Editor's Note:

Embracing Black History Month

By Armand Hodge

            Black History Month always seems to inspire everyone in African-American communities.  There's a feeling of honor, loyalty, trust and recognition.  It's a month when we take the time to recognize those African Americans who have touched our lives and culture in many ways.  It's also a time to pay tribute to African Americans who have contributed so much to our society.  Say the phrase "black history month"  and several names come to mind such as George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, Garrett Morgan, Lonnie Johnson, Hank Aaron, Jesse Owens, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Michael Jackson, Duke Ellington, Bill Cosby, Dave Chappelle and President Barack Obama.

            When Black History Month is mentioned, I also think of harmony. Black History Month is also a time for our African-American communities to come together and celebrate, rejoice and embrace our love for one another.  Last week, I went to the Bowie State production "Evolution of a Struggle."  It was such an inspiring, humorous and moving production.  It was the first production at Bowie State entirely produced by students. But I think the thing that got me was that you could see the happiness in all of the cast members' eyes.  You could see how much they fun they were having, how they embraced each other and how they were willing to come together to leave a mark on this campus.  They displayed harmony and embraced one another in love.

            Black History Month is a great month.  But it also shows us that instead of just one month, African Americans should embrace each other all times of the year.  Even if it wasn't performed during Black History Month, I know "Evolution of a Struggle" would still have been a great production.  The musical program showed our campus how people can come together to produce a powerful reminder of our history.  Our combined past and present show us how powerful and inspiring our race is when we come together.  I know our country voted to bring President Barack Obama into the White House.  But that was also something that our race felt like we accomplished.  That showed many of our youth that there are no limitations.  As we look down the road into the future, everything seems bright.  But one thing that our race should continue to remember is that harmony and togetherness is power.  Look at our past and present.  Those are two powerful things when united together.