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Former Georgia Governor Barnes helps Newton mark Black History Month
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Written by Katia Macklin, Staff Writer
For the last 34 years, Newton High School has been the host of many Black History Month assemblies.
However, for the past four years, Dr. Jacqueline Pennington has been in charge of the gatherings and introductions of previous guest speakers using a multi-cultural aspect. This year’s theme for the assembly was “Beloved Community,” branching from a speech Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s gave stating: “our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives.”
The show opened with the posting of colors by the ROTC Dept, a vocalization of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” by Audreanna Roberts, “How Excellent” performed by NaKeyia Bryant, Deja Harris, and Shacoyis Nolley, and also a performance by the Advanced Drama department reciting the famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. King.
With an introduction by sophomore Lynae Bogues, the former governor of Georgia, Roy Barnes, came during second block to speak out on Black History month.
“Dr. Pennington called and asked me to come and since I knew her I told her that I would be glad to,” Barnes said.
During Barnes’ speech, he acknowledged the many faces of black history that students might not know much about such as James Weldon Johnson, Langston Hughes, and Crispus Attucks.
“I was very amazed about how much they knew about Black History Month but, I hope that from my speech they know that many have come before us in order to bring us a modern society,” Barnes said.
Freshman Jasmine LaGuerre said she was deeply inspired by the speech Barnes gave.
“I feel that everyone at this point should be equal and not always judged on the color of their skin,” LaGuerre said. “What Roy Barnes basically said was when he was younger he didn’t have the right to go to school with people other than his own race until college.”
Additionally, freshman Edbonee Glover acknowledged Roy Barnes was a good choice to speak at this year’s assembly, and said Barnes had a well recited lecture that completely informed students about Black History.
“All of our programs have been successful, informative and done in the spirit of excellence.” Pennington said, “This assembly was not about race; it was about fairness and celebrating the equality for all people.”
Following the momentary speech was a Michael Jackson tribute by Sydney Williams and a closing remark by Newton Principal Dr. Roderick Sams.
“This is not about a month. Many of us live this history every day, so don’t take it for granted,” Sams said.
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