On a rainy, cold and windy Thursday night, students lined up outside the Richard B. Harrison Auditorium to listen to human and civil rights activist, Brittany “Bree” Newsome speak for the first time at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Students were standing in close proximity to stay warm, and the crowd thickened as the program began. Once admitted into Harrison, there was a buzz of excitement around the room.
Although it received much national attention, taking down the Confederate flag is just one of Newsome’s many heroic acts. Last year, she was arrested for participating in a sit in demonstration outside of North Carolina’s state capitol building, advocating for fair voter’s rights.
During her visit at N.C. A&T, the freedom fighter spoke freely about political issues that concerned her and greatly affected Black Americans. During her time in Harrison, Newsome stressed how much power students have while in college.
“Students have always been one of the most powerful groups that exist in any society, and that’s why at many times, when there is an oppressive power in place, education is one of the main things that gets attacked. They try to attack your ability to have an education… they try to attack your ability to gain knowledge in your youth when you have everything before you, and nothing to lose,” said Newsome.
Knowledge and power were consistent themes throughout the program. During the question and answer portion of the night, Newsome encouraged people to pay attention to the power they hold as citizens of the United States. She admitted that her courageous act in South Carolina, in the midst of blatant violence against Blacks, was not because she has something that others do not have. She attributes her activism to the traits she has in common with others.
“I am really at my core a black woman in America who decided that I would not sit on the sidelines and just allow history to happen…because I realize that there is no such thing as a national progression towards freedom, it has never been that way. Freedom is a byproduct of time. Freedom is the byproduct of people standing up and deciding that they will not just be passive participants in society, and accept what happens to them,” said Newsome.
In addition to the open dialogue with Newsome, fellow Aggie Asia French performed an empowering poem touching on the perception and power of Blacks in America. The poem complimented a documentary SGA’s Ogletree Administration played entitled Ferguson, An Occupied Territory, which depicts the the systematic structure of Ferguson, Missouri and the greater St. Louis area.
The program ultimately ended with a march from Harrison to the front steps of the Dudley building, where students held tea lights in silence to honor the lives of those who died due to systematic injustice.
Upon her departure, Newsome reminded students of what she said during the forum, “I want you to look in the mirror and see someone who can change the world, because you absolutely can.”
Jessica Smith – Senior Copy Editor
