Vicenza Military Community marks Black History Month with march, ceremony

By Col. Jonathan A. Johnson, U.S. Army Africa Command Inspector GeneralMarch 5, 2013

March on Vicenza
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

VICENZA, Italy- The Vicenza military community member's reenacted the March on Washington Feb. 21 as part of the community Black History Month celebration. When the marchers arrived at the Golden Lion Conference Center, Col. Jonathon Johnson, U.S. Army Africa Command Inspector General, shared his experience in the remarks below.

This year, 2013, marks the importance of two anniversaries for all Americans in United States history -- the 150th year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the 50-year anniversary of the historic March on Washington for jobs and freedom. I would be remiss if I didn't also mention that this year also marks the 50-year anniversary of the death of the great Mississippi civil rights leader, Medgar Evers.

These events in American history marked a time that would set out to change the course of life for Africans in America and later their direct descendents. The alarm was sounding that acceptance of racial segregation in America was under attack and would no longer be accepted. Many historians have sought to connect the dots between the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington as vital links in the chain leading to the socioeconomic empowerment realized by African-Americans today.

Many psychologists will tell you that in order to truly change actions you must change your behavior. In the 1860 elections, a little known man from Illinois set the course for that change in American behavior. It must be said, however, that Lincoln upon his election as president was no abolitionist, at least not at first, but those views would evolve and change. The southern states would secede from the Union over what was called "States Rights," but many in the North as well as in the South knew it was over one singular issue -- the issue of slavery.

President Lincoln as our 16th president knew he had to make some decisions for the good of the Union, for the good of the country. He had to provide leadership that would bind all of the states to the ideals of the Constitution: that all men are created equal. He also knew that he had to be a savvy statesman to push his Emancipation Proclamation through the Union, loyal states of the North and the bordering southern states that ironically engaged in slavery but also supported the Union. It took the right kind of leader, at that time, with the courage of his convictions to stand up and make a change. President Lincoln was that leader.

That same kind of leadership and intestinal fortitude was exhibited by a young preacher from Atlanta, Ga. -- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was exhibited during the march on Washington, and for that matter during several events in support of civil rights leading up to the March on Washington in 1963.

Now I'm going to make a few of you feel really young right now, because in August 1963 I wasn't even a thought in my mother's mind. I had not made my grand appearance in the world. But the late 1960s and 1970s mark my era, where I can remember the struggle being fought by my uncles, aunts and neighbors for justice as black Americans, like their slave ancestors 100 years before.

My grandfather use to tell me as a boy that in order to make a fire there has to be a spark to ignite the flames. If we look back 150 years, then I would assert that spark was Abraham Lincoln. If we look back just 50 years that spark was the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.

For over 237 years African-Americans have selflessly served in the Army, fighting to secure peace for the future. During the Civil War slaves from the South voted with their feet by leaving plantations and braving extreme odds to join the Union military and fight for the cause of freedom. They joined the United States Colored Troops (USCT) -- this wouldn't be an Army presentation without an acronym.

Like their predecessors in the 1860s, African-Americans in the 1960s sought equal protection under the laws that was enjoyed by their white American countrymen. It was a long struggle following slavery that included unjust laws in many states, known as the "black codes," which in many cases served to treat freed African-Americans like slaves following the Civil War.

Still following all of this, African-Americans continued to use the "equipment" bestowed upon them by the Creator to make a better way for their families. Since the 1600s, when our ancestors arrived in America, they knew the importance of faith. Faith is a verb. If you look up the definition of a verb, a verb expresses action or a state of being; it is the most important part of any sentence.

You see, maintaining faith in the Almighty God and in one another has served African-Americans, and for that matter all Americans, well throughout the transitional times in America. Faith is exhibited by your actions every day.

God has given us the "equipment" to be great and to make a difference in this life. President Lincoln and Dr. King channeled the use of their own equipment to step out on faith and make a difference. Even today we can learn from their actions. We can continue to push the ideals fought for by President Lincoln with the Emancipation Proclamation, and the passing of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution to end slavery.

Lincoln's actions, I'm sure, served as the precursors for the later passages of the 14th and 15th Amendments, granting citizenship and the right to vote respectively, a few years later.

We can continue to pursue Dr. King's dream as spoken during the March on Washington in 1963, which ultimately led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The dream is still a work in progress and requires all of us to make it a reality.

The actions of these two men of virtue as they reached the crossroads during their times set the conditions for our nation to continue fighting to live out the true meaning of its creed. Unfortunately, both of these gentlemen would meet an assassin's bullet for their ideals, ironically, in the same month of April, 103 years apart.

We, like them, must endeavor every day to be that spark to light the flame or torch for this generation and future generations.

As I conclude, I am reminded of the stories told to me by my grandfather about his grandfather. You see, my great-great-grandfather was a slave in South Carolina. My grandfather knew the stories of pain experienced by his ancestors first hand, but he also knew as he was taught to keep faith in God and to try every day to make a difference.

He told me as a young military officer to not forget where I have come from, and to use all of the "equipment" given to me by God. And, most importantly, told me no matter who does wrong, you do right. I have not forgotten that.

So, with our eyes on the horizon and faith in God and one another, let's keep striving to make a difference, let's keep lifting one another as we climb, let's keep working together to make a difference and let's celebrate the goodness in all of our diverse heritages; not only during this month, but every month.

So, I thank you all for this opportunity to share a few words during this Black History Month program. Be blessed.

Related Links:

Vicenza Military Community facebook page

Additional photos

Vicenza Military Community website