Pubdate: Thu, 06 Feb 2003 Source: Bolivar Commercial, The (MS) Copyright: 2003 The Bolivar Commercial, a division of Cleveland Newspapers, Inc Contact: http://www.bolivarcom.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1775 Author: Kevin Smith PASTOR ENCOURAGES YOUTHS NOT TO FORGO THEIR HERITAGE SHAW - The Rev. Earl V. Hall, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Mound Bayou and an alcohol and drug coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, told the students at Shaw High School Wednesday it's important for African Americans to look forward and create a positive future. His talk was part of a Black History Month program presented by Shaw High School students titled, "Understanding Our Past, Living Today, Creating Our Future." Hall used various expressions to arouse the students' interest, like Mystical song "Shake It Fast, Watch Yourself, Show Me What You're Working With." "Some things you must shake off in life," Hall said. The speaker said that in order to create a better future, people must shake off negativity. "We must understand where we came from and understand our past," said Hall. According to Hall, it has been said that if African Americans do not know their origin and history, they're doom to repeat it. "As for African Americans, positiveness has been produced in our past," he said. "We've come a long way, but there was struggle, then as well as a struggle now. Hall said African Americans' past struggle involve terms such as segregation and discrimination, "There is a present-day struggle going on and this is where you will play a part in creating a better future," Hall said. "It is going to take people like you to make the future better." Hall said that today a war is going on and African Americans must understand that there is a different battle taking place with many enemies. The school of old says that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood," but there are some things we are wrestling with in our community. The main battle in the war is the abuse of drugs, he said. "We are losing the war on drugs," Hall emphasized. "If the African American community is going to better the community, we must address the new enemy. Hall said it is for this reason why so many of young African Americans are dropping out of school and saying jobs are hard to find. "We as a race of people got to hang in there," he said. Hall explained that young African Americans must understand that people they read about in history had to struggle by walking miles and miles to attend school and obtain an education. "Some of you all hold no memory when African Americans could not come to this building to receive an education, enjoy a nice meal at places like Burger King or Wendy's, and hold no memory of being told that certain seats on a bus or airplane are reserved," said Hall. Hall added that Mississippi has more African Americans are incarcerated than graduate from institutions of higher learning. "I want you to understand that there are myths and propaganda telling you that you can donothing to change your outlook on life," he said. "If we come together and solidify our efforts, then we can do anything we want to do," said Hall. Hall told the students that they have an awesome responsibility and great job with studying to show thyself approved. He recited several lines from Robert Frost's poem The Road Less Traveled and Margaret Walker's poem For My People emphasizing the point that "we all are somebody and we can do anything that we put our mind to doing. "It will work if you work it, whatever you work, it will work," said Pastor Hall. Several students from Shaw High School expressed how they feel about Black History month. Carla Jones said that if you don't understand your past, you will not have a future. "Our ancestors did not give up when things became difficult, therefore, we must continue to appreciate the rights they fought for us to have today," Carla said. Johnnie Alexander believes African Americans must be determined and strive for excellence to achieve success in life. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth