Grambling State University student David Freeman served as the guest speaker for New Rocky Valley Baptist Church’s College Day.
“Keeping the Legacy and Passing on the Tradition” was the title of Freeman’s speech. He said that the image of the black culture is one of a dying breed, especially since many of the black leaders have died.
Leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Huey P. Newton died for black people to have a legacy, so black history should not be the only time that the accomplishments of black people are recognized.
“Don’t let people hide your history right in front of your face. We have George Washington Carver to thank for peanut butter sandwiches. Things such as the cotton gin (Eli Whitney) and stoplight (Garrett Augustus Morgan) were invented by black men,” he said.
Freeman said Marvin Gaye wrote “What’s Going On?” over 40 years ago, and it is really still relevant today. “We have not progressed. What is really going on? Who is to blame? Churches used to be packed during the Jim Crow era because people knew the church was a refuge. If it were not for church, we would still be drinking out of colored fountains,” he said.
Black people had a second class education and secondhand books, but they still had first class intellect. “This generation has new classrooms, books and technology, and we don’t even open our books,” he said.
Freeman’s future goals include becoming a minster, public speaker, attorney and entrepreneur.
GSU student Dominique Moore said Freeman’s speech was very informational, strong, and true. “Our generation is going down the drain, and we have lost connection somewhere down the road,” said the early childhood education major.
Moore, a clarinet player in GSU’s Tiger Marching Band, attended the services with other female band members. She said, “The sisters that pray together, stay together.”
Reverend Julius Sumler, the pastor of the church said they host College Day to give students an opportunity to interact with others and reflect upon things concerning their future, their plans after graduation.
“This is a time for the church, community and school to interact,” he said.