I have seen the dialogues between CaSaundra Jackson and her columns and the letters of both Curt Baker and Kim Roach. I think some very pertinent points were raised by all parties in an attempt to understand Black History Month.

Last Friday, when the responses to my friend Curt’s letter were printed in the Optimist, Curt and I, along with some friends discussed them over lunch.

The fact that these columns and letters are being discussed over a lunch are proof positive of progress in understanding the reasons behind such an event as Black History Month.

I applaud Jackson and Roach for their understanding responses to Curt’s letter and the fact that they can respect his opinion on the issue.

However, perhaps the most important point is something that I am in disagreement with is the intense focus on history. While I agree that history is important and things like Black History Month are great tools for letting all understand the past, I think so little is focused on the future.

Our history toward treatment of African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and all others is pathetic and shameful.

I think that suffering by those mentioned is a testament to the progress we’ve made in this country. We must now look to the future, not the past for our inspiration now.

In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech, he “dreams of a world where black boys/girls can hold hands with white boys/girls.”

We can do that now. Now let’s forgive, but not forget the past, and build on the successes we’ve made.

We are all diverse creations of God, holding hands, helping each other understand our cultures, and moving forward to a prosperous future.

Kelby Davis
junior political science major
from Abilene