JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
More than 100 Airmen, Sailors and civilians came together to observe Black History Month at the Air National Guard Readiness Center here, Feb. 24.
The event, hosted by the 79th Medical Wing here and the ANGRC, featured remarks by Col. Yolanda Bledsoe, 79th Medical Wing vice commander, and Dr. Anthony T. Browder, director of IKG Cultural Resources.
"This is a moment in time to reflect on the things our forebears have said and done to make our history an amazing one," said Bledsoe. "We stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us and left their mark on history. A lot of them have been forgotten; we have not remembered their commitment to writing our American history."
Noting that human civilization began in Africa, Browder encouraged the audience to learn more about everybody who has come before us.
"As humans, we are all 98% the same," he said. We're all human beings... and the sooner we can begin to put our petty differences aside, the sooner we can deal with the major issues that loom before us, challenging our children and grandchildren."
Displaying a large timeline that began with human habitation of Africa and continued to the present, Browder spoke about the need for everyone to understand the entire history and culture of African people, who had previously been written out of history.
"When we talk about black history and begin black history in slavery, we are omitting thousands of years of African history," said Browder. "That's why it's so important to talk about African history in a larger historical context, so we can begin to understand who African people were and their contributions to world culture and civilization."