Black History Banquet Attendees Told to Look to the Past

TYLER — Dozens were encouraged Saturday night to look to the past as a way of addressing the present and the future. The occasion was Tyler’s Annual City Wide Black History Program at the Rose Garden Center; the speaker was media figure, author, educator, and philanthropist Dr. Bertice Berry.

Berry told the audience, “In order to change the world, we have to change ourselves,” adding, “You can’t go forward without looking back.” She said past experiences often keep people from where they need to be, so it’s necessary to look back and deal with those experiences. She also advised attendees to draw on the wisdom of their elders. The importance of forgiveness and gratitude were two other themes addressed by Berry. Toward the end of her speech, she urged the audience to celebrate the past while learning from it, adding, “Black History Month is every month, and every day is black history day.”

Also at the gathering, postal Service representatives unveiled the 36th Black Heritage stamp, featuring civil rights icon Rosa Parks.