Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Banquet draws crowd; speaker calls for action

There are lessons to be learned from the past, but its just as important not to waste the sacrifices of those who have gone before.

That was the message from Dr. Fitzgerald Hill, president of Arkansas Baptist College and former resident of Arkadelphia.

Hill told the more than 100 people gathered for the annual Ila Upchurch Foundation Banquet that the college was launched in 1884, making it the oldest college in existence today with a history of educating African Americans in Arkansas. He then asked the audience to consider what it was that made people work so hard at providing that educational opportunity.

Whatever it is, we need that today, Hill said.

He said there were no prerequisites for attendance, other than the desire for education.

If you wanted to better yourself, just come, he said. I cant imagine anyone telling a kid, You cant go to school, or saying, Youre not smart enough.

Hill said there are many opportunities available and most are taken for granted. The fact that Americans live in a society coveted by others is one of those. To drive home that point, Hill said hes never heard of the Mexican President deciding to put up fences along the border to keep Americans from flooding into Mexico.

His message to some of the young?

Youre not motivated to take advantage of the opportunities God has put here for you.

Hill said his own motivation came while in Desert Storm when he asked for the chance to return home. In return, he pledged that he would never again take a lazy step. He said his quest upon his return was to seek the highest education available.

Hill talked of the days of slavery when many African Americans were declined the opportunity to learn to read. He said that he has no doubt people were meant to read, otherwise God would have given Moses the 10 Commandments on an I-Pod.

He then compared the hardships of those who faced the educational upheaval of the 1960s to those today who simply arent motivated. While he said that motivation is personal, he put the blame for the problems on youth on the shoulders of adults.

Kids will do what theyre taught, he said, adding that parents should be held responsible for the actions of children. Were holding the child accountable because the parents arent parenting.

Hill said many adults, finding success, never return home other than to drive through. He said that has changed from the days when the best and brightest remained a part of the community. The fact of broken homes and dysfunctional families makes it imperative that the men and women spend time with the young people. He said its up to adults to give instruction and to face the issues.

You cant just tell them to pull their pants up, Hill said. Youve got to tell them why. We can no longer turn out backs on our young people.

Earl Foster, vice-president and acting president of the Ila Upchurch Board, closed the meeting by calling for volunteers for on-going and upcoming community projects.

While the message was serious, there were also some lighter moments during the event. Harding Deon, serving as toastmaster, said that there are many things his wife  Prescott Superintendent of Schools Hyacinth Deon  can do that he cant. He then asked all men with wives similarly talented to stand and called on the crowd to applaud the men.

I want Nevada County and all the surrounding area to have respect for us for bringing them, Deon said.