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Teachers Went
The Extra Mile

Editor, The Herald:
   Teachers play a vital role in helping to ensure that our children receive a quality education. Being a teacher is one of the most important professions that an individual have. Without teachers, it would almost be impossible to become a president, doctor, teacher, lawyer or even obtain a job with a good salary and benefits. When a teacher goes that extra mile, beyond the SOL’s and the benchmarks and shows compassion and consideration to students to make sure that they meet their full potential, it sets them apart from the rest. The simplest act could change a child’s life forever.
   That is exactly what began to happen one year ago, at Prince Edward Co. High School. Nine (9) teachers went the extra mile to make sure that a student would be able to graduate on May 23rd. Whether it was major tutoring, simple acts of kindness or daily conversations, they went the extra mile. They made a difference that will last forever.
   As we recognize National Teachers Appreciation Week, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all teachers in our community. But I would like to say a special thank you to the following teachers: Mrs. Tibbs, Mrs. Hackett, Mrs. Scott-Brown, Ms. Halladay, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Brian Lee, Mrs. Poindexter, Mrs. Pride and Ms. Paige. Each of you gave hope, strength and encouragement along with education. You each went beyond the system’s expectations and gave a little of yourself. As your student walks across the stage on March 23rd, you can be as proud as her family is because you helped to make it happen. Again, I say THANK YOU.
Jackie Vaughan
Prospect

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Moton Museum
Appreciates Support

Editor, The Herald:
   On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Robert Russa Moton Museum, I would like to thank all of the Museum’s friends and supporters who joined us in celebrating the 57th Anniversary of the historic Moton Student Walkout. It was a pleasure to welcome you to the Museum as we introduced our new director and announced Dominion’s $200,000 gift.
   Ken Barker and the Dominion Team: thank you for investing in the Museum and in the Prince Edward Community. Thanks to Dominion’s support, the courage Barbara Johns and her classmates exhibited so many years ago will not be forgotten. The Moton Museum will utilize Dominion’s gift to (1) plan for completion of museum renovation, (2) implement a collections management policy, (3) begin design of the permanent exhibit, (4) implement a marketing and communications plan, and (5) implement an education outreach plan for the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail communities.
   We send special thanks to Chairman William “Buckie” Fore and Mayor Syd Newman. The support of the County and Town will be invaluable in fully developing Farmville’s only National Historic Landmark. With your continued backing Prince Edward County’s 13-year struggle for Civil Rights in Education will be proudly interpreted for visitors from across the country and perhaps even, around the world.
   Again, thank you to everyone who helped make our anniversary special, and thank you for all the well wishes received.
Robert Hamlin,
President
Robert Russa Moton Museum

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The Black Church’s Message
Is For All

Editor, The Editor:
   I am not interested in nor do I need to defend Rev. Jeremiah Wright, as he is able to speak for himself. I don’t get all the media attention. Has this great country become so used to the profanity of the “g.d.” word or does America not have enough knowledge of the Bible to know that out of the mouth of God can come blessings and cursing (damning)? If you take time to listen to more than the sound byte, it is clear that Rev. Wright was stating that God is not pleased with wrong doing even if it is America (use of g.d. is not profanity in this context). This country has made some bad decisions and America is not perfect. It also keeps coming up who Rev. Wright associates with, such as Louis Farrakhan; but did not Christ talk and walk with those that were controversial or of concern to the establishment in His day, such as prostitutes, tax collectors, and Roman officials. Rev. Wright’s statements about AIDS are not offensive to the Black Church because that’s his position and the verdict is still out on the source of AIDS. The Black Church is more interested in finding a cure and equitable health services for those who suffer with the disease. At the same time, the Black Church remembers (different perspective) that the horrible experiments done on black men for syphilis research were kept secret.
   My writing is not to support or defend Barack Obama who is also capable of speaking for himself. Mr. Obama is a politician who has to try to please numerous people to obtain their vote and support. Rev. Wright is or was Mr. Obama’s pastor/spiritual advisor. I hope that Mr. Obama is influenced by a lot of people such as his constituents, his pastor, even his children, just as Hillary Clinton or John McCain is influenced (different perspective). My pastor does not make decisions for me or the congregation; he shows/tells what God says about life choices and certain issues. I have the intelligence to think and make choices for myself. The Black Church still teaches what the Bible says “render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.” So the Black church tells us to be law abiding citizens and exercise the right to vote. But it also teaches to be careful who you vote for and demand that your representatives, even the President, be accountable in providing liberty and justice for all. I am mindful that George Washington, the father of our nation, said that it is hard to govern without God.
   It really concerns me that there are those who now want to view the “Black Church” and its theology as racist, inflammatory and non-patriotic. The Black Church is not racist because it teaches that only people who have a relationship with God and who repent of their sins can have salvation. This message is for everyone; the Black Church doesn’t care if you are black, white, brown, red or pea green. It is inflammatory because it teaches that mankind needs to point out what is wrong/unjust/sinful with yourself first and then others. Too often people (again not of any one race) do not want to hear that they are wrong or there are other ways and sometimes better ways to do something. The Black Church also teaches that you need to love your neighbor even your enemy; that you need to do good to them who despitefully use you; and that you need to forgive those who mistreat you. However, the Black Church is non-patriotic for it teaches that the government is upon God’s shoulders and God is the God of the whole world, not just America. The Black Church teaches that God loves the entire world; it teaches that God is love. America, Mr. Obama nor any pastor is the God of the Black Church.
   In this great country, the history books have not always been written accurately. Therefore, it is not clear how this controversy will play out in the near and distance future. The Black Church teaches that we need to know who we are in Christ so that we influence the world in a positive manner and are not influenced by the negative things in the world. The Black Church is a source of hope and renewal to what life has brought your way all week. Good pastors and ministers in Black Churches know their congregations. Therefore, they know Mr. Smith just got laid off or received a nice promotion. They know that Ms. Jones has to choose whether to use her fixed income to buy groceries or medicine. They know that Mr. & Mrs. Williams needed to post bail for one of their children while paying college tuition for one of their other children. They knew who had been lynched, raped, beaten, stolen from, misused/abused and disenfranchised. Sunday after Sunday, the Black Church tries to help provide for the needs of the congregation/community and to find solutions to problems so that people will have an abundant life.
   If you doubt that the Black Church and its theology is a positive force, not a cult or a breeding ground for hatred, then let me make it plan for you. Sunday morning is still the most segregated time in this great country. If Black theology was a message of poison/hate, then Sunday afternoon or particularly Monday morning would be a riot-filled occurrence with black people inappropriately seeking justice on a regular basis. The Black Church teaches that we should always do the right thing for when we do the right thing “he who is abased shall be exalted and he that is last shall be first”. The Black Church teaches that you might not get justice on this side but vengeance is for God to deliver and God will fight your battles. This country has started an open dialogue about race relations. I pray that the discussions continue so that more positive changes will occur. It seems that both blacks and whites are now aware that there is anger on both sides for very different reasons/perspectives. But are we not more alike than we are different? It seems to me that we all want a green planet, a stable economy, affordable health care, quality education for our children and, overall, a better America.
   The Black Church taught my grandparents and my parents, who taught me, to love people, black or white, but hate their sinful ways. My child views race relations in a different manner than I do or my forefathers because many, many things have changed for the better and her personal experience is different. I continue to look for the day when at least in this great country if not the whole world, children will be like two of my co-workers’ four year olds; they play together, they laugh together, they sing together, and they cry together. Those children see their parents being respectful and caring for each other. Those two families, one black and one white, do not judge each other by the color of their skin but by the content of their character and this is shown in how their children love and support one another. The issue of race will not be resolved without America willingly keeping the promises of the Constitution and all of us practicing love.
Beverly Hudgins-King,
Child of God & American
Citizen of Color
Buckingham

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