In a thunderous speech Friday, the Rev. Luther B. Felder II urged members of the Paine College family to continue to run the race that past generations have run for them.
"It is clear that we are not preparing for a sprint," he said. "We are preparing for a marathon."
The Rev. Felder, the campus pastor, spoke during Paine's annual Founders' Day Convocation, raising his voice at times as he made his impassioned plea. Friday marked the 127th anniversary of Paine's founding.
Older generations have prepared this generation of students who are on the verge of graduation, and this generation made it possible for President Obama to be elected, the Rev. Elder said. But everyone must continue to make a difference.
It's cowardly to sit on the sideline and expect situations to work out by themselves, he told those gathered at Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel.
"What will each of these generations do to make a difference in the lives they live?" he asked. "I say to you the mission is in your hands ... It is now the time we prepare the generation to be the next Barack Obamas."
Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
If more of these students get to be president and we get a $trillion stimulus package every year for the next 8 or 16 years, think how well this country will be doing then.
I hope one day we do get a black president who loves life, freedom, unborn babies and has a relationship with Christ that rules his actions. If those who voted color over Christ did good they will reap good; if they did not, they will reap bad. Time will answer all questions. Individuals advance or fall back based on their relationship to God and civilizations rise and fall based on their relationship with God
The divisive rhetoric continues. Rev. Felder sees two Americas - A Black America that he wants to keep "pushing" and a White America that he wants to keep "giving". He talks about the actions of an older generation of Blacks but conveniently dismisses the wisdom of that generation. Martin Luther King said "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character". Rev. Felder seems to be saying that is is okay to seize the day for one's own advancement at the cost of another's. The marathon has been run and the race won. To belittle it as "a sprint" is, in my humble opinion, grossly irreverent to the memory of King.
And what does the good rev. say about abolishing bigotry and racism from his own people? We hear so much about how white people are supposed to toe the line--so where's his logic of unity, that America is ONE country? Paine College does have token admissions that are non-black students, but whites are seriously discouraged from entering that school and certainly are not welcome there. If any other school in town did that, the law suits would be thick as flies on a hot afternoon. I also do not like the way great Black leaders and scientists are NOT honored by the Black people; I was told by a group of Blacks that George Washington Carver and "those like him" did nothing to better the lot of the 'black' race, but worked to better everyone, Therefore, they are not worthy of honor! Makes no sense to me at all And by the way, there is no such thing as a 'black' race--seems to me that Paine College should be teaching the truth here.
Sometimes a group of people choose to self-destruct and no one can stop it. I pray that isn't the case but it doesn't look good. Jesus is the way out of everthing but loving God and loving each other may be too extreme for some.
And just who are discouraging these white students from attending Paine College? This is simply ridiculous. If you are on the outside looking in, you should just keep quiet until you have true facts that can be proven. I am a graduate of PC and have moved on to do great things. I know my institution and am angered by the ignorance that has been displayed here. The Rev. also said that "EVERYONE must continue to make a difference," not just black people. How can you assume that when he speaks of these "generations" that he is only talking about black people? And when he talked about preparing the generation to be the next Barack Obamas, would it have made you feel better if he would have said preparing the generation to be the next George W? The man is PRESIDENT of the United States (where you live), and there is nothing wrong with preparing any child and equipping them with the tools necessary to be the next PRESIDENT,regardless of what race they might be. To dig as deep as you have for these ridiculous comments is sad.
sodissapointed: ask ANY "white" student who applied for admission to Paine College and you will find your answer. Believe me, I know--been there, done that, and know what I'm talking about. "To dig as deep as you have for these ridiculous comments is sad" speaks volumes for your rhetoric on the greatness of PC. I too have obtained my education and moved on--but the experience with PC leaves me to believe that at least some "black" people do NOT want unity with anyone.