Empowering others to succeed: Tony Brown speaks to VCU

“My task here tonight is to convince you that my hero, Dr. Carter (Woodson), who started Black History Week, which turned into Black History Month, is wrong,” Tony Brown said Tuesday night to about 120 members of VCU and the Richmond community in the University Student Commons.

Brown said Woodson, founder of Negro History Week, had hoped for a time when such a week no longer would be needed. The weeklong celebration of black history has since turned into a month-long affair. Despite Woodson’s hopes however, Brown said Black History Month is crucial for the survival of African-Americans.

Brown, author of “Black Lies, White Lies” and now “Empowering the People,” spoke about the importance of Black History Month and the need for the races to come together as one race – the human race. He said if mankind recognized their race as human, racism would not exist.

Sponsored by VCU Friends of the Library and the School of Mass Communications, Brown’s lecture was part of a series of lectures throughout the month of February.

“Tony Brown is absolutely perfect for this event,” said Clarence Thomas, associate professor of the School of Mass Communications, as he introduced Brown to the audience. “Tony Brown was and is a civil rights activist, Tony Brown is an author, Tony Brown is a journalist, Tony Brown is an educator. He is also the host of the longest running public affairs program on PBS – ‘Tony Brown’s Journal.'”

Brown also spoke about ignorance in its different forms, whether it’s people hating others or not achieving goals because of negative influences. He also discussed the pitfalls of many African-Americans who put themselves down and don’t strive to be successful.

People, Brown said, should recognize they have so much in common with each other. People also should acknowledge their differences but shouldn’t dwell on them, he added. Brown proved this point by discussing the science of man’s genetic makeup. In the genetic code of a person, Brown said, there are 3.1 million letters, and only one separates a black person from a white person.

Sophomore Crystal Gee, 19, said she came to the lecture expecting to be enlightened.

“I heard good things about him, and anytime they are discussing a positive point of view for the black community, I am glad to come out,” Gee said.

After receiving a standing ovation at the end of his speech, Brown answered a few questions from the audience.

His parting words were an excerpt from the poem “In Flanders Field” by Lt. Col. John McCrae:

“To you from failing hands we throw,

The torch; be yours to hold it high

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.”