Columns:: Worth repeating

since 12/15/98

Columns::September 15, 2003

Worth repeating

Michael Thurmond, Georgia Commissioner of Labor, was the keynote speaker at the Black Faculty and Staff Organization’s Aug. 28 Founder’s Award Scholarship Luncheon. He pointed out that it was the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington. Some excerpts:
“I think this is a most appropriate day to have this particular luncheon that is sponsored by black faculty and staff at the University of Georgia. This is, in many ways, the continued realization of the dream that Dr. King spoke so eloquently about on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial some 40 years ago. Isn’t it interesting that, 40 years later, we now have African Americans who do serve in the administration or faculty, who share departments, who work in administrative and other support areas, who work in various agencies. Don’t ever undersell yourself. . . .
“The thing that Rosa Parks did . . . was this: one day in Montgomery, Ala., when others told her to move, she, with great courage and determination, simply decided to keep her seat.. . . For those who have seats in administration and on faculty, keep your seat--because your presence is power. You can underestimate what it means to be present in those meetings where the budget is being discussed or where decisions are being made. It’s important to be present. Don’t let anybody ever force or encourage or trick you into giving up your seat. We forget what we admire most: that all Rosa did was that when others told her to move, she said no.”

--Terrence Nowlin

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