It was the evening of February 21, 2014 at 7:30 pm when I decided to go to the celebration of the civil rights in American in Fairax County Board Auditorium. I attended the event in response to the black history that is being celebrated in February. In the event, there was a performance from Gye Nyame, a member of the Cultural Dance Company and Kukuwa LLC. The performance specifically reminded the audience as to what black culture is really about. Mark Moore, the guest speaker for the occasion, talked about the different situations that embodied the history of the African American community. Relatively, he also pursued in pointing out that such history has actually affected the overall development of the American history especially in relation to how African Americans are being recognized in the society. He also mentions about the legacy that Martin Luther Ling left and how it should affect each and every individual in the world; especially in relation to issues of social discrimination and oppression.
The constructive way by which Mr. Moore has talked about the different facets of the African American history specifically provided a great visionary presentation that placed the audience in an almost time-travel-like journey. The vivid description of the struggles of the African American society during the years of slavery talks so much about how these individuals intended to survive and how they actually been relieved from the idea of being oppressed all their lives. During the speech, it could be seen how Mr. Moore specifically knew what he was talking about on a first-hand basis. He had a strong source of information and a solid and reliable basis of the emotional value of the message that he wants to present to the public he was talking to; perhaps this is the reason why the effectiveness of his speech allowed us to become a part of history; as if we were walking with Luther King himself as he sees the people being dragged down from their own homes and brought into the houses of their ‘lords’. It was a tragic and dark part of America’s history. I learned from this part of the event how history shaped the overall value of the kind of culture and living condition of the Black Americans today.
This speech made me specifically appreciate the people who sacrificed themselves and their comfort just to be sure that the future generation that comes from their race would not suffer the same things that they did. Their strong conviction on a better future has made me realize how much indebted I am when it comes to living a much freer life today. In the end of his speech, Mr. Moore calls out to the thoughts of those listening to him, asking how do we actually show our appreciation for such struggles; would these people who put their lives on the line say that it was all worth it when they see what has become of the African American society today, especially that of the young ones? This part of the speech made me think deeply about myself and my personal capacity of proving that what they have done for me and my generation was really worth it.
True, the African American society living in America today may be free in many terms; however, being free from discrimination is not part of such change. There will always be someone who would put others down; there would always be something that could be used to make sure that one would feel superior against the other. This is the reason why the need to respond to this challenge personally is being strongly advised especially among youths today who are facing the challenge of living in a highly diverse community. What one presents the society with creates a compelling message on how he represents his race as a worthy group of individuals who ought to be respected and recognized by everyone else in the society. As for my part, I do pledge my time and effort in making sure that not only would I respect history, but I would also make sure other people I know would be able to appreciate the same aspect of history that makes up my race and thus have the same respect I have for it.
Reference:
Negro History Week: The Fourth Year," Journal of Negro History, vol. 14, no. 2 (April 1929), pg. 109.
