VGCC Honors Black History Month
Vance-Granville Community College planned an ambitious Black History Month program for February, which is observed as Black History Month. But, because of inclement weather, the program was postponed to March 26, when it was held in the Civic Center.
On the makeup date, a small but enthusiastic audience of VGCC faculty and staff and members of the community enjoyed a program featuring a variety of music and dance and remarks by a noted columnist and author.
The Division of Workforce Development, headed by Dean Terry Garrison, sponsored the program. Garrison acted as master of ceremonies and introduced The Whole Village Drum & Dance Ensemble, a troupe of young men and women who performed traditional African tribal dances, which were interpreted by the troupe’s leader.
Mary Williams, a professional Gospel artist from Durham, wowed the audience with her big voice and soul-searching songs.
A steel drum band, composed of young men from Hillsborough, performed their own special brand of music.
Special guest and principal speaker for the program was Barry Saunders, columnist for the Raleigh News & Observer. He entertained the audience with brief remarks and reflections on his background and the writing trade, and he answered questions from the audience.
Saunders said his goal when young was to be a professional basketball player but, after being cut from several college teams, he looked to other fields. He considered being a preacher but dismissed that quickly. “I became a writer because I thought it was a great way to meet girls,” he said, adding that at first he didn’t expect anything from journalism. Saunders said one has to have a thick skin to be a columnist. “Readers are convinced I hate everybody,” he said.
In response to a question from the audience, Saunders said his most-criticized columns were ones he wrote about Billy Graham and Michael Jordan. “That proves what is important in North Carolina – God and basketball … and not necessarily in that order,” he said. Saunders’ column about Jordan criticized the sports hero for not standing up as a role model for young people, and he castigated Graham for not taking a stand for civil rights during those struggles.
On the subject of role models, Saunders said his are the men who go to work everyday and who raise their families right. “These are the people in our own communities and in our families,” he said.
“My favorite columns,” he said in response to another question, “are those that get people in trouble or out of trouble, but especially ones that help people.”
Saunders plugged his book,Do Unto Others And Then Run, which is available now.
The first photo is of The Whole Village Drum & Dance Ensemble performing a traditional African tribal dance during the Black History Month program March 26 in the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.
In the second photo, Barry Saunders of the Raleigh News & Observer talks about his experiences as a newspaper columnist during his remarks at a Black History Month program March 26 in the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.
