Celebrating Black History Month
Message from CCA President and CEO Damon Hininger
Published on February 25, 2013
Dear CCA Team,
History holds lessons we all can learn from, and as we celebrate Black History Month in February, I'd like to share with you a few historical milestones that are especially inspiring to me.
I'm reminded of a movie I saw recently – "Lincoln". It's based on the book Team of Rivals. If you haven't seen the movie, it focuses on the timeframe from Abraham Lincoln's re-election as president until his assassination. It also focuses on the repeal of slavery and how Lincoln was personally involved with Congressional leaders in taking the extraordinary steps toward signing the Emancipation Proclamation.
What strikes me about the movie is that it shouldn't have been so hard to abolish slavery, but it was really difficult because many folks in our country stood on the opposite end of what was ultimately the right thing to do. Seeing the movie makes me thankful for former President Lincoln and his courage to take a necessary stand.
I realize that we still have some very significant issues facing our country, and those issues will require thoughtful discussion and compromise from all political persuasions. In spite of the challenges we face, I'm encouraged by the strides our nation has made. I'd like to take this time to recognize a significant event in U.S. history that demonstrates those strides: the re-election of President Barack Obama.
What a great reminder of how far we've come as a society and as a country. And how symbolic that the president's second inauguration marked 150 years since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. It's just as symbolic that the inauguration occurred on MLK Day, which I'd like to take a moment to recognize.
We can honor Dr. King's legacy by embracing his dream of equality for all people – regardless of race, creed or color. We can also make a decision to be of service – to take actions that improve our communities and, ultimately, our society. The CCA Family is so diverse. Each of us possesses a unique heritage that deserves to be recognized and celebrated. Our individual stories make up the narrative of American history.
As always, I'd love to hear from you; I invite you to post a comment here.
Sincerely,
Damon
February 4, 2013
Sound Out
anna stevens at cca silverdale chattanooga tennessee:
I come from a blended family and my brother and sister are bi-racial and i never see the color line when i look at other people and i enjoy people from different nationalitities i learn so much from others and other cultures. Dr king was one of the most influential people of our time his "I have a dream" speach lets all men know that intolerance and indifference will not be tolerated. I believe all people are created equal just as God intended for us to treat others with respect. I appreciate others for their drive and courage to stand in the midst of pain and struggle to make a difference each day.
THERESA SMITH at CCCF:
I TOO WAS INSIRED BY THE MOVIE, EACH TIME I HEAR DR. KINGS "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH I HEAR SOMETHING I MISSED BEFORE, AND I NEED TO LISTEN TO AGAIN. BEING IN A BI-RACIAL MARRIAGE I GET TO SEE FIRST HAND THE IMPACT THAT SLAVERY HAS ON THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CITIZENS IN OUR COUNTRY. IT FEELS GOOD TO HEAR HOW AMERICA HAS CHANGED AND TAKEN A SECOND LOOK AT HOW WE SEE OTHERS AND OURSELVES.
Vernetral Foster at Coffee Correctional Nicholls Georgia:
I have all different kinds of races in my family. Black,white,asian and etc. My grandmother taught us to love everyone,because you never know who you are going to need in this life.Dr. King just let me know there are more people in the world that agreed.Every year we have his speech done by a young person and teach them that we have come a long way but still have a long way to go. We are to never forget the struggle,but always know that with love and kindness will draw people (even the one that have done you wrong). I am a leader leading my community in to a better way to live and love. Black History is everybodies history.
Live it !Love it! Embrace it!
Tupreme Murphy at Metro:
I was so greatful to be presence at both inaugration, this was truely a life changing moment for me. Everyone I met just talked about how greatful they were to be present at this time. I have had many opportunities in life to be a part of history in the making. I march with Dr.King and also was pesent when I gave the speech on the mall and now to live to see the first Black President.
Thank you for all you do in reminding us of what great opportunties we have in this country.
lori clay at cca silverdale chattanooga tennessee:
As a black american living in the pathway of those that have suffered passed otracities. I am happy to say that those freedoms for which others have died for have made a tremendous impact on my life. Though many battles for equality have been won. There are still more adversities to be conquered. We do indeed have to remember the past, as to never repeat it in the future. God bless everyone to remember that love and race should be color blind.
Twone G Evans Iii at La Palma Correctional Center:
Mr, Hininger, Thank you for that heart felt comments on Black Histoy Month. I never even though about it that way, and I'm a Black man. You pointed out something that a lot of people never even recognized. The Significant of those events, was a milestone in my life. I never put the three of them together. Thank you for opening up my eyes to my own history.I knew about the events, but putting them all together, makes it's even more symbolic to me. Thank you for that.
clara langley at citrus county detention facility:
As a child I read about the great men and women of GOD who with the power of the tongue changed history! Dr. King was probably the most inspiring of our time with his declaration, "I had a dream". That is until one mans yes I can became a nations yes we did and the course of HISTORY was changed once again by the power of one mans voice. PHILLIPIANS 4:19 I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. For the first time in history against all odds a person of color holds the office of Presidency in our country the USA. GOD has given us all a voice and with our voices we to are rewriting the pages of history! what story will we leave for someone else to read?