Rosa Park's pancakes

My family is coming into town today because I'm giving a big talk, and I'm so glad they're going to be here with me.  Later tonight, we're going to have the long-planned Black History Month Special Dinner that I first wrote about (and asked for help with) last April.  Updates forthcoming on the dinner after it occurs!

My youngest sister offered to help with cooking -- not only the dinner, but also with an appropriately themed breakfast the next morning.  Tomorrow, February 3, is the day before Rosa Park's birthday.  My sister explained the breakfast in an email to her friends and family, and I'll leave the rest of this in her words.

In honor of Rosa Park’s birthday this Saturday February 4th and the start of Black History Month (February), I’m forwarding along her personal recipe for Featherlite Peanut Butter Pancakes.  Just over sixty years ago, Parks refused to give up her seat in the colored section of a bus to a white passenger.  Her resulting arrest for violating Alabama segregation laws and the subsequent Montgomery Bus Boycott became important symbols of the American Civil Rights Movement.  Parks' act of defiance was not without penalty. Beyond being jailed and drug through the court system, she was also fired from her job, received death threats, and was forced to move out of the state to find peace and work.  Still, she insisted that the struggle for justice was not over and continue to champion human equality into her retirement years.  

I’ll be enjoying these pancakes this weekend with my family to honor Rosa Parks and her brave stand that helped to form a better America for all of us.  I am a firm believer that when we support each other, we are stronger and better for it.  Whether or not you agree with the current administration’s direction concerning immigration policy, increasing penalties for dissenters/protesters, LGBTQ protections, a woman’s right of choice, and/or the acceptance of the scientific community understanding of human impact on climate change; the kick off of Black History Month is an excellent time to have a conversation with your family and friends about how biased laws and cultural discrimination can impact life for all of us.  

Rosa Parks' 'Featherlite' Peanut Butter Pancakes Recipe

• 1 cup flour

• 2 tablespoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 1/4 cup milk

• 1/3 cup natural peanut butter

• 1 tablespoon shortening or oil (for the pan)

Recipe as it appears on the envelope,
found amongst her belongings was a suitcase
containing personal papers, after Rosa Park's death,
image found at this site. 

Enjoy.  [Youngest sister]