The Truth Staff
County and City Officials joined members of the Community Solidarity Response Network on Tuesday, February 3, to kick off the local celebration of Black History Month with a flag raising ceremony at One Government Center. The black, red and green Pan African flag was raised by community members as several dozen onlookers observed.
“The key aspect of the Pan African flag is the belief that people of African descent have common interests and should work together for progress to uplift, empower and unite those of the African diaspora in the [United States of America],” said Rev. Willie Perryman of the Lucas County Commissioners Office of Engagement just before the flag was raised by Jodie Summers of the CSRN.
The brief outdoor ceremony in the frigid early February weather was followed by a meeting in the Lucas County Commissioners chambers and a more elaborate presentation of speakers paying tribute to Black History Month.
All three commissioners – Lisa Sobecki, Pete Gerken and Anita Lopez – spoke to the attendees about their reasons for recognizing and honoring Black history.
“It’s about the struggle,” said Gerken, who spoke not only of past struggles but made a connection between what has happened in the past to difficulties people are facing today, such as with the chaos ICE has created.
“I am appalled by this immigration issue, this struggle goes back 400 years,” he said.
Vanice Williams, president of Toledo City Council, brought her own spoken word to the event, reflecting on her struggles as a Black woman. She said in part:
“Being a Black woman is breaking chains and building Underground railroads to save a nation … Being a Black woman is opening the casket to show the world my son was brutally beat because he was born to a Black woman … Being a Black woman is sitting down on a bus where I want to because I am tired of being moved to the back … Being a Black woman is going to space because I said I would … Being a Black woman is running for president and losing to a bag of Cheetos because I am a Black woman and y’all ain’t ready for that … Being a black woman in America … whew that ish is hard but God knew who needed to be a Black woman – that Black woman is me … Happy Black History Month!”
The Community Solidarity Response Network does not start a meeting without seeking the approval of an elder, explained CSRN spokesman and cofounder Bro. Washington Muhammad. Therefore, he called upon Terry Crosby to provide that approval. Crosby, a former star athlete on the Toledo High School level, a standout on the college basketball level, an international professional hoopster and currently a community advocate for Taylor Auto Group, gave that approval and also spoke about the importance of Black History Month.
“Black History Month is not just about the past, it is about the promise of our future,” said Crosby. Explaining the colors of the Pan African flag, Crosby noted that “the black is for the people, the red is for the sacrifices of the past, the green is for the hope and prosperity we continue to build.
“We stand on the shoulders of those who endured, who dreamed, who refused to give up so that we could stand here today … when we honor history, we strengthen our community,” Crosby added. “There is nothing we cannot achieve together.”
Muhammad then informed the audience that the flag raising ceremony is now six years old, a concept that CSRN brought to reality only with the help of others in the community, particularly Commissioner Gerken and the Toledo NAACP, under the leadership of Rev. Perryman at that time
“You find out who your friends are when you are trying to do something important,” Muhammad said.
Poet, illustrator, author Jodie Summers presented his spoken word.
“What happened to people? Where did we all go? We don’t have conversation anymore,” opened Summers as he began his report on a journey through these troubled times.
Summers also noted that Toledo – Lucas County area is the only place in the United states where the Pan African flag is officially raised at the government seat to pay homage to Black History Month.