North Egypt News

STUDENTS INSPIRED BY FATHER BROWN'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH PRESENTATION AT RLC

 Rend Lake College's Ina Campus recently hosted an inspiring presentation by Father Joseph A. Brown S.J., Ph.D., titled "Defining the Terms by Which We Live: The Circle of Our History." With a focus on the importance of acknowledging African American history, Father Brown emphasized that this is a crucial aspect of self-awareness for not just those of color but for society as a whole. The event was open to the general public and drew a crowd of more than 60 individuals to the college's Student Center. 

Father Brown delivered a passionate message, highlighting that black history is not merely a record of the past but an essential part of shaping our present and future. He emphasized the need to understand the importance of the African American community to create a more inclusive and just society.

"Actions by past political leaders influenced the treatment of African Americans throughout American history," he said. Father Brown pointed out the complexities of this issue, including highlights of past leaders who helped advance the cause of civil rights and those who helped perpetuate systems of oppression in the United States.

Listeners were captivated by Father Brown's stories of growing up as an African American man in the U.S. and how history shaped his experiences. "We are not so far removed from this," he said. "My grandmother, just like Frederick Douglass, did not have the privilege of knowing her birthday. Children around her were able to celebrate on the day of their birth, but because of the circumstances, she was simply known as a fall baby or spring baby." 

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