‘A collage of information’

Sierra Vista Herald ^ | Lauren Renteria

[SandRat]

SIERRA VISTA — Every year, the Southwestern Association of Buffalo Soldiers celebrates Black History Month with educational lectures commemorating the contributions of African-Americans, both past and present. This year, the organization will hold a lecture at the Sierra Vista Public Library from noon to 2 p.m., highlighting pivotal impacts African-Americans had in U.S. wars throughout history. Charles Hancock, presenter and president of the association, will discuss the contributions of African-Americans in the military, much of which, he said, isn’t commonly examined in history books.

“It’ll be from the Revolutionary War to the present,” Hancock said. “From my research in dealing with wars in America, I’ve heard so many untrue stories about black participation in this country. A lot of people don’t realize that we had blacks participate in the Revolutionary War, under George Washington, and even in World War I.”

The lecture, which is part of a series the organization is holding this month and throughout the year, is geared at helping educate the community about lesser-known influences by African-Americans from the past to the present. Billie Holloway Sr., board chairman of the association, said the lectures often teach the audience about history they never learned about in school.

“Black History Month is about more than just one period of time,” he said. “It’s almost like a collage of information from the Revolutionary War to the present…The remarks they make after the presentation is: ‘Oh my god, I didn’t know that.’ That’s the reason we know that it’s important for us to continue to do this. This information is not in the history books the way it should be.”

Black History Month, he said, is also a time for African-Americans to reflect positively on past and look toward the future. This month, he hopes the community as a whole can recognize the adversity African-Americans faced and still go through today, but also acknowledge the accomplishments they’ve made and continue to make.

“We have a lot to be proud of,” he said. “There’s nothing to be ashamed about being black in America. It’s additional motivation to always be willing to stand up in the face of adversity.”

Programs like this one, Hancock said, are needed on a yearly basis, so the community doesn’t forget. But perhaps even more importantly, these presentations ensure future generations have a chance to learn about the impact the black community has on the country’s history, he said.

[I want the USA back]

Bla bla bla. Stop separating people into distinct groups and then giving one group privileges that the other one doesn’t have.