winnie Mandela, Frederick Douglass, and many others. I also did a t-shirt in honor of civil rights icon Julian Bond. This t-shirt has a very special meaning for me. Prior to creating this shirt I contacted Julian Bond in Atlanta, Georgia to get his permission to use his image on the shirt. One morning when I was teaching at the Campus West School, I received a phone call from our school secretary in my office. She said the following: “Mrs. Doyle you have a phone call from Julian Bond.” I could not believe that this great civil rights leader was on the phone!! I answered the phone and he said that the t-shirt was a great idea and he gave me permission to use his picture.
The late artist William Y. Cooper did all of the artwork for the shirts. These shirts were also featured in Essence magazine. They came in colors including red, purple, white and yellow.
In addition to the shirts, I also produced Eye On History puzzles with images of African Americans. The Eye On History book includes many of the articles that have appeared in this column. The Eye On History Award was presented to people in our community who have made outstanding contributions. My goal has been to find different ways of teaching our history. I remember my late husband Brother Romeo Doyle Muhammad because he was the one to encourage me to continue writing. I would always read my articles out loud to him to get his opinion. Sometimes he would say, “you need a punch line” something to catch the readers’ attention.
The late Frank E. Merriweather Jr. gave me the opportunity to begin writing for the Criterion newspaper. Mr. Merriweather was the editor and publisher of the Criterion. I used to take my column to him each week in the beginning to the Criterion press at 623 William Street. He would tell me about local African American History in Buffalo. It was a great history lesson. I learned a great deal from him. Later, my husband Brother Romeo used to take the Eye On History Column to the Merriweather family on Tuesdays. I have had numerous conversations with the late Mrs. Evelyn Merriweather often late at night in the early years on a number of topics.
I met Frank Merriweather, III years ago at the Langston Hughes Institute. Frank Merriweather is the Criterion photographer and public relations person for the paper. Mr. Merriweather always comes to my events to take photos and I greatly appreciate his support. The Merriweather family has been very supportive of the Eye On History Column.
In writing this column for 45 years, it has taken enormous amounts of time doing research. The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library was very important on my journey in writing this column. This is where I spent hours reading some of the most important books in our history. I also spent time at the Buffalo History Museum on Elmwood Avenue across from Buffalo State College. African American history is so vast and you can never really learn it all even in a lifetime. I greatly appreciate the support of my readers who take the time each week to read the column. You can read the Eye On History Column this February, 2024 every Sunday in the Buffalo News. It will be published on February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th and February 24th.
To all of my readers Thank You for your support!! “Keep Your Eye On History.”