The following message was sent by President Glenn McConnell ’69 to the campus community on Feb. 24, 2017.
Dear Campus Community:
This month, the College, as well as the rest of the country, has been commemorating Black History Month – an important American tradition. A list of some campus activities can be found at https://today.cofc.edu/2017/02/16/black-history-month-events-cofc/.
Each February, we reflect on how much our nation has changed for the better and celebrate the numerous contributions African-Americans have made to our culture, politics, economy, and society. Our observance of Black History Month provides us with an up-close and personal reminder that it has been the strength, never-ending hope, resiliency, and hard work of African-Americans and allies who have pushed the fabric of our country closer toward freedom for all, equality, justice, and the idea of a more perfect union.
We all know the journey toward a more just and equal nation – where the words of our founding documents match the intent – has been far from easy or painless or fair. Yet, through persistence, we – as a society – have come to embrace more of what’s right than what’s wrong. It is through this continued progression that we have breathed new life into a founding principle of our democracy: that people have inalienable rights, including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
That being said, there is still so much more to be accomplished. During these remaining days of Black History Month and the months and years to follow, I ask each of you to ponder how you can help move us closer toward a more perfect union, and then take action toward that ideal and toward helping build a better society for all.
Sincerely,
Glenn
