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50 Years Later, Love Has Come Along
Sr
A performance at Peach
County High School’s USO
show a few months ago wasn’t
historic in itself, but it was
the result of historic events.
A highlight of that program
was —— Sunerintendent * Susan
..
Clark singing the Etta James
torch song “At Last My Love
Has Come Along.” For effect,
Dr. Clark recruited Principal
Bruce Mackey as the pretend
object of the affections
expressed in the song. The
audience shrieked with delight
as she placed her boa around
Principal Mackey’s shoulders
and leaned close to him while
singing the song’s romantic
lyrics.
The audience saw this per¬
formance as great entertain¬
ment and nothing more - and
that’s where history comes in.
Right now, the news is full of
stories of young people retrac¬
ing the routes the Freedom
Riders took 50 years ago.
Those of us who make a point
of studying history can never
forget the images from those
times: the burning bus. the
angry mobs, the bloody and
dazed Freedom Riders. The
Oprah Show recently had a
moving episode featuring a
large group of Freedom Rider
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MAY 18, 2011
OPINION
Opinions expressed by writers on this page are their own and not necessarily those of The LeaTribune
veterans: fresh, young and ide¬
alistic back then, now gray
but still idealistic, and able
to recall every detail of those
trying times in vivid detail
A striking moment in that
show was U.S. Rep. John Lewis
taking the hand of the former
Klansman who had beaten him
senseless half a century earlier.
Elwin Wilson had already
sought out Lewis and received
forgiveness about two years
ago, but the Oprah Show was
as public an acknowledgement
as anybody could make of past
sins and current reconciliation.
On the show, Wilson recalled
Lewis telling a police officer
that he didn’t want to make
trouble. I just want people
to love each other,” he remem¬
bers Lewis saying, and Elwin
Wilson never forgot those
words, which eventually led
him to seek out Lewis.
That sentiment was really
at the bottom of the Civil
Rights movement; the intent
of all those protestors, black
and white, was not revenge
or power over others, but to
build what Martin Luther
King called “The Beloved
Community.” Many whites of
that era, by no means only
in the South, could not see
the Civil Rights movement in
such benevolent terms. The
mere act of whites and blacks
entering the same waiting
rooms drove some people to
assault and arson. In Georgia
50 years ago, angry mobs tried
to prevent Charlayne Hunter
and Hamilton Holmes from
integrating the University of
Georgia. Even sitting at the
same lunch counters was too
much for some whites, let
alone full political, social and
economic equality.
Yet the tide turned, and
today, some of the grandchil¬
dren of that generation acknowl¬
edge the significance of events
such as the Freedom Rides but
don’t quite get the big deal their
parents and grandparents make
of it. Our own son could hardly
look up from his smart phone
during the Oprah episode we
insisted he watch. His own
parents’ marriage was illegal in
Georgia until 1967, he under¬
stands, but really, Mom and
Dad, that’s so last year.
We could regard the current
generation’s reduced interest in
the Civil Rights story as a sign
that John Lewis and his fellow
travelers were victorious on at
least some fronts. Blacks and
whites now eat in the same
restaurants, serve on the same
elected and appointed bodies,
attend the same schools and
live in the same neighborhoods
(more so in some areas than
in others). As far as I can tell,
nobody blinks to see white and
black kids hanging out together,
hugging each other, dancing
together and so on.
So we come back to the Peach
County High School Auditorium
and a white woman playfully
singing a love song to a black
man. Everybody who witnessed
the performance thought it great
fun, which indeed it was. Half
a century ago, it would not even
have been conceivable, and even
if somebody had somehow tried
it, the reaction would not have
been applause. A lot has hap-,
pened since James Meredith
endured violent resistance to
him entering Ole Miss and
inspired the 13-year-old who
would become Peach County’s
School Superintendent.
I have no confirmation, but
I suspect thoughts of all that
history were at least in the back¬
ground of Dr. Clark’s mind as
she sang that song. The scene
was itself proof that, in some
form at least, love has indeed
come along.
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Ben Baker
In the course of my career
in journalism, I have covered a
number of flag presentations.
The kind where a flag flew
over the Capitol in Washington
and it’s given to someone,
a school, a group, etc. The
idea is the flag is flown for a
bit, hauled down and boxed
up and passed over to the
Congressman who’s requested
the flag. Washington actu¬
ally has a crew who does this
every day.
Still, pretty cool, not only
‘cause there is a waiting list
for the flags, but it did fly over
the Capitol. It’s one of those
things that not anyone can get.
I took the pictures, ran the
story and promptly forgot
about it. Just another story of
the thousands and thousands
I’ve covered in my career.
Sgt. David Bass came home
for a visit recently. Every time
he comes home, be makes it a
point to stop by and see me. I
My Message To Our Graduates
Someone once said that we
should expect to succeed even
before we start. All winners, no
matter what their game, start
with the expectation that they
are going to succeed. Winners
say, “1 want to do this and 1 can
do this,” not, "I would like to
do this, but I don’t think I can.”
Let’s look at success in
some detail today. Though
ufiitarily considered as such,
success does not consist of
fame, which may vanish, nor
of riches which may dissipate.
Life is a cycle of service. He
who serves best attains suc¬
cess whether that service be
humble, or of great endeavor.
Success is that priceless wealth
which the heart, the mind and
the soul possess. When high
ideals are fulfilled; when
adversity is vanished; when a
difficult task is accomplished;
when achievement triumphs
over circumstances.
A desire for success is that
power with which the Creator
has given every human. It is
a vital, restless force which
overcomes handicaps, men¬
tal, physical or environmental
regardless of age, sex. creed
or color. Recognition of this
« The of Truth »
Columnist
As I scanned the morn¬
ing press; and listened to the
countless proclamations on
the tube this date, it dawned
on me that only a portion of
what stuck with my brain,
was close to being factu¬
al! We are bombarded daily
with word and phrase that is
guess work, approximation,
or outright deceit! Much of
what is said, is exaggerated.
Additional verbiage delivered
(orally or in print) is manipu¬
lated! Still other elements are
victims of prevarication; or
deliberately misstated termi¬
nology! Unless we are omni¬
scient of values; we are left at
the mercy of those who con¬
tinuously expound on “what
went down”; what is presently
Not Worthy
wrote a column a few years ago
about one of these visits. The
column has received awards.
Not me, you understand, the
column about David.
“I brought you something,”
he says as he opens and hands
me a box.
Inside is a folded flag. Under
the flag is a signed certificate.
The flag was flown at
David’s division's headquarters
in Afghanistan.
Included in the box is a
signed certificate, a picture
of HQ with flags flying. It’s
signed by David and the local
commander. The certificate
says it was flown in my honor.
“You can have this framed.
Folded or open. It will cost
more open.” he said.
Like I care about the expense.
1 sit here typing trying to
hold back tears that came when
he handed me the flag.
There is no question, none
whatsoever in my mind -1 am
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power and its development and
use is one factor which makes
for success.
Success for different people
has different meanings. The baby
who completes its first steps
feels successful. The engineer
who harnesses a mighty water¬
fall and bends it to his will feels
successful.
Success iGF you may nol repre
sent success for your friend, who
might have a better education,
or more opportunities to achieve
things. I like this little verse: To
each is given a bag of tools; A
shapeless mass and a book of
rules; And each must make ere
life has flown; A stumbling block
or a stepping stone.
Success might be defined as
honest labor well done, a wor¬
thy task faithfully accomplished.
Success might be a reputable
profession honorably practiced.
Success might be holding stead¬
fast to high ideals, morally,
socially or artistically. Success
might be loyalty to one’s self, to
one’s work, to friends. It might
be the courage to carry on. It
might be a contest fairly won on
life’s field of honor.
It is hard to believe but gradu¬
ation time has arrived once again
for our high school and college
graduates. You are to be com¬
mended for the fact that you
will be receiving your diplomas
soon and remember that there are
many decisions about your future
that you will have to make.
After you graduate and leave
your school, you will be sepa¬
rated from your schoolmates. As
you make new friends in life
always remember the old adage;
a person is known by the com-
in the hopper; (and more than
that); what tomorrow will bring!
It is little wonder that we are a
confused generation!
Think of it! Historical
accounts of wars, feats, deeds,
discoveries, and statistics are
crammed full of error-many that
are minor, yet others which hold
great significance! Innumerable
scholars have made a living of
examining documents, school
books. Congressional records,
Court proceedings, and peri¬
odicals for mistake, misprint,
or blatant conspiracy! It is bad
enough to have a slanted version
of what persons of renown were
quoted as saying—or evidence
that is tainted in a court of law
-of caloric figures in a slice of
pizza—of academic records that
have been tampered with—
or miles travelled—or monies
spent erroneously—or years on
planet earth (sic); but even more
damaging is that “ton of mate¬
rial” explaining what will visit
our abode tomorrow!
Pseudo prophets (for profit)
of progression —or digression
—-fill our tanks with astounding
figures that are vastly differ¬
ent from yesterdays “maidens of
marvel”; and prognosticators of
the stock market, climate condi-
not worthy of this.
David took time out of his
schedule, made the arrange¬
ments to have the flag flown
and the certificate made. Then
he had to keep up with it while
he was over there and all the
way home.
He did this in the middle
of Afghanistan, surrounded by
people who want to kill him.
He did this knowing he had
a family back in the United
States. He did this. He did this
having been over there before
and seen brothers in arms KIA
- that means Killed in Action -
and wounded.
No. I am not worthy.
“You are,” he insisted. He’s
that kinda guy.
No. I am not worthy.
“You are always running
stuff about the military and the
people in service. You put the
paper on the internet so I can
read it when I’m over there,”
he said.
THE LEADER TRIBUNE
pany they keep. Choose friends
with good character, integrity
and Christian principles.
May 1 give you three daily
suggestions to help you succeed
in your years after high school
or college. Never allow a day to
pass without taking time to pray.
Be friendly to everyone you meet
because you can never have too
tuaiiy iiidiua. Never itilSS ail
opportunity to serve as service
ranks high with your superiors.
Graduation does bring with
it some privileges, but with
privileges comes responsibility.
Responsibility brings loyalty and
courage. To earn the privileges
of being on your own, you must
have sincerity, perseverance and
determination. Some people
don’t have these qualities so they
drift from one position to another
wondering why many of their
friends are accomplishing much
more in life than they are.
One of the greatest lessons
you graduates hopefully learned
during your school years is to
look at others needs as well as
yours, and to live to make this a
better world rather than living for
self alone.
Yes, graduation time has
arrived once again so as you
prepare to step out into a new
phase of your life let God guide
your life. He will walk with you
everywhere you go.
May I suggest that you do not
face the future with fear, rather
face it boldly, courageously and
joyously. Have faith in what the
future holds for you, set your
goals high and strive to exceed
them all. This is my message to
all graduates.
tions, economic standards, and
spiritual woes vie for our ear,
with
a million different settings!
Countless personalities in gov¬
ernment (and church), pontifi¬
cate surrounding unemploy¬
ment, mechanics of birth con¬
trol, global warming, the price
of oil. the worth of liberalism (or
socialism), the virtue of extend¬
ing national debt limits, the sen¬
sibility of liberation theology,
the possibility of universal sal¬
vation, or the wisdom of abor¬
tion!
One thing we know! They
cannot all be right-oreven close!
For the differing voices are eons
removed from each other! This
startling revelation is disconcert¬
ing to say the least; but occa¬
sionally we need to be remind¬
ed of what we already know!
So what shall we do? We will
eat, drink, and be merry-vote
what “floats our boat”-and give
minimal allegiance to Biblical
phrase which states, “Study to'
show yourselves approved unto
God, a workman that does not
need to be ashamed; RIGHTLY
DIVIDING THE WORD OF
TRUTH”! Reasonable???
No. I am not worthy.
David has appeared in the
paper several times. Other
retired and active members of
the military have also been in
the paper. Any of them who
want to be in the paper, all they
have to do is call. I’ll make room
for their stories. They have far
and away earned the right to
have their story recorded in the
official history book of my com¬
munity. That I’m the guy putting
it together is just an accident of
circumstance.
I’m not worthy.
I am not worthy of the sacri¬
fice my cousin and all the other
people in the military make on
my behalf and on your behalf.
1 have no idea why they think
1 am worthy.
But, I have a flag flown in
Afghanistan over a US base,
done in my honor. Regardless
of whether or not 1 feel like l
deserve it, David Bass does. I’m
gonna spend the rest of my life
trying to live up to this honor.
And from now on when
someone gets a flag, it won’t just
be another story and a picture,
it will be something personal
to me.