EDMOND —
February marks the celebration of Black History. This practice was established in 1926 as a week-long observance by African-American historian, scholar and educator Carter G. Woodson in honor of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. The second week in February was chosen because it commemorates the birthdays of both Douglas, an abolitionist who fought to end slavery in America; and Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation that ended slavery as 16th president of the United States. In 1976, then U.S. President Gerald Ford officially designated Black History Week as a month-long celebration.
When it was first established, Black History Month celebrated and acknowledged the trials and triumphs made by African Americans during their struggle for independence and recognition. It was a time to remember and honor those who fought and died to secure human rights for African Americans.
Today, 87 years later, America continues to use this set aside time to pay homage to those African Americans whose pioneering and resilient spirits helped shape our country.
In addition, this is also a time for America to gauge the progress that we as a nation are making in terms of equality and justice for all citizens, regardless of race. It is my belief that while the progress has been slow, it has indeed been steady. So much so that we as a nation can celebrate living African Americans who are continuing to make history. Just last month, our first African-American President of the United States was sworn into office for an historic second term. That swearing-in took place nearly 150 years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and on the national day of observance of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Americans, along with citizens from across the world, applauded this historic occasion because it was a testament to how far we have come in addressing prejudices and embracing the unique characteristics of all people who live in this great nation.
Here in Oklahoma, the progress toward equality and justice is also steady. Our state represents a microcosm of the nation that is heading toward creating a more unified community in which, to paraphrase the words of the late Rev. King, “people will no longer judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” This progress is evidenced by recent events in our state Legislature.
Last month, T. W. Shannon was elected as the first African-American Speaker of the House, Tom Colbert was sworn in as the first African-American Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court; and David Lewis became the first African-American Presiding Judge of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. And while all of these men are African American, it was not the “color of their skin” that garnered these prestigious designations; rather, it was the content of their character, their dedication to their professions and to serving the citizens of this state, and their commitment to excellence.
If the past has taught us nothing more, it has taught us that anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic background has the ability to achieve greatness if they are willing to serve and if they are given equal opportunity to learn, grow and prosper. These achievements are certainly points of pride for all citizens of Oklahoma.
As Americans, we all should pause and reflect on the tremendous accomplishments African Americans have made to our community, state, nation and world. By doing so, we aren’t just celebrating Black history, we are celebrating American history.
KENT J. SMITH JR. is president of Langston University.
Opinion
Character, opportunities mark fresh starts in Oklahoma’s, nation’s black history
- Opinion
-
-
It takes a dad as well as a mom
Orlando Shaw earned his 15 minutes of fame with a dubious distinction: fathering 22 children with 14 women. The Nashville man’s story made news when the mothers of his children sued for child support.
-
Excuses for data sweep sound hollow
Perhaps 2013 will go down as the year privacy and civil liberties became too inconvenient for government. Listening to assorted officials defend massive programs that scoop up vast amounts of data certainly gives that impression.
-
I pay property taxes ... please fix my road
Imagine paying thousands of dollars every year in property taxes and at the same time watching your roads literally crumble under the strain of increasing traffic. Unfortunately, some won’t have to imagine this because I’ve just described your reality.
Maybe you have even asked your County Commissioner why property tax money isn’t being used to maintain your road. He probably responded, “Almost all of your property tax money goes to public schools. Only about 15 percent goes to the county and most of that is not for roads.” -
Vision 2020 conference loaded with speakers
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer — playing in the water, grilling, enjoying time with family; maybe preparing for vacation. But for Oklahoma educators, I hope your plans include a trip to Oklahoma City, July 9-11 to attend the State Department of Education’s Vision 2020 professional development conference.
The conference is free to all Oklahoma educators. -
The Oklahoma Standard
The “Oklahoma Standard” was a term coined during our state’s response to the tragedy of April 19, 1995. The connotation has many layers: the standard of trained first responders, the standard of non-trained first responders (neighbors helping neighbors), the standard of our faith community, the standard of welcoming out of state relief workers that arrived to help. In short, meeting the need and answering the call without reservation or inhibition.
-
The Mankato, Minn., Free Press: Stop gridlock on farm bill
The Mankato, Minn., Free Press: Stop gridlock
on farm bill
With a hopeful sound of gridlock cracking, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Wednesday that he will vote for the House farm bill even though he has “concerns.” He reasons that “doing nothing means we get no changes in the nutrition programs.”
He may be merely pragmatic but we’ll take it. Rural Republicans are tired of the delays and want the five-year subsidy measure enacted. -
Crazy Kim and the Tippy Twos
Kim Jong Un certainly seems crazy. But sound mind isn’t a requirement for predictable action. Tyrants often mask steady goals with wild behavior. One need only think of world pests like Fidel Castro and Saddam Hussein to realize entire regions can be thrust into unwanted global crises.
Like Castro and Saddam, Kim Jong Un has made clear he’s dedicated to expanding his ability to harm America and her allies. The difference is, he has a nuclear capability, not a borrowed or boasted one. North Korea has a proven record of long-range missile development that could ultimately hit the American mainland. -
Don’t blame the President; it’s us
June 17 marks the 41st anniversary of the second Watergate break-in. This is a good time to take a look back and reflect on what can happen when a corrupt administration throws a protective cloak around the misbehavior of a gang of unscrupulous cheats, liars and crooks.
On the morning of June 18, 1972, millions of us were unaware of the festering corruption that would ultimately rot our confidence in the president. We did not know that his administration was using the FBI as a tool to wiretap telephones of reporters regarded as unfriendly to the White House. We were oblivious to the fact the administration encouraged the IRS to audit media representatives whose reporting criticized the president. -
2 bills aid Oklahoma students
I recently attended two ceremonial bill signings at the State Capitol to celebrate legislation I feel is of vital importance to Oklahomans.
-
Time to roll back the Patriot Act
It’s time. It’s time for President Obama to live up to his own words. It’s time for Congress to do its job. It’s time to contract the ever-expanding national security state. And it’s time to roll back the Patriot Act. In Washington, elected officials are circling the wagons. The Obama administration claims that its Internet and telephone surveillance programs are legal; the ones we know about, indeed, are. But just because something is legal and can be done does that mean that it should remain so and continue to be done? No. Laws are made and unmade all the time. And the argument that vast, dragnet-style surveillance has stopped terrorists at the lamentable expense of privacy is exactly the same argument that the Bush administration made about torture: Better to sacrifice our principles and a few people in the hope of saving many.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
It takes a dad as well as a mom
