By Delanda S. Johnson, Henderson County Black History Committee
MALAKOFF — The Henderson County Black History Committee will be hosting its Annual Scholarship banquet Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Malakoff Community/Senior Center. The theme: “At The Crossroads Of Freedom and Equality,” will bring new meaning to the students and to the audience.
Time for the event is 7 p.m. and banquet tickets are $20 with door prize give-away. The raffle ticket are $2 each and $10 for six with prizes including gift certificates to Chili’s, Walmart gift card, Texas Rangers tickets, weekend for two with dinner at the El Dorado casino and much more.
The speaker for the evening is Jerry Woodard from Fort Worth. He is a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Malakoff.
Also coming home for the Black History Scholarship banquet to co-host along side of Mrs. Gloria Glaspie will be Malakoff native Jessie Ray Green. Green is a graduate of Malakoff High School and he attended the University of Tulsa, in Tulsa, Okla.
Green was later drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 10th round of the 1976 NFL draft and was a member of the team that season. After two years away from the NFL, he spent two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Green is currently employed with TXU Energy in Mt. Pleasant.
As the HCBHC celebrate its 30th Anniversary, 16 students of Henderson County area high schools will be honored for the evening and part of the essays that each student had to write will be read at the banquet.
For more information on how you can donation funds to help the HCBHC with its scholarships and upcoming events such as Children’s Pageant, Car Show, etc., please call 903-489-2329.
In keeping with the insight of each students here are the ideas, expressions, and visions of each student:
Megan Dalrymple–Malakoff: “There has been much discussion and conflict that over several hundred years has developed the fabric of our nation. The fabric of the United States consists of many races, not just black and white. Because of activists and leaders such as President Lincoln and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are able to express our freedoms. However, today we now understand that where freedom is present and expressed, equality is not always easily found.”
Deon Johnson–LaPoynor: “Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, ‘Darkness cannot drive our darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive our hate; only love can do that.’ Our country is a strong willed nation that has tolerated many unjust actions committed by the citizens that abide in this nation. The crossroads of equality and freedom is a road that is not always easily taken, but is the road the MUST be taken. As a young African American, I reflect back upon the stepping stones and great lengths that have shaped my life and this gives me even greater respect and joy to know that when there is crossroads in my life, I know I must make the right decision. It may not always be the easiest path or the path that looks appealing, but in the end it will be worth it.”
Jordan Dowell–Trinidad: “Webster Dictionary defines Freedom as: ‘The power or right to act, speak or think as one wants to without hindrance or restraint.’ Equality: ‘The rights for people regardless of what factors they might have that are different.’ Many black people have stood on the front line in the name of Freedom and Equality. History was made in November 2008 when Barack Obama was elected as the first African American President and again in November 2012, however, we are still searching for Freedom and Equality. We must stand together hand and hand to continue the fight and to think about all of the other African Americans that died fighting for us.”
Korah Crockett–Malakoff: “I am grateful to be free. As an American, I feel it is important to know the achievements and also the struggles to enable a life of freedom and equality. Freedom and Equality was a war of its own. America was once a nation where people were sold as slaves. Very few individuals disagreed with this act, but luckily those few were powerful leaders. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. Although this helped end slavery it did not end segregation and discrimination. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a 100 years later, had a dream that all men are created equal. Because of these two brave men standing up for what they believed in, we will always have freedom and equality. Without freedom and equality I wouldn’t have that chance to learn the things I need to know to be successful in life.”
Olin Taylor–Malakoff: “Freedom and Equality are two ideas closely related to one another. They are things that people throughout history have had to fight for in order to obtain. The United States of America was founded on the unalienable right of ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ Because of the diversity of people here in the U. S. the issues of equality and oppression are constantly at the forefront of society. I am thankful and honored to live in place of equal opportunities, and to live in a generation which doesn’t judge people by their heritage or upbringing, but by their character, work ethic, and talent as human beings. We as a generation vow to continue to carry on the principles of freedom and equality into the future.”
Dy’Esha Brookins–Malakoff: “To be free doesn’t mean to be equal. African Americans acquired many different freedoms throughout time we are able to have a say on things that weren’t possible before being free. Having freedom and equality allowed African Americans to go to school with different ethnicities. I am glad that I have the right to go to school and be able to learn and get the same education as others of different races. I am glad that I have the chance to get an equal learning experience so that I can be the best student I can be.”
Abbey Adair–Brownsboro: “In African American history, there are many men and women who have helped alter history so that we all may enjoy freedom. The struggle for freedom and equality has been a long and hard road. Many people have suffered, struggled, and sacrificed to pave the way so that citizens today can enjoy the freedom that this country was based on, the idea that all men are created equal. What an amazing journey, what a history African Americans have. Let us never forget the men and women who have come before us to gain the freedom and equality we now share.”
Daylon Mitchell–Brownsboro: “From Hispanics to African Americans all races have suffered and been through a long and bitter road so that my generation could have the equality and privileges that we have today. Our ancestors didn’t fight to have what we have just for themselves, but also for their families and friends. President Ronald Reagan know what freedom is when he said, ‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.’ We all have dreams for what we want to be when we grow up and we all hope to grow old knowing we’ve lived a good and happy life. In order to live this life and continue to live out the dreams we so desperately desire, we must give and take. I want to try to make the world a little less dark then what it is and maybe someone else might do the same.”
Carrington Manning–Malakoff: “This year 2013, marks two important anniversaries (Emancipation Proclamation and March on Washington) that severely changed and molded the United States as we know it today. It took many influential and heavily inspired individuals to get us to this point that many of us sadly take advantage of. There was heartache, bloodshed, and also endless torment that had to take place on the journey to the crossroads; The Crossroads of Freedom and Equality. We’ve come a long way.”
Kourtney Stine–Eustace: “African Americans ancestors overcame so much horror and torture to make sure today’s African Americans have the opportunity to choose a different path in life and be just as successful as any other ethnic group without the struggles they experienced as slaves. Social Mobility for African Americans has increased in such a positive way over the years giving them a new hope for a better life. Overtime African American’s social mobility has changed in a very positive way, opening up many new opportunities for them and giving them a chance to be just as successful as the other ethnic groups in America.”
Makayla Arnold–Cross Roads: “President Abraham Lincoln is regarded as America’s greatest hero due to his incredible impact on the nation and his unique appeal to the public. By signing the Emancipation Proclamation, this announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy. At the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom. I believe the quote, ‘At The Crossroads of Freedom and Equality,’ means that on one road the slaves are freed. On the other road is equality, but before the African Americans can cross over to equality, they have to face the civil war, the Emancipation Proclamation and later the March On Washington.”
Demi Cumby–Athens: “The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) set the United States on the path of ending slavery. The Proclamation freed relatively few slaves, but it fueled the fire of the enslaved to strike for their freedom. A century later in 1963, America once again stood at the crossroads; segregation and innumerable other forms of discrimination. From 1863 to 1963 until present “Can we change America for the better?” In the words of President Obama, “YES WE CAN!!” We can come together and make America a place where skin color doesn’t matter, live in peace and harmony with our fellow man; achieve our hopes and goals that we set for ourselves, come together as one regardless of our political views and convictions, but most of all live as one nation under GOD indivisible with liberty and justice for ALL.”
Sadie Woolverton–Malakoff: “The concepts of Freedom and Equality are distinct and separate ideals/concepts in and of themselves. However, it is my belief that when viewed within the framework of social justice, the two individual concepts become inextricably linked. It is my personal belief that freedom and equality are deserving of the same treatment. Do those with greater resources have the ability to manipulate the system? Is everyone equally capable of receiving the just rewards of their personal efforts? Do we enforce laws without bias or unequal consideration? Is an educational system that can’t provide equal funding and other opportunities capable of providing an equivalent result? If the answer is NO, then the true question is: ‘Are we really as free as we would like to believe?’ I feel that in order to achieve true and meaningful freedom, we must all look inside of ourselves and find a will to move beyond theoretical equality and achieve a state of practical equality that benefits all.”
Kaitlin Samples–Malakoff: “The statement, ‘All men are created equal’ was part of a statement in the document of the Declaration of Independence that first led the country of the United States as it fought for its independence. However, this statement was not practiced in regards to African Americans for the first 150 plus years of this country. President Abraham Lincoln and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were two individuals that greatly impacted change for the good of the African American population. Lincoln had a dream to stop slavery; while King had a dream to create an America where all people had the same chance to succeed in life. King challenged the country to do the right moral thing and treat all members of society equally. To respect that fact; GOD created us all the same.”
Montoya Hornbuckle–Malakoff: “There are many crossroads that lead to Freedom and Equality for African Americans in the United States. First one begins with President Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation, the second goes through the United States Supreme Court, and the final one we travel still today with Dr. King and his dream for a free and equal United States of America for all people. In all of these cases, these leaders showed great respect and helped our country in many different ways. They helped to secure a future for African Americans in the United States. Thanks to them I have the Freedom to go to whatever college I choose and say whatever I like.”
Sonia Gonzalez–Malakoff: “I want to accomplish my dreams and hopefully I will make my dreams come true. My parents did not finish high school and they wished they could have, but there was not money for them to go to school. So they want me to graduate High School and go to college. Freedom to me is that you should be able to do almost whatever you want because you are in a free country. Free to choose what school you want to attend; choose your religious preference; to think for ourselves; etc., Equality to me means no matter what ethnic group, you are treated the same. We are all humans and we should feel, see, and taste the same. Not just because of our skin color, means others can do more or less than others. I see everyone as my family, which means, if I see someone struggling, suffering, or in need; I’ll do my best to help them out.”