“The time is always right to do what is right.”—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As we near the end of Black History Month, I find myself
reflecting on the words of several champions of equality. Dr. King was a
pioneer of the civil rights movement and a proponent of kindness, empathy, and
social justice. He believed these
qualities when pursued together would make our world a more openhearted, fair,
and equitable place for all people to pursue their dreams. That was, after all,
Dr. King’s central message—that all people should have the right to dream and the
freedom to work toward the fulfillment of such dreams.
I am so proud of the efforts of so many passionate Commonwealth University colleagues who embody Dr. King’s message and
are continually doing what is right for our students and our community. Over
the past month, close to two dozen Black History Month events have taken place across
all CU locations. From “Lunch and Learn” events to movie nights, day trips, and
speakers, our students have had the opportunity to engage in a wide-ranging
offering of events designed to expand their knowledge, understanding, and
appreciation for Black History.
The 2024 Sankofa Conference, hosted by the Bloomsburg Multicultural Center, saw students from all CU locations come together to learn more about the rich cultural heritage of people of African descent. Sankofa has long provided a forum for unity and understanding among students. It is heartening to see students from diverse backgrounds come together with a genuine desire to improve their own understanding and thereby begin to foster change in their own lives and communities.
Students from across CU's locations came together for the 2024 Sankofa Conference
Sankofa is a tremendous example of what is possible when we strive
to live by Dr. King’s principles—to endeavor to do what is right and to bring
people along on that journey with us. I want to thank our CU students, staff, and faculty for their heartfelt efforts in celebration and recognition of Black
History Month. I truly believe that the work we are doing together is making an
impact, both in our campus communities and the communities they call home.
Maya Angelou said, “We may encounter defeats, but we must
not be defeated.” Progress does not mean perfection and though there may be
times when it feels like every step we take forward leads to two steps back, I
encourage you to remember the words of Ms. Angelou. When you encounter defeats
or experience hardships, when the world is less than kind and injustice seems
to prevail, take heart in knowing that you are surrounded by people who care
about you and share your values. Take heart in the words and lessons of leaders
like Dr. King who kept pushing forward no matter what. And he did so with the
support of good, and kind, and caring people who saw the world the same way he
did—for all its beauty, possibility and flaws.
As Black History Month comes to an end, my hope is that you
will take its lessons and inspiration with you and work to make positive
changes through your words and actions. It is truly amazing what can be
accomplished when we all make small steps together in the same direction.
Bashar W. Hanna, President
