Brownwood Black History

Black history vote baffles some

By Celinda Emison / Reporter-News Staff Writer
January 28, 2004

BROWNWOOD — Brownwood City Council voted Tuesday to approve a proclamation to recognize February as Black History Month, despite the dissenting vote of one city councilman.

When the vote was called, Councilman Grady Chastain voted against the proclamation while Councilmen Darrell Haynes, Dave Fair and Ed McMillian voted to approve the measure. Councilman Charles Lockwood who was serving as mayor pro-tem in Mayor Bert Massey’s absence, did not vote.

All of the members of the council are white.

Chastain, pastor of Cornerstone Fellowship, said afterward his decision was not racist or ethnically motivated.

"I did not vote that way to belittle or in any way disparage the black community, and I sure would not want this to be taken that way," Chastain said. "I think we need to get on as Americans and pull together because that’s what we all are — we’re Americans."

McMillian expressed shock that Chastain voted against the proclamation recognizing the contributions of the black community. McMillian, who sits next to Chastain at the council table, rolled his chair away when Chastain confirmed he opposed the proclamation.

"We need to all get along, and I represent members of the black community and would not deny them the right to have Black History Month," McMillian said.

Comments from the community were mixed.

Aaron Blake, a black pastor of the Greater Faith Community Church, called Chastain a friend who "is not a man who would make any prejudice gesture or hurt anyone of any color."

"I regret that this was a public statement," he said.

"I would like to visit with him (Chastain) to educate him on the national history behind the establishment of Black History Month."

Others were concerned about Chastain’s vote.

"I am disappointed in this day and time he would choose not to vote for an American institution such as Black History Month," said Douglas Boone, marketing director of the Bangs Black History Committee. "Respecting his right to do this, I hope he respects the right of voters in the future in their convictions. This decision may go a long way to define his ability to be elected in the future."

Contact Brownwood staff writer Celinda Emison at emisonc@reporternews.com or 325-641-8804 or 325-668-4622

Brownwood kudos

January 30, 2004

The Brownwood Human Rights Committee would like to thank those Brownwood City Council members who voted in favor of our request to proclaim February as Black History Month in Brownwood.

Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as Negro History Week and later as Black History Month. What you might not know is that black history had barely begun to be studied — or even documented — when the tradition originated. Although blacks have been in America at least as far back as colonial times, it was not until the 20th century that they gained a respectable presence in the history books.

Again, we appreciate the council vote and invite all Brownwood residents and guests to read the proclamation designating February as Black History Month in the city of Brownwood.

Steve Harris
Brownwood


What's new?

February 4, 2004

As a former Brownwood resident, I feel compelled to respond to a councilman’s dissenting vote in a proposal to recognize Black History Month in Brownwood.

In defending his dissent, Councilman Chastain alluded to the need for a "coming together" as Americans and moving away from particularized recognition. In his assertion, Chastain fails to recognize the intellectual endeavor of historical analysis.

History provides a means to recognize the accomplishments of individuals despite the existence of insurmountable odds, and it offers an opportunity to avoid repeated mistakes.

Admittedly, being Americans is our strength. However, particular Americans have made great sacrifices and overcome great difficulties to improve our country.

Unfortunately, our legacy of inequality has had a residual effect on the understanding of our history.

While many are familiar with Albert Einstein and Mark Twain, the names Elijah McCoy or James Weldon Johnson are seldom uttered in the classroom. Recognition of those who are conspicuously absent from pedagogical discussion is hardly divisive.

Though we share a nationality, we do not all share the same history.

Today we have come to a place that is much improved over our segregated past. In this time we have a chance to become better-acquainted with those different from ourselves. As a result, we discover wonderful things about each other, things we did not know.

With this in mind, consider former President Harry Truman’s poignant remark, "The only thing new in the world is the history that you don’t know."

Samuel Garcia
Kirkland, Wash.