Soldiers in Mosul celebrate African American history

Photo By Sgt. Patrick Lair | Members of the Transformation Praise Chapel Dance Team perform on stage at the Community Activities Center at Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul on Feb. 24. The dancers, all Soldiers with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, were part of an hour-long event to celebrate African American history.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

02.24.2008

Story by Sgt. Patrick Lair 

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Patrick Lair
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, Iraq — More than 100 Soldiers took a pause from their work in northern Iraq to turn out for the African American/Black History Celebration at Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Feb. 24.

The hour-long event, organized by Equal Opportunity representatives from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and Bravo Company, 63rd Signal Battalion, 93rd Signal Brigade, featured singing, dancing, prayer, poetry and lectures on history, focusing on the life of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an early American advocate for African American rights and a spokesman for the importance of Black history.

"I think the event is important because it provides everyone with a more insightful look into the strides we as a country have made," said Staff Sgt. Edward Coleman, Joint Nodal Network section chief and E.O. representative for B. Co. "Discussions like the Willie Lynch teachings show us how we can learn from instances from the past."

Sgt. Charles Smith, mortar sergeant for B. Co., gave a lecture on "The Willie Lynch Letter and the Making of a Slave," an early American "how-to" manual for slaveholders that describes ways to psychologically "break" a slave.

The event also featured artistic performances. Spc. Kimberly Miller sang the national anthem and Spc. Elis McBride performed a rousing spiritual during a slide show depicting photos of slaves and civil rights leaders in early 20th Century America. The Transformation Chapel Praise Dance Team and B. Co. 63rd Dance Team performed cultural dances and several Soldiers also recited poetry.

The bulk of the presentation focused on the life and teachings of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an historian, author and journalist born in Virginia in 1875. In 1926, he pioneered the celebration of "Negro History Week" for the second week in February in order to coincide with the birthday celebrations for Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass. The week was later extended to become Black History Month to the entire month of February.

"Those who have no record of what their forbears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history," Woodson was quoted as saying during the presentation.

Master Sgt. Gene Jones, the E.O representative for the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, reiterated Woodson's philosophy in her opening statements.

"Remember the past and look forward to the future," she said.

After the presentation, Soldiers helped themselves to a meal served up at the Community Activities Center.

• Date Taken: 02.24.2008
• Date Posted: 02.26.2008 11:08
• Story ID: 16726
• Location: MOSUL, IQ