FEBRUARY 2013
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Legacies Are Born Out Of Cost And Sacrifice By Mayor Eric H. Jones Jr.
In City Government
WHO’S WHO
In historical terms, a legacy is something handed down from one period of time to another. Legacies are, more or less, what we remember about a person, a people, or a nation. What is done in one period of time may, in the future, be regarded as important enough to be thought of as a legacy from that era. Each year we celebrate many legacies of various people and national occurrences remembered because of the impact that was made on humankind. February is a month that we celebrate the legacy of a people. What is called Black History Month originated in 1926, founded by Carter G Woodson as Negro History Week. The month of February was selected in deference to Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln who were both born in that month. The son of a slave, Carter G Woodson was born in New Canton, Virginia on December 19, 1875. He began high school at the age of 20 and proceeded to study at Berea College, the University of Chicago, the Sorbonne, and Harvard University, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1912. Carter G Woodson founded the Association
WEST
Mayor Eric H. Jones, Jr.
for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 to train Black historians and to collect, preserve, and publish documents on Black life and Black people. He also founded the Journal of Negro History (1916), Associated Publishers (1922), and the Negro Bulletin (1937). Woodson spent his life working to educate people about the vast contributions made by Black men and women throughout history. Woodson died on April 3, 1950, and Black History Month is his legacy. Today Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans bin U.S. history. Other countries around the world, including Canada, and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history. Each of us, regardless of our vocation and degree of influence that we have in our home, city, state, or nation, are called to practice what I call "charity towards our fellowman." God tells us that when we are stirred by charity and commitment to the common good we have a greater worth than any secular or political stand. Dr. Martin Luther King was one that lived and left behind a legacy. We
PARK
Vice Mayor Felicia M. Brunson
The City of West Park Commission and Staff Celebrated 2013 City Cultural Diversity Month.
remember him because he lived and died standing for the common good. He was not neutral in situations of injustice. He chose the side of the oppressed. Dr. King left a legacy not only to be remembered but one to be followed. Each year as we celebrate legacies we can leave speaking of Doing Good, or we can Do Good. I quote Dr. King when he said, “Our lives begin to end the day
CITY
Commissioner Thomas Dorsett
we become silent about things that matter.” Our city has a legacy in its own right. From our inception until today we have made numerous strives toward a better city each year. Listed below are just a few from the year of 2012.
OFFICIALS
Commissioner Sharon Fyffe
,
––––––––––See LEGACIES page 3
Commissioner Rita Peaches Mack
City Manager W. Ajibola Balogun