|
February 2006 EOP Newsletter
- From The Director
- Farewell and Best Wishes to Jackeline Moore
- Financial Aid Report
- Remembering Those Who Paved The Way By: Ben Ruekberg
- “WHO’S WHO?” By: Josh Myers
- FALL 2005 Dean’s List
- FALL 2005 Graduates
- Student Activities
- Student Spotlight
- EOP Welcomes New Staff Members to the Family!
- Phonathon
REMEMBERING THOSE WHO PAVED THE WAY By: Ben Ruekberg
On Martin Luther King Day I thought a lot about King and the leadership, perseverance, and dignity he displayed and instilled in not just African-Americans but those of many other backgrounds. Through his efforts and those of many others we embarked upon the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As I envisioned King and the path he paved for many of us today, I also contemplated the sacrifices of my great-grandparents.
My great-grandfather Lincoln Jackson was born in Newberry, South Carolina in 1907 and my great-grandmother Lulu Jackson was born in the same small town in 1911. They toiled in the segregated South until the early 1930’s. It was at this juncture with no more than a sixth grade education that they made their exodus from the South to Rochester. This was during the Great Depression when vast numbers of African-Americans journeyed to many Northern big cities for jobs. My great-grandparents had saved all their resources to purchase a farm in a rural area outside of Rochester between Churchville and Chili. In fact, my great-grandfather bought the farm for $55,000. This was virtually unheard of at the time for an African-American, let alone with a sixth grade education.
It was on this day that I decided to pay a visit to their burial sites and thank them for all the hard work and sacrifices they made in part with King so that I could be where I am today. So sometimes when I think school or work is too hard, I think back to the unsung heroes in my life, my great-grandparents, and ask them for strength.
