February 2016
February marks Black History Month. As this month draws to a close, I am reflective in the autumn of my career and thoughtful of what this event means personally and professionally to me, and what I hope it may mean to you.
I offer to you that the past is not prelude. The past is the marrow of tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a collection of all of the days that have come before us. As we work and live out our days we must do so in a manner that is the very best for the future. And above all, I am an optimist. I have faith. We have vanquished the notion that color or creed or circumstances of birth can keep someone from becoming a full participant in American society. I do not dwell on the past. But we must remember the context of our experiences; we must know history—our own histories.
I am humbled by the sacrifices of those African Americans who came before me and as an African American, I have a responsibility to live my life to fullest extent. To do otherwise is a disservice to their sacrifices.
My experience and education have given me knowledge, and as Frederick Douglass said, “Knowledge is the pathway from slavery to freedom.” In addition to knowledge, I continue to have faith in the future. I believe that even though perhaps it hasn’t always been that way for all Americans, we all can have a full portion of the dream—that American Dream.
Read Dr. Tuggle's Complete Perspective in the Open Spaces Blog
