Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
Featured photo: The Hustlers on the Move Black History Month Celebration Planning Committee. The senior dance group believes in celebrating life through dance!
On February 25, the senior dance group Hustlers on the Move, held a Black History Month program intended to impact the lives on its many attendees. The event, held at the New McCree Theatre, featured acknowledgement of great Black Americans on the past, a buffet style soul food meal prepared by members of the dance group, celebration through dance and a powerful message about the influence unifying can have today.
DeWaun E. Robinson was the event’s keynote speaker.
“The purpose of it was of course celebrating Black history every day of our lives,” Robinson said. “When you talk about the contributions to civilization that Black people have made to not only this country of America, but all across the world – we have made the ultimate sacrifice. We are the original people. We are to continue to keep leading the way. When you talk about celebrating Black History Month, you want to talk about celebrating those folks that made contributions and sacrifices since the beginning of time.”
During his speech, Robinson discussed his recent 2 ½ week-trip to Ghana – a trip he described as “beautiful” and “breathtaking.” There, he learned a lot about Black ancestors who were taken to Cape Coast to be boarded on ships and forced into slavery.
Robinson said there are some things Black Americans need to understand.
“We have been bamboozled,” he stated. “We’ve been played…when it comes down to our image, likeness – and then who we are as far as self-identity.”
Robinson’s message focused heavily on unifying no
“Look at our schools now,” said Robinson. “If you come to Flint and you come down any street, you see an abandoned school. It’s because the tax base that used to be there is no longer there.”
Robinson talked about how GM plant closures and layoffs devastated Flint’s economy and left a great number of people in the city destitute.
However, Robinson also pointed out there is a lot of wealth and knowledge right in the city of Flint.
Information has been spreading on social media about a nationwide economic protest called the “Feb 28 Economic Blackout,” as noted by the CBS News website. The website stated: “The call to action — or rather inaction — is asking that American consumers refrain from making any purchases at major retailers on Friday, February 28.”
Robinson shared that he believed a broader Blackout in which supporters of it in this community refrain from all buying would have a similar effect to The Montgomery Bus Boycott. During the boycott, Black residents of Montgomery, Alabama, refused to ride city buses for over a year to protest the segregated seating system on public transportation. As a result, a federal court ruled in June 1956 that segregated seating on buses violated the 14th Amendment.
Johnnie Etherly, member and co-chairperson of Hustlers on the Move, took part in the group’s Black History Month program for the second year this year. Etherly invited Robinson to speak at the event. She told the Courier her mission this year was not to just talk about those who are dead and gone, but to present those who are leading the path right now.
“I think it’s important that the older people hear that the young people hear what’s going on – that the millennials know exactly what’s going on,” stated Etherly. “Somebody else needs to tell us where we need to be, versus me telling them – because they’re not listening. But, ears were wide open to what DeWaun had to say. I think they’re ears were open, and their hearts were open to what he had to say.”
Cynthia Campbell-Curry, chairperson of the Black History Celebration, told the Courier that seeing information on the walls and on the tables about Black leaders of the past – from poets, to inventors, to astronauts- meant a lot to her.
Marva Johnson, chairperson of Hustlers on the Move, spoke on the importance of the annual event.
She said: “I think it’s important because we need to be proud of our heritage, and we need to celebrate our heritage. We need to let the young people know how we love our heritage. We are a 50 plus group, for seniors. So, we want to pass down to the generation after us.”
