THEWIRE

By Derek Street

 

Delaware Tech Owens campus concluded its month-long coverage of black history with a sendoff celebration on Thursday, February 27. Guest speaker Dr. Jim Newton, a retired professor of African American Studies at University of Delaware, recognized the legacies African Americans have entrusted future generations with and awarded Evelyn Peters for her contributions to the community.

 

Dr. Newton has been involved in many civic and community activities throughout the state of Delaware. He served on boards and councils that include the National Board of the Association for the study of Afro-American Life and history; Chair of the Delaware State Advisory Committee for the United States Commission on Civil Rights; and as the chair of the President’s Committee to Promote Racial and Cultural Diversity at the University of Delaware.  Dr. Newton is also listed in “Who’s Who in America,” “the Directory of American Scholars,” and “250 years of African American Art.” Along with his awards, Newton has also authored more than 30 articles on African American Delawareans and has written three books. 

 

Newton focused his discussion on the legacies left behind by those who came before. He mentioned influential members of African American history like Carter G. Woodson, who Newton credited as the father of black history. Woodson strove to make sure the roots of his forefathers were acknowledged by all American citizens. His dedication and perseverance was a major factor in gaining recognition for the trials many endured in an effort to overcome inequality in America. Dr. Newton said that the history of African American society is one in which all should be versed in order to create a path towards the future. He spoke about the African concept of the “Sankofa Bird.”

 

 “The Sankofa Bird looks back to move forward,” Newton said. “That’s the challenge America faces today.”

 

Now more than ever, Dr. Newton feels that it is important that young people immerse themselves in the history and appreciate the legacies that have been left to the current generation. 

 

 “This is a challenge not only to black America, but to all Americans,” Newton said.

 

 Dr. Newton placed an importance on the need for young people to learn, what he calls, the ABC’s of black history. This alphabet consisted of influential members of African American history, including Louie Armstrong, Benjamin Banneker, and George Washington Carver.  Newton said that these figures helped break barriers in American society, and their legacies have provided future generations with opportunities that many before could not even imagine. 

 

Newton reiterated the importance of knowing about the trials that were overcome in not only American history but local history as well. Newton enlightened the audience about Delaware’s own influential beginnings, stating that religion, education and civil rights were the major focus of the state’s history. Out of the historical figures within Delaware, Newton said there was one in particular that embodied all the traits of Delaware’s African American history, William C. Jason, former president of Delaware State College.  Newton said the impact Jason had on the African American community was immense. His position as a religious leader, an educator and a lobbyist for students at Delaware State College made him well versed in the civil rights movement in Delaware. 

 

 “Jason refused to let inequality exist when it came to black students,” Newton said. “His great legacy was making African American students aware of the opportunities before them.” 

 

Jason collaborated with the established Howard High School and other black schools across the state to build a high-quality faculty. Jason’s connections also allowed for high-profile figures like, Carter G. Woodson, to lecture at the institution as well. Newton said Jason’s efforts helped pave the way for students to go beyond the agricultural fields that swept the nation at the time and expand their academic horizons into broader topics. Newton concluded by, recounting his amazement for Jason’s accomplishments and the legacy he left for future generations to inherit.

 

“It’s was amazing what Jason had done for Delaware in 4 to 5 decades,” Newton said. “Jason was there to assure that young black Delawareans would go on to higher ground, and when they got there that they had pride in their hearts and progress on their minds.”

 

The remainder of the event was to give thanks to the youngest granddaughter of William C. Jason, Evelyn Peters. Delaware Tech honored Peters with the 2014 African American History Month Honoree Award. Her 20-year service with the Modern Maturity’s Day Break Program, a division of Modern Maturity that deals with patients who are battling Alzheimer’s and dementia was the basis for the award. 

 

While Peters could not attend the ceremony due to medical reasons, Jason alumnae, Jackie Goodwin, accepted the award on her behalf and read a letter from her outlining life within the Jason household from her perspective. The details of the letter described church life, holidays, the influence her grandfather had over others and the lessons he taught her. Goodwin read aloud peter’s words, depicting moments in her childhood where Jason would teach peter’s about surviving when she lost her way and the authoritative-yet wise role model Jason was. Making note of when it came to disciplinary action, Peters would rather have had a whipping than face her grandfather’s verbal punishments. The excerpt also expressed Jason’s role as a community leader, saying that many would seek counsel from Jason with weddings, funerals and beyond. Peters expressed that Jason’s patience and wisdom was a staple of his character and a defining factor when discussing his legacy. 

 

“William Charles Jason was not only a parent and grandparent but an excellent provider and protector,” Goodwin read aloud. “How blessed we were to have him in our lives, his integrity, honesty, and humility made us what we are today.”