Today I celebrate and reflect on 110 years of a rich and bold fraternal tradition of social justice. Inequality and social injustice have characterized American society across generations of human beings and served as pivotal factors driving the need for fraternal organization by students at Cornell University in the fall of 1905.
Peaceful forward movement by members of a society can occur with educational attainment. The founding jewels of my celebrated fraternal tradition embraced the necessity of education, yet confronted barriers of physical appearance and economic status. In response, a collective was formed that birthed success and achievement of the individual and advancement of the group. The struggle of generations yielded a conceptual framework upon which the voice of progress spoke. And, as the server evolved into the leader, the mundane became the profound. Upon this framework, initiates of brilliant mind have diligently marched onwards and upwards for social justice. From a foundation on December 4, 1906 came the tenacious lawyer who successfully argued Brown v. Board of Education before the US Supreme Court and architects that drafted blueprints for peaceful civil disobedience of which every person in the nation has benefitted.
As I reflect continue to reflect on this day, dutiful custodians of social justice are ever in need. Sadly, the words of Verter Woodson Tandy, an exemplary architect and jewel of humanity, hold the same meaning today as they did in 1937. He urged like-minded others to, “ Do something constructive so that your sons, your daughters and all who come behind them will be proud of you. We must fight till hell freezes over and then fight on the ice.”
Moreover, consideration of the social progress that has occurred in our nation since January 1, 1863 is tantamount to hell freezing over. Please take a moment of pause and think about that changes that have occurred with 153 years. African Americans and women can vote, children are educated in desegregated schools, people of different ethnic backgrounds can unite in marriage, and people of the same gender enjoy the union of marriage as well. Further, if you consider that an estimated 3,959 Black people were murdered in racial terror lynchings between 1877 and 1950 (read here) then the election of an African American person as President of the United States and African American family living in a home constructed with the help of labor by enslaved Africans speaks of remarkable progress.
The past (you) and future (children) converge in the gift that is the present, which is the only time wherein meaningful change can occur. Thus, I urge that you not permit the celebration of achievement to overshadow the abundance of work that remains. The need for growth continues. We have a dynamic relationship with our environment. Although our surroundings impact us in mind and body, we are also able to shape and mold our physical and mental conditions as well. Even as the lotus blossom of our collective society continues to unfold the work remains and now we fight on the ice. As you return to the details of your life, what present can offer to those who shall come behind you?