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V^W^I MANOFTHEYEAR
More
house
has
been known
for producing
change agents, revo
lutionaries and socially
conscious leaders. The year
2013 has been no different.
Whether it be fighting on behalf of
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (GBT)
inclusion at Morehouse, giving a voice to
young marginalized Black men or providing
clean water to Africa, this year has shown the
unmatched power of a voice to impact change.
Activism and advocacy have indeed been
something of a tradition here at Morehouse.
The school has developed a reputation for
growing and producing leaders. Samuel
L. Jackson, in 1969, was suspended
for taking several members of
the Board of Trustees hostage
during a sit-in to protest the
absence of Black trustees
and a Black studies
curriculum. Dr. David
Satcher, the chief
health advocate
in the United
States from
98-2001
under
Presi
dents Clinton and Bush,
gained much of his leader
ship skills while a student at
Morehouse.
But just as heroic as Jackson
may have been more than 40 years ago,
he, like the current recipients, didn't dawn
the proverbial and fictional hero costume that
is often associated with those who set out to stand
for a cause. They simply allowed their actions to dress
them.
Richard "Scooter" Taylor and Jarrad Lawson might not
strike many as heroic at first glance, but working to provide clean
water to parts of Africa has proven to be an initiative worthy of
such a title. Even for them, one of the greatest challenges has
been the stark opposition among peers who contend that having
a water balloon fight to provide clean water is aimless.
"We are having a water fight to raise awareness to the
clean water challenges in Africa," Taylor said, with a characteristi
cally disarming smile. "Sounds oxymoronic, right? But we have
found a way to galvanize people on issues that they would have
otherwise been indifferent to. Most who are opposed don't really
have an alternative."
For Jamal Lewis, Kenneth Pass and Marcus Lee, their
heroism came in the form of their sexuality. They simply desire to
be free from the unbridled marginalization that they and many of
their brothers have been subject to at Morehouse and in society.
Each has found a way to exemplify with effortless courage the
power of identity, although that hasn't been the easiest thing to
do.
Lee, who often flaunts a "Legalize Gay" T-shirt around
campus, wasn't always comfortable in his skin.
"I struggled with my identity," Lee said, getting head
nods from several others in the room. "And so when I see people
who have endured the same hardships that I have, I feel obligated
to help them come to terms."
Just as Lee, Pass and Lewis felt profoundly obligated to
free the minds of their brothers, Antwann Hiram Ametefe Michael
felt some of that same obligation as a community activist and
truth teller. He, unlike many, uses his untamed boldness and
tenacity as a power to tell the story of exploited and marginalized
"Black folk" as he believes it should be told, in spite of potential
controversy.
"I've witnessed this exploitation, especially at More
house," Michael said. "Whenever you have a president whose
mantra is capital and character preeminence, we have a problem
because they contradict. We have to work toward becoming
stronger Black men. We can no longer pimp Black boys for a
white dollar."
As bold, and courageous, and daring, and confident as
these men are, all seem to agree that the future will be promising;
that the legacy of activism and courage will live on. However, for
it to live on there has to be some sort of awakening on many
different fronts.
"Malcolm X struck me when he said, 'You can't
mobilize people until you wake them up,' " Pass said.
'For me and the other brothers around this cam
pus, it is our job to wake people up. We must
understand the privilege we have and extend
it."
So the heroes go on changing the
world, the community and the college.
We pay homage to them and we
take part in building upon a legacy.