When we asked CCISD school-board member Alice Upshaw Hawkins what Black History Month means to her, and where the African-American community stands now, from her point of view, she said she experienced the days of segregation.
It's important to her, that the strides that have been made since those days inspire future progress.
"I remember, as a child, going through the back door of those little hamburger shops to get a burger," she said. "So we have come from the back of the room to the front, but we also have to occupy this room and do good for this area."
The former educator said Black History Month is meaningful because history influences the future.
"Black History Month, again, is a celebration of who we are; our people, how far we've come," she said. We celebrate black history so that we weon't forget. . . . We have to know where we come from in order to know where we're trying to go."
She echoed NAACP Corpus Christi President Terry Mills' sentiment of unity being the key to success.
"We are all brothers and sisters," she said. "We're just one segment of the population. We need to come together and celebrate each other regardless of the color of your skin. We need to celebrate each other as human beings."
