Afro-American family day draws a crowd

By TOM RUE

MONTICELLO -- Close to 300 packed the Foothills Community Center to celebrate African-American history and have a good time, said Jesse York, president of the Million Man March Community Action Group (M'CAG) which kicked off the February 22 event. "We had a full house," he noted.

York said he hopes the Monticello family day will become part of the local annual observation of Black History Month, "to make the children and parents aware of how important Afro-American people are to the United States. The main thing is that we give something back to the community," York said. One speaker was Monticello police officer Kimberly Walker, who talked about success. Walker is black.

Essayists Edward Lugan Gradell, a junior at Monticello High School; and Lydia Rolle, a junior at Liberty High School, took home $25 prizes for their essays regarding whether black Americans' contributions receive adequate attention in school history texts. With ten submissions, the contest was coordinated by Carolyn Massey of Monticello, mother of two.

Gradell and Rolle each observed that textbooks often ignore the contributions of black Americans to building the nation.

Capping the event was a feast of collard greens, potato salad, corn bread, chicken and soft drinks. York thanked the Beer Store, DeFillipe's Bakery, Butcher Boys all of Monticello; and numerous individuals for supporting the event.

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