By Marie Brown
February is designated as Black History Month and there will be various programs and events throughout our community including the annual Black History Parade. Many will participate in these activities including but not limited to churches, schools, and organizations. Several speeches will be made outlining the works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Barack Obama, and Kamala Harris just to name a few. Perhaps some local pioneers will be mentioned as well, such as Abe Pierce III, Benny Ausberry, and Charles Johnson. Roosevelt Wright, Jr., Irma Detiege, Charles Jones, Willie Hunter, Jr., Mary Francis Goins, and Henry Carroll.
This space is not large enough to name all the individuals who have made a tremendous impact in our community. The quality of life that many of us enjoy is because of the sacrifices that so many have made. It is heartbreaking that things are negatively changing right before our eyes. We don’t need 20/20 vision to see it. Our young people in particular need to be challenged to step up and step out to carry out the legacy that is needed to fight for our causes for economic development, housing, and education.
Let’s focus on every month being Black History in working to make sure our community is the best that it can be.
After All,…Love where you Live and Live where you Love.